Is Mormon Culture Cult-Ish?

[bluebell]

It's like a scorned lover or an ex, with a changed outlook. TBM's have low scores because they are in a honeymoon phase.

This is incredibly condescending.

What you have essentially said is that TBMs who disagree with your perception of the church do so because they don't see the church accurately.

[bluebell]

Whatever I don't believe.

That's what I thought.

[Kenngo1969]

What exactly is 'cultism'?

 

 

Whatever I don't believe.

 

 

That's what I thought.

 

Excellent!  You have been assimilated!  Resistance is futile!

[Tacenda]

This is incredibly condescending.

What you have essentially said is that TBMs who disagree with your perception of the church do so because they don't see the church accurately.

It's what I had, honeymoon phase, sorry to sound like everyone else has it. Also, what's condescending about loving a church and seeing no faults? Edited November 30, 2013 by Tacenda

[bluebell]

It's what I had, honeymoon phase, sorry to sound like everyone else has it. Also, what's condescending about loving a church and seeing no faults?

It's condescending to imply that anyone who doesn't agree with you isn't seeing the issue correctly.

[Tacenda]

It's condescending to imply that anyone who doesn't agree with you isn't seeing the issue correctly.

When did I do that? ETA: Nevermind, I apologise if I've done that. Edited November 30, 2013 by Tacenda

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Any kind of cultism is horrific and wrong. No logical and moral argument can be made to justify cultism, of any form. Whether is it a cultism of vladimir lenin or benito mussolini or ronald reagan or jesus christ... cultism is the most reprehensible and ****ed-up corruption for defenseless mind and soul of people...

 

It requires blind obedience, faith and piety with deep-seated doctrines to instate cultism, even among open and free societies..

 

It's time to think...and think...and think...

 

Please read the board rules before you post again.

It might help to read what the definition of a cult is, at least I hope so,

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Aren't we scaring the members who aren't clean cut, or clean living, out of or from the church?

Let me be more definitive, indeed "God does look on the inward man and not the outward man". But is we can dress in our best, but do not take the time, the he does look on the "outward man". Just because we are, make less than others, we can buy clothes that are neat and becoming of a people who can their best. Again it is not our house we visit, but God's, this demands respect. You can buy an outfit for 30-50 dollars which can show respect, if only we will. Also unless you are serving a mission or a GA, the Church no policy to wear white shirts or be clean shaven, each we can choose for themselves. This week I will attend Church with a goatee and a blue shirt with my suit, and no one will say a word. Also being "blue collar" does not make one poor. Edited December 1, 2013 by Bill “Papa” Lee

[EllenMaksoud]

14% Low risk.

 

I wish they'd had a category for Islam. My score would have been in the 70% range. In fact, for Islam I am wondering if I should or should have attended some de-programing sessions?

 

My experience with the Ev would have been in the 70% range or higher.

 

As to the cultishness of Mormons, LOL, giggle, buuuahhhhhahhhhh. I'll get control of myself soon.

[canard78]

I have just taken the test and got a score of 18%.

They issued me with a gentle warning.

 

I'm amused that even with a score of 18% they still warn you of mind control.

 

The more I look into it the more I think the survey is a "crock." It might just be a viral website for promoting the book it is based on.

 

It is based on a book by Steve Hassan.

"Steven Alan Hassan, M.Ed., LMHC, NCC has been involved in educating the public about mind control, controlling groups and destructive cults since 1976.

He holds a Masters degree in counseling psychology from Cambridge College, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)."

"Steve realized he wanted to help empower people to think freely for themselves and to be free from undue psychological influence. He also felt pulled to help uphold human rights, expose the abuses of all types of destructive groups and cults and promote consumer awareness. Steve founded the Freedom of Mind Resource Center Inc., a counseling and publishing organization to help him achieve those ends."

He was a member of The Moonies for a while. He has also spoken at ex-Mormon conferences. "Preaching to the choir" springs to mind.

[webbles]

I'm amused that even with a score of 18% they still warn you of mind control.

 

 

10% and lower is where it stops warning you. To get 10%, you have to average a score of 1 on all the questions.

[Stone holm]

Don't know what the definition of a cult is, but have always assumed that the world would always consider the true Church to be a cult.

[EllenMaksoud]

Having previously posted my score as 14%, I would like to share some observations I have about religion in general.  When I was ejected from the Evangelicals, along the way after there would be these moments when it would become apparent that there were certain ways of seeing things that had been "programmed" into me. It is hard to define those things, because it was 10 years ago. One of them was the obligatory judging of others. Being forced to confront my own failings in an extremely painful way put a stop to that, and now looking back, it is easy to remember the moment when I understood what had happened as brain washing. Rejection of others who do not conform to their ideals is part of that culture.

 

Surprisingly, Islam did not feel like a cult at the time. It was rather a time to quietly accept my own failings, and to plead with Allah SWT (God) for mercy and forgiveness. Being shrouded in all that concealing clothing, and spending so much time on the floor pleading with Allah SWT for absolution at that time was the perfect place for one so fallen as I. As I would go on in that experience, It would become apparent that Islam had deep issues of its own. The obnoxious, noisy minority was running the culture and the meek and devout were being silent about that.  Being Muslim was hard, for various reasons and rejection of non Arab converts is pretty common. It however never felt like I was being tormented by them.

 

So, when I was "kidnapped" by the Mormons ... yes, well enough of that.   Being Mormon now, certain aspects of the teaching do at times feel like programming. That it is promoting positive changes in our lives is important though. Please don't dwell on others calling us a cult at times. They only lash out because of their own fears and weaknesses.

[Tacenda]

Having previously posted my score as 14%, I would like to share some observations I have about religion in general.  When I was ejected from the Evangelicals, along the way after there would be these moments when it would become apparent that there were certain ways of seeing things that had been "programmed" into me. It is hard to define those things, because it was 10 years ago. One of them was the obligatory judging of others. Being forced to confront my own failings in an extremely painful way put a stop to that, and now looking back, it is easy to remember the moment when I understood what had happened as brain washing. Rejection of others who do not conform to their ideals is part of that culture.

 

Surprisingly, Islam did not feel like a cult at the time. It was rather a time to quietly accept my own failings, and to plead with Allah SWT (God) for mercy and forgiveness. Being shrouded in all that concealing clothing, and spending so much time on the floor pleading with Allah SWT for absolution at that time was the perfect place for one so fallen as I. As I would go on in that experience, It would become apparent that Islam had deep issues of its own. The obnoxious, noisy minority was running the culture and the meek and devout were being silent about that.  Being Muslim was hard, for various reasons and rejection of non Arab converts is pretty common. It however never felt like I was being tormented by them.

 

So, when I was "kidnapped" by the Mormons ... yes, well enough of that.   Being Mormon now, certain aspects of the teaching do at times feel like programming. That it is promoting positive changes in our lives is important though. Please don't dwell on others calling us a cult at times. They only lash out because of their own fears and weaknesses.

I do agree that our church is sweet about persuasion and programming and do it for our own good.  But for some it's harmful and for others it's just what they need in order to have religion.  Everyone is different.  I harp over certain things but deep down know our church isn't a horrible cult.  I think people can get in the way sometimes and make it seem so.  But for the most part we the people do have a say, which is nice.  Sometimes though the commercialism bothers me, but hey when the church has that kind of revenue, go for it I guess.  If I want a humble little church to go to, I'm sure I can find it.          

[bluebell]

I wonder how a family unit would score on this test?

If someone took the test, substituting parents for leaders, would we all find out that we were raised and are raising our children in a cult?

[birdgirl]

I am just a little uncomfortable with the primary song Follow The Prophet. There are nine verses (my ward made up one more on Hinckley) and between each verse the children would chant/sing/yell:

Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! Don't go astray!

Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! He knows the way!!

Nine times (ten in my ward). 54 (or 60) "follow the prophet"s

In my ward the kids would pound one little fist into their open palm on every "follow."

Maybe some wards skip some verses.

No big deal but it seems a little culty ( cultesque?) to have kids as young as three repeat that so many times. One year when they were preparing for the primary program they sang it every week for at least two months (I was a primary teacher) which began to bother me. After that it was just once every month or two.

[Tacenda]

Follow the Saviour! Follow the Saviour! Follow the Saviour!

 

He knows the way....

 

 

Would appear less cultish.

[Calm]

Follow the Saviour! Follow the Saviour! Follow the Saviour!

 

He knows the way....

 

 

Would appear less cultish.

Why?  Isn't it still giving the idea of strong obedience?

[canard78]

Follow the Saviour! Follow the Saviour! Follow the Saviour!

He knows the way....

Would appear less cultish.

Not just like, loooooove this.

I'm not a fan of the song or the repetitive emphasis.

We do however have: "I'm trying to be like Jesus..."

[Tacenda]

Not just like, loooooove this.

I'm not a fan of the song or the repetitive emphasis.

We do however have: "I'm trying to be like Jesus..."

You're right we do have that song about Jesus and several others.  I don't mind following the prophet's advice if it is holy, but ever since my crisis, I tend to replace words in church.  I serve in Primary and when we sing "Follow the Prophet", I always replace prophet with "Saviour", I don't know if anyone has caught on, nor do I say, we believe the bible as far as it's translated correctly, I just leave the tail end off.  I'm bad I know. 

[webbles]

I did the test and I got 24% for the church.  I then redid it for my high school.  I got 27%.

[Stone holm]

I am just a little uncomfortable with the primary song Follow The Prophet. There are nine verses (my ward made up one more on Hinckley) and between each verse the children would chant/sing/yell:

Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! Don't go astray!

Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! He knows the way!!

Nine times (ten in my ward). 54 (or 60) "follow the prophet"s

In my ward the kids would pound one little fist into their open palm on every "follow."

Maybe some wards skip some verses.

No big deal but it seems a little culty ( cultesque?) to have kids as young as three repeat that so many times. One year when they were preparing for the primary program they sang it every week for at least two months (I was a primary teacher) which began to bother me. After that it was just once every month or two.

I don't see that as particularly cultish, just good old fashion conditioning. Do you have a problem with conditioning children?

[Stone holm]

I don't see that as particularly cultish, just good old fashion conditioning. Do you have a problem with conditioning children?

Interesting, took the quiz and got a 43% rating. Is this a test for your level of cynicism?

[BlueDreams]

I don't see that as particularly cultish, just good old fashion conditioning. Do you have a problem with conditioning children?

 

Depends....is it loreal or good ol' johnson&johnson conditioner

Edited December 1, 2013 by BlueDreams

[sunstoned]

No, it wasn't designed for LDS. It was written based on one researcher's definition of a cult (he's not the last word on it). His definition is highly disputed. I don't agree with all of his classifications.

 

Don't worry, you're not in a cult (in the 'anti-cult' definition of a cult). This is more an experiment in perception. I'm interested to see how we perceive our relationship with the church and its influence.

 

 

 

Here is my score.  This kind of freaks me out:

 

 

87% Extremely Controlling

This is an extremely high result and we urge caution. The intensity and degree of control that this institution exerts is cause for considerable concern. The mechanisms for deep-seated psychological control are firmly in place and have a high potential to be exploited.

This is not to say that everything about the organization is bad, or does no good. It means that they use methods common to other extremely controlling cults.

We recommend you seek the opinion of a non-affiliated therapist for a professional consultation as soon as possible.

Further, we recommend research of mind control methods, compliance techniques and social psychology to protect yourself from abuses from this and any other organization.

Edited December 1, 2013 by sunstoned