Mormon Misdirection Seems like Cultish Propaganda.

Holly Welker: The corner of the internet concerned with Mormon issues has been aflutter recently over a new ad campaign created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, featuring profiles of church members, showcasing their achievements, their individuality, their likability. I just wish the church hadn't spent the last three decades encouraging, if not demanding, homogeneity and blandness -- or, to use the official LDS term for the virtue of uniformity, correlation [...] Originated in the early twentieth century but not emphasized until the 1970s, correlation was a program that consolidated central control and enforced consistency and sameness as much as possible throughout the church.

Green Man: There are many who say that Mormonism is a cult with charismatic (just look at Joseph Smith's larger than life persona and lifestyle) authoritarian leaders emphasizing absolute loyalty, conformity, and total control of members. The absolute loyalty shows itself in the "all or nothing" "contract" you are under with the leaders of this church. And nowhere is this more the case in Mormonism than in the office of prophet (leader of the church pyramid of hierarchy). Since he (and it's always a man--woman aren't allowed to hold church power) is considered a prophet that means he "gets messages from 'God.'" This fits with Professor Eileen Baker's cult checklist, "Leaders who claim divine authority for their deeds and for their orders to their followers." Therefore, if you don't agree and follow the exact words of the prophet you are seen as disagreeing with "God." If you can not show loyalty to this man then you are ostracized in your local church, often by family members, and will be prevented from entering the most sacred sites to Mormons; their temples.

In order to gain access to their temples you must go through an interview (these are the questions used while I was a member) to be deemed, "worthy" which is usually an uncomfortable and often humiliating affair of questioning that feels more like an interrogation than spiritual "guidance" as they like to refer to it as. In any event, the questioning goes something like the following: "Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator; and do you recognize him as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?"

All priesthood keys means the power and authority of "God" on Earth. Then there is the question, "Do you affiliate with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual?" So, forget having political beliefs that run contrary to the goals of the Mormon church. The leadership will tell you publicly that you can vote for whomever you want but that isn't exactly the case, former Prophet Ezra Taft Benson said, "he could not see how a person could be both a liberal and a good Mormon, and he called the civil-rights movement "a communist program for revolution in America." And this was coming from a "prophet" who Mormons see as infallible, so which is it? In addition, almost ALL members are conservatives; the unspoken, (sometimes spoken) expectation of peer pressure is that a good Mormon can only be Republican/conservative.

That's the way it was during my entire 22 years as a Mormon; I never expected to be anything other than a conservative Republican because everyone else was too. Another demonstration of loyalty is demanded in another question asking if you will obey ALL leaders ordained by "God?" This of course includes the leaders all the down from the prophet including the local one you're talking to--that's some serious intimidation. And these local leaders are regular, fallible men, just as messed up as the rest of us who were supposedly "called by 'God'" to lead the rest in your local church. In other words, the local "leader" or "Bishop" is there to make sure the underlings obey the entire chain of command from the base of the pyramid to the top.

If you fail to live-up to these tests of loyalty you will also be prevented from taking the Holy Sacrament (similar to the communion) which is the most important part of Sunday worship. Everyone spies on everyone else in that church, or at least has been mine and others' experiences too. So, quite often people are always on the look-out for the "sinners" who don't take communion and you quickly are shamed, shunned and bumped to the top of the gossip headline news. It's humiliating and seems a bit designed to get the other "cult members" to do the dirty work of shaming you into thinking you're a terrible person. That's common; Mormons leaders love using guilt as a tool to manipulate. Additionally, low self-esteem combined with a deep vat of guilt are common amongst survivors of Mormonism. And, in many cases a lack of total loyalty to the prophet and his, "henchmen" (as I sometimes refer to them; they call themselves "apostles"-- no authoritarian power or "god complex" goes with that job title!! Catching the sarcasm there?) can in and of itself find you judged by a panel of "priesthood holder" men, which is often degrading and leads to expulsion/excommunication from the church.

Another sign that Mormonism may be a cult is that it fits the criteria for a religious group that separates itself from society, either geographically or socially. BINGO!! Mormons don't often associate with non-Mormons; their relationships are rather incestuous in that they all hang out with each other and nearly no one else. They even have something of a "uniform" that all "worthy" members wear under their clothing--a form of underwear that they believe protects them from evil. And as usual, those who are "worthy" for them are often shunned. The conformity is added in that these undergarments only come in white (unless you're in the military and need camo ones). The clothing conformity continues with men being required to wear a white shirt and tie; preferably with a black suit. Women are expected to wear long dresses to church (no pants) and haircuts are to be conservative. Same with jewelry. Men are "encouraged" not to wear beards or have hair longer than the ears and no jewelry besides wedding rings. Tattooes are a big no-no. Teen-agers are quite often kept from dating non-Mormon girls and the church (seemingly innocently) makes all adult members have a "duty" or "job" in the church. These include: Sunday school teacher, boy scout leader, priesthood leader/teacher, choir director, etc. The result for the leadership at the top is that you get members doing all the work (volunteer based of course) while collecting their money in the form of tithing!!

The added bonus is that according to the prophet and his apostles the bishops of the local churches are granted authority to receive "revelations" but only for their local church members. So, they craft the "jobs" as "callings" because they supposedly came from a revelation your bishop received from "God" saying he needs you to do job "x" or job "y." The other benefit for the hierarchy is that it keeps the members busy and away from non-Mormons. And, well, before you know it, the only friends you have are Mormons and if you do have some socializing time the church has crafted their "callings" to keep you actively doing church things with other members throughout the week--at the church building itself!!

O.k., next item on the cult check-list: Important decisions in lives of adherents are made by others; again, bingo. Each young person at a certain age goes to get their Patriarchal Blessing, which is seen as a kind of foretelling the future as to what you're life will, and should unfold as. The person giving you this "revelation/vision" is called the church "Patriarch" who is of course a man. There isn't a direct command to follow it and make it happen but it is worded in a way as to suggest that this guidance is coming directly through "The Patriarch" from "God"--just for you. So, that pretty much puts the screws on and guilts you into doing what "'God' told me to do." This dove-tails into the next one on the list, "Adherents who become increasingly dependent on the movement for their view on reality." Everything in most Mormons lives is determined and checked against what their church leaders say. There is pretty much no area of their life where they don't look to the church and other members on how to deal with whatever reality is throwing at them. It influences: their politics, who they associate with, jobs they'll do, colleges they'll attend, sexual problems in their lives, money issues, marriage issues, and on and on.

The other aspect of this one is brainwashing, which includes: social pressure (which we've discussed and will further), guilt, (again, already touched upon) and sensory deprivation. In Mormons this takes the form of long church sessions that last half the day, which tire members out and being tired increases supportability to control. This sensory deprivation also includes days of fasting that make one more susceptible to thought-insertion and control as well. Ironically, these days are the same days where "testamonials" are undertaken by the members led by the Bishop who is the first to give his testimony. It basically consists of people restating (in front of other members) how sure they are of the exclusive truth to Mormonism. The peer pressure is strong as people stew in their seats wondering if they should get up front to bear their soul to the other members and say how much they believe in the church. "Sharing your testimony" is what they call it but it's nothing more to me than making people hungry and thus vulnerable to thought suggestions to those who might be wavering in their beliefs.

Next criteria: "Making sharp distinctions between us and them, divine and Satanic, good and evil, etc. that are not open for discussion." Mormons are often arrogant, elitists who think only they hold the real, true and only religious truth on Earth. A lot of them see all other belief systems as inferior; if not "Satanic" and contrary to the goals of their truth!! This often leads to talk about members versus non-members and how evil, bad influences non-Mormons are to them and their youth. In the Mormon stronghold of Utah, non-Mormons neighbors are often shunned and looked down upon. To even ask questions about the verasity of Mormon beliefs and read "non-Mormon literature" is considered playing with "The Devil." Mormons are taught that not only are these other beliefs wrong; they are to be eradicated by converting the adherents to Mormonism. Thus, the reasoning behind their army of drone missionaries, and why they are so pushy and often rude when trying to get you to let them into your house to teach you about the "True gospel of Jesus Christ."

The final one is, "Leaders and movements who are unequivocally focused on achieving a certain goal." For Mormons that certain goal is preparing the world for the "End Times" and the supposed return of Jesus Christ. This preparation demands all Mormons seek to convert non-Mormons (for their own good of course). Thus, young boys are groomed from a young age to go on a two year mission at the prime of their young adulthood (19-21) when their peers are attending college. This often sets these young men back educationally for years. Women and non-missionary members are expected to strike up conversations about Mormonism with those outside the church at your workplace, with the neighbors and anyone else you might run into. As a means for forwarding their goal of converting the world. They almost always push and guilt people into doing this and even give them free copies of the Book of Mormon to hand out to their non-member victims.

So, are Mormons in a cult? You decide.

PHOTO: Mormon temple in the background with a figure in front that I think symbolizes the zombie-like, robotic behavior of members.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Green Man's Curse.

When I was a young man (19-21) I was sent to steamy West Africa on a mission for my then church--The Mormons. I had been raised and groomed from an early age to travel to the far ends of the Earth to fervently and passionately spread the "truth" that The Mormons were the only church ordained by God on High himself. It is said that each missionary is sent to a locale determined upon what The Prophet has been instructed from Elohim (God) during his prayers.

Being the good Mormon boy that I was at the time I dutifully waited for "the letter" at a Mormon run college in nowhere Idaho. I have always been a very spiritual person and I was serious about my commitment to the "Armies of Helamen," which were allegedly an ancient army of young men warrior Mormons in the Americas as written in the Book of Mormon. Today the term is also used to refer the the Mormon churches' army of some 50,000+ missionaries spreading the faith.

Being somewhat psychic I had a feeling that I would be sent of Africa. I set off studying everything I could find on Africa, and before long the continent began calling to me. So it was to my delight that I was "called" to serve in a new mission in Cote D'Ivoire, (Ivory Coast) West Africa. This is a French speaking, developing country on the west coast of Africa just neighboring Ghana. The predominate religion practiced in the tropical country is animism followed by Islam and bringing up the tail-end is Christianity. It is a minority religion, which as an American I had never experienced. Then take into account the history of Christianity in the region and you'll realize how deeply Christians wounded Africans during the colonial slave trade era. Let's just say in conclusion that I wasn't the most popular guy off the boat!! Yet I was too intoxicated with the rhythm, beauty, style, flavor and smell of Mother Africa to be too worried about much--especially at 19 years old!!

In between savoring strange, new foods I set out to "save the Ivorians" from the "evils of witchcraft." I was an eager, model missionary who was quietly being groomed for leadership. Despite my willingness to fully marinate myself in this otherworldly culture I was a vulnerable young boy who, really, was in over his head. Yet nothing seemed amiss as I was too consumed with memorized verses from the Book of Mormon and visions of a tropical paradise assaulted my brain. Then one sweltering day I remember shopping for our daily meals amongst the bright chaos of one of the open air markets in our village.

At one point while looking for the fish lady, I passed this strange stall filled with bones, jars full of nasty, dark liquids, animal skins, trinkets and other "junk." As I passed I noticed an old, short, gray bearded guy wearing rags of what looked like burlap bags held together with twine, trinkets, amulets and shards of metal and glass. Time slowed distinctly as I made eye contact with him and he seemed to be furious by my presence. I could feel his crocodile like narrowed eyes intruding into my eye sockets, and never did he take his eyes off of mine. Then faintly I heard him mutter something in my direction, and it clearly wasn't French. I had to assume it was a tribal language. His body language was confrontational at this point as he flashed his hands in my direction as if he were flinging something at me. After breaking visual contact I felt time continue on it's merry way and I came to my senses to realize that I had probably just been "cursed." My suspicions were confirmed when I was told later by a local that he was an animist priest. I must admit that for all my youthful invincibility I felt fear creep and for the first time I knew that I was pilgrim in a strange land (to be continued....)

Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon Place Names.

As many of your know by know I was raised Mormon and spent 22 years of my 34 years loyally devoted to that religion. I left in large part due to my curious nature, thirst for knowledge and skill at researching, (thanks to my history degree). There are many questionable aspects of Mormonism, (otherwise known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or LDS) but I'm only going to focus on one in this post. It involves place and personal names found in the Book of Mormon.

I have read the book 5 times (three in French and two in English) and practically have it memorized. My French copy of the book is highlighted everywhere with notes scribbled around the edges of the pages. In addition, I have done countless hours of research into both the Mormon church and the Book of Mormon. Having grown up LDS I'm practically an expert on Mormonism and Mormon culture.

So, one of the first names you come across when reading the BoM (Book of Mormon) is that of Lehi who is one of the main characters in the book. He a man who supposedly led his family and others out of Jerusalem to sail to the Americas. Well, it just so happens that not very far down the road from where Joseph Smith lived and "translated" the BoM is an area of Pennsylvania known as the, "Lehigh Valley." Strange coincidence don't you think? Smith spent a lot of time wandering around Pennsylvania working as a, "glass looker" which entailed him looking at "Seer stones" at the bottom of a hat to locate, "treasure." This is the method he used to "translate" the BoM. Then there is the town of Alma, New York and it sits on the border with Pennsylvania and New York. Alma is another main character in the BoM. New York is another state Smith knew well as he spent much of his growing up years in the upper west side of the state. This next part is quoted from one Vernal Holley who wrote a book called, "Book of Mormon Authorship: A Closer Look." Below is a map of BoM places names on them. Following that is a map showing the same map but with real places on them that are very similar if not identical to names in the BoM:Throughout the Book of Mormon we read of such features as "The Narrow Neck of Land" which was a days and a half's journey (roughly 30 miles) separating two great seas. We read much of the Hill Onidah, the Hill Ramah, and the city of the City of Angola—all place names in the land of Joseph Smith's youth. We read, in the Book of Mormon of the Land of Desolation named for a warrior named Teancum who helped General Moroni fight in the Land of Desolation. In Smith's era, an Indian Chief named Tecumseh fought and died near the narrow neck of land helping the British in the War of 1812. Today the Canadian city Techumseh (near the narrow neck of land) is named after him. We see the Book of Mormon city Kishkumen located near an area named, on modern maps, as Kiskiminetas. Canadian locations are marked with an asterisk and appear in the Book of Mormon as lying in "The Land Northward" I'm going to list the real location first and the BoM (Book of Mormon) location next to it in green and in parentheses. Each name entry will be separated with a dash mark "-". Study them carefully to see how similar they are:

-*Agathe, Saint [Canada] (BoM name, Ogath) - Alma, PA (BoM name, Alma) - Angola, New York (BoM name, Angola) - Antrim, PA near town where Smith "translated" the book (BoM name, Antum) - Antioch, OH [Located on the border between PA and OH] (BofM name, Anti-Anti-) - Boaz, Biblical name (BoM name, Boaz) - *Conner (BoM name, Comner) - *Ephrem, Saint, Canada (BoM name, Ephraim Hill) - Hellam (BoM name, Helam) - Jacobsburg (BoM name, Jacobugath) - Jerusalem (BoM name, Jerusalem) - Jordan (BoM name, Jordan) - Kishkiminetas (BoM name, Kishkumen) - Lehigh (BoM name, Lehi) - Mantua (BoM name, Manti) - Monroe, NY and PA (BoM name, Moroni) - Minoa, NY (BoM name, Minon) - *Moraviantown, Canada (BoM name, Morianton) - *Morin, Canada (BoM name, Moron) - Noah Lakes (BoM name, Noah, Land of) - Oneida, NY (BoM name, Onidah) - Oneida Castle, NY (BoM name, Onidah Hill) - Omer, MI (BoM, Omner) - *Rama, Canada (BoM name, Ramah) - *Ripple Lake, Canada (BoM name, Ripliancum, Waters of) - Sodom, NY (BoM name, Sidom) - Shiloh, PA (BoM name, Shilom) -Land of Midian, Middle East (BoM name, Land of Midian) - *Tecumseh/Tenecum, Canada (BoM name, Teancum).

Green Man: Some Mormons might say that the similarity just means that the ancient Mormon place names were kept by the white settlers to come later. However, many of the real location names are European in origin such as Conner, Jacobsburg, Monroe, etc. I also find it interesting that most of these locations were around places that Joseph Smith knew well, which were surely on any map available during that time. The Book of Mormon might have some good lessons in it for society and how to be a better person but it's not divinely inspired by some "God." Joseph Smith is just another in a long line of American charlatans. He started this religion in a time when there was much religious fervor in the area. There were countless preachers roaming the New England area preaching that they had the right answer and spoke of visions, newly reveled scriptures, etc. It seems to me that Smith, (being a simple person) wanted in on the high profile position of being a preacher and being the creator of an entire new religion is even better!! Why just be another preacher of the same old Christianity when you can attract a lot MORE attention by making up your own?!! You can probably start to see by now why I left that cult-like religion.

-Be Well-

The Green Man Cometh.

I am a very spiritual person -- always have been but unfortunately I was born into a family who was very loving but unfortunately for me they practiced Mormonism. Since I was born into the "system" I was programmed to be a loyal soldier for that strict religion. However, being a naturally inquisitive being I always had questions that would eventually grow into full blown doubts. That said, I was brainwashed well and especially trained to hate myself. So, whenever I thought about those doubts too much I guilted myself into remaining faithful to the religion but also by extension, my family.

Not wanting to let either down I dutifully marched off to Africa to serve as a missionary for two years. I might have had the guts not to go if it weren't that I was going to be able to live in Africa. Since a mission requires you know the religion inside and out I began to see a lot of things that didn't make any sense to my maturing mind. As I was trying to justify and explain why Mormons believed in polygamy. They don't practice it now but they believe they will in their version of "heaven." That and why Mormons believed that African-Americans didn't deserve nor were they qualified to hold the "power" of the priesthood. Needless to say I was asked the later one numerous times through each day being that I was in an African country. By the time I came home the carefully constructed psuedo world of "The Truman Show" Mormon version began to collapse.

I wandered about spiritually and eventually became an Atheist and I still have a strong streak of that in me but eventually I found Buddhism, which is my primary belief system. I probably won't talk about it much here being that this is a Pagan blog but suffice to say that I find Buddhism (especially the tradition of Zen that I practice) to blend well with many Pagan beliefs. One of which is the belief that all things are interconnected and interdependent and that obviously includes nature. I come to Paganism in part due to a life long love, respect and awe for nature -- especially the Rocky Mountains, which helped raise me. My father introduced us to the wilds when we were kids and it has been heavily imprinted into my life. I find that most man made religious sites and buildings aren't as impressive and those that nature can produce. You never experienced a sacred building until you've sat at the base of a high mountain cathedral formed by a 3/4 bowl of peaks circling a deep, volcanic lake. Or meditatively walked through the winding trails of a deep, dense forest and listened to the secrets that escape its lips.

This is why I am exploring the Pagan roots that stem from my Scottish/Celtic and Nordic ancestry. I'm especially interested in plants and greenery. Ironically and as a side note my favorite color is green. I am a bit of a "green thumb" and have beautiful plants scattered throughout the house to the point where our cozy abode feels a bit like a rain forest. I have a strong connection to forests especially having spent my lifetime camping in the woods and following enticing, meandering trails into them. So because of this connection to all things green I have decided to adopt the name "The Green Man's Grove" for the blog. The idea of a "Green Man" appeals greatly to me -- half man and half mythological forest magician. Also because I celebrate the essence of natural, pagan manhood.

Green Man is the god of the woodlands and vegetation who represents the rebirth of life and is associated with Spring. He symbolizes the life that exists in the plant world if not Earth itself. He is often associated with May Day (Beltane) celebrations.