Is Latter Day Saints an Infectious Brainwashing Cult?

Surely this question should read: Are the Latter Day Saints an Infectious Brainwashing Cult?

No to Brainwashing, Yes to Cult and Inculcation

Infectious no. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a religion, not a disease.

Brainwashing heavens no. Most sports teams far outclass any Brainwashing type thing the church could ever even attempt to do.

And finally, is it a cult? I certainly hope it is.

The Concept of Inculcation

While many cultures and religions attempt to inculcate ideas from an early age, Mormonism is unique in its consistent and thorough approach. Inculcation fits the Mormon approach because almost every child born into the faith gets introduced to the ideas at a very young age. Their brains are not developed enough to detect any of the bullshit in the Book of Mormon (BoM) that would be easily spotted if introduced at the age of reason or puberty. It is like starting an ideological race for explanations to life’s questions where one set of ideas has had an unfair head start.

Social and Emotional Factors

Wrap the unfair head start around social and emotional factors, and you have what we call inculcation. It could be viewed as a subtle form of brainwashing. The late Christopher Hitchens referred to religious ideas as poisoning every cell in the body. Almost like a corrupted PC that is unaware that it has a dangerous virus affecting its operating system.

Comparison with Other Religions and Cults

Mormonism, much like every other religion, seeks to establish a consistent and deeply ingrained belief system. The methods and effectiveness may vary, but the goal to influence one’s worldview is universal. However, the level of consistency and the age at which children are introduced to these beliefs set Mormonism apart.

Conclusion

Mormons make better senators than members of the Manson family. While the term cult may seem pejorative, it accurately describes the consistent and thorough approach to inculcating beliefs and behaviors within the Mormon community. It is a testament to the effectiveness of their practices.

In summary, Mormonism is more accurately described as a culture of inculcation rather than a brainwashing cult. The combination of age-appropriate indoctrination and social reinforcement creates a powerful and enduring belief system.