NOM

In "Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life" James Hollis says the following when discussing reflexive kindness:

Indeed the stakes are even higher, for studies of totalitarian systems, or any society with strong collective pressures, show that through intimidation most, if not all, citizens become "nice". Which is to say docile, compliant. And ultimately complicit in evil.

Mormonism has strong collective pressures. And many mormons are "nice". This quote hit home.

Linked wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 4:25 pm In "Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life" James Hollis says the following when discussing reflexive kindness:

Indeed the stakes are even higher, for studies of totalitarian systems, or any society with strong collective pressures, show that through intimidation most, if not all, citizens become "nice". Which is to say docile, compliant. And ultimately complicit in evil.

Mormonism has strong collective pressures. And many mormons are "nice". This quote hit home.

They do some good no doubt. Many have their hearts in the right place.
The evil is currently low grade. And I do notice some cowardice from time to time.

Although cowardice exists in all people there is supposedly less of it in Mormons who are trained to stand up for the right and let the consequences follow.

Not sure that's true.

The real test will come when things get a little "hot" in society. When things get rough....as they probably will.

Learning that nice and kind are not actually the same thing was a pivotal change in my personal development and understanding of my fellow humans.

Passive agressiveness. Mormons have it down.

glass shelf wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 7:53 pm Passive agressiveness. Mormons have it down.

Don’t forget extremely judgmental too!

A good example of this is how the church failed to quickly recognize the evil in the Nazi party in Germany...Helmuth Hubner.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_Hübener

2bizE wrote: ↑Thu May 13, 2021 8:34 pm A good example of this is how the church failed to quickly recognize the evil in the Nazi party in Germany...Helmuth Hubner.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_Hübener

There was a successful play about Helmuth Hübener at BYU a number of years ago. It angered Elder Thomas Monson and was ordered to be shut down and not put on again by Elder Dallin Oaks, since it painted the Third Reich in a bad light. Perhaps with their revelatory abilities they did not want to muddy the waters for the Empire of Trump.

glass shelf wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 7:53 pm Learning that nice and kind are not actually the same thing was a pivotal change in my personal development and understanding of my fellow humans.

Passive agressiveness. Mormons have it down.

I also went through this realization. Kind can be much more difficult as well.