How to start your own cult

You-tube has a video produced by capnskull titled Mind Control Cults. It's a step-by-step tutorial on how to start and maintain your own cult, and I found lots of similarities in Mormonism. See if I'm wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnNSe5XYp6E

It's a little on the extreme side, more like describing David Koresh or The Way. But still, it's telling in some areas, especially when it comes to limiting the scope of reach for information gathering and how to quell doubts in your leaders and their lessons.

I've been telling my family that they are in a cult for years, but they equate that with a compound somewhere off in the isolated wilderness and since Mormons don't segregate themselves (anymore) from the outside world, they can't be considered a cult. What they may not realize is that expecting you to limit access to outside resources, limit exposure to those who don't agree with your world view, and stay away from those who would cause you to doubt your faith creates a cult within the mind, placing barriers and walls within the subconscious. This enables them to control their members while allowing them to 'feel free' to choose the right. Anyone who has been in Mormonism knows there is really only one right choice, because all others lead to disfellowship and excommunication. There is no real freedom to think, act and choose for themselves, or their would be no such thing as worthiness interviews and temple recommends. There would be no tithing reviews, no 'courts of love' where they prosecute you for past actions and deeds and toss you out of the church on their terms. There certainly wouldn't be a long list of 'repentance' process items to accomplish in order to become worthy for reinstatement either.

Oh, and if you didn't see the PBS special on Mormons a few days ago, the whole thing is now available online here.

Now, don't make the instant judgment that it is completely anti and full of lies BEFORE you see it, as you may be surprised how they portray the Mormons as a whole. Sure, there are blights on their history, but overall they are seen as family oriented, fully faithful Christian-like people, even if the doctrine is a little out there and unusual. I thought it was very balanced, with a bit of a lean towards 'fluff' for the church. It is well worth watching just to learn some important history and facts that the church finally acknowledges DID happen, after denying it for so many years. Might be an eyeopener for those inclined to do some research...