Yes, it happens in other churches to a far more extensive degree than it happens in Mormonism. But they call it “liturgy.”

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I think that whether or not parents should or should not force their teenagers to attend LDS services could be debated. I don’t think it has been fully explored legally.

Obviously, every situation is different. Yes, it is also true that teenagers who join mormonism can be shunned by family and friends. So in that sense it does work both ways.

Strange that some LDS can be activists about parents allowing their teenager to join the LDS faith but if a teenager in their own family decides to leave, it’s not acceptable.

With that said, from my antecdotal experience, most parents in other religions allow their teenagers freedom to question and make up their minds. If a teenager really didn’t want to attend mass or another service (even on Christmas or Easter) because of religious disagreement, it might be a heated discussion, but it was typically accepted.

Most LDS parents that I’ve met are very strict about their children and teenagers attending services regardless of the teenagers’ beliefs. Legally, the law may support this. Morally or ethically though, I think it’s a grey area. At one point is a parent really trying to do what’s best for a child/teenager – and when are they forcing the teenager to take part in a seemingly “volunteer” organization. An organization that involves a great deal of indoctrination and other socially conservative issues (like the ones John mentioned above).

I believe many LDS parents think of forcing their teenagers to go to church the same as school. No doubt it’s the mindset because that’s what typically happened with them (if their parents were mormon). That doesn’t make it right.

The search for independence and identity as a teenager (specifically a mormon teenager) needs to allow that person to fully develop their own personality and belief systems. Most major mainstream religions allow their teenagers and young adults that freedom. I don’t think the leadership should encourage parents to force their teenagers to attend LDS services.

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Considering the fact that parents are authorized by law to make religious choices for their children, it seems strange that you would point to the ‘struggles’ of teenager trying to leave the church as a possible sign of brainwashing.

I’m sure that any person who leaves the faith that they grew up in goes through a tremendous struggle, especially if there are external pressures to remain a member. It works in reverse as well: people who convert to Mormonism from various backgrounds sometimes have friends and family who shun them. It’s not just a Mormon thing, it’s a human thing.

When you go to church, school, work, or watch TV, you are being indoctrinated (IMO).

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I agree that a better term could be indoctrination.

Certainly, I don’t think any of us could deny there is a tremendous amount of repetition. Words and phrases are said over and over – repeated in songs – to a point where children/young people don’t even know what they’re really saying. Does this happen in other religions/other places? I’m sure it does (think the nursery rhyme – rock a bye baby).

I guess I would question why (if the LDS church is all true) it would be so necessary to talk about reverence, obedience and integrity all the time. And to use guilt and fear tactics on the membership – particularly those who are being raised mormon and really don’t have a choice about whether or not they should be there.

As far as leaving goes, for minor teenagers they are typically not allowed to leave without a tremendous struggle. Obviously it’s somewhere easier for independent adults not living with their parents.

And with that said, there are still some members who promote brainwashing type beliefs. They refuse to read/watch anything not created by SLC. They teach their children that questioning is never appropriate (the prophet would never lead us astray). They teach in classes that members should not talk to apostates or non members (even if those people are family members). That’s what’s dangerous (IMO).

It’s some of the minority within mormonism that promote these dangerous/brainwashing type ideas. Not the vast majority of people who happen to be mormon and just trying to do the right thing.

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Exmoron: I’ve been having a similar debate over on Friendly Atheist with someone about the usage of the word “cult” as applied to Mormonism. I view the debate on its usage as being very similar to the usage of “brainwashing.” What do you think?

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So, John, I absolutely agree (and so do the American Sociological Association and the American Psychological Association). Brainwashing does certainly take place in some extreme religious groups (brainwashing is not a criteria of a cult), but it isn’t taking place in most religious groups. It may feel like you might suffer violence if you try to leave Mormonism (I know my mom wasn’t happy when I told her and if we had been in the same state she may have tried to hit me), but rarely is that actually the case (if it is, then yes, you are being brainwashed).

Good post!

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