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ldsfaqs wrote:I liked this because it clearly shows what a true cult looks like...

SOCIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTS

I noted previously that even though cults should be defined from a theological point of view, we can nevertheless gain valuable insights into certain aspects of the cultic mentality from sociology. . . .

[1] Authoritarian Leadership

Authoritarianism involves the acceptance of an authority figure who exercises excessive control on cult members. As prophet or founder, this leader’s word is considered ultimate and final. . . .

Often this authoritarianism involves legalistic submission to the rules and regulations of the group as established by the cult leader (or, as in the case of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, submission to the Watchtower Society). Cult members are fully expected to submit, even if they do not agree with the requirements. Unquestioning obedience is compulsory.

[2] Exclusivism

Cults often believe that they alone have the truth. The cult views itself as the single means of salvation on earth; to leave the group is to endanger one’s soul. . . .

[3] Isolationism

The more extreme cults sometimes create fortified boundaries, often precipitating tragic endings (we have already mentioned the tragedies in Waco and Jonestown). Some cults require members to renounce and break off associations with parents and siblings. . . .

[4] Opposition to Independent Thinking

Some cultic groups discourage members from thinking independently. The “thinking,” as it were, has already been done for them by the cult leadership; the proper response is merely to submit. . . .

[5] Fear of Being “Disfellowshiped”

It is not uncommon in cults that people are urged to remain faithful to avoid being “disfellowshiped,” or disbarred, from the group. Again, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are a prime example, for a person can be disfellowshiped merely for questioning a Watchtower doctrine. . . .

[6] Threats of Satanic Attack

Finally, some cults use fear and intimidation to keep members in line. Members may be told that something awful will happen to them should they choose to leave the group. Others may be told that Satan will attack them and may even kill them, for they will have committed the unpardonable sin. Such fear tactics are designed to induce submission. Even when people do muster enough courage to leave the group, they may endure psychological consequences and emotional baggage for years to come.

I have a question wrote:

ldsfaqs wrote:I liked this because it clearly shows what a true cult looks like...

What are the key hallmarks of a 'true cult'?

ldsfaqs wrote:I liked this because it clearly shows what a true cult looks like, contrary to the claims against the LDS Church. While there are a few things people could "strain" to the extreme with Mormonism or ANY belief system to be equivalent, the fact is, if any of you have any sort of intelligence and objectivity left, it clearly shows many huge differences between what an actual cult looks like, and a religion like Mormonism or otherwise.

Of course, knowing you all, you'll just see what you want and still falsely think it perfectly mimics what Mormonism is. But, it's not, no matter how much you all want to make it so.

schreech wrote:lol, the fact that you saw so many similarities between Scientology and Mormonism that you needed to spend most of the OP trying to rationalize the similarities and shame anyone else that sees them is telling. I watched this with my LDS wife and both of us were struck by how much Hubbard tried to copy Mormonism when creating his religion.

Gunnar wrote:I have seen that documentary about Scientology too, and while I deplore the cult like aspects of Mormonism and recognize the implausibility and inherent dishonesty of many of its historical and truth claims, Scientology is, in my opinion, far worse and even more ridiculous than Mormonism. Most of us here know that it is not impossible to express serious doubts about Mormon truth claims, and even resign from the Church, and still maintain loving and at least friendly relationships with friends and family who remain in the Church. Some TBMS are less tolerant of defectors and apostates than others, but rarely, if ever, do such defectors experience the extreme shunning and outright hostility mandated by Scientology against defectors and outspoken critics. Has the LDS Church ever tried to forcibly restrain or imprison members who wished to defect as the documentary claimed Scientology has done? Has LDS incorporated ever tried to destroy the credibility if its critics by attempting to frame them for crimes they did not commit or tried to intimidate or ruin them financially by threatening or hitting them with an endless series of frivolous lawsuits?

Scientology is far more clearly a deliberately fraudulent and even criminal organization than LDS Incorporated currently is or ever will be, IMHO, and more pernicious and dangerous. I think it likely that at least some, if not most, of even the top 15 in the LDS Church still believe on some level that the Church is what it claims to be. I very seriously doubt that L. Ron Hubbard or any of Scientology's current top leadership ever had any delusions that Scientology is anything other than a huge and highly lucrative scam.

ldsfaqs wrote:http://www.mediafire.com/download/o8c0zq1rf32vc66/Going.Clear.Scientology.and.the.Prison.of.Belief.2015.zip
Going.Clear.Scientology.and.the.Prison.of.Belief.2015

I liked this because it clearly shows what a true cult looks like, contrary to the claims against the LDS Church.

ldsfaqs wrote:At least that's something..... Glad there is at least a modicum of reason within you, unlike your friends.