Discussion Mormonism is a cult.

[Alcoholic Failure]

I am posting this here instead of the suicide section because I believe that realizing that Mormonism is a cult is a pathway to other, more self preserving forms of thought. So Mormonism: yes or no?

 

[Dr.Sleep (Im tired)]

Yes, i believe so.
Scientology is more of a cult/scam however.

 

[SoftWorries]

For sure. Check out the Mormon cartoons on YouTube. Cult vibes x 10

 

[timf]

L. Ron Hubbard started Scientology as a religion specifically to make money according to an article I read by a friend of Ron's who was called on to oversee the completion of a science fiction writing contest when Ron died. He wrote that he was in Ron's kitchen when Ron declared that it was his intention to create a religion specifically to make money. I suspect that those who have inherited control of the organization still use it for that purpose. Sadly, at the expense of many ruined lives.

The origin of Mormonism has a darker history. Joseph Smith practiced seeking hidden Revolutionary war treasure using a "seer stone". This occult practice may have opened him up to demonic forces providing the visions and writings he came up with. There is plenty of information on the Internet about how this religion was started. While perhaps not as intentionally mercenary as Scientology, it still ruins many lives.

I have observed that regardless of whether it is selling flowers for the Moonies or distributing literature for the Jehovah Witnesses, a key indicator of a cult is what you have to do to get what you want. Sadly, even some forms of Christianity border on this transaction approach. The appeal is assurance that you have earned a reward. The risk is that whatever you do never seems enough. These sort of manipulations can play havoc with one's mental health.

Perhaps a healthy skepticism and seeking truth, discernment, and wisdom can better help protect the vulnerable from being exploited.

 

[never mind me]

I agree with the others and I'd like to add that any strict interpretation of religion (i.e. any form of religion that expects its followers to adhere to certain rules) is damaging. It's basically all a sort of scam in order to force people into submission by making them fear some imaginary force and/or some sort of afterlife. It doesn't matter which religion it is. Mormonism, Scientology, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Jehovas witnesses they are basically all the same. They ask people to accept a shitty life promising them some imaginary reward that people will never attain.
Although nowadays with the more mainstream religions there are many people who technically consider themselves followers of this religion without forcing themselves to follow any rules set by this religion which seems the only healthy way to be religious (if there even is a healthy way to be religious).

 

[Zetsubou]

Agreed. A good friend of mine was raised Mormon and was suicidal because of how they were treated growing up. Once they got out, they started on their journey to a happier life. I myself am a religious/spiritual person, but I believe that you should leave a religion if it makes you miserable.