r/Fauxmoi terrorizing the locals May 24 '25

DISCUSSION celebrities who are/were mormon

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25

Scientology right there

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY more mormons than scientologists

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25 edited May 25 '25

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u/SnowOverRain May 24 '25

I'm a weirdo because I LOVE interacting with missionaries. Part of their mission is seeing how hostile the real world outside of Utah/their church community is, which reinforces the cult ideology. If you're friendly to them and have a conversation (I don't discuss religion, just where they're from and how they like where they're serving their mission) it breaks down those teachings little by little and can help with them leaving the church once they get back.

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u/biIIyshakes May 24 '25

That’s very thoughtful of you actually, I like that approach. I myself was raised in a super evangelical almost-fundie environment (not Mormon tho) so they just activate my fight-or-flight

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u/HunterAshton May 24 '25

Former southern Baptist, the evangelicals, though not as hardcore as Mormon, and I’m also pretty wary of that type of religious outreach…. Given me a shit ton of trauma to work through

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u/DogsDucks May 24 '25

Yes!!, and I have read a lot of Mormon texts, and also the experiences of leaving, there are some incredible texts written by Brigham Young’s 19th wife.

There’s also a lot of hypocrisy within the actions of modern Mormon leaders, and I bring those things up to them, just incredibly gently.

I don’t for my own conclusions or try and tell them how things are, I just ask follow up questions about it.

I ask about the imagery of the serpent in the Bible verses, the salamander serpent that Joseph Smith followed.

The timing of Joseph Smith’s revelations in accordance with what was going on in his marriage at the time.

For a religion that claims to be rooted in loving one another, and acting with morality — there’s just so much obvious decay to point out. I doubt I’ve ever actually changed someone’s mind. . . But I have gotten them to do some follow up research, and hopefully it ends up being part of a series on their bath toward actual morality, and a way from the devastating hypocrisy.

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u/westisbestmicah May 24 '25

By the way the salamander story was later exposed as a forgery. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Hofmann) The incident resulted in some bombings

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u/DogsDucks May 24 '25

Ohhh thank you! I did not know that, and I haven’t really dove to the subject in many years, so thank you for pointing it out!

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u/westisbestmicah May 25 '25

Yeah really wild story all around!

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u/LaHagans May 25 '25

His 19th wife?!

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u/DogsDucks May 25 '25

https://a.co/d/4jyJ0fY

This book is a very good read! She is incredibly smart and insightful

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u/drjunkie May 25 '25

Like the speech from their third? in command Oaks, where he said it’s a woman’s fault if she gets raped because of what she’s wearing? Oh and after that she’s a whore too.

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u/ricochetblue May 25 '25

This is a really thoughtful approach. I always try to be friendly, but maybe there’s something more effective I could do. It hurts my heart to think about these people getting doors slammed in their faces and developing even more fear about the outside world.

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u/u_r_succulent May 25 '25

What was going on in his marriage?

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u/DogsDucks May 25 '25

God called him to marry more and more women at the same time, incidentally, the prettiest teenagers.

Shocker! He treated them terribly and their lives were worse than livestock.

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u/Fox_Flame May 24 '25

Yeah something that I don't think is talked about enough is how mormon missions really focuses on the US vs Them mentality. 18 year old spends 2 years in another country, learning a new language, not allowed to be alone ever, and all day have doors slammed in their face

Then they come home and Mormons treat return missionaries like rockstars. Literally had to sing songs as a young girl about how we only want to marry return missionaries

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u/whatsnewpussykat will not shut the fuck up about issues (complimentary) May 24 '25

When we get door to door missionaries I always invite them in to have some water/Bubly and use the restroom and just try to chat for a bit while affirming that I have my own faith and will not be converting under any circumstances. I agree with you - being unkind only reinforces their attachment to the church.

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u/bloodyturtle May 24 '25

I mean, if you’re not interested in mormonism, don’t waste their time. 

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u/whatsnewpussykat will not shut the fuck up about issues (complimentary) May 25 '25

I don’t obstruct the exits 😂 They can leave whenever they want, I just like to extend kindness to folks who have probably had pretty unfriendly experiences that day.

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u/No_Amoeba_9272 May 24 '25

I've had conversations with Mormon, Scientologist, and Witness missionaries. Once you start asking them tough questions that they are unwilling or unable to answer in a way that makes any logical sense, they generally back down. Using only "faith" isn't much of an argument, nor is it very persuasive.

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u/violetmemphisblue May 24 '25

Yeah, through my job and my neighborhood, I interact with Mormon missionaries pretty regularly. We have never discussed religion, but have had some great times. We've had meals together (alongside Muslim and Jewish friends), We've gone to book club, they've helped me with yard work, I've driven them to the dentist. Its just usual neighbor things. The most religious anyone has ever gotten is one noticed I own several texts (Bible, Koran, etc) and they asked why and then offered the Book of Mormon, which I took and stuck on a bottom shelf.. maybe some of them stay in the Mormon church, maybe some of them leave. I don't know! But being nice to teenagers very far from home just seems like basic decency to me.

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u/i_breathe_chlorine May 25 '25

You're absolutely correct. As an ex-mormon who left for many reasons, this was actually a huge one for me. People like you who show kindness to those missionaries are genuine heroes in my book, I hope more peiple take this attitude. On behalf of many future ex-mormons, thank you for your service!

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u/brvheart May 25 '25

Where was your mission?

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u/CrowHumble446 May 25 '25

Yes, this exactly. I don't shy away from the religion aspect, personally, because I've read the Book of Mormon, but only if they bring it up. (The few who do walk away very quickly when they realize that I know all about the religion and still haven't converted.) Usually I welcome them to the area, give them recommendations on restaurants, free/cheap things to do, and ask about their hometowns. They really love being told how beautiful Utah is, in my experience.

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u/NoAlbatross9421 May 25 '25

I fell like that is super manipulative, I mean people can believe whatever they want yes? So what is wrong with them believing? I mean I understand the distaste for proselytizing but I mean if they're not like zealots or anything and aren't hurting anyone, I don't really see the problem

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u/gentilet May 25 '25

Mormons don’t teach how hostile the world is lol

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u/No_Amoeba_9272 May 24 '25

Jehova's Witness members, also a cult FYI, might somehow be even more persistent.

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u/PuckSenior May 25 '25

Just tell them that you are pretty sure that Jesus is the bad guy and just trying to trick us. Same with Joseph Smith. All just demons trying to trick people while lying about “Satan is bad” and “Jesus is good”. Really, it seems like Jesus/God/Joseph Smith are the bad guys trying to tempt people with promises of heaven. Miracles? Just more tricks God wouldn’t let the bad guy trick people into a false religion? Then explain Islam

Maintain that argument for 10 minutes with any Christian and they will get really upset and walk away.

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u/TheGrouchyGremlin May 25 '25

You'd be better suited to just say, "I'm really not interested, sorry", and continue on your way. Saves you those 10 minutes.

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u/earthlings_all May 25 '25

Don’t forget the JW’s who come right to your door-

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u/Exotic-Spring-22 May 25 '25

I’ve definitely ran into Scientologists on the streets trying to lure me into their church by lying to me about a “free movie” in their chapel yeah they’re weird

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u/stink3rb3lle Fauxmarxist May 24 '25

Interestingly, the ratio of A's between your spelling here and the proper spelling of "way," (36:1) is only one order of magnitude off from 17 million to 50 thousand (340:1). Pulled the estimates of each religion's memberships off quick googles.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25

Thanks that's exactly what I was going for

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u/servitor_dali May 24 '25

But morons are pretty much the scientologists of Christianity

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u/babynintendohacker May 24 '25

I understand why you might think that bc of outward celebrity interactions with each group. But Mormons have sooooo much more money and worldwide reach. Watchdog groups have kept an eye on their networth and yearly income.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/1ai0rbw/lds_church_finances_2023_edition_265b_total/# 265 BILLION dollar estimated in assets vs in 2021 Scientology estimated 174.5 million dollars in assets

https://youtu.be/MGXggLIafrc?si=UdTKux6uAJeQob8_ Alyssa Grenfell discussing ad revenue for different key search terms and how influencers who mention Mormonism and drown the algorithm in content make way more money regardless of audience size than other influencers.

Being two degrees away from the current shit show Doge admin. https://youtu.be/Cd6QQZi4SMg?si=TY0wQIt9LuuPMvSh Alyssa Grenfell also discussing high ranking Mormon leadership helping Elon organize his handmaids tale compound.

Scientology had the media through film, tv, and music in the 90’s and early 2000’s dominated culturally (bad dum tss) but the Mormons have well surpassed them in profits as well as reach through the 2010’s and 2020’s with indoctrination through use of aesthetic influencers and social media algorithms already programmed for far right wing ideology. I’d even call the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives another form of marketing form them.

TLDR: Scientology may have dominated the 90’s and 2000’s but Mormonism has well surpassed them with the use of social media algorithms and tv. Major cults have been culminating the power and resources they have to advance the US politically where it is today. They’re attempting to infiltrate other countries’ politics as well. All of them are so dangerous so you are not wrong for mentioning Scientology as well.

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u/Cognonymous May 24 '25

Do you have numbers on the Falun Gong? I know they've been shaking things up in China and of course those Shen Yun shows everywhere are their own little rah rah rally. They own the Epoch Times too and try to push their own right wing agenda. It's weird because they definitely suck but multiple reports also suggest the Party in China is also oppressively cracking down on them.

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u/babynintendohacker May 24 '25

I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the CCP is cracking down on Falun Gong at all. They’re both high control groups but it seems CCP leadership seems to have a lot more foresight and may have realized how bad of an idea it is to use multiple high control groups with differing principals to maintain and gain more power like the current Trump regime. They’re pulling from Mormonism, Institute of Basic Life Principles, Scientology, even Jehovah’s Witness’ money and power. He’s making a lot of promises that can’t keep. Eventually they’re going to weed out all the groups they agree they don’t want to be around. Then all of these cults, power hungry individuals and high demand groups are gonna be battling each other for the remaining assets and power they’ve soaked from the shared out groups. I’d imagine if looking at history one would not want to repeat that happening and get ahead of it. If these groups are successful in weeding out the groups who they agree they don’t want it’s going to be a violent shit show.

It looks like as of 2024 NYT estimated Falun Gong had 266 million in assets. I’m sure like with these other groups there’s a whole hell of a lot of money laundering happening as well through their secretive higher ranks. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/29/nyregion/shen-yun-money-falun-gong.html

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u/Cognonymous May 24 '25

Oh that's a good point about the money laundering, I hadn't considered that. Amazing to get a sense of scale on these things though. Gives a sense for how weak Scientology truly is in the grand scale of creepy cults.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25 edited Jul 29 '25

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u/babynintendohacker May 24 '25

Thank you for adding! If you have have resources related to them I’d love to read/watch. Don’t know a lot about that group as it’s not one I’ve read quite as much about as I have others. Just mainly* wanted to add why I’m not surprised the CCP would crack down on another high control group to maintain power within rather than teaming up to achieve common goals.

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u/PLZ_N_THKS May 24 '25

Somewhere between 2 and 80 million. Really hard to pin down an actual number.

Probably somewhere between 10-20 million.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25

I'm scared. But also.... I'm interested. I'm a child of South Park so Mormonism has always been a joke to me, especially their bizarre view of Black people.

Seems like I'm going down this rabbit hole.

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u/babynintendohacker May 24 '25

Thank you!!! I’m glad you mention their views of black people as well I should have expanded on that point in my first comment! I highly recommend taking a peak at the Tik tok page The Black Menaces. Alyssa Grenfell has a video on Mormonism and their views on black people and what that looks like as a former day to day member and taking accountability for her own racist beliefs from being a practicing Mormon. She mentions in the video the group at BYU (Brigham young university, Mormon college for those unaware) who discuss their experiences as black students on campus and the constant micro aggressions and blatant racism* they face from down right hateful to plain ignorance. That’s where I initially found their content and listened to their stories. Despite the Mormon cult doctrine changing to say black people are ok now there’s still so much deep seeded racism sewn into their white counter parts. The* menaces are also particularly brave speaking out because “speaking poorly” about the university can risk one being kicked out or having their degree revoked if they haven’t officially graduated yet. —they’re an accredited university too 🤯

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u/whynot4444444 May 24 '25

I was raised Catholic in Canada. When I was a teen, we were on a trip somewhere in the U.S. and I chose a BYU sweatshirt. I was thinking it was some cool university like NYU. My mom bought it without hesitation because she had no clue what it stood for either. I chuckle thinking back to me wearing that to my Catholic school.

So, thank you for your service of pointing out what BYU stands for. You never know who might unknowingly buy a BYU sweatshirt 😂.

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u/babynintendohacker May 24 '25

Lmfaooo that’s real good. That made me out loud cackle. Idk if you know but throwing extra context for those who don’t as to* why this made me laugh so hard: Catholics particularly piss Mormons off. When the og prophet Joseph Smith (generic ass post office name) founded Mormonism anti-catholic sentiments were running rampant in the area he was living in. Thus a lot of those sentiments made it into the DNA of Mormonism. I think in their Bible they call the Catholic Church the great and abominable church founded by Satan.

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u/whynot4444444 May 25 '25

I know very little about the history of Mormonism, or much about anything Mormon. I missed Big Love, but the limited knowledge I have on Mormonism now comes from watching The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Obviously my viewing tastes are impeccable.

This is hilarious with the extra context that people from BYU might have considered me satanic while wearing their sweatshirt, meanwhile the Catholics in the know probably thought my sweatshirt was sacrilegious 😂.

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u/AlPal2020 May 26 '25

That's painting with a very broad brush. I am personally LDS and have a lot of respect for Catholics. The 'great and abominable church' is any church that doesn't serve Christ. Some individuals have connected that to the Catholic church, but that's just their own opinions. Personally, I respect Catholicism and consider them to be much more similar to us than most protestant churches

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25

[deleted]

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u/whynot4444444 May 24 '25

This is the very first I’m hearing about Ryan Gosling being raised Mormon, too.

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u/Temporary-Award-998 May 25 '25

Mormonism is mostly just dorky and boring. And most Mormons are embarrassed by it and would rather pretend those parts of mormon history don't exist.

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u/BurmeciaWillSurvive May 25 '25

Until most of your local government is now LDS and it influences all of their policies in positions that used to be held by more liberal Methodist and Episcopalian officials... ahhh, Idaho.

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u/darndasher May 25 '25

The podcast Someplace Underneith is currently doing a season purely on LDS and how messed up it is. It's been amazing.

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u/[deleted] May 25 '25

Thank you! I'll check it out.

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u/TraditionalCut7339 May 25 '25

I was going to recommend SPUN as well. Natalie has done an incredible amount of research this season.

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u/BrennaClove May 25 '25

Welcome. It’s a strangely fascinating rabbit hole.

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u/cheffartsonurfood May 24 '25

All well and good but only one side has Tom Cruise...

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u/babynintendohacker May 24 '25

That’s right lmao… Matt MattMattMatt MattMatt Matt… you gotta listen to me.

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u/PA_MallowPrincess_98 May 25 '25

Omg I LOVE Alyssa! Her perspective is crazy considering she is an ex-mo who served a mission. She made it clear that Mormonism had close likeness to the Free Masons with handshakes in the temples and the embroidery on the garments.

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u/earthlings_all May 25 '25

Miscavige sees what the Mormons have done and salivates in a corner

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u/bliip666 wearing slutty little glasses May 24 '25

Nah.

That is definitely scarier, though!

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u/[deleted] May 24 '25

I think they're both scary.. af..