Mormons in decline because of the Internet (page 3)

Sayswho

In SWF we would see them quite often... but i have not noticed one (pair) around in sometime now. Well lets hope everyone gets a chance to wake up.

I took the "red" pill"

Sw

scotoma

Zid:

Scientology. Proof that in less than 50 years, even surrounded by technology, a religion can emerge with die-hard adherents.

Then, you have the Cult of Steve Jobs and Apple. I will bet money that there will be a religion around him in another 5 years. The priesthood will all be "geniuses" and their official garb will be sandals, jeans and black turtle neck sweatshirts. The greater Job = Jobs

steve2

Scotoma you are absolutely correct. It is naive to state that the internet is causing the Mormons to decline.

Religiosity thrives regardless of evidence for or against its claims:

"Mundus vult decipi ergo decipiatur" ("The world wants to be deceived").

Qcmbr

The Internet is having a huge effect for two reasons. Firstly there is a vast array of information that previously was only available in books or in the case of first hand stories not recorded. The second reason is even more powerful. Online people act differently. Face to face two Mormons will rarely discuss deep doctrine, doubts or off colour jokes. Online this all changes and I have seen ( and am currently taking part in ) some very interesting open minded discussions especially on Facebook.

No closed religion can survive inspection or open discussion. The LDS church is collapsing in the UK.

slimboyfat

Have you got any tangible evidence that he LDS church is collapsing in he UK?

steve2

The Internet is having a huge effect for two reasons.

Yes Qcmbr, for those who are concerned or bothered enough to go to the internet. Because the internet was effective for you and me does not mean it is in general having an impact. Where is the evidence that rank and file Mormons (including the many back sliders) are bothered enough to investigate in the first place?

As with the JWs, people with doubts will seek out the relevant websites. However, for the majority, the whole idea of rocking the boat requires a modicum of distress and/or doubt about the religion. I'd suggest those who do so are in the relative minority. That's why, despite enormously negative publicity and websites exposing Scientology, it continues to attract new members. Forces that bring people to a religion (e.g., the need for comfort and certainty) are often stronger than those that take them away (e.g., reasoning and evidence)

ziddina

If the Mormon leadership is sufficiently concerned to accellerate their usual glacial rate of change, then that's a very strong indication that there is a significant problem within the ranks, whether it be due to the internet's influence or simply life's stresses building up, a collective disenchantment with the religion, or inability to measure up to the religion's demands - be it tithing or hours in service...

The leaders of the two groups - Watchtower and the Mormons - are in position to see the hard numbers regarding membership increases or decreases - and to respond.

However, due to the secrecy surrounding such information, we, as individuals or as a group of "apostates", have little access to the overall picture. But we can roughly gauge the situaton by the responses of the leaders of the two respective religions/cults.

The Mormon leadership has already put forth plans to present their religion in a much more appealing light. That, in itself, is extremely telling..

As are the responses that we are observing within the Watchtower literature - tightening their levels of control, constant pressure on the Rank&File to make converts - though, as someone else pointed out, the Watchtower Corporation probably can pretty much drop the facade of being a religion, except for that "tax-free" status...

I thik that, not only are Mormons in decline, but Jehovah's Witnesses have been in decline for at least 10 years and more likely 30 years...

But only time will really tell.

mP

zid

the mormons are changing quite rapidly. only thirtyish years ago they changed their interpretatioj allowing black clergy.

ziddina

Hah!!!

As with their stance on polygamy [changed at the insistence of the U.S. Government and its troops], the ONLY reason that the Mormons came up with that "change" regarding black people, is due to the pressures put upon them by the Civil Rights movement and governmental pressures.

They change, but their changes are RE-active, not PRO-active. They never change AHEAD of the social issue; they ALWAYS lag behind the forefront of social change.

exwhyzee

I see Mormon boys around quite often. I feel sorry for them having been in a similar situation as a youth as they are now. The ones I've known seem very decent and well meaning. My Boys were the best of friends with two Mormon brothers they knew from school...I loved those two boys...they were terrific and I preferred them to the choice of sneaky Witness kids my boys had to associate with. Two Mormon Boys came to my door about two weeks ago. I told them my JW story and said I no longer trust religion or religious people because of how hoodwinked I was for a good part of my life. They both looked from one to the other as if they knew exactly what I was talking about and as if they had had this conversation among themselves.

Later in our conversation we talked about the Mormon Ad capaign on TV and billboards that show happy good looking people from all walks of life who claim to be Mormon. They said that many Mormons are quite unhappy with the ads. because it is obvious propaganda and it embarrasses them.

Mormons in decline because of the Internet

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