Scientologit and mormon apostates

by zound 17 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  zound

  Does anyone find it odd that it seems there's less of a vocal apostate movement for Scientology and Mormons. I'm getting this from google - I can't seem to find any majour forums like this one, or websites that are regularly updated exposing doctrines etc.

  There is stuff out there, but from my search at least it doesn't seem to be as much as JW's.

  Strange considering Mormons have 13 mill (?)

  Scientologists 'claim' 8 mill.

  On a side note, where would you place the Watchtower as a mind controlling group - in bigger mainstream cults?
• 

  HarryMac

  Maybe those groups aren't as painful to be in, or as painful to leave?

  Makes it real just how bad we had it(?).
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  ilikecheese

  I live in an area with loads of Mormons (I'd say at least 25% of the population), and I have MANY friends who have left that church. None of them have bad relationships with their families at all. They're still loved by their parents and siblings. I'm not sure if there's much of a strict shunning policy that's meant to be enforced. If it is, though, I've never seen it from any of these families.

  Mormons are very much about family, though. Generally, they're extremely nice people, too, so it's kind of a different dynamic, in a way.
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  Qcmbr

  http://forum.newordermormon.org/

  http://exmormon.org/phorum/list.php?2
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  sspo

  I work for a company owned by Mormons, 90% of the workers are Mormons and even though i find them so brainwashed by their religion and a pain the ass to work for, all position of leadership are filled by their "brothers" and there is no hope of advancement.

  I do find them to be much more reasonable than the JW.

  They definitely believe in higher education and they do not ostracize those that get DF. they will talk to them and are very kind to them with the hope of bringing them back.
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  Londo111

  I haven't looked into this, but Scientology "apostates" seem to have been quite successful. The general public recognizes that they are a cult and the danger they represent.

  As far as Mormons, experiences must vary from region to region. I've talked with a few ex-Mormons...shunning is a very real possibility for them. Some of the experiences are very similar to JWland. For instance, a person went inactive, and then when they came back, they felt compelled to confess their sins to a bishop who asked detailed questions. Very much like a judicial committee.
• 

  zed is dead

  Here is one for Scientology:

  http://www.xenu.net/

  zed
• 

  fresh prince of ohio

  My take on the mormons: crack smokin' wackass belief system for sure, but, as a group, not as insular and punitive towards dissenters as JWs are, and I don't think that the leadership constantly howls about their authority and rages on and on and on about apostates the way the JW leadership does. Although I do believe that plenty of former Mormons are shunned by their family and friends that are still active in the faith, shunning isn't such a freaking INSTITUTION among mormons the way it is among the dubs.

  My take on scientology: be GLAD that it was JWs, and not these crazy nazis, that you made your escape from. The low internet activity among ex-scientologists is probably because there really aren't that many of them overall, as Scientologists, by outsider estimates, only number about 100k-200k worldwide.
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  Simon

  I believe the scientologists are very aggresive (legally) toward ex members and people exposing their beliefs but yes, they are more often perceived as a cult so kudos to their apostates. They are a lot younger and easier to debunk though as a religious movement.

  Mormons are similar to JWs but seem to be a little more relaxed and mainstream.

  JWs are possibly the biggest actual whacky cult there is (as opposed to mainstream religions ... which are still whacky cults too) and are probably the biggest to use hard-core tactics like shunning to try and retain control over members.
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  zound

  Thanks.

  The forums don't seem to be quite as active as the multiple JW forums - but alot of similarities.

  There's some interesting comments from ex mormons as to their views of JW' (their views when they were active mormons)