What makes Mormonism a cult?

[BCPoulsen]

Mormonism is often referred to negatively as a cult. What is it about the LDS Faith that defines it as a cult rather than an accepted religion. Please be specific. Broad brush labels and hateful slurs only serve to show ignorance.

 

[averheyen]

I’m not sure if “cult” is the word I’d use.

That term is pretty broad band in and of itself.

That’s like saying “all mormans are brainwashed” which has nothing to do with anything, and is completely besides the matter at hand.

 

[heathernoel]

Hmmm…well, it honestly seems as if this thread is argumentative. It would depend on your definition of a cult, I suppose

In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of people (often a new religious movement) devoted to beliefs and goals which may be contradictory to those held by the majority of society. Its marginal status may come about either due to its novel belief system or due to idiosyncratic practices that cause the surrounding culture to regard it as far outside the mainstream.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

Christianity itself was believed to have been a cult at the beginning, and indeed, using this definition, it was.

But going back to Mormonism, certainly, a religion founded by a man seeking justification for plural wives and their oppression would be considered a cult. Modern Mormons claim that the religion has been transformed since then, but they are still outside the Mainstream, with practices including excluding others from ‘sealing’ ceremonies, endowments, certainly make most question the authenticity of such practices. Books have been written about this very topic…so summarizing the reasons Mainstream societies consider Mormonism to be a cult in a forum is a difficult topic, and it has been covered numerous times in this very forum

 

[mochi]

rationalrevelation.com/library/bite.html

 

[averheyen]

rationalrevelation.com/library/bite.html

Wow, that was direct.

 

[heathernoel]

Great link…there are many online dealing with this topic

 

[Lehl]

Here is an “ex-cult” website which does not even list LDS as a cult. So you can’t automatically dismiss their content as “anti-Mormon”. They name Amway, Lifespring, Scientology.

ex-cult.org/

They have a page on how to identify a cult. Knowing what I know about Mormonism…it fits just like a glove.

I LOVE this quote from their website:

A group is called a cult because of their behaviour - not
their doctrines. Doctrine is an issue in the area of
Apologetics and Heresy.

ex-cult.org/General/identifying-a-cult

UNIVERSAL DEFINITION

CULT - Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian
leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming
from the person/persons at the top. The group will claim to be
the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full
Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform
or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their
members.

This definition covers cults within all major world
religions, along with those cults which have no OBVIOUS
religious base such as commercial, educational and
psychological cults. Others may define these a little
differently, but this is the simplest to work from.

OTHER IDENTIFICATION MARKS

(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to
others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. e.i. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT -
everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD’S WILL -
everyone else is in apostasy.

(b) They will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse
God-given personal rights and freedoms. This abuse can be
THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.

HOW THEY DO THIS

1. Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or
   position of authority given by God.

1. They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance
   regarding the Christian church while at the same time praising and
   exalting their own group, leader/s and work.

1. They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members
   loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of threats of dire
   calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon;
   being shunned by their family and friends etc. This is a vital
   part of the mind control process.

1. Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to
   the group. This could be compulsory tithing (which is checked);
   signing over all their property on entering the group; coercive
   methods of instilling guilt on those who have not contributed;
   selling magazines, flowers or other goods for the group as part of
   their “ministry” .

 At the same time bible-based cults may ridicule churches that take

up free-will offerings by passing collection plates and/or sell
literature and tapes. They usually brag that they don’t do this. This
gives outsiders the intimation that they are not interested in money.

 

[Lehl]

1. There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its
   teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the
   group’s activities. They will have little or no time to think for
   themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion. This is
   also a vital part of the mind control process.

1. There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private
   lives of members. This control can be direct through communal
   living, or constant and repetitious teaching on “how to be a true
   Christian” or “being obedient to leadership”. Members will look to
   their leaders for guidance in everything they do.

1. Bible-based cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity
   distinction and no paid ministry class - that they are all equal.

1. Any dissent or questioning of the group’s teachings is discouraged.
   Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an
   emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission.
   This is vigilantly maintained.
2. Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in
   some way. This could be in the form of “dobbing” on fellow members
   (including family) under the guise of looking out for their
   “spiritual welfare”.

 They may  be required to deliberately lie (heavenly deception):rolleyes:  or

give up their lives by refusing some form of medical treatment.

1. Attempts to leave or reveal embarrassing facts about the group may
   be met with threats. Some may have taken oaths of loyalty that
   involve their lives or have signed a “covenant” and feel threatened by
   this.

 Refugees of the group are usually faced with confrontations by

other members with coercion to get them to return to the
group .

 

[Lehl]

Here is a cult checklist:
csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm

Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups - Revised
Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.

Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship.

Compare these patterns to the situation you were in (or in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved). This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult scale” or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.

‪ The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

‪ Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

‪ Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

‪ The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).

‪ The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).

‪ The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.

‪ The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).

‪ The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).

‪ The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt iin order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

‪ Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.

‪ The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

‪ The group is preoccupied with making money.

‪ Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.

‪ Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

‪ The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.

 

[averheyen]

Amway?

lol

I guess.

 

[pigtown]

Anything that is outside the mainstream religions seems to be considered a cult. Study the Mormon religion, attend services, speak to members and then make an informed decision. Don’t simply go by what people who know absolutely nothing about the religion tell you. Many people simply repeat what they have heard. If you want to know what Mormons believe, ask them!

 

[dosdog]

Anything that is outside the mainstream religions seems to be considered a cult. Study the Mormon religion, attend services, speak to members and then make an informed decision. Don’t simply go by what people who know absolutely nothing about the religion tell you. Many people simply repeat what they have heard. If you want to know what Mormons believe, ask them!

Inside Mormonism: What Mormons Really Believe
Isaiah Bennett
It’s written by a former Catholic priest who converted to Mormonism and then reconverted back to Catholicism once he discovered the errors and contradictions in Mormonism.

Now he’s dedicated to defending the Catholic faith and explaining the truth about Mormonism so other Catholics won’t make the same mistake he made.
shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-CB255.html?L+scstore+jkls5208ff000600+1132610857

 

[Lehl]

Anything that is outside the mainstream religions seems to be considered a cult. Study the Mormon religion, attend services, speak to members and then make an informed decision. Don’t simply go by what people who know absolutely nothing about the religion tell you. Many people simply repeat what they have heard. If you want to know what Mormons believe, ask them!

The problem is, the informed ones WON’T actually tell you what they believe if they want you to join!

The Mormons call it “milk before the meat”. We call it “lying by omission”.

If anyone were to suddenly show up at a Mormon service and speak to members…ask them about Jesus being an exalted man, becoming a god of your own planet, Heavenly Mother, God having physical sex with Mary to produce Jesus, Kolob, etc. I know many of them will stare back at you blankly. Many of their own members haven’t even been exposed to the “meat”.

My convert SIL is a prime example. I’ve inquired of her belief in such things and she accuses me of lying or making these things up? :banghead:

The other problem is that the Mormons can’t and don’t have a printed Catechism because their doctrines keep changing. Their “prophets” have contradicted each other many times. Besides, you can’t read Mormon apologetics ANYWHERE, even including books written by their own “prophet”, “apostles”, or church-owned and controlled publications WITHOUT ALL THESE DISCLAIMERS!

This is found in a book written by their own “prophet” Gordon B. Hinckley. If HE doesn’t speak for the church, than WHO does?

"All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Deseret Book Company…THIS WORK IS NOT AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE POSITION OF THE CHURCH OR OF DESERET BOOK COMPANY."

From FARMS

The Maxwell Institute is a research institution at Brigham Young University and does not represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This service is for questions on research areas of the Maxwell Institute.

FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice.

 

[heathernoel]

You learn about those thinks after the endowment ceremony, which is where they used to feel ya up. LOL

 

[zerinus]

Mormonism is often referred to negatively as a cult. What is it about the LDS Faith that defines it as a cult rather than an accepted religion. Please be specific. Broad brush labels and hateful slurs only serve to show ignorance.

I am more interested in what makes Catholicism apostate. Protestants and Mormons agree in one thing, that early Christianity apostatized, and the Catholic Church is an apostate form of true Christianity. They disagree on just about everything else! I believe that is the one thing that the Protestants managed to get right!

zerinus

 

[BartBurk]

Mormonism is often referred to negatively as a cult. What is it about the LDS Faith that defines it as a cult rather than an accepted religion. Please be specific. Broad brush labels and hateful slurs only serve to show ignorance.

Perhaps this type of activity makes the Mormon Church a cult? This is from Sunday’s Mesa, Arizona newspaper:

eastvalleytribune.com/story/98035

I don’t really believe Mormonism is a cult, but sometimes they sure do act like it.

 

[averheyen]

I am more interested in what makes Catholicism apostate. Protestants and Mormons agree in one thing, that early Christianity apostatized, and the Catholic Church is an apostate form of true Christianity. They disagree on just about everything else! I believe that is the one thing that the Protestants managed to get right!

zerinus

I disagree.

 

[zerinus]

I disagree.

You do?

zerinus

 

[averheyen]

I do nods and I’m not just saying that.

 

[zerinus]

I do nods and I’m not just saying that.

OK; and I don’t! So that makes us even I guess.

zerinus