Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan Mormonism, Mental Health, and Whistleblowing with Dr. John Dehlin
Feb 13, 2023
Dr. John Dehlin, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Mormon Stories podcast, discusses his excommunication from the LDS Church for advocating LGBTQ rights. He shares his personal journey of faith crisis and highlights the mental health challenges within Mormon culture, including high suicide rates. Dehlin applies the BITE model to Mormonism, exploring its cult-like dynamics. He also critiques modern prophet claims and the church's financial transparency, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue in fostering mental well-being.
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From Devout Mormon To Excommunicated Podcaster
- John Dehlin recounts growing up devout, serving a mission, and later losing faith after studying church history in his 30s.
- He started Mormon Stories in 2005 to create a progressive umbrella for Mormons and was excommunicated in 2015 for supporting LGBTQ issues.
How Personal Loss Sparked LGBTQ Advocacy
- John describes Mormon teachings that framed homosexuality as a grievous perversion and conversion therapy support.
- Personal encounters with gay relatives and a suicide on chapel steps shifted his view and motivated activism.
BITE Model Applies To Mainstream LDS
- John argues the LDS Church meets many high-demand criteria across behavior, information, thought, and emotion controls using the BITE model.
- He highlights clothing, diet, sexual confession, history concealment, and thought-stopping as core control mechanisms.
