The Psychological Effects of the Mormon Church on its Members

Introduction

The word “cult” is a loaded, pejorative term. A number of alternatives has been proposed, of which “new religious movement” is the most neutral. However, it would be difficult to apply this term to the Mormon church which was founded well over 180 years ago.

Cult Characteristics according to Hugo Stamm

Swiss journalist Hugo Stamm

The Mormon church is sometimes called a cult. This article examines, from a psychological perspective, the extent to which this characterisation is appropriate. This examination is based on a questionnaire from Swiss journalist Hugo Stamm (1996, pp. 125-128). This questionnaire was selected because Mormonism is not mentioned in Stamm’s book and does not appear to have been a part of his research. Hence, it may be assumed that Stamm’s list is neutral towards Mormonism.

Cult Characteristics According to the Belgian Government’s Information and Advisory Centre for Harmful Cultic Organizations

In this article, the extent to which the Mormon church meets the criteria of the Belgian government’s Information and Advisory Centre for Harmful Cultic Organizations (IACSSO) is investigated. This assessment is not substantiated in detail (this is done here for a similar model) but is based on the knowledge and experience of well over 30 years active church membership. In cases of doubt or nuance, “no” was chosen.

Cult Characteristics According to the Professional Association of German Psychologists

In this article, the extent to which the Mormon church meets the criteria of the Professional Association of German Psychologists is investigated. This assessment is not substantiated in detail (this is done here for a similar model) but is based on the knowledge and experience of well over 30 years active church membership. In cases of doubt or nuance, “no” was chosen.

Cult Characteristics According to the International Cultic Studies Association

In this article, the extent to which the Mormon church meets the criteria of the International Cultic Studies Association is investigated. This assessment is not substantiated in detail (this is done here for a similar model) but is based on the knowledge and experience of well over 30 years active church membership. In cases of doubt or nuance, “no” was chosen.

Cult Characteristics According to the Cult Education Institute

In this article, the extent to which the Mormon church meets the criteria of the Cult Education Institute (formerly the Rick A. Ross Institute) is investigated. This assessment is not substantiated in detail (this is done here for a similar model) but is based on the knowledge and experience of well over 30 years active church membership. In cases of doubt or nuance, “no” was chosen.

Cult Characteristics According to Steven Hassan

In this article, the extent to which the Mormon church meets the criteria of Steven Hassan’s BITE model is investigated. This assessment is not substantiated in detail (this is done here for a similar model) but is based on the knowledge and experience of well over 30 years active church membership. In cases of doubt or nuance, “no” was chosen.