Is Mormonism a cult?

[_KimberlyAnn]

If Kimberlyann needs to label the LDS Church as a "cult" in order to feel better about her current Christian faith, then I suppose there is little harm in that.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Huh?

I'm still trying to figure out where I am religiously, or if I'm even religious at all. I don't know what you're talking about.

KA

[_silentkid]

I once asked Michael Shermer his opinion on this.
He said the mainstream LDS church is not a cult but that it was when it started.

Ignore my previous request...I found it. From pages 119 and 120 in Why People Believe Weird Things, Michael Shermer states that a cult is characterized by:

Veneration of the leader: Glorification of the leader to the point of virtual sainthood or divinity.

Inerrancy of the leader: Belief that the leader cannot be wrong.

Omniscience of the leader: Acceptance of the leader's beliefs and pronouncements on all subjects, from the philosophical to the trivial.

Persuasive techniques: Methods, from benign to coercive, used to recruit new followers and reinforce current beliefs.

Hidden agendas: The true nature of the group's beliefs and plans is obscured from or not fully disclosed to potential recruits and the general public.

Deceit: Recruits and followers are not told everything they should know about the leader and the group's inner circle, and particularly disconcerting flaws or potentially embarrassing events or circumstances are covered up.

Financial and/or sexual exploitation: Recruits and followers are persuaded to invest money and other assets in the group, and the leader may develop sexual relations with one or more of the followers.

Absolute truth: Belief that the leader and/or the group has discovered final knowledge on any number of subjects.

Absolute morality: Belief that the leader and/or the group has developed a system of right and wrong thought and action applicable to members and nonmembers alike. Those who strictly follow the moral code become and remain members; those who do not are dismissed or punished.

I can see where the early LDS church fits into all of these categories. The modern LDS church still fits into many of these categories. Is it an all or nothing categorization?

[_Daniel Peterson]

No, Mormonism is not a cult.

Not, at least, according to any definition that can reasonably be defended -- except for the value-neutral sociological/anthropological sense of the word that speaks of "the Jewish temple cult," etc., and that is applied by social scientists, archaeologists, and the like to any and all religious or liturgical/ritual systems. But I doubt that that rather bloodless definition carries enough disdain to fully gratify you.

I make this case at some length in the book Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints.

[_dartagnan]

By definition Mormonism is a cult, but so are all religions.

The term cult most often refers to religions that seem to have a stranglehold on its adherents. This is why, I think, many people apply the term to the LDS Church. Mormons are generally more involved as a community, than most Churches. To outsiders this can come across as controlling. In most cases I think the cult inferences are exagerrated, but there are differences between Mormonism and most Christian sects, that would cause people to reasonably conclude it is a "cult" in a stronger sense.

[_Polygamy Porter]

No, Mormonism is not a cult.

Not, at least, according to any definition that can reasonably be defended -- except for the value-neutral sociological/anthropological sense of the word that speaks of "the Jewish temple cult," etc., and that is applied by social scientists, archaeologists, and the like to any and all religious or liturgical/ritual systems. But I doubt that that rather bloodless definition carries enough disdain to fully gratify you.

I make this case at some length in the book Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter-day Saints.

I will laugh when you finally leave Dan.

How long will you waste your talents on this facade?

[_Daniel Peterson]

For several reasons, I'll be posting here far less in the future than I have been.

Whether I'll leave completely, though, is uncertain. I like being able to announce new publications here.

[_Polygamy Porter]

For several reasons, I'll be posting here far less in the future than I have been.

Whether I'll leave completely, though, is uncertain. I like being able to announce new publications here.

God man you lie like the rug.

You have a compulsive disorder.

[_smitty]

The answer to your question is YES. The question you are asking and the forum you are asking is like a white guy, in the 1950, ask his buddies if he is a racist. The only answer you are going to get is "supportive" answers. Lets see you have to give 10% or you don't get the TR (who cares), you have to spend all your "free" time doing church activities, you have to spend two years of your life doing the "churches" work for a small fee, you have to wear joseph jammies, you have to say oh my heck, you have seen others drinking beer and shiver, and you believe anything most of these people will tell you. Look around for yourself and see how many false prophecies old joe had. He is no "Prophet", but he was looking to make a "profit". Conartist, bottom line.

[_moksha]

There are at times during some discussions that it seems like we Mormons are harboring a cult of obedience, but that is not really the case. Some members are just overly zealous in what they preach.

[_Yoda]

By definition Mormonism is a cult, but so are all religions.

The term cult most often refers to religions that seem to have a stranglehold on its adherents. This is why, I think, many people apply the term to the LDS Church. Mormons are generally more involved as a community, than most Churches. To outsiders this can come across as controlling. In most cases I think the cult inferences are exagerrated, but there are differences between Mormonism and most Christian sects, that would cause people to reasonably conclude it is a "cult" in a stronger sense.

This is exactly how I feel. Of course, Kevin and I were separated at birth. LOL

I have friends who are extremely devout in their chosen religion. These friends are as engaged and, I suppose, from an external standpoint, "controlled" by their Church in the same sense that LDS members are "controlled" by their Church.

As Kevin stated, there is a stronger sense of community and culture which exists in the LDS Church, which can appear intimidating to people.

And, as Dr. Peterson pointed out, both on this thread, and on other threads he has participated in, the Jewish faith has MANY cultural restrictions..when to eat certain things, etc. and no one ever refers to the Jewish religion as a cult.