Mormon Brainwashing

[_jskains]

One of the constant claims is that of the Brainwashing techniques... But considering the facts and mechanisms in play, I fail to see it. Worse, I fail to see how it is any more controlling than other Christian faiths.

For example, traditional Christianity runs off fear based control. "If you don't follow our teachings, you are bound for Hell". Or "You are a product of Original Sin, so if you don't get dunked in water fast enough, your bound for the eternal bog of stench". So how are these fear based concepts fine, but Mormonism is somehow "brainwashing"?

I was missing for 3 months. While I still had contact with folks, I never had a Mormon Nazi Death Squad come to my house telling me if I didn't go back to Church, they would make all my pillows go flat or make all my wall pictures crooked. Friends at Church (including my Bishop, who is a friend) asked how I was doing and made sure I was Ok, but they didn't give me lectures on how I am Hell bound for not returning. Matter-of-a-fact, nothing about "consequences" came up.

What is even funnier, is the traditional "brainwashing" techniques usually come from trained staff, like that nice money-based organization that Tom Cruise is a member of. In Mormonism, since we all basically teach ourselves (I even have taught classes - gasp - and I didn't get an ounce of brainwashing training) and in many cases govern ourselves, wouldn't WE the people of the LDS faith have to brainwash each other?

Anti-Mormons like to dance and flail about, I know. It's now comical looking into it these days. Now that I am going to be a father, I have grown closer to the Church and feel it is a positive light in a very dark world. Teenage pregnancy is up, school shootings are more common than they used to be.... Children are declining in moral and social value (play on XBox Live and see how these kids talk), and now the family unit is under attack.... I am frightened of the world that I am bringing a child into (the pregnancy was a suprise for us, not planned)..... Ultimately it looks like people need to HATE something, and for Anti-Mormons, they get that high by trying to bring down something others care about.

Anyways, that is my question. Like I said... I wonder how much you can say the LDS Church BRAINWASHES people... I think I am rather intelligent (147), and feel I chose to be Mormon.

JMS

[_Infymus]

Follow The Prophet
Follow The Prophet
Follow The Prophet
don't GO ASTRAY
Follow The Prophet
Follow The Prophet
Follow The Prophet
HE'LL LEAD THE WAY
Follow The Prophet
Follow The Prophet
Follow The Prophet

[_guy sajer]

One of the constant claims is that of the Brainwashing techniques... But considering the facts and mechanisms in play, I fail to see it. Worse, I fail to see how it is any more controlling than other Christian faiths.

For example, traditional Christianity runs off fear based control. "If you don't follow our teachings, you are bound for Hell". Or "You are a product of Original Sin, so if you don't get dunked in water fast enough, your bound for the eternal bog of stench". So how are these fear based concepts fine, but Mormonism is somehow "brainwashing"?

I was missing for 3 months. While I still had contact with folks, I never had a Mormon Nazi Death Squad come to my house telling me if I didn't go back to Church, they would make all my pillows go flat or make all my wall pictures crooked. Friends at Church (including my Bishop, who is a friend) asked how I was doing and made sure I was Ok, but they didn't give me lectures on how I am Hell bound for not returning. Matter-of-a-fact, nothing about "consequences" came up.

What is even funnier, is the traditional "brainwashing" techniques usually come from trained staff, like that nice money-based organization that Tom Cruise is a member of. In Mormonism, since we all basically teach ourselves (I even have taught classes - gasp - and I didn't get an ounce of brainwashing training) and in many cases govern ourselves, wouldn't WE the people of the LDS faith have to brainwash each other?

Anti-Mormons like to dance and flail about, I know. It's now comical looking into it these days. Now that I am going to be a father, I have grown closer to the Church and feel it is a positive light in a very dark world. Teenage pregnancy is up, school shootings are more common than they used to be.... Children are declining in moral and social value (play on XBox Live and see how these kids talk), and now the family unit is under attack.... I am frightened of the world that I am bringing a child into (the pregnancy was a suprise for us, not planned)..... Ultimately it looks like people need to HATE something, and for Anti-Mormons, they get that high by trying to bring down something others care about.

Anyways, that is my question. Like I said... I wonder how much you can say the LDS Church BRAINWASHES people... I think I am rather intelligent (147), and feel I chose to be Mormon.

JMS

If you were indeed brainwashed, then you wouldn't be aware of it, would you?

I think brainwashing is too strong a word. Indoctrination is more like it. Are Mormons indoctrinated? You bet. Is the indoctrination persistent? You bet. Does the indoctrination cause, or contribute to, otherwise rational people believing in transparently silly things? Absolutely. Does the indoctrination prevent, or make it difficult, for believers to rationally assess their beliefs? Without a doubt.

Yes, evangelicals and other religions indoctrinate. So why is this relevant?

[_Abinadi's Fire]

In Mormonism, since we all basically teach ourselves (I even have taught classes - gasp - and I didn't get an ounce of brainwashing training) and in many cases govern ourselves, wouldn't WE the people of the LDS faith have to brainwash each other?

Yes.

[_Doctor Steuss]

<----- Mindless brainwashed Mormon.

[_Who Knows]

Now that I am going to be a father, I have grown closer to the Church and feel it is a positive light in a very dark world. ... I am frightened of the world that I am bringing a child into

Sorry to hear that you feel this way. I, personally, think the world is a wonderful, beautiful place, and it's getting better all the time. Our world today, is much 'lighter' than it was hundreds of years ago. Maybe the church, afterall, is the right place for you. Good luck with it. ;)

[_christopher]

One of the constant claims is that of the Brainwashing techniques... But considering the facts and mechanisms in play, I fail to see it.

Perhaps you are just not studying or praying enough to see it then. Is there some sin in your life that is causing you not to see what is so obvious and true to others?


Chris <><

[_Dr. Shades]

HI JOSH!

Welcome to the board. It's about time you found your way over here.

Anyhow, yes, the church does indeed brainwash people. Just look at all the convoluted excuses Mormons come up with to explain away Brigham Young's Adam-God doctrine instead of just admitting the obvious--that he meant precisely what he said, that Adam and God are the same person.

Failing that, you can look at all the wierd excuses Mormons come up with to explain away the Book of Abraham. If it were any other religion's problem, Mormons would say that it proves that that other religion's prophet made the whole thing up. But thanks to the brainwashing, they simply cannot admit the obvious.

(the pregnancy was a suprise for us, not planned)

It's the 21st century. There's no such thing as a surprise pregnancy anymore. Careless, perhaps, but not "surprise."

[_Infymus]

Additionally, I really like Richard Packham's essay on this:

http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_childrenandmormonism.html#pub_105567571

One negative result of this kind of training is that it tends to prevent the development of self-reliance. Trying to solve your own life problems, using your own resources, is unnecessary; just ask the bishop and do what he tells you to do (which will probably be to pray and read the scriptures).

Mormon children are taught that they must obey all the commandments. They are taught that it may sometimes be difficult, but this life is a testing place. Temptations must be overcome, and a good Mormon will be able to overcome them. If you obey priesthood authority, attend church, study the scriptures, pay a full ten percent tithing, avoid people and places where you might find temptation, then you will be able to keep all the commandments. If you are not able to keep all the commandments, then it is because you have failed to protect yourself from temptation. You have done something wrong. You have allowed yourself to have a sinful thought. You have not prayed enough. You have not read the scriptures enough. You must repent and hope that you will not sin again.

In other words, if you are not perfect, it is your own fault. You are not trying hard enough.

Also:

Sexuality is, of course, a fertile field for seeds of guilt and despair to grow into serious emotional problems. Mormon children are taught that any form of masturbation makes them "unworthy." A young Mormon who wants to go on a mission is told that he cannot go if he ever masturbates. For a young person who has homosexual leanings, Mormonism is pure hell. Young Mormons are taught that they would be better off dead than to have committed a sexual sin, or, in the case of a girl, even to have been raped. A rape victim (says Spencer W. Kimball in his book Miracle of Forgiveness - which has also been dubbed "It's A Miracle If You're Ever Forgiven!") is not as guilty of sin as if she had willingly participated in sex, but she is still burdened with the guilt of being considered now "unchaste"

And it goes on.

FreeAtLast wrote: http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_childrenandmormonism.html#pub_-1787001330

The 2006 Primary 1 Manual, Used To Teach Children Who Are 18 Months To 3 Years Old

Display the picture of the living prophet. Tell the children something you know about the prophet.

Have the children stand and say, "(Name of the living prophet) is a prophet of God."

Activity: Have each child select a piece of paper from the bowl or basket you prepared. Read the message on each piece of paper and discuss it briefly with the children. Tell the children that these messages are all things that the living prophet has asked us to do.

Activity: Ask the children to think of ways they can follow the prophet. Toss or hand a beanbag or soft object to each child and say, "I will follow our prophet by ______." Have each child finish the sentence with a way he or she can follow the prophet.

We are blessed when we follow the prophet

Refer again to the pictures of Noah, Moses, Joseph Smith, and the living prophet. Explain that because Noah's family followed him, they were saved from a flood. Because the Israelites followed Moses, they were led out of Egypt into a better land. Because people followed Joseph Smith, they became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Song: Help the children sing or say the words to the chorus of "Follow the Prophet" (Children's Songbook, p. 110). Explain that to go astray means to do wrong things. Have a child hold up the picture of the living prophet while you sing.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; don't go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; he knows the way.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; don't go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; he knows the way.

Sing or say the words to "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" (Hymns, no. 19) for the children.

Think of some situations where the children could follow the prophet's teachings. Describe each situation to the class, and have the children tell or act out what they would do in each situation to follow the prophet. For example: "You see some money in the kitchen. You would like to have it, but you know it belongs to your mother. What will you do to follow the prophet's teaching to be honest?"

1. Display a picture of the living prophet during the entire class time. Take time to tell the children who he is. Explain that he loves them and wants to help them return to Heavenly Father and Jesus. Repeat this two or three times during the class.

2. Play "Follow the Leader" with the children. Have the children stand in a line. The first child in line runs, hops, skips, or does some other action to the other side of the room. The other children follow the first child, doing what he or she did. Then the first child goes to the end of the line, and the next child becomes the new leader.

Continue until each child has had a turn to be the leader. After the game, explain that the prophet is the leader of the Church. If we follow the things he tells us to do, he will lead us back to Heavenly Father and Jesus.

Feel free to throw up now.

Indeed, we look further at what Secular Priest wrote:

I grew up and was told Joseph Smith translated Book of Mormon behind curtain.
I grew up and was told only of one version of first vision, not 8 different ones.
I grew up and was told Joseph Smith only had one wife.
I grew up and was taught second coming was around 2000 AD.
I grew up and was told I would be going to Zion (Missouri)
I grew up and was told God was man like us at one time
I grew up and was told Book of Mormon witnesses were honest to their testimonies on death bed.
I grew up and was told Book of Abraham was real records
I grew up and was told I was of the chosen generation.
I grew up and was told prophets spoke with God directly.
I grew up and told if I do the "M" thing I was in Satan power.
I grew up and was told if I drank coke I was sinning.
I grew up bearing testimony as a child the Church and gospel was true.

It may not be brainwashing, but it is pure indoctrination.

From Steve Benson:

Once saw, taped on the fridge of a believing Mormon family, a Primary handout that had been brought home--and which subsequently served as a prominent paste-up reminder for the blindly submissive, from cradle to grave.

The handout declared in large capital letters:

"OBEDIENCE IS THE FIRST LAW OF HEAVEN"

Not "Love."

Not "Truth."

Not "Integrity."

"Obedience."

Snap to, Mormons.

Heed your orders, as posted on your family fridge.

Your cult has thus icily commanded.

I will never permit my children to be raised in the cult of Mormonism.

You can read more about what Mormonism has done to Women and Children here:

http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_childrenandmormonism.html

And:

http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_womeninmormonism.html

NOT to mention how your children will be subject to sexual questions asked of them by male members behind closed doors. This is a systematic breakdown of children's boundaries and abilities to make decisions for themselves:

http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_interviews.html

No, it isn't brainwashing, it's pure indoctrination, even if my funny caption above states so.

[_jskains]

"I will never permit my children to be raised in the cult of Mormonism."

I wonder if anyone sees the irony in this comment alone. That is the most brainwashed comment I have ever heard. By your own hand, you plan to brainwash your children into believing Mormonism is a cult and you will disapprove of them if they join.

Anything can be viewed as brainwashing.

JMS