The Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are Brainwashed

[PattyPryor]

Debate all you want but I truly believe it. I believe it more today than yesterday. Agree or disagree. That is what this topic is for, Have fun-

 

[Eucharisted]

For whatever reason, when I read the title, I imagined a washer and dryer with brains in them.

 

[ParkerD]

For whatever reason, when I read the title, I imagined a washer and dryer with brains in them.

Your imagination has gone in the right direction, but to be more clear as to the Mormons you could visualize a washer and a dryer and a furnace, and people like me would have gone through all three experiences: the washing by baptism by immersion for the remission of sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer; the drying or further cleansing and purifying through the gift and power of the Holy Spirit (the baptism of fire); and the furnace of affliction by which they are tried and further purified, all the while being sustained by the Lord whereby these things work together for their good. “That when He shall appear we may be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Being purified is a good thing, not a bad thing.

 

[Answersplease]

Debate all you want but I truly believe it. I believe it more today than yesterday. Agree or disagree. That is what this topic is for, Have fun-

I guess the brainwashing was’nt enough for this guy:

From Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith

When a leading apostle, David W. Patten, raised insulting questions, Smith slapped him in the face and kicked him into the yard.[55] After a warrant was issued for Smith’s arrest on the charge of bank fraud, Smith and Rigdon fled Kirtland for Missouri on the night of January 12, 1838.[56]

 

[sfl]

Brainwashed? Thats not a very nice thing to say. The same could theoretically be said about people in any religion.

There is no need to be rude to people, thats not very Catholic.

 

[RebeccaJ]

It isn’t uncharitable, it is an observation, that will be made time and again for anyone who has Mormon friends or family. You go like this: and pray that some day they will make it out of the fog. It is a reality. The other choice, is to believe that Mormon friends and family are purposefully mean and uncaring.

 

[PattyPryor]

I am not trying to be rude with this post but really I feel as though it is FACT. I’m sorry if some people feel I am offending the JW and mormons

 

[Spooksam]

I think the heart of brainwashing is when people are told what they are supposed to believe rather than being encouraged to think for themselves. With that, I think it is possible for Catholics and Protestants to be brainwashed, as well. When I have talked with people of other religions, they become very irritated when you get them “off script” and often result to a defensive, “Well, that just what my church teaches.” People must be encouraged to know for themselves what they believe and why. Just like the Jim Jones cult, when people are told not to read the Bible bad things can happen.

 

[ricko]

I think the heart of brainwashing is when people are told what they are supposed to believe rather than being encouraged to think for themselves. With that, I think it is possible for Catholics and Protestants to be brainwashed, as well. When I have talked with people of other religions, they become very irritated when you get them “off script” and often result to a defensive, “Well, that just what my church teaches.” People must be encouraged to know for themselves what they believe and why. Just like the Jim Jones cult, when people are told not to read the Bible bad things can happen.

I believe that you have hit on at least one of the nails (bold above). From the very beginning Mormons (to be) are not given the BOM and asked to give their free opinion. They are told that the BOM is true and IS another testament of Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit will tell them it is true after praying about it. Here is the beginning of the brainwashing. They are told (in so many words) that the book is true and that if the person has faith the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to them. So first, they are told the book is true and the H.S. will prove it IF the person has faith. Now the person reading it is in a dilemma. If they don’t believe it then they know that they do not have faith so there is something wrong with them. That’s brainwashing

 

[aquabatix]

I believe that you have hit on at least one of the nails (bold above). From the very beginning Mormons (to be) are not given the BOM and asked to give their free opinion. They are told that the BOM is true and IS another testament of Jesus Christ and that the Holy Spirit will tell them it is true after praying about it. Here is the beginning of the brainwashing. They are told (in so many words) that the book is true and that if the person has faith the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to them. So first, they are told the book is true and the H.S. will prove it IF the person has faith. Now the person reading it is in a dilemma. If they don’t believe it then they know that they do not have faith so there is something wrong with them. That’s brainwashing

You are sort of correct. As it went with myself being converted to Mormonism, I was told to pray about it and ask if it was true. Basically, if you didn’t receive an answer, you were not asking faithfully enough or were not open to the spirit. It’s a one answer situation. If you are looking for faith, you will try hard at this and think you receive an answer. Basically it’s only convincing yourself.

But you are incorrect in the fact that they do give you a BOM right away. They pass them out like it’s going out of style. However, unless you are a Biblical Scholar, you can not simply read a few highlighted passages and tell if something is authentic. Written in seemingly the same style as the Bible, the BOM will seem “scriptural” to anyone. Simply different names, places and dates.

 

[SkinnyJay]

From American Heritage Dictionary,

Brainwashing:

1. Intensive, forcible indoctrination, usually political or religious, aimed at destroying a person’s basic convictions and attitudes and replacing them with an alternative set of fixed beliefs.
2. The application of a concentrated means of persuasion, such as an advertising campaign or repeated suggestion, in order to develop a specific belief or motivation.

I would not consider what Mormons do to convert and retain members to fall under this definition.

 

[ricko]

I think the heart of brainwashing is when people are told what they are supposed to believe rather than being encouraged to think for themselves. With that, I think it is possible for Catholics and Protestants to be brainwashed, as well. When I have talked with people of other religions, they become very irritated when you get them “off script” and often result to a defensive, “Well, that just what my church teaches.” People must be encouraged to know for themselves what they believe and why. Just like the Jim Jones cult, when people are told not to read the Bible bad things can happen.

The Mormons practice brainwashing by telling others that by praying and asking the Holy Spirit they will know the Book of Mormon to be true. Right off the person has a dilemma in that if they don’t believe then they do not have faith and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The correct way would be to tell someone to read the book without any “ifs”. They don’t do that. They put a condition that if you don’t believe then you are lacking faith.

The Catholic Church has in its teachings that no one may be coerced into becoming Catholic, that it is a choice the individual must freely make.

Correction, computer problem. Didn’t think my post got in and also the “not” was a mistype. Of course they are given the Book of Mormon right off.

 

[ricko]

From American Heritage Dictionary,

Brainwashing:

1. Intensive, forcible indoctrination, usually political or religious, aimed at destroying a person’s basic convictions and attitudes and replacing them with an alternative set of fixed beliefs.
2. The application of a concentrated means of persuasion, such as an advertising campaign or repeated suggestion, in order to develop a specific belief or motivation.

I would not consider what Mormons do to convert and retain members to fall under this definition.

Missionaries, for example, ask Temple Square visitors, “How do you feel when you are on Temple Square?” Missionaries are instructed to teach potential converts that certain feelings are from the Holy Spirit (any negative feelings about the religion are presupposed to be not of the Spirit). They are also discouraged from investigating Mormonism’s history, doctrine, and the claims of its detractors. Supreme emphasis is put on the prayer and the subsequent “burning in the bosom”. If one prays and does not receive the appropriate “testimony”, one is encouraged to pray more sincerely. The absence of an emotional confirmation is seen not as a testimony against Mormonism, but rather against the sincerity of the one praying. Most missionaries of mainstream Mormonism usually will not discuss the more controversial or problematic doctrines of its organization until this “testimony” is acquired.

That’s brainwashing and the Mormons are experts at it.

 

[JordanSRT]

Debate all you want but I truly believe it. I believe it more today than yesterday. Agree or disagree. That is what this topic is for, Have fun-

So are christians! Have fun

 

[Joe_Brown]

lol they are brainwashed

 

[survive]

Not all persuasion is brainwashing (aka coercive persuasion, mind control, thought reform), but the force it takes to control a mind need not be violent. In fact it works better if it’s nonviolent. It’s forced persuasion when the dominant girls in school harass you when you don’t wear this month’s jacket and they act like your best friends when you do, and also tell others to do the same, play tricks on you if you try to ignore them, and won’t answer why it’s so important to them except on their turf, away from any possible help from people like you in arguing with them. That’s the brainwashing of fashion and it’s a stage in controlling the consciousness of their generation. But its scope is limited, so it’s not life-destroying. Everyone knows the whole time you’ll leave school and outgrow the influence.
So, everyone’s been through all the elements of mind control – just not necessarily all at once, and not necessarily relating to the most important subject, Who God is and what He wants from us.
I don’t know whether JWs and Mormons are brainwashed. I know there are religious groups that do brainwash people, and I do know that very few Christians are in such groups. Most Christians arrived at our conclusions with free and clear mental processes. However, I was brainwashed for years into atheism, and I also grew up atheist. I was raised with just as much coercion as any religious child – I would say much more.

 

[Eucharisted]

Here ya go

 

[Finrock]

Greetings everyone!

I’ve posted the scripture I quote below from the Doctrine and Covenants before and honestly it is one of my favorite scriptures of all time. It declares the pattern of heaven and the pattern that we, as individuals, should embrace with our dealings with each other. I’m particularly reminded of the principles of this scripture when dealing with my children. God doesn’t operate via coercion or unrighteous dominion in compelling or forcing His will upon His children. He allows us to choose, for better or for worse, to make the choices in life we make.

Brainwashing is antithetical to how God operates and to the doctrines and principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It isn’t part of the program and it shouldn’t be a part of the lives of the Church’s members.

God, and I believe His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teaches us that we should not “…exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness…” but rather we are to teach and to uplift, “…only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile— Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (D&C 121:37,41-42,45-46).

It is somewhat coincedental that I was just speaking of this with my brother lastnight. The fact that there are thousands of Mormon scientist, philosophers, astronomers, biologist, doctors, and experts from every field of knowledge and practice, with degrees from prestigious schools, years of training and schooling, and years of experience, in the eyes of many, it seems, this is all irrelevant. Regardless of anything else, they are still the brainwashed quaky Mormon kooks and everything they say or do is tainted. No matter how rational the position or how good the person, some will always view the Mormons as just some brainwashed kooks. In the end, however, I think most Mormons feel honored and blessed to be charged falsely, ridiculed, mocked, and looked down upon for the sake of the Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the plight of all of saints, ancient or latter-day, to suffer the ridicule of the ignorant. Jesus said, “[f]ools mock, but they shall mourn…” promising that “…[his] grace is sufficient for the meek” (Ether 12:26). The grace of Christ is sufficient for me and if following the path that Jesus Christ has tread (and it is to Jesus that the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ lead) means being brainwashed, then I’ll have a second dose please!

Inspite of the clamour of the belittling crowd, though, I am happy that there are still many of those who have ears that hear and those who have eyes that see.

Kind Regards,
Finrock

 

[bacalzoLDS]

First, having just checked the dictionary and found the word “cult” to mean either “a system of religious beliefs and ritual”, “a religion regarded as unorthodox” or “great devotion among a group to a particular person, idea or thing”, I, personally would not find the use of the word “cult” offensive because I know its correct definition. The sad thing is that most people using the word “cult” have no idea of the word’s correct definition. One definition of a cult is “a great devotion among a group to a particular person, idea or thing,” and LDs are truly devoted to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Second, I’ve never agreed with Protestant Doctrine, at least not how Protestants put it across, and in my mind it’s always been either Catholic or a Restorationist Church. Before I even met the Missionaries or knew anything of the Church, I’d already come to the conclusion that the Catholic Church is not correct. But it’s interesting how much the Catholic Church resembles ours, most of the Doctrine is very similar, though it’s like the Catholic Doctrine is a half formed version of ours, just like I’d expect if the LDS Church was true (well I say if, but you know what I mean). There are things I disgree with in the Catholic Church, but I think they are a good 80 - 90% there.

Last, (Orson F. Whitney, Saturday Night Thoughts, Part 3, (Salt Lake City:
Deseret News Press, 1921), 63-64.)A Catholic Opinion.–Many years ago there came to Salt Lake City a learned a doctor of divinity, a member of the Roman Catholic Church. I became well acquainted with him, and we conversed freely and frankly. A great scholar,
with perhaps a dozen, languages at his tongue’s end, he seemed to know all
about theology, law, literature, science and philosophy, and was never weary of displaying his vast erudition. One day he said to me: “You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don’t even know the strength of your own position. It is so strong that there is only one other tenable in the whole Christian world, and that is the position of the Catholic Church. The issue is betweenCatholicism and Mormonism. If we are right, you are wrong; if you are right,we are wrong; and that’s all there is to it. The Protestants haven’t a leg
to stand on. If we are wrong, they are wrong with us, for they were a part
of us and went out from us; while if we are right, they are apostates whom
we cut off long ago. If we really have, as we claim, the apostolic
succession from St. Peter, there was no need for Joseph Smith and Mormonism; but if we have not that succession, then such a man as Joseph Smith was necessary, and Mormonism’s attitude is the only consistent one. It is either the perpetuation of the Gospel from ancient times, or the restoration of the Gospel in latter days.” The Catholic theologian’s name is John A. Reiner. The source is Orson F. Whitney’s autobiography, Through Memory’s Halls: The Life Story of Orson F. Whitney, as Told by Himself (Independence, MO: Zion’s Printing and Publishing Company, 1930), 222-23. [If you want to buy a copy of the book, be forewarned that it is long out of print; the cheapest one I saw on the internet was $325.]"The statement is also included in LeGrand Richard’s book “A Marvelous Work and A Wonder” on page 3 entitled “A Catholic Utterance” and is also included in a pamphlet entitled “The Strength of the Mormon Position”.

 

[RebeccaJ]

God, and I believe His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teaches us that we should not “…exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness…”

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foolish? Indeed.
Mormons on facebook

Granted, some 19 year olds need a kick in the pants.