Note : I'm a professed Roman Catholic.

A friend of mine and I were talking during our Biology class, and we were discussing the differences between our churches (Roman Catholic and LDS). Skip ahead a few days, she invites me to attend church with her this weekend so I could 'see what she believes in', so I could understand her religion better. Unknowingly, I accepted. Within an hour of research, I quickly read of all the fallacies that the LDS church teaches, and was shocked.

My previous understanding? Mormons went door to door converting people to their sect of Christianity, end of story. What I came to discover was a religion far from Christianity itself. Now with Sunday being, oh, three days away, how can I prepare myself for the illogical bullshit I'm about to be fed?

tl/dr : How do I avoid brainwashing?

Most of the replies you will receive will kinda go something like this...

How to avoid brainwashing?! You're an RC! You believe in transubstiation, etc.

So expect being attacked for arguing that Mormonism is brainwashing whereas you feel RC is not.

However in my view, if you still want to, go to the service, try and look objectively from their perspective, but remain true to your faith. It's what I do when I go into a church or talk with religious people (I'm an atheist).

^

Guy above hit the nail on the head.

Called faith for a reason. I'll always attend church with wife when she asks, if I can manage to get up early enough. If for nothing else, to support her wishes and beliefs. We don't share those beliefs though, and I never fear that I may become a part of the religion or anything because I'm faithful in my beliefs.

However in my view, if you still want to, go to the service, try and look objectively from their perspective, but remain true to your faith. It's what I do when I go into a church or talk with religious people (I'm an atheist).

Thanks for this advice.

How to avoid brainwashing?! You're an RC! You believe in transubstiation, etc.

You are already brainwashed so you have nothing to fear.

How to avoid brainwashing?! You're an RC! You believe in transubstiation, etc.

You are already brainwashed so you have nothing to fear.

This.

Mormonism is pretty stupid if they interpret the books Joseph Smith wrote literally, but so is Christianity(if you interpret the bible literally). Hell, the Roman Catholic church is nearly a cult!
According to Jackketch Mormons are usually the best at applying the principals of Jesus to their lives. Wouldn't be surprised if they were better than your church.

You could prepare yourself by not going.

If you do go, I hope you realize their services are typically three hours long - if you stay the whole time with your friend.

I believe the first hour is their version of communion. I'm assuming, due to your staunch Catholicism, you will abstain from partaking of their sacrament. I'm not sure what proper etiquette is for them, but I'd play it safe by not participating since you're not baptized LDS.

Then they usually do these testimony like talks which can range from rigid and doctrinal to informal shared experiences of faith.

After this point you'll probably have the opportunity to leave unless your friend wants you to stay. Since your friend is female, and you do indeed stay the full three hours, expect to be segregated into another room with the rest of the men while the women go elsewhere for a portion of the proceedings. I don't know why but I'm pretty sure the next portion of study and reflection are gender segregated.

Though I have never been to one myself, my understanding is Mormon services are typically less preachy and more "Let's study/review LDS doctrine and theology and talk about how it has touched our lives."

How do I avoid brainwashing?

Are you scared, child?

If you seriously think you're too weak mentally to withstand a few hours of a different religion without converting, thats pathetic. I think most children are more head strong than that.

I would personally just not go, but you've already made the commitment and you won't back out. Stink for you

This thread is an example of what religion teaches people, especially the young.

"Don't listen to opposing viewpoints!! If they seem valid you're getting brainwashed!!"

OP: Your religion is the same as hers. I'm sure your bible contains as many fallacies, and I'm also sure that whatever the mormons have done pales in comparison to the various crusades through Europe and Asia, the inquisition, not admitting that Galileo was right, etc. If you believe that, you're ALREADY brainwashed.

Its hopeless you might as well convert now.

molotov everything

Way to start with an open mind.

*in steps the resident expert*

There's really nothing to prepare towards. Most Mormons will be satisfied that you live a good Christian life and there's really not any more "brainwashing" than you'd get at any church, with most of the concepts being about living a good life for Christ. You might learn some Mormon history, which is never a bad thing to know, but overall it will be quite similar to other protestant churches you may or may not have visited, but with less Jesus and more 19th century white guys.

Oh, and they have pictures showing Christ preaching to the South American natives. Art isn't really brainwashing though, is it? If you're confident enough in your beliefs you shouldn't feel an earth shattering change, especially if you're only going for a single service. Nothing to be worried about, you're just going to a protestant church, broadening your horizons. If you're truly convinced it's false, then just keep that idea and soak in the knowledge. Knowledge is never bad.

Oh and for reference I'm an atheist but naturally I know quite a bit about Mormonism and the Mormon culture.

Naturally.

Naturally.

Yep..

There's only one thing to do, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet.








Fuck the mormon chick.

There's only one thing to do, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet.








Fuck the mormon chick.

Word.

Seriously, mormon chicks must be uber hot.

I would go for the sheer entertainment value.

I would go for the sheer entertainment value.

I went last Sunday. It was very entertaining, to say the least. It's very disorganized; lots of screaming little brats, and a few people lecturing from a pulpit (while nobody was paying attention).