Why I believe the Mormon church is a cult

I have said before that I thought the word cult when referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints seemed kind of harsh. After doing some research I have changed my mind. I actually think the church fits the characteristics of a cult almost to a T. The following is a list of cult charcteristics taken from http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm. The words in red are my own thoughts of how Mormonism fits that particular trait.

The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law. If it be from my mouth or from that of my servant sound familiar?

‪ Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. I have felt many times that it was wrong to question. Also think of all the scholars who have been excommunicated or lost their jobs at BYU for publishing findings that went against the church.

‪ Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s). THE TEMPLE!!! Work routines such as church callings, unpaid clergy, visiting teaching, home teaching, young women and young men, etc.

‪ The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth). Garments, dress and appearance, start having children right away, don't date till you are 16.

‪ The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).This is the church in a nutshell! Have you ever heard that you were a "chosen" spirit to be a member of the church or to be born in the covenant? I have and quite frankly I think it's bull crap. I am no better and in fact probably less of a person than a poor child living in a remote village in Africa.

‪ The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society. Prop 8

‪ The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations). Except maybe God but not here on earth. You could I suppose argue the 12 apostles, but I doubt they would go against something the prophet advised.

‪ The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities). Polygamy, polandry, murder, blood atonement, temple work for the dead of those whose ancestors have requested otherwise, pre 1990 temple oath punishments

‪ The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion. DING DING DING!!! Guilt for not going to church, paying tithing, accepting a calling, getting married in the temple, sexual activity, visiting/home teaching, working mom, family home evening, prayer, scripture study, serving a mission, etc etc etc!

‪ Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group. Perhaps not as much on this one, except maybe for those whose families disagree with them joining the church. Probably not as applicable though.

‪ The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. Check

‪ The group is preoccupied with making money. Check (shopping malls, investments, etc.)

‪ Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities. Check

‪ Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. Check. Don't marry or date (because you marry who you date) non-members. Be careful who your friends are.

‪ The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group. Check. This is why so many people are afraid to leave.

So the fact is that I was raised in a cult. I was brainwashed to believe many things and now that I have found out the truth I am left to reconstruct my own belief system.