Is Mormonism a cult?

Post by **_why me** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:20 am

Cult is a term that is applied to many organizations. The catholic church was also termed a cult at one time. However, the Mormon church is no cult. If so, many of the exers on this board would still be in it. Everyone has the ability to leave the LDS church on their own accord. No one locks down the doors. However, whether or not, a person feels good about leaving is quite another matter. Mormonism has a strong message of truth and a good story to back up its beginnings. And many of the exers did feel the holy ghost in their lives and such feelings do not slide from memories very quickly.

No Mormonism is not a cult but for those who leave there is always a lingering feeling that it may just be true after all and it is attempting to adjust to those lingering feelings that can cause hardship mentally and hence, the comfort in calling the LDS church a 'cult'.

Post by **_silentkid** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 3:48 pm

why me wrote:Cult is a term that is applied to many organizations. The catholic church was also termed a cult at one time. However, the Mormon church is no cult. If so, many of the exers on this board would still be in it. Everyone has the ability to leave the LDS church on their own accord. No one locks down the doors. However, whether or not, a person feels good about leaving is quite another matter. Mormonism has a strong message of truth and a good story to back up its beginnings. And many of the exers did feel the holy ghost in their lives and such feelings do not slide from memories very quickly.

No Mormonism is not a cult but for those who leave there is always a lingering feeling that it may just be true after all and it is attempting to adjust to those lingering feelings that can cause hardship mentally and hence, the comfort in calling the LDS church a 'cult'.

So, you're definition of a cult is a group that no one can leave? I'm not sure I get it. Are the Moonies a cult? The part I bolded is just plain ridiculous. Keep trying.

Post by **_why me** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 5:52 pm

silentkid wrote:
why me wrote:Cult is a term that is applied to many organizations. The catholic church was also termed a cult at one time. However, the Mormon church is no cult. If so, many of the exers on this board would still be in it. Everyone has the ability to leave the LDS church on their own accord. No one locks down the doors. However, whether or not, a person feels good about leaving is quite another matter. Mormonism has a strong message of truth and a good story to back up its beginnings. And many of the exers did feel the holy ghost in their lives and such feelings do not slide from memories very quickly.

No Mormonism is not a cult but for those who leave there is always a lingering feeling that it may just be true after all and it is attempting to adjust to those lingering feelings that can cause hardship mentally and hence, the comfort in calling the LDS church a 'cult'.

So, you're definition of a cult is a group that no one can leave? I'm not sure I get it. Are the Moonies a cult? The part I bolded is just plain ridiculous. Keep trying.

Back in the 70's when the moonies were just beginning they were looked upon as a cult because it was very difficult for a person to leave the unification church. Plus, the moonies did seem like a mindless cult back then as they sold flowers and smiled on the streets of new york. But yes, cults are difficult to leave because of leader control. This is why comparisons with David Koresh and Jim Jones are off the mark when compared to the LDS church.

I stand by my original statement that you enlightened in bold black. It is difficult to mentally leave the LDS church because of its truth claims and the way the restoration took place. Not to mention the strength the holy ghost when critics were members. Hence, critics can spend a lot of time downplaying their past and the testimony once possessed.

_Ray A · Post by **_Ray A** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:52 am

Here is an excerpt from an interview with Kenneth Woodward, who has been a (non-Mormon) religion writer for 38 years:

7. Is it a cult?

Good question. Christianity itself began as a cult. That is, its adherents worshiped a human being as divine, which defines a cult. Today, the LDS church is just as much a church as, say, the Roman Catholic Church. Many of the same Fundamentalists who consider Mormonism a cult also regard Catholicism as a cult. Romney should ignore them. (Emphasis added)

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/08/23 ... 9461.shtml

The exmo claim that Mormonism is a "cult" is based on personal bias, and nothing else. Get over your irrational anger, exmos.

Post by **_gramps** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:51 pm

Ray wrote:

The exmo claim that Mormonism is a "cult" is based on personal bias, and nothing else. Get over your irrational anger, exmos.

What would you say is the reason for others, not exmos, in labeling Mormonism a cult? irrational anger?

_Ray A · Post by **_Ray A** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:43 am

gramps wrote:Ray wrote:

The exmo claim that Mormonism is a "cult" is based on personal bias, and nothing else. Get over your irrational anger, exmos.

What would you say is the reason for others, not exmos, in labeling Mormonism a cult? irrational anger?

Stupidity and ignorance.

Post by **_silentkid** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:46 am

Ray A wrote:Here is an excerpt from an interview with Kenneth Woodward, who has been a (non-Mormon) religion writer for 38 years:

7. Is it a cult?

Good question. Christianity itself began as a cult. That is, its adherents worshiped a human being as divine, which defines a cult. Today, the LDS church is just as much a church as, say, the Roman Catholic Church. Many of the same Fundamentalists who consider Mormonism a cult also regard Catholicism as a cult. Romney should ignore them. (Emphasis added)

Ray...If you would go back and read my original posts on this topic, you'd see that I already made that point.

Post by **_silentkid** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:01 am

why me wrote:It is difficult to mentally leave the LDS church because of its truth claims and the way the restoration took place.

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here. What is it about how "the restoration took place" that makes it difficult to "mentally leave the LDS church"?

Not to mention the strength the holy ghost when critics were members. Hence, critics can spend a lot of time downplaying their past and the testimony once possessed.

I think that many critics, especially those who post on this board, would disagree with your assessment. I don't believe that a "holy ghost" exists. The feelings that I received as a member of the church were results of emotional responses to pre-conditioning (having been taught my whole life that the church was true). I agree that it is difficult for members to leave the church because of their mental conditioning. Members aren't prevented from resigning from the church (like in some of the examples you mentioned) but they are heavily discouraged from doing so. I don't equate the Mormon church with Jim Jones et al. I do think that it has some of the characteristics of a cult as defined in the OP.