Chad (Swedeboy) Spjut wrote: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.
Chad! I'm thrilled to see your reply and to see you paid a visit to this board! Mwa!
You know I agree with you. I don't even need to say it, do I?
I think groups and allegiances can do people good, but Mormonism is too stifling and controlling. Direction and belonging can be found in many other organizations much less totalitarian than Mormonism.
And is using the testicular squeeze method of ensuring compliance always wrong? If so, I'd better go apologize to my husband... :P
KA