In his most recent article written for the Washington Post, he talks about how the word 'cult' is still used (albeit in a sometimes roundabout way) to describe Mormons by many publications around the world. He got a little feisty. And I liked it. He explains why good journalists, who should know better, keep throwing around the word cult as a way to describe Mormons:
Because it’s a neat, shorthand and rather lazy way of putting a whole group into a box. Once labeled as a cult, there is not much need to explain all of the baggage that comes with it - the implicit ideas of extremism, mind control, authoritarianism and secrecy that play perfectly into the kind of rigid stereotypes beloved of the ignorant and bigoted. Journalists could and should do better than perpetuate this kind of shallowness when referring to the fourth largest church in the United States. Rather than continuing to parrot it, it’s time they pushed back against those who choose to use it.
My first reaction is, "Yeah, that's right! You're being lazy journalists!"
My second reaction is that using this type of pejorative language is also the reason many continue to claim that Mormons aren't Christian. As soon as a person (especially politician or pundit), says Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, and all Mormons are not Christians, they are not necessarily attacking our doctrine (because they probably don't know it). They are attempting to put Mormons in a neat little box that is 'implicit of ideas of extremism, mind control, authoritarianism and secrecy...' I would also add that they are attempting to imply that Mormons are less patriotic, less moral and have a secret agenda...because only Christians can be patriotic, moral and have pure intentions (please not that last part is dripping with sarcasm). It's easier to say Mormons are a cult and not Christian than to actually do the work, research and be fair with such labels.
And probably not for the last time, it should not matter if someone is Christian or not when running for the Presidency. If Barrack Obama says he's a Christian, than he's a Christian to me. If he said he was a Muslim, fine. It is not a person's religion that matters to me, it is whether their politics, morals and views are similar to mine. If that means the agnostic candidate is most similar to me, than great; I'll vote for him or her. Come on people!
Once upon a time ago I took a social psychology class, and we had to learn about the characteristics of cults. The way I remembered the characteristics was by relating it to the LDS church (mind you that I am a member of this church). All the characteristics of a cult could be found in this religion. I am not saying it is a bad religion, but to deny its cult-like features is foolish. Although I do not have the list of characteristics from that class, these characteristics are similar to what I had learned... if you cannot see how the LDS church fits into these groups, then I suggest you step outside of your bubble for a bit.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
By the definition of 'cult' and most of the characteristics you listed above, almost all main-stream religions can be labeled a 'cult.' Put the definition above against Roman Catholicism, for example. But no one ever says Catholics are in a cult and that's my point. Somehow, it's ok for this pejorative term to be used against Mormons, but if people would 'step outside of their bubble' then they would realize that it's really a meaningless term.
ReplyDeleteI won't go down your list verbatim, but there are definitely some things I disagree with you about. One of the ones that jumped out, however, was that cults encourage separation from one's family who are members of the same cult, which to me is one of the biggest hallmarks of a real 'cult'. The LDS Church does not and has never encouraged people to leave their families if they are not members of the church.