Is Mormonism a cult?

[_Yoda]

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.

LOL! Why not?

We're all for free enterprise, here.

;)

[_silentkid]

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.

Make your case on this thread. Why don't you discuss the definitions already given here or supply one that you feel is more meaningful? I'm no anti-mormon and I'm not playing word games. I'm using definitions that have been supplied (in KA's OP and my reference to Shermer). If you don't like those definitions or feel our interpretations of how they may fit Mormonism are incorrect, contest that here.

[_Some Schmo]

Yes, there are degrees of "cultishness" among the various religions, and anyone who can even half-way objectively look at the church knows it's one of the most cultish religions around.

The fact that people who may be considered "anti-mormon" call people's attention to the fact that it's a cult does not diminish it's obvious truth. Mormons don't like for it to be called a cult because that would mean something about them they don't like to admit, but a spade is a spade.

[_Jason Bourne]

There are probably as many definitions of what a cult is as there are actual cults, and pinning down a definition which with everyone agrees may be impossible. I can say that I believe I left a cult when I left the Mormon church three years ago. I may be letting my prejudice get in the way, but I do believe Mormonism meets most of the criteria for a cult - at least according to certain definitions.

I'm not a scholar. I'm a stay-at-home mother to four little girls and I don't have the time or interest to do a lot of research for posts I make on this board, and I don't expect anyone else to invest significant amounts of time in their posts, either. But, I was able to pull up a couple of articles on cults and a few definitions which may be of interest.

The first definition is by Michael Langone, PhD of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), which by the way does not list cults, and has no information about Mormonism on it's website, defines totalistic cults as the following:

Cult (totalistic type): A group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g. isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.), designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community. (West & Langone, 1986, pp. 119-120)


The second definition is from Robert J. Lifton's criteria from his book, "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism". It's really a list of eight methods of mind control used by cults:

1. Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.

2. Mystical Manipulation. There is manipulation of experiences that appear spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement or some special gift or talent that will then allow the leader to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes.

3. Demand for Purity. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.

4. Confession. Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders.

5. Sacred Science. The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.

6. Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés which serve to alter members' thought processes to conform to the group's way of thinking.

7. Doctrine over person. Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.

8. Dispensing of existence. The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also. (Lifton, 1989)

My taking a few minutes and looking for these definitions can in no way be interpreted as actual research, but after reading the definitions carefully, I have to say it's my opinion that Mormonism fits most of the criteria of a cult, as do many other groups or religions. Also, I think it can be said that there is a scale of danger within cults, and one may not be nearly as destructive as another. Though I consider Mormonism a cult, it's not nearly as destructive as Scientology, which I also consider a cult.

What say ye? Is Mormonism a cult? A quasi-cult? Not by any means a cult?

Curious,

KA

PS - Since Don Bradley is taking a break from posting here in the Terrestrial Kingdom, but did give a hearty defense against charges that Mormonism is a cult on another thread, I will give the link to his post so that anyone wanting to read it may do so: http://www.mormondiscussions.com/discus ... 9451#59451

Based on t your definitions almost any religion meets the defination of cult

I do no think Mormonism is a cult at all.

[_Some Schmo]

Based on t your definitions almost any religion meets the defination of cult

I do no think Mormonism is a cult at all.

Well, that should tell you something about all religions.

So, it's not a cult "at all" or you don't think that "at all?"

[_KimberlyAnn]

Based on t your definitions almost any religion meets the defination of cult

I do no think Mormonism is a cult at all.

Well, that should tell you something about all religions.

So, it's not a cult "at all" or you don't think that "at all?"

You're right, Jason. Yes, according to the provided definitions, I do think many religions meet the definition of a cult. I think it's important to realize not all cults are equally dangerous - I'd imagine there's a scale of cultishness, if you will. There are probably relatively benign cults at the bottom of the scale, and aggressively malignant cults at the top. Very likely Mormonism is somewhere in the middle of that scale, in my opinion.

KA

[_silentkid]

Apologetics 101: Lesson 23. Refuse to address the issue. Attack the questioner, using false sincerity or hyperbole.

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-

But I doubt that that rather bloodless definition carries enough disdain to fully gratify you.

[_Some Schmo]

Apologetics 101: Lesson 23. Refuse to address the issue. Attack the questioner, using false sincerity or hyperbole.

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-

But I doubt that that rather bloodless definition carries enough disdain to fully gratify you.

LOL

It's funny 'cause it's true.

[_Jason Bourne]

Based on t your definitions almost any religion meets the defination of cult

I do no think Mormonism is a cult at all.

Well, that should tell you something about all religions.

So, it's not a cult "at all" or you don't think that "at all?"

I do not think the LDS Church is a cult. It has tendencies, just like all religions, or even some fratenral organizations and MLM companies. It was more so when it started as was Christianity.

[_Chad (Swedeboy) Spjut]

For me the question is not so much if Mormonism is a cult, but to what extreme the cult of Mormonism controls the hearts and minds of it membership. Mormonism is an organization that requires group think, group conformity etc. to be successful. The individual is marginalized in the effort to support the group at all costs. This for me is what causes the definition of cult, a mind controlling, or a will controlling organization to be so readily applied to Mormonism.

As an active Mormon, I was always told I was free to choose which course I could take, no one would force me. But that is not true. Yes, not once did anyone show up at my home with a gun and force me to church. Mormonism is much more insidious than that. Mormonism uses guilt, coercion, manipulation and spiritual gangersterism to ensure compliance with its edicts; there is very little of "free agency" involved. Fear is the great controller of Mormonism, and if the god of Mormonism uses the tools of coercion, fear and manipulation, then he is no better than his opposite, even Lucifer himself. The former blood oaths of the temple truly show that fear is the tool of choice and dare I say the grease to keep the wheels of Mormonism rolling. Even the doctrine of eternal families is abhorrent and fear laden, "If you don't do it our way, say good bye to your family!" It would seem that the Cosa Nostra have nothing on the Mormon Church!

Mormonism has moved away from its bloody past of nailing the testicles of dissidents to ward house walls ala Bishop Snow, but it still uses the spiritual testicular squeeze to ensure compliance and obedience at all costs. Mormonism is an obedience organization. The attribute prized by all authoritarian organizations, regardless if they are labeled as a cult or not.

So yes, I would say Mormonism is a cult, but a cult on par with the Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology etc. One must make distinctions in ones definitions from time to time.