Instilling Fear In The Mormon Community

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The tactic of isolationism, used by several religious cults, creates for a possibility of dangerous outcomes. Social and economic isolation among individuals and institutions prevents interaction with mainstream society. Impoverished communities develop as a result of the lack of access to social resources and a lack of social mobility between these communities and mainstream society. (Brown). The social interaction that develops within disadvantaged communities creates new behaviors, belief systems, and realities. Members of isolated communities become aware of these differences. The beliefs of these communities about their reality and the world outside are reinforced by their economic and social isolation. (Gilmartin) For the members of The …show more content…

Fear is used to intimidate, whether it is people on the outside of a group, or inside. The response to the fear is the most important issue. If the response is wrong, people give away their freedoms which is the goal of those using the threats and acts of violence. Instilling fear in people is a very effective way to get them to do what those in authority have wanted. (Jones) In the context of Mormonism, it is impossible for Latter-day Saints to exercise their free agency when they are being psychologically coerced through fear of negative spiritual consequences during mortality and 'eternal damnation' after death, including being separated from their Mormon family members forever . ("Fundamentalist). Mormons are afraid of many things because of how they've been indoctrinated by the Later Day Saints Church and psychologically conditioned by Mormonism. (O'Neil). Mormons in the Later Day Saints Church are afraid of spiritual and social cost, so they stay in the congregation and follow its strict …show more content…

Here the group carefully defines what is pure and impure. Only those ideas, feelings and actions that are consistent with the group’s beliefs are good. An individual’s conscience is not reliable. By having a narrow view of what is good, and a wide definition of what is bad, the cult member is set up to experience a constant world of guilt and shame which is then used. The more guilty one feels, the greater the hatred for what is outside the group and a sense of personal purity and belonging in the group. (Jones). One group this is exemplified in is the puritains. Puritans argued that the English Church was failing to properly meet the religious standards and moral code of John Calvin’s doctrine; therefore the Puritans separated themselves in order to reform the church. Because the puritans were obsessed with sainthood, puritans began to point fingers at all who had wronged them in the past, or those who they simply felt were beneath them. During these trials numerous people were put to death due to bad luck, social inaptitude, or simply detrimental gossip. (Neville) The Religious cults instillment of guilt within its followers leads to a breakdown of relationships and huts members of the

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