The virus of conspiratorial thinking fits Mormonism perfectly

[drumdude]

Over the last decade or two, the internet seems to have amplified “alternate theories” to almost everything you can imagine. Flat earth. 9/11 truth. Moon landing. Epstein’s death, underground pizza parlor trafficking… on and on and on. People fall into these communities and most importantly, they get stuck there.

Here’s a wonderful documentary on a cult of “meme stock” followers.

https://youtu.be/C5Bd6YxifCo

Their hero leader bought Bed Bath and Beyond stock at its low, doubled his money, sold, and left his followers holding the bag. This left people who had lost their life savings trying to cope and rationalize these events. They created myriad conspiracy theories that gave them hope in spite of all the evidence to the contrary.

This is where Mormonism finds itself in the internet era. The standard view of Mormonism is out there on authoritative trustworthy places like Wikipedia. It states that the historicity of the Book of Mormon is very improbable. That Joseph Smith practiced polygamy. That he used a seer stone.

But if you want, you can ignore the mainstream consensus. You can become a consumer of alternate theories. Interpreter will tell you the Book of Mormon is historical. Fundamentalist Mormon websites will tell you Joseph didn’t practice polygamy. That he never used a seer stone.

More and more I’m seeing people choosing to go their own way and fall down these conspiratorial rabbit holes. Even against their own self interest. There is little respect for authoritative sources. There’s a mistaken belief that everything posted online is equally likely to be true as to be false.

And the Mormon church and its apologists are capitalizing on this vast field of credulous consumers. The dream of the internet was to bring light and knowledge to every person on earth. But it’s just enabling hucksters an easy way to peddle their nonsense to the masses.

If only Joseph Smith could have seen the heights that his little scam reached.

[Rivendale]

And Dr Phil is even in on the action. https://v.redd.it/ax2y851eb33e1

[Gadianton]

I saw this a few weeks ago and considered mentioning it. I didn't intent to spend all that time watching the whole thing but really sucked me in. On the one hand, you could say that this shows that "religious thinking" isn't totally a religious phenomena. But would any religion ever have gotten off the ground without it? I mean, if you want to know what the three witnesses would be like if they lived in our day, then this is exactly who they would have been. They most certainly wouldn't have been traditional Mormons in today's sense.

[drumdude]

I saw this a few weeks ago and considered mentioning it. I didn't intent to spend all that time watching the whole thing but really sucked me in. On the one hand, you could say that this shows that "religious thinking" isn't totally a religious phenomena. But would any religion ever have gotten off the ground without it? I mean, if you want to know what the three witnesses would be like if they lived in our day, then this is exactly who they would have been. They most certainly wouldn't have been traditional Mormons in today's sense.

My thoughts exactly. DCP wants us to look at the impressive miracle of the creation of the Book of Mormon. I would say he needs to take a look at the creation of these cults, how extremely commonplace that creation is, and how closely it resembles early Mormonism.

The story of the lost 114 pages is exactly what you’d expect. A catastrophe that nearly blew up the whole con, a clever story to hide it, and gullible followers who believed it.

Even in modern times you see apologists inventing insane stories to cover up the fact that Russel Nelson faked his “flight of death” story. People in cults will rationalize anything to avoid admitting they follow hucksters.

[huckelberry]

I saw this a few weeks ago and considered mentioning it. I didn't intent to spend all that time watching the whole thing but really sucked me in. On the one hand, you could say that this shows that "religious thinking" isn't totally a religious phenomena. But would any religion ever have gotten off the ground without it? I mean, if you want to know what the three witnesses would be like if they lived in our day, then this is exactly who they would have been. They most certainly wouldn't have been traditional Mormons in today's sense.

My thoughts exactly. DCP wants us to look at the impressive miracle of the creation of the Book of Mormon. I would say he needs to take a look at the creation of these cults, how extremely commonplace that creation is, and how closely it resembles early Mormonism.

The story of the lost 114 pages is exactly what you’d expect. A catastrophe that nearly blew up the whole con, a clever story to hide it, and gullible followers who believed it.

Even in modern times you see apologists inventing insane stories to cover up the fact that Russel Nelson faked his “flight of death” story. People in cults will rationalize anything to avoid admitting they follow hucksters.

Thanks drumdude. I first i was uncertain but like Gadianton I got sucked into the story. It reminded me of Trump support. He can fix my problems (whatever ones a particular person is afraid of) In this political version the investment is supporting despite obvious evidence of Trump being untrustworthy.(investing despite the evidence)

To look honestly at this for religious subjects one would have to consider the effect of Josiah big reform and its result in his defeat in battle.

[Gadianton]

To look honestly at this for religious subjects one would have to consider the effect of Josiah big reform and its result in his defeat in battle.

In my statement I meant NRMs. There may be some common themes to cults going back thousands of years but I wouldn't assume that without a little more study.

[drumdude]

My thoughts exactly. DCP wants us to look at the impressive miracle of the creation of the Book of Mormon. I would say he needs to take a look at the creation of these cults, how extremely commonplace that creation is, and how closely it resembles early Mormonism.

The story of the lost 114 pages is exactly what you’d expect. A catastrophe that nearly blew up the whole con, a clever story to hide it, and gullible followers who believed it.

Even in modern times you see apologists inventing insane stories to cover up the fact that Russel Nelson faked his “flight of death” story. People in cults will rationalize anything to avoid admitting they follow hucksters.

Thanks drumdude. I first i was uncertain but like Gadianton I got sucked into the story. It reminded me of Trump support. He can fix my problems (whatever ones a particular person is afraid of) In this political version the investment is supporting despite obvious evidence of Trump being untrustworthy.(investing despite the evidence)

To look honestly at this for religious subjects one would have to consider the effect of Josiah big reform and its result in his defeat in battle.

MAGA definitely has the potential to become a religion, in my opinion. The only question is who will be the Paul, or Brigham Young, who takes over after Trump dies or steps away.

[Moksha]

If MAGA starts deriding Thanksgiving as woke because of the Tofurky and starts shouting at it to go back to the country it came from, remind them of all the alcohol and football on that day and let them know they can watch a rerun of Forrest Gump.

BYU vs Alabama

[huckelberry]

Thanks drumdude. I first i was uncertain but like Gadianton I got sucked into the story. It reminded me of Trump support. He can fix my problems (whatever ones a particular person is afraid of) In this political version the investment is supporting despite obvious evidence of Trump being untrustworthy.(investing despite the evidence)

To look honestly at this for religious subjects one would have to consider the effect of Josiah big reform and its result in his defeat in battle.

MAGA definitely has the potential to become a religion, in my opinion. The only question is who will be the Paul, or Brigham Young, who takes over after Trump dies or steps away.

Hi drumdude, I was actually thinking of Maga as a religion now but i understand your question about future development. The story of investors touches a number of relevant points. There is sunk cost fallacy, participation in an exciting adventure, being in the know of a secret that your special group shares as well as just being in a special group. This points out the rather dismal observation that if Trump's promises do not work out so well his followers will not change their commitment.

Then there is the group cohesion and commitment enhanced by outside criticism.

The basic beginning, being on the inside participating in a special and exciting story, would be there for new religious movements. Even with sunk costs many movements fade away as the story and participants fade away. Disappointment may start a terminal decline or occasion a new development. Miller disappointment in no 1844 return of Jesus became Seventh Day Adventists, that group outgrowing Mormons.

I mentioned Josiah reform not because it clarifies the situation type but for Bible understanding it presents a question about what role sunk costs figure in the reaction to his big investment and failures.I think current Christian nationalists are thinking along the lines of the failed portions of Josiah's program.

[drumdude]

MAGA definitely has the potential to become a religion, in my opinion. The only question is who will be the Paul, or Brigham Young, who takes over after Trump dies or steps away.

Hi drumdude, I was actually thinking of Maga as a religion now but i understand your question about future development. The story of investors touches a number of relevant points. There is sunk cost fallacy, participation in an exciting adventure, being in the know of a secret that your special group shares as well as just being in a special group. This points out the rather dismal observation that if Trump's promises do not work out so well his followers will not change their commitment.

Then there is the group cohesion and commitment enhanced by outside criticism.

The basic beginning, being on the inside participating in a special and exciting story, would be there for new religious movements. Even with sunk costs many movements fade away as the story and participants fade away. Disappointment may start a terminal decline or occasion a new development. Miller disappointment in no 1844 return of Jesus became Seventh Day Adventists, that group outgrowing Mormons.

I mentioned Josiah reform not because it clarifies the situation type but for Bible understanding it presents a question about what role sunk costs figure in the reaction to his big investment and failures.I think current Christian nationalists are thinking along the lines of the failed portions of Josiah's program.

I’ll have to read more about the Josiah reforms, your post was my introduction to something new I had never heard of.