DiscussMormonism.com

Considering the thoughtful exchanges on the "Children's Quad" thread, my interest in the topic of "Indoctrination" is heightened...

Should there be a societal interpretation of that word and its meaning that would govern communications deemed to be indoctrinal rather than informative &/or educational? Much as there is governance of "hate material." ???

When there is much evidence of serious negative effects of "brain-washing," simply another term for "indoctrination," I see it as near-future legislation of the Spoken (and written) Word cast by every institution--and individual--before the public in semblance of truth.

Certainly this will not happen with no resistance, nor should it... But as people move through awareness of a negative situation into responsiveness and correction--as they have in our physical environmental welfare--the social-public welfare effected by non-substantive claims will of necessity be called into question...

"Transparency"--still a newbie within our society--has not as yet been fully applied to the advantage of those victimized by subtle persuiasion, (and ignorance) to place their confidence in the hands of, "... the cunning and crafty who lie in wait to deceive..."

One cannot imagine the human, social and personal advantages in such times. It will be compared with Medical science moving from the 19th century into the 21st...

Following Politics and Commerce, Religious Sectarianism will be the next challenged by such common-sense-demands. The wise within that circle will not wait to be legislated. They will acknowledge their mythologies, reinvent themselves and put their resources--human and material--to greater public benefits. It is inevitable...
Roger
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From the OP:

Following Politics and Commerce, Religious Sectarianism will be the next challenged by such common-sense-demands. The wise within that circle will not wait to be legislated. They will acknowledge their mythologies, reinvent themselves and put their resources--human and material--to greater public benefits. It is inevitable...
Roger

Is it too difficult to imagine the Mormon Church without its distinctive mythologies and legends? It has been said by LDS leaders something to the effect, "...without the Book of Mormon the church would be nothing..." Such rhetoric discredits the membership that makes up the church; from its leaders through its followers. It is the thinking, doing human element that gives life to any organization.

Its founding literature may have been purposeful in its time, and retain sentimental value through its age. But its literalism and formulas must be under constant scrutiny to determine conformity to new, proven information and knowledge. The world IS not flat. Earth does not centre the Universe. The female of our species was not created from a rib of a male...

Secret (sacred, in the eye of the beholder) signs have no validity outside of the institution that grants them credibility... To teach that such signs and oaths have powers that they do not is deceptive and wrong. To believe such teaching, presents the believer with unsound information that might prejudice sound judgement leading some believers to seriously err when faced with times that conflict with their previousl indoctrinations...

As the Medical and Pharmaceutical industries are regulated to prevent indiscriminate prescribing, so should the Religious Industry. Especialy the Mormon Church with its claim of Divine guidance with its nondisclosure of finances. Finances to a great degree are tied to the committments of believers in unsound Mormon Mythological Doctrine...

This should not continue unchallenged...
Roger
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So what is wrong with children constantly reciting, "free the bhagwan" or "Church is true"?

Thanks for your resonse Moksha.
I know little about the "Bhagwan". If they are not "free" they deserve to be. Children/anyone addressing a social issue are to be encouraged, in my opinion.
OTOH, "...constantly reciting...(the)..."Church is true"..." is a mantra convincing of an unsubstantiated opinion, the purpose of which is to influence behavior.

Children are most susceptible to "indoctrination"; trusting as they do adult authority figures--generally speaking. "...Train up a child...and...they will not depart there from..." is a relative truth. Not absolute, but the probability of its success begs scrutiny of the child's "training up."
Is the child trained-up with truth, affection and validation? Or trained-up in a harsh, prejudicial, deceptive, putting-down environment?
Granted, some might see "indoctrination" as a good thing. It has though the ages fostered patriotism that has served political-nationalism and its support structure military-might in a tribalized world. A world that enlightenment encourages to be changed...

Pasted below is taken from GAZ's thread re Joseph's murder:

... people "expect (deserve) more protection from the laws than the laws are able to furnish in the face of popular excitement

Most often the "excitment" is created by a clash of "indoctrinations" that are not easily resolved peacefully. As in Joseph Smith's 1844 case. So now in other parts of the world. As well as on our own continent, the current case of SSM. LDS indoctrinations playing a major role in that human rights issue.

The "saving grace" in this is that not all people are subject to "indoctrination". Therefore totalitarianism, nurtured by "indoctrination" does meet with opposition and humankind advances to a higher level of humaness...
Our role? Discourage "indoctrination". Especially in Mormonism where it obviously exists..
Roger
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