Can Good People Belong To Bad Churches?

The Mormon Church is certainly not alone is committing atrocities against humanity. Probably the biggest example from the past century is the Catholic Church administration's escape aid to Nazi officials at the end of WWII. In fact, the Catholic Church's official policy of tolerance towards Hitler's regime is a suppressed and shameful chapter of history. And there are more examples. Which begs my question: Can good people belong to bad churches? People can be both good and ignorant; good and needy.

Brigham Young Taught Blood Atonement

"There is not a man or woman who violates the covenants made with their God (in the Mormon temples), that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it; and the judgments of the Almighty will come, sooner or later, and every man or woman will have to atone for breaking their covenants." - From sermon by Brigham Young, March 16, 1856, Journal of Discourses, Vol. III., page 247.

A Good and True Belief System

I want a belief system that is inclusive rather than exclusive. One that accepts homosexual people. One that doesn't have a class system. Think about this: who did Jesus hang out with anyway? The prostitutes, the lepers, the wretched poor. So why would a religion honoring him exclude these? I cannot believe that God would make the path to heaven so difficult that few are able to make it. Once again, God loves and accepts all of us as beloved children. Recently I became interested in the Gnostic faith but unfortunately found that some of its knowledge was considered "secret" (see the gospels of Thomas, James and John). It's impossible for me to believe that Jesus would parcel out his teachings this way. Another thing: Jesus doesn't live in fancy churches and cathedrals. He lives in the humble dwellings where people pray for peace and strive to honor the Golden Rule.

25 Attributes of a Cult

This list is taken from a college course called "The Psychology of Fundamentalism" offered by the University of Texas 1. the leader is charismatic and often militaristically demanding 2. the leader is always right 3. elitism, the leaders treated as royalty or a sense of awe, hierarchical, authoritarian power structure 4. lower members get no respect, or get abused 5. leader is not held accountable for his actions or the actions of his authority structure 6. leader will not tolerate or receive criticism, but leader criticizes all others 7. there is no exit 8. if members exit they are considered rebellious, out of the will of a higher power or the leader 9. members do not have any association with members that have left the group 10. there are no graduates from the “program” or group, just deserters or evil people 11. there is cult speak (a language many others can not understand) 12. personal attacks on critics or those who are not in the group 13. solidarity within themselves, no outside allegiance or association 14. use of guilt to manipulate members 15. the leaders of group are self absorbed 16. instant community 17. members unable to tell the truth 18. money grubbing 19. newcomers don’t “think right” and need to be trained 20. system of punishment and reward 21. intrusiveness 22. sense of powerless, dependency, covert fear, guilt 23. members and leaders are imbalanced or mentally ill 24. thought stopping language, clichés, or slogans 25. demands of ultra loyalty or ultra trust in the groups process and others

This blog originated from a post in Vera's World about my history with and feelings concerning the Mormon church. Reader response was positive which encouraged more writing. Like all paths of discovery, it has not been done in a neat linear formula so please forgive the convolutions of my writing. It is my hope that you may find this site of some use in your own journey.