Control

It is deeply offensive to tell someone they are in a cult. I don’t see any advantage to arguing about the word cult as it applies to the church, but I do propose that it is both a high-demand religion and an authoritarian, controlling organization. Whether the word cult applies to the church, its controlling behavior is problematic and leads to harm.

I explore the BITE Model, developed by cult expert Steven Hassan, to identify areas where the church imposes authoritarian control over its members. The BITE Model is a framework used to analyze the methods of control employed by cults and high-control groups. It consists of four components: Behavior Control, Information Control, Thought Control, and Emotional Control, which I analyze individually in this section.

If you are an active church member and feel threatened or uncomfortable reading this section, I would encourage an exploration of those feelings. I did not believe I was in a controlling, authoritarian organization until I noticed I did not feel free to question it.

This section might apply particularly to your relationship with the church. Please take good care of your own mental health, but I encourage an honest exploration of your feelings as you read.

Behavior Control

Behavior control is a significant aspect of the organizational structure and culture within the church. The church employs various methods to regulate the actions and lifestyles of its members, creating an environment that encourages conformity and discourages dissent. This control manifests through strict adherence to church teachings, surveillance by church leaders and peers, and the imposition of behavioral norms that govern many aspects of daily life.

One of the primary methods of behavior control in the church is the regulation of personal activities through the Word of Wisdom. This code prohibits the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea, while encouraging a diet rich in grains, fruits, and vegetables. Members are expected to adhere to these guidelines, and failure to do so can result in social stigma and disciplinary action. Additionally, the church requires members to participate in regular church activities, such as weekly meetings and service projects, which further reinforces group cohesion and commitment to the church’s teachings.

Surveillance is a critical component of behavior control within the church. Members are often encouraged to monitor one another’s behavior, fostering a culture of accountability and mutual observation. This can manifest in informal settings, such as ministering programs, where members are assigned to check in on each other regularly. The church also emphasizes the importance of personal worthiness, which is assessed through regular interviews with local leaders. These interviews can create a sense of being constantly observed, leading members to self-censor and conform to the church’s expectations.¹

Confession and accountability are also prevalent. Members who commit serious transgressions, such as adultery or pornography use, may be required to confess their sins to a bishop or stake president, who then determines a course of action for disciplinary measures. This process can involve public acknowledgment of wrongdoing, which serves to reinforce group norms and discourage nonconformity. The fear of public shame and the desire for forgiveness can compel members to adhere strictly to church teachings, making it difficult for them to question or challenge the church’s authority.²

The church employs a subtle system of rewards and punishments to maintain behavior control among its members. Positive reinforcement is evident in the recognition and praise given to those who fulfill their callings, participate in church activities, and adhere to church standards. Conversely, members who fail to comply may face social ostracism, loss of church privileges, or even excommunication. This system creates a powerful incentive for members to conform, as the desire for acceptance and fear of rejection become significant motivators in their lives.³ Over time, this dynamic can lead to a profound internalization of the church’s values and beliefs, making it increasingly challenging for individuals to break free from the church’s influence.

Behavior control is a critical mechanism employed by the church to maintain authority and influence over its members. Through the regulation of personal activities, surveillance, public confession, and a system of rewards and punishments, the church creates an environment that stifles individual autonomy and promotes conformity.

Specific Examples:

• Adults who drink coffee and tea or who do not wear church-provided undergarments are not allowed to attend their loved ones’ temple weddings.
• To obtain a temple recommend, people must devote a significant amount of time and money to the church.
• Missionaries’ entire physical reality is regulated, including a strict schedule, monitored communication, 24/7 surveillance, and restrictive rules.

Information Control

Information control is a crucial aspect of the organizational dynamics within the church. This control manifests through the regulation of information that members receive, shaping their understanding of the world and reinforcing the church’s teachings. By managing the flow of information, the church tries to maintain doctrinal purity, discourage dissent, and foster a unified belief system among its members.

One of the primary methods of information control is the promotion of church-approved literature and media while discouraging or banning outside sources. The church encourages members to read scriptures, church publications, and materials produced by church leaders, which present a specific narrative aligned with church doctrine. This focus on approved materials limits exposure to alternative viewpoints and critical analyses of church history and teachings. For instance, members are often discouraged from reading books or articles that are critical of the church, as these are labeled as “anti-Mormon” literature, which is seen as misleading or harmful.¹

The church also employs a strategy of discrediting outside sources of information. Members are taught to view secular media and academic critiques with suspicion, often being warned that such sources are biased or hostile to the church. This creates an environment where members may feel guilty or fearful for seeking information outside of church-sanctioned materials. The church’s emphasis on the importance of faith and spiritual confirmation over empirical evidence further discourages critical thinking and independent research, reinforcing a reliance on church teachings as the ultimate authority.²

Rewriting history is a common tactic used in information control. The church has a history of presenting a sanitized version of its past, often omitting or downplaying controversial events, such as the practice of polygamy or issues related to racism and sexism. This selective presentation of history serves to maintain a positive image of the church and its leaders, while discouraging members from questioning or exploring these complex topics. When members encounter conflicting information, they may be taught to dismiss it as false or misleading, further entrenching their loyalty to the church’s narrative.⁴

Isolation from non-members is also a significant aspect of information control in the church. Members are often encouraged to associate primarily with other church members, which limits their exposure to diverse perspectives and alternative beliefs. This social isolation reinforces the church’s teachings and creates an echo chamber where dissenting opinions are less likely to be encountered. The church’s emphasis on community and fellowship among members fosters a sense of belonging that can make it difficult for individuals to seek out or accept information that contradicts church doctrine.¹

Information control is a vital mechanism employed by the church to shape the beliefs and behaviors of its members. Through the promotion of church-approved materials, discrediting of outside sources, rewriting of history, and social isolation, the church creates an environment that limits access to diverse perspectives and reinforces adherence to its teachings.

Specific Examples:

• The pamphlet and talk “To Young Men Only” was regularly taught and reinforced when I was a teenager. It appears to have been removed completely from the church’s website and curricula.
• Many members were confused at the publication of Saints, which presents a still-sanitized but more open view of church history that was previously considered anti-Mormon.
• The Gospel Topics Essays present a convoluted view of history and doctrine, clearly designed to prevent members from seeking other sources or viewing outside sources as legitimate.
• As a missionary, I was only allowed to read a carefully-curated selection of four books plus my scriptures.

Thought Control

Thought control is a significant mechanism employed by the church to shape the beliefs and cognitive processes of its members. This control manifests through various techniques designed to promote conformity, discourage critical thinking, and reinforce the church’s teachings. By influencing how members think about themselves, their faith, and the world around them, the church seeks to maintain a cohesive and loyal community.

One of the primary methods of thought control is the use of indoctrination techniques that emphasize repetitive messaging and slogans. Church leaders often use catchphrases and simplified doctrines to convey complex theological concepts, making them easier for members to internalize. For example, phrases like “Follow the prophet” or “The family is central to God’s plan” serve as guiding principles that members are encouraged to adopt without question. This repetitive reinforcement can lead to a form of cognitive dissonance, where members may suppress doubts or critical thoughts in favor of maintaining alignment with the group’s beliefs.¹

Black-and-white thinking is another hallmark of thought control within the church. Members are often taught to view the world in binary terms, categorizing beliefs and behaviors as either righteous or sinful, true or false. This dichotomous thinking simplifies complex issues and discourages nuanced understanding, making it easier for the church to maintain authority over its members. For instance, members may be taught that those who leave the church or criticize its teachings are “anti-Mormon” and therefore inherently misguided or evil. This framing reinforces loyalty to the church and discourages members from exploring alternative viewpoints.²

Cognitive dissonance is further exacerbated by the church’s emphasis on personal revelation and spiritual confirmation. Members are encouraged to seek personal experiences that validate their beliefs, often through prayer and meditation. Members are taught that these experiences must align with church teachings. While this can foster a deep sense of faith, it can also lead to a reliance on subjective experiences over objective evidence. When members encounter information that contradicts church teachings, they may experience cognitive dissonance, leading them to dismiss the conflicting information as false or misleading rather than reevaluating their beliefs.⁴

The church also employs thought-stopping techniques to discourage critical thinking and questioning. Members are often taught to suppress doubts or negative thoughts about the church, viewing such feelings as temptations from the adversary. This can create an internal conflict where members feel guilty for questioning their faith, leading them to silence their critical faculties in favor of blind obedience. The emphasis on faith and trust in church leaders further reinforces this dynamic, as members are taught that questioning authority is tantamount to questioning God.¹

Thought control is used by the church to shape the beliefs and cognitive processes of its members. Through indoctrination techniques, black-and-white thinking, reliance on personal revelation, and thought-stopping practices, the church creates an environment that discourages critical thinking and promotes conformity.

Specific Examples:

• “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith”
• It is extremely taboo to criticize church leaders.
• Members are taught to sing a hymn or read scriptures if they start to doubt.
• Ex-mormons are viewed as misled by Satan.

Emotional Control

Emotional control is employed by the church to maintain influence over its members and ensure adherence to church teachings. This control manifests through various tactics designed to manipulate members’ emotions, fostering a sense of dependency on the church and its leaders. By creating an environment where feelings of guilt, fear, and love are strategically employed, the church seeks to reinforce loyalty and discourage dissent.

One of the primary methods of emotional control is the use of guilt and shame to regulate behavior. Members are often taught that failing to adhere to church teachings or commandments can lead to serious spiritual consequences, including separation from God and loss of eternal blessings. This emphasis on guilt can create a pervasive sense of inadequacy among members, leading them to constantly strive for perfection and fear the repercussions of their shortcomings. The church’s teachings on repentance and forgiveness can also be used to manipulate emotions, as members may feel compelled to confess their sins to church leaders, reinforcing their dependence on the church for spiritual validation.¹

Fear is another powerful tool of emotional control within the church. Members are often warned about the dangers of leaving the faith or associating with those who are critical of the church. This fear can manifest in various ways, including the fear of losing one’s eternal family, facing social ostracism, or experiencing spiritual condemnation. The church teaches that those who leave the faith are at risk of falling into darkness or being led astray by the adversary, which can create a sense of urgency to remain loyal and compliant.² This fear can be particularly potent for members who have been raised in the church, as the prospect of leaving can feel like abandoning their entire support system.

Love bombing is another tactic used to exert emotional control in Mormonism. New members or those who are struggling with their faith may be overwhelmed with affection and attention from fellow church members. This initial warmth and acceptance can create a strong sense of belonging, making it difficult for individuals to question the church or its teachings. Once individuals are more deeply integrated into the community, the church’s emotional manipulation can shift to a more controlling dynamic, where love and acceptance are contingent upon adherence to church norms.¹

Shaming and blame are also prevalent in the emotional landscape of the church. Members who express doubts or question church teachings may be shamed for their lack of faith, leading to feelings of isolation and self-doubt. This shaming can discourage open dialogue about personal struggles and reinforce the idea that questioning the church is inherently wrong. The emotional toll of this dynamic can lead members to suppress their feelings and conform to the group’s expectations, further entrenching their loyalty to the church.⁴

Emotional control is a vital mechanism used by the church to maintain authority and influence over its members. Through the use of guilt, fear, love bombing, and shaming, the church creates an environment that manipulates emotions and fosters dependency on the church and its leaders.

Specific Examples:

• Members are threatened with eternal isolation if they break their covenants.
• The church suggests that no true happiness is possible outside of the organization.
• Many people who leave the church are shunned by their families, friends, and former communities.

Summary

In summary, the mechanisms of authoritarian control employed by the church can be understood through the lens of Hassan’s BITE Model, which encompasses Behavior Control, Information Control, Thought Control, and Emotional Control. Each of these components plays a crucial role in shaping the beliefs and behaviors of church members, fostering an environment that prioritizes conformity and loyalty to the church.

Behavior control is evident in the regulation of personal activities, surveillance by peers and leaders, and the imposition of strict behavioral norms. Members are required to adhere to church teachings and participate in community activities, creating a culture of accountability that discourages dissent.

Information control further reinforces this dynamic by promoting church-approved literature while discrediting outside sources. This selective exposure limits members’ access to diverse perspectives and critical analyses, shaping their understanding of the world in a way that aligns with church doctrine.

Thought control manifests through indoctrination techniques, black-and-white thinking, and the promotion of personal revelation over objective evidence. These practices discourage critical thinking and create cognitive dissonance, leading members to suppress doubts and maintain alignment with the church’s teachings.

Emotional control is employed through the manipulation of guilt, fear, love, and shame. By fostering dependency on the church for emotional validation and support, the church reinforces loyalty and discourages individuals from questioning their beliefs.

Together, these mechanisms create a system of control that shapes the lives of members within the church. Understanding these dynamics is essential for recognizing the challenges faced by individuals navigating their faith and for providing support to those seeking to explore their beliefs outside the confines of the church.