Kulturegeist

Shawn critiques Mormonism's cultural influence, highlights sexual abuse issues, contrasts Jung and Freud, and advocates for dismantling organized religion for personal spirituality.
Published: February 26, 2019
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Episode Description:

Shawn emphasizes the mission of HOTM to worship God in Spirit and truth, while urging support for the TVAR New Testament study Bible project. He highlights various ministries, such as TheExMormonFiles.org, TalkingtoMormons.org, and CheckMyChurch.com, while sharing insights on Carl Jung's concept of the collective unconscious, which contrasts with Freud's views, and its connection to shared human experiences and synchronicity.

Shawn discusses Hegel's concept of "totality" and Jung's ideas of "collective consciousness" and "synchronicity," arguing that these ideas contribute to a cultural force he calls "Kulturgeist," which influences individuals within various cultural contexts. He points to historical examples like the Mountain Meadows Massacre and September 11 attacks to illustrate how "Kulturgeist" can manifest in unexpected ways, especially within the Mormon culture, which he claims continues to exert influence through different societal aspects.

Shawn discusses the deep-rooted cultural influence within Mormonism, particularly focusing on the historical practices of polygamy and the emphasis on male authority, which have led to significant social and sexual issues within the community. He highlights various cases of sexual abuse and misconduct linked to the church, asserting that these are manifestations of the entrenched cultural norms established since the church's inception.

This teaching critiques the pervasive issue of sexual abuse within various religious communities, particularly Mormonism and its fundamentalist counterpart, the FLDS Church, highlighting the cases of Wayne Coleman, Erik Hughes, and notorious leaders like Warren Jeffs. The narrative explores how certain religious beliefs and doctrines, like polygamy, have been manipulated to exploit vulnerable individuals, with prominent figures being convicted for heinous crimes against minors, thus reflecting a deeply ingrained problematic culture.

Shawn argues that organized religions, particularly those rooted in human authority and power structures, often result in human tragedy and should be dismantled to allow individuals to pursue personal beliefs devoid of institutional influence. By fostering a personal culture aligned with the teachings of Jesus Christ—centered on love, selflessness, and positive impact—people can achieve a more authentic and compassionate spiritual existence.