Perfect example of Mormon brainwashing targeting the young.....?

Question

I was Mormon for 18 years, so yes I know what I am talking about. I have been to MANY wards in Utah, and many in other states. I passed and blessed the sacrament, paid tithing, etc... See what you think...

Once a month, sacrament meeting is called "Fast & Testimony Meeting". On this day of the month, you without breakfast or lunch, and turn the monetary value of these two meals in to the church to help those who are less fortunate. (I fully approve of this idea). In addition to this, the meeting uses a young boy to pass around a microphone to ANYONE who wants to talk. This is usually very comical. Man #1 brags about his family, then Man #2 say HIS family is the best, and God blessed HIM the most, turning it into a passive-aggressive "Who is most blessed" match.

Here is the brainwashing part: I would say at least 4-5 speakers in this free-for-all are children who either want to stand for the attention, or are forced to by their parents.

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The child stand like a deer in headlights, not knowing what to say now that they have this attention for many people. The parent then whispers into the child's ear exactly what to say word for word. A very typical example would be: "I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I know that Gordon B. Hinkley is a mordern-day prophet, that recieves inspiration from the Lord. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Everyone then smiles at the child, and the blank look on the youngster's face is replaced with a smile of their own after recieving this positie re-enforcement.

This bothered me from a VERY young age. Thankfully, my own parents never did this to me, but some of my close friends had the misfortune of being in the spotlight a few times. I asked them, "Who is Joseph Smith?" (This was at age 4 or so). They would shrug their shouders. No doubt every attempt was made so ensure we DID know who he was, but at that age, who.... (continued)

(continued) ....cares what a prophet is? He is some guy in a picture that they tell you to love.

This brings up my point. How can a child that age "know" anything about a church or prophets at all? Do they even know what "modern-day" means? Isn't this a cunning way to have young children, through positive feedback, associate saying "I know this church is true, and J. Smith is a true prophet", with "good smiles and feelings" without knowing or believing it?

I do not doubt in the least that it is. Brainwashing in its true form. No wonder people have reflex answers about "knowing" the church is true, etc... As adaults these same people NEVER research their own religion to find the truth, for the truth has already been found in warm fuzzies you get inside when you speak about the prophet in a positive manner. This same feling is later attributed to "feeling the Holy Spirit". Amen.

Doh! The devil smote me with many grammatical errors. Please attack me if you must.

Ahh yes, Nijg: The same guy who constantly tears down African-Americans. Yes, you are a true model of someone WITH a life...

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/brainwashing

See definition #2

This indoctriation process DOES fall under brainwashing, try again.

Answer 1

Thank you for phrasing this respectfully, CT. It shows true class.
(All except maybe the question header!) ;)

Anyway, I do agree with you that the net effect is "brainwashing," but I think it's important to note that it's not deliberate. In other words, the culture and doctrinal standpoint of the Church naturally encourages the behavior, but the members don't know they're doing it.

I was once in a testimony meeting where someone stood up and said "I believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I believe the Book of Mormon is true. I know Jesus died for our sins. I believe that families are forever. I have faith that Gordon B. Hinckley is a true prophet." As this person was speaking, there was a very uneasy reaction by the congregation, who seemed utterly shocked that this sister didn't "know" Joseph, the BoM, and eternal families were true. After the meeting, two or three people went up to her discreetly and asked her if they could help her with her struggling testimony. The bishop called her in after the block for a "check-up" interview just to make sure everything was ok in her life. Needless to say, from that point on, she said "I know" every time she stood up to bear her testimony, because she didn't like feeling like she wasn't as good as everyone else, or that there was something wrong with her for not "knowing." Oh, and by the way, this was a 28-year-old woman. If grown adults are subject to this peer pressure, what about small children?

The message people send to their 8-year-old children is "it is COMPLETELY your choice to be baptized, Timmy, but remember, Sam was baptized when he was 8. Jenny was baptized when she was 8. Tommy, Michael, Eliza, Steven, Annie, and Barry were all baptized when they were 8. Alex was baptized when he was 10, but that's because his family was unrighteous and wasn't going to church when he was 8. Jesus wants us to be baptized when we are 8. So, Timmy, it is COMPLETELY your choice. Do you want to be baptized?"

The interesting part is that most LDS people don't realize that they have such a marked effect on their children. They never stop to think about it. It takes an outsider to notice this. This is exactly why the First Presidency sent out a letter asking for children not to bear their testimonies in Sacrament Meeting (where they can be seen by investigators, who may feel uneasy like you about the 'brainwashing' thing), but to do so in Primary or FHE, where they won't be seen by investigators.

The biggest contributing factor to this phenomenon is the fact that the emphasis is placed on "finding your testimony in bearing it," and not "finding your testimony, and when you've found it, then bear it." This makes other people believe that you "already know" everything is true, making them feel even more like the "exception" if they don't "know." It is a breeding ground for group think. I fell victim to this as a child, and it took me until far into my adult life (after a mission and temple marriage) to realize that I really didn't believe it, because the issue had never even come up.

Answer 2

You have pretty well laid out what the brain washing is all about. May I add I can recall the statement "when you go on your mission"...it is clear that the youth is not being considered a person capable of making his or her own mind up. Add to the mixture, from one side of the face the leadership will beat you over the head about studying the scriptures. Of course the B/M is the highest on the list to read. It becomes very clear after study and research why the emphis is on the B/M. The B/M is of course a big farse and was inspired alright. The point is few memebers realize whom did "inspire it". Combine the facts the leadership wishes to keep the memebers so busy they do not study the Bible. In reality it is the fiction of the B/M, they wish us to believe. We can percieve the big lie in the whole story, when we do in fact study what the B/M has to say, of course copied from the Bible and the Spaulding manuscript. This is a real back door tacktic, too busy to study the one scripture that could be of great councsel and guidance, and then attempt to discredit it, "in sofar as it is translated corretly" ha ha... The memeber ship is decievd into thinking every thing is ok, when sadly if you study it all out, it is the "Great Dragon" orchestrating the whole belief system. The adults are as brain washed as the children are, and to a greater extent. The children are forced into the Sacrament Service ..Testimony... routine just like you explained.

Oh and by the way don't forget that the more Mormons which they can "create and train as youth" means more money the Church? (Cult) can collect. The revenue expands as the memebership base expands.

Yes it is brain washing all the way down from the top, and the top may not be whom most LDS people think it is.

Answer 3

Hey now, I'm Mormon, and I would never dream of force-feeding my children my religion. Neither did my parents do so to me. I know what you're talking about, though, it's called "indoctrination".
It is very wrong to try to determine someone else's spiritual belief. I think you might have been among some very twisted and extreme people who needed to put on a public display for the benefit of others. I wonder what you are now, if you are no longer Mormon. You obviously feel quite strongly about this. I'm not so sure I believe in the modern day prophet, thing either. I am however a member of a Mormon church and I have listened to many of the things that Gordon B. Hinkley has said. I have my own connection though, I don't need a church or religious official to do my communicating for me.

Answer 4

Hi- I am LDS and i agree in part with what you have said. I totally disagree with a child bearing testimony in fast & testimony meeting- as a child, you rely on the testimony of your parents and leaders- you can't know for yourself. I think after the age of accountability (8)/ after baptism whatever- it MAY be appropriate to bare a brief testimony- but only of what you KNOW... otherwise it's just empty words- and only then in primary or at family home evening. i have seen bishops squirm as a child takes the pulpit- i don't think they're comfortable with the idea of a child being fed "lines" either. However a testimony does grow from the bearing of it... I think once someone has gained a TRUE testimony- then share it (usually 16/17/18years old). A true testimony is not a travelogue or a thankimony about what we've done or what we're grateful for - this shouldn't enter into it at all- it should be based on what we know to be true about the gospel and the gospel ONLY!

Answer 5

What is the difference between your example of "brainwashing" of children and any other form of "teaching" children? A parent has a right to teach their child to believe the same ideas that they believe but this goes far beyond the scope of religion. I will try not to offend anyone (or offend everyone equally) as I make my point.

I see the same type of "brainwashing" with people who are anti-war (anti-abortion or substitute your own cause) and have their children carrying signs and shouting slogans.

The same type of "brainwashing" can be seen in schools as children are taught that one theory is the only one that is right. The most obvious example is the mandatory viewing of "Inconvenient Truth" and the forcing of children to believe that the Global Warming theory is "fact without question" and that "all the polar bears are going to die".

Add to that the "big bang" theory and evolution. A more subtle example is seen on Saturday morning cartoons where many are starting to incorporate Spanish into the vocabulary. This is "propoganda" aimed at acceptance of immigrants including those that are illegal. If it were just about learning foreign languages, they would include many other languages not just Spanish.

The examples can go on endlessly. It is how parents, societies, religions, and governments "teach" children to believe the things that the group desires them to know. The term "brainwashing" is often used when the lesson being taught is not in-sync with society-at-large beliefs.

Answer 6

I am not a Mormon but I live in a community that has a large Mormon population. I agree with your point that it seems the church is feeding information into the children's heads and through the positive reinforcement and attention they grow up thinking that is their beliefs when really it has just been fed to them from a young age. I've noticed that all Mormons seem pretty good at reciting the same answers about their church whenever you ask them a question. I also think that the same thing can be said about most organized religions though. Most adults go on repeating what they were told as children and never question their beliefs or why they believe them. You make some very good observations.

Answer 7

Actually, I think you make a very good point. That can happen to us as children from the Muslim believe to any other church. This TV Evangelist is the greatest I was told about Jimmy Swargart. If any man is truly from God he is.
However, we do not remain children. that only lasts for 21 years. Then we have to question everything. I remember the ancient boerians in the bible when Paul was talking they looked up the scriptures to make sure he knew what he was talking about.
I believe we do need to make a conscience effort to read the bible. But even more so, think! What do the people do who belong to that religion? Are they racist? Do they believe in fighting wars? Do they accept the whole bible and believe it or pick and choose? Is it all about a feel good feeling?
John 17:3 says taking in knowledge means everlasting life.
So learning is esential.
Not just send me money and God will make you rich>\
We have to know our lives depend on our knowing what is the truth? As some are saying muslims is the right religion.
what do the people do who are muslims? They have whole countrys dedicated to that religion, everyone there believes that way. so it should be a wonderful peaceful place to live.
Is it? Iraq, iran, Syria, Turkey Afganistan and even Pakistan is a lawless society were brother in the faith kills the other brother in the faith. would a loving God who made the earth sponsor such hate? Killing of women and children?
In Africa as in the other muslim communities rape is an act of war. Killing of women and children and whole villiages to take their land is being done even as we speak.
With no regard for human life. That to me is Satanic.
so use our brain to decide, is this really the religon Jesus would sponsor? Or Allah

Answer 8

While it may certainly be true that these practices, and other indoctrination techniques may very well be tantamount to brainwashing, they are no different from the techniques of every other religion on the planet, not to mention the inculcation of mindless patriotism via recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, or even loyalty to a hometown sporting team, or promoting habits like brushing teeth, making beds, eating with your mouth closed or not sawing your little sister in half.

In early childhood education, almost all effective techniques are essentially brainwashing. This is the way it's always been, and the way it always will be (unless we want a generation of savage, feral, uncultured children).

Just because we don't necessarily agree with the culture that a child is indocrinated into doesn't mean that the brainwashing that goes on is evil or abusive.

Answer 9

I think that most parents, if they truly believe their religion is correct, they will want to pass it on to their kids.

I have noticed that when discussing things with Mormons, if they don't have an answer, they will say their testimony really loud.

In response to that, being the good Christian that I am, I quote John 3:16.

Answer 10

I've witnessed many Fast &Testimony meetings and I can't recall a single one that meets your description of a "passive-aggressiv 'Who is most blessed' match."

Here's a quote from Elder Russel M. Nelson
"Fast and testimony meetings are held once a month, usually the first Sunday. Generally, babies are blessed on that day. After the sacrament, the conducting brother bears a brief testimony. He then invites members to bear brief, heartfelt testimonies of the Savior, His teachings, and the Restoration. Parents and teachers should help children learn what a testimony is and when it is appropriate for them to express it. Younger children should learn to share their testimonies at home or in Primary until they are old enough to bear an appropriate testimony unaided in fast and testimony meeting."

I've never seen a parent force or coerce their children to bear their testimonies. Many times the child is excited and wants to, but then gets "stage fright" and is assisted by their parent, brother or sister. If a parent knows that the child is not prepared for this, then according to Elder Nelson, they should be encouraged to bear their testimony at home or in Primary.