Mormon Truth Podcast #9-Is Mormonism A Cult?!!-Part 1
MP3 File
In this podcast, I go through the cult checklist to once and for all, decide if Mormonism is a cult or not. I'm using the list from the ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association). Here is a quote from the website of the ICSA:
"The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is an interdisciplinary network of academicians, professionals, former group members, and families who study and educate the public about social-psychological influence and control, authoritarianism, and zealotry in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. Founded in 1979 as AFF (American Family Foundation), ICSA took on its current name in late 2004 to better reflect the organization's focus and increasingly international and scholarly dimensions."
The list that I'm using is entitled "Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups" and was written and created by Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. I'm sure that Mormons will find a way to discredit this website, this list and these people because Mormonism and the Mormon Church just couldn't possibly really be a cult, right? In fact, most members, as I once did, find it extremely offensive to be labeled as a cult and/or cult member.
On the ICSA website, it is also states that:
"ICSA does NOT maintain a list of "bad" groups or "cults." We nonjudgmentally list groups on which we have information.
Groups listed, described, or referred to on ICSA's Web sites may be mainstream or nonmainstream, controversial or noncontroversial, religious or nonreligious, cult or not cult, harmful or benign.
We encourage inquirers to consider a variety of opinions, negative and positive, so that inquirers can make independent and informed judgments pertinent to their particular concerns."
So, with that being said, this group is not "out-to-get" the Mormons or "persecute" them as Mormons seem to love as it just further proves that the Church is true is some twisted, jacked up cognitive dissonance. I encourage everyone to listen to this podcast and decide for yourselves, "is Mormonism a cult?"
Other recommended reading for everyone, regarding cults and whether Mormonism fits into that category, would be "why bad beliefs don't die." I also strongly recommend reading "Warning signs of a destructive cult" and also an opinion by Tal Bachman regarding the Mormon cult and the affects that it has on a person and the reasons why he knows that the Mormon Church is a cult.
Additional links from Podcast for more personal reading and research:
Direct link to "Praise to the Man Lyrics and music
Post including temple recommend question #6 and a picture of what a temple recommend looks like.
Famous Mormon Prophet's/Apostle's Quotes, including the Joseph Smith's entire "I'm greater than Jesus quote" and "I've never been a polygamist or adulterer quote."
Webster's Dictionary definition and synonyms of the word "PRAISE."
Listing of all of the things that the Mormon Cult will accept as donations, including other great info on what they are invested in.
Temple ceremony homepage, with links to audio, complete transcripts and comparisons between the 1984 and 199o ceremonies.
Audio to the Spencer W. Kimball talk on Love VS. Lust
Samuel the Utahnite
posted by Samuel the Utahnite @ 3/08/2006 01:00:00 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Great Podcast Sammy!!! The Church is no doubt a cult that celebrates ignorance every day!! I was totally shocked about the whole ear ring deal....Its a lot of work to be a Mormon...NO THANKS!! Didn't Jesus say "come to me and I will give you rest." Not "take out your ear rings or your going to hell!!" The Church is a joke!! Keep it up...Our sites and podcasts are slowly chipping away at the foundation of the Company of "Another" Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Awesome show. (Plus the fluidity of the Podcast is getting good!) I can't wait for part 2. I've read the cult checklists before, but it's cool to hear what you have to say with your experiences in light of Mormon Doctrine.
I'm from South Dakota and I have been keeping up on the recent news that federal agents are keeping an eye on some suspected Fundamentalist Mormon Polygamists in the Black Hills. Their leader, who they view as a prophet, Warren Jeffs is wanted for an alleged sexual assault of a minor. According to recent news reports, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints owns around 100 acres somewhere in the Southern Hills of South Dakota.
The Mormon Church has a history of polygamy from "claimed prophets" Joseph Smith to Wilford Woodruff. Mormons can not hide this history from anybody and why would they even try? When one attempts to sweep all the bad stuff under the rug like this Church has been doing for years, you gotta wonder why? Why not be open and frank about everything in your history? People respect those who are open and honest more than those who are trying to cover up something embarrassing in the past. Besides, why be embarrassed by a policy that was supposedly claimed to be a "revelation from God" to allow for polygamy? Is the Church embarrassed by its own God? Then again, that same God "supposedly" told "claimed prophet" Woodruff to quit the practice of polygamy. A God that is constantly changing his "eternal word?"
Romney, and any Mormon offended by being referred to as cultists, need to be asked why they adhere to a religion whose prophet, Joseph Smith, referred to Christianity, in general, as being cultic.
He actually, claimed that God Himself referred to Christianity as “all wrong,” an “abomination,” “all corrupt” and “far from me”—this is the very foundation of the Mormon religion.
Pardon the spam-like URL but, see: http://www.examiner.com/messianic-jewish-in-national/rick-perry-on-robert-jeffress-mormonism-as-cult
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