Yeah - you're right. Mormonism doesn't resemble Scientology at all. But once you start looking, the holes in the book of Mormon are inexplicably HUGE. (Scientology's holes are so vast it's laughable.) And when you point out the holes, you're attacked viciously by those on the inside and you are shunned by the entire community. Most other Christian religions accept dissension (unhappily, but they do), but Mormons ostracize their own. That's what brings it to a cult status over a standard religion. Mormons cast you out. Scientologists follow and sue you. That makes Scientology the bigger cult. And why I said Mormonism is one step behind it.
[1 point]316 days ago by sillynillyReplyEdited 316 days ago by sillynilly
I actually agree with you, silly. Mormonism has had difficulty accepting dissension from within. I actually belong to a community of Mormons who are learning how to reach out with love and understanding to those who question or dissent. But to write it off as a "cult" springs from anger I believe in many cases.
No anger towards Mormonism here. I anger at those who attack those who question the status quo. Whenever something says "do not question ..." Often times I think that the first warning sign! (lol)
Mormonism has a vibrant community of scholars of all stripes who rigorously examine all aspects of the Mormon faith. Communities within Mormonism like Sunstone are full of faithful people who question the status quo in articulate and compelling ways. As a lifelong Mormon, I can sincerely say there is nothing "cult-like" about Mormon culture, though we have our problems and our issues just like any faith or organization; but I marvel at positive and progressive changes that are occuring in our faith. Keep your eyes on Mormonism, silly. A thing of beauty has and will unfold with it.
Umm I'm not sure what "shunning" your refering to. The leadership of the LDS (mormon) church has never put forth a doctorine of casting out "unbelivers". However you can be excommunicated for big sins *just like any other church* I am sad to say there are areas where some of the members have confused ideas of doctorine, something the leadership is trying to rectify, these people do not represent the Leadership of the LDS church only their own short commings.
I have always been encouraged to question, and find the answers for myself, and to *gasp* disagree. I just do it nicely. However I do understand that not all memebers are as enlightened to the teachings of our church, and have a hard time seeing questions as faith promoting (I can think of other churchs with similar members)
Oh yeah and the LDS church hasn't practiced polygammy in over 100 years. Those who do are excommunicated.
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Yes.
Just one guy and his wives.
Yep - and it's a cult. Really. It's a cult. One step behind Scientology.
Saying that Mormonism is a cult springs from ignorance in my opinion. It resembles Scientology not at all.
Yeah - you're right. Mormonism doesn't resemble Scientology at all. But once you start looking, the holes in the book of Mormon are inexplicably HUGE. (Scientology's holes are so vast it's laughable.) And when you point out the holes, you're attacked viciously by those on the inside and you are shunned by the entire community. Most other Christian religions accept dissension (unhappily, but they do), but Mormons ostracize their own. That's what brings it to a cult status over a standard religion. Mormons cast you out. Scientologists follow and sue you. That makes Scientology the bigger cult. And why I said Mormonism is one step behind it.
I actually agree with you, silly. Mormonism has had difficulty accepting dissension from within. I actually belong to a community of Mormons who are learning how to reach out with love and understanding to those who question or dissent. But to write it off as a "cult" springs from anger I believe in many cases.
No anger towards Mormonism here. I anger at those who attack those who question the status quo. Whenever something says "do not question ..." Often times I think that the first warning sign! (lol)
Mormonism has a vibrant community of scholars of all stripes who rigorously examine all aspects of the Mormon faith. Communities within Mormonism like Sunstone are full of faithful people who question the status quo in articulate and compelling ways. As a lifelong Mormon, I can sincerely say there is nothing "cult-like" about Mormon culture, though we have our problems and our issues just like any faith or organization; but I marvel at positive and progressive changes that are occuring in our faith. Keep your eyes on Mormonism, silly. A thing of beauty has and will unfold with it.
Umm I'm not sure what "shunning" your refering to. The leadership of the LDS (mormon) church has never put forth a doctorine of casting out "unbelivers". However you can be excommunicated for big sins *just like any other church* I am sad to say there are areas where some of the members have confused ideas of doctorine, something the leadership is trying to rectify, these people do not represent the Leadership of the LDS church only their own short commings.
I have always been encouraged to question, and find the answers for myself, and to *gasp* disagree. I just do it nicely. However I do understand that not all memebers are as enlightened to the teachings of our church, and have a hard time seeing questions as faith promoting (I can think of other churchs with similar members)
Oh yeah and the LDS church hasn't practiced polygammy in over 100 years. Those who do are excommunicated.