Ah, some voices of reason...finally!
As for cantleave's recommended reading on Mormonism:
Make no mistake, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is an authoritarian cult, and has been since the beginning. It is also one of the longest lived cults in America and has spread around the globe to almost every country in the world. Its membership is second only to the Roman Catholic Church, although in the last few years it has been dwindling due to many members leaving, despite the threat of excommunication and shunning by friends and family.
Our membership is second only to the Roman Catholic faith? Were that but true, we’d be thrilled. I don’t know how you would know how our membership has been “dwindling,” as we don’t publish that sort of statistic. And, as stated, Mormons do not believe in ritualistic shunning. If there is shunning, it’s the type people do as people. It is not condoned, encouraged or taught by the church and doesn’t reflect the love people should have for friends or family.
As for our cult status, you say we have “spread around the globe to almost every country in the world.” Yep, just like ancient Christianity did two thousand years ago...no point in denying it.
One of the problems I have with L.D.S. is that they expound on the same outdated theories of Joseph Smith even in the face of actual science. Smith said that the American Indians were direct decedents of the lost tribe of Israel. Recent DNA evidence shows absolutely no Semitic ancestry. How can you respect a religious entity that has lies at its base?
Completely behind the times. I saved some text books from college, but upon reading them some years later, I had to toss them in the trash because they were so behind the times. If one assumes the American Indians of the plains are the Book of Mormon people, that’s one thing; modern LDS scholars have, for several decades now, have concentrated on Mesoamerica as the Book of Mormon lands, which is the only geography in this hemisphere which matches the Book of Mormon. Check out the FAIRLDS videos on YouTube regarding the Book of Mormon geology and DNA.
Book of Mormon Geology and DNA.
Not only are the Book of Mormon’s insights to the New World fascinating, but it’s description of the ancient Arabian desert is one hundred percent accurate. No one in Joseph Smith’s day could have known such minor details and bore-sighted accuracy of Old World geography.
Accuracy of Old World Geography.
Some of its policies are disturbing from a human rights point of view. Like Scientology, apostates are not welcome. (Sometimes true if they are obnoxious or disrespectful.) In cases where a family member has left the "church," other family members still in are forced to shun them (Completely not true.) and even divorce them (Absolutely not true. “Force” is not a word you’ll find in the LDS church.). In cases where they have been inducted into the Temples, they will be deprived of the right to enter the Temple (True), even if their children are getting married, they will have to stand outside (True). As a matter of fact, if you have a child that has converted to Mormonism, and you have not, you will have to stand outside the Temple (True, but receptions are NOT held in the temple in any event). Mormons are taught that even if they have been permanently sealed to family members, if they leave the faith, they will be unsealed (Well, of course. But that remains up to the member, on whether they’re excommunicated or not, and if not, it ultimately will be settled by the great judge of all mankind. Many former members actually request to be cut off in all respects to the church.). My great-grandmother went to her death believing that she would not be allowed to see my grandfather in the afterlife because he had left the Mormon church. (She was in error. Visiting rights are actually quite liberal in the afterlife. If she attains the greater glory in the resurrection, she can visit anyone she wishes.)
More disturbing is the practice of the 'worthiness interview.' Like the "sec checks" in Scientology, all members of the faith are called in several times a year for confessional interview by priesthood leaders like the stake president or a bishop (Not the case for me or anyone I know. You may go in for a tithing settlement at the end of the year, but that’s not mandatory; likewise, one has a worthiness interview if they obtain a temple recommend, but that’s good for two years, I think.). These are very invasive interviews that include questioning the parishioner if the still believe in God, or the current prophet, are they tithing enough, do they masturbate? (That last one has been cut out, but you’re spot on regarding the others. And what’s so invasive about being questioned about your views on God or the church leadership? It is, after all, a worthiness interview.)
... Mormon children grow up sexually repressed and many grow up emotionally insecure about their own sexuality.
What?? Call for references!
Parents are not allowed in the room while...sexual questions are asked. Mormon parents are not allowed to question the authority of their leaders, so they send their male and female children to be alone, behind closed doors with an adult male. Because of mistrust of non-Mormon authority, sexual abuse and sexual abuse of children goes mainly unreported, as they prefer to handle their "problems" internally, much like Scientology.
This goes beyond absurdity and far into the realm of irresponsibility. Please document this as well. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken incredible precautions to prevent child abuse. And because such abuse it’s extraordinarily rare, you chalk it up to being underreported! Talk about non-sequiturs! If anything, we have far less child abuse than any other Christian sect I can think of.
In determining whether any religious movement is a “cult” or not, one must first define the term. Certainly, the reasons you cite certainly don’t cast the LDS church into “Scientology” category.
Finally, your entire write-up of the temple garment is completely spurious. Call it “magic underwear” if you wish, but the scriptures are replete with references to sacred vestments. Your assertion that “Mormons believe that the holy garment will protect them from fire, bullets, knives and other assaults” is astoundingly ignorant. It would be like saying that Christians believe the cross will protect them against vampires, evil spirits and the evil eye. For a responsible treatise on this, I recommend you read Hugh Nibley’s Sacred Vestments. You may find that our so-called “magic underwear” has a rich tradition in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
In any event, taking a doctrine or practice, ridiculing it and walking away isn’t scholarship or even responsible reporting. It's simply name calling.
