Cult Criteria

I've seen a lot of discussion about religion and cults lately, especially in relation to Scientology; however everything I've read could also be attributed to Mormonism. There are a couple points I see as problematic, despite how in this case they're true.


A 'new' church is likely to be a cult

I guess this falls under the "cult as 'a group with ideas contrary to the general population" At one point Jesus' ideas were considered really radical (to the point that (assuming he was a real person/entity) he was murdered) so I guess that would make the Big One a cult.

Personally, I think all organized religion is cultist, but for the sake of argument (illustrating true, negative cult behaviour) I focused on what the general population would define as a "cult", even though it's hard to make a distinction... It boils down to personal perception. I admit having gone to LDS church is "weird" (and very boring!) but to others (especially those who didn't go to church as children) it's more "creepy". I can see how others raised in religion may see their mainstream, generally non-abusive (at least in an overt, physical manner) religion as different then a "real" cult like the Branch Davidians or Heaven's Gate.

But I digress; if Scientology is a cult because it's only been around for about fifty years, a couple hundred years isn't much longer.


A cult has a charismatic leader who must be followed

Even though L Ron and David Miscavage are more interesting then Joe Smith and Ezra Benson, you must still always Follow The Prophet... One of the reasons some people are opposed to Catholicism is because of the "must be followed" rule regarding the Pope, who is seen as an idol (along with Mary and saints) other then Jesus. I've heard this comment from many LDS folk, who see nothing wrong with practically worshiping Smithy Boy.

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Here's an interesting and insightful account of an ex-Scientologist who was in the Sea Org... There is no LDS-equivalent to the Sea Org, because the latter are missionaries for life, and their next life and the next and so-on, due to a billion year contract (Even the Mormons don't have "legal" documents like that)

Smithmas

I've read it from other bloggers, and at least for me, it was True (if anything about The Church could be) that the lessons focused on Joseph, or lessons on the Chapel and Book of Mormon, instead of Jesus during the Christian celebration of the winter season.

By the time I got to Young Womans, I was rarely in class enough - let alone paying attention when I was - to analyze and comprehend anything they were attempting to indoctrinate me with. In Primary I do recall the lectures. They focused on the Smith story, even though they told us about 'Him' throughout the rest of the year.

At least in the Catholic church, they were half an hour at most and generally consisted of being given an interesting coloured lesson sheet, often including colouring sheets, and they had special Christmas stuff that consisted of more then a dinner with cold pastas and salads in the activity hall that seconds as a basketball court (and in some chapels, thirds as overflow for Sacrament)

Taking the Piss

Happy Pride

A day late is better then never

Trek to the Holy Land

When most people think of Mormonism the first area that comes up is Utah but Palmyra, New York is also a important place. It is where Joseph Smith is said to have found the golden plates left by Moroni way back when there was a massive battle between good (the white guys) and evil (bad blacks)

My first trip outside the vicinity of my hometown, around the age of five, was to this mecca. I don't remember much, but will attempt to sketch out what I do:

After a long, boring car ride we exited the car in a parking lot near some trees. Standing on the paved area, I was told this was the grove where Joseph had his vision. This left me more unimpressed then I was previously. I felt no spiritual presense or calm breeze, only boredom and annoyance. There was a young kid who was being led around by a leash attached to his wrist, which stood out in my memory more then anything.

Later that night we went to the yearly pagent held on the Hill Cumorah, where the great battle is said to have occured. It seemed like any other hill I had seen; I had seen better hills (for tobogganing). I didn't understand most of the show and thought it was too long and boring, like anything else church related.

The highlight of the trip came on the ride home when we stopped off for donuts.

Joseph, stupid jackass, Smith

Apparently Mormonism is currently trying to put more focus on Jesus, but when I went to church it was all about Joseph.

I always thought the translation story was weird and couldn't understand how he was able to see stuff with a stone. I thought it was one of the many stupid things adults believed, and that I might 'get it' when I got older.

This episode of South Park pretty much sums up how I thought it happened, assuming it did (dum, dum, dum, dummm-b)

The one good thing about my Mormon un-education was that it made me critical of all spiritual thought.