That may be a valid point. Sometimes the medium and the message are quite separate.
With that said, the “LDS organizational model” as broadly described in the original post was a bit short on details. It’s described that everybody works, nobody is paid. I’m sure that’s convenient for the Mormon church as an organization, but why are the rank and file members of the organization so willing to pay this price? Conspicuous by its absence in the original post is any mention of how members are required to abstain from alcohol and caffeine, store up supplies in the event of a tribulation, and tithe ten percent of their income to the church. It costs a lot to stay a member of the Mormon church in good standing. Saying it’s “the culture” doesn’t really go a long way as an explanation as to why the members are willing to pay this price.
I would suggest that at least one of the reasons that Mormons submit to these costs is the promise of heavenly reward. A rationalist community cannot adopt this method.
Neither could a rationalist community adopt the specific practices of the Mormon missionaries, even if they wanted to. Mormon missionaries don’t try to attract converts by means of rational argument—they are specifically forbidden to debate or argue. The same page says missionaries can only read “books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.”
A rationalist community could only adopt the methods and practices of the Mormon church by abandoning rationality.
It’s described that everybody works, nobody is paid. I’m sure that’s convenient for the Mormon church as an organization, but why are the rank and file members of the organization so willing to pay this price?
Well, I do volunteer work myself, so unpaid work is certainly not a phenomenon unique to Mormonism or religion. Perhaps a more detailed look at volunteerism’s motivations and psychology is in order?
That may be a valid point. Sometimes the medium and the message are quite separate.
With that said, the “LDS organizational model” as broadly described in the original post was a bit short on details. It’s described that everybody works, nobody is paid. I’m sure that’s convenient for the Mormon church as an organization, but why are the rank and file members of the organization so willing to pay this price? Conspicuous by its absence in the original post is any mention of how members are required to abstain from alcohol and caffeine, store up supplies in the event of a tribulation, and tithe ten percent of their income to the church. It costs a lot to stay a member of the Mormon church in good standing. Saying it’s “the culture” doesn’t really go a long way as an explanation as to why the members are willing to pay this price.
I would suggest that at least one of the reasons that Mormons submit to these costs is the promise of heavenly reward. A rationalist community cannot adopt this method.
Neither could a rationalist community adopt the specific practices of the Mormon missionaries, even if they wanted to. Mormon missionaries don’t try to attract converts by means of rational argument—they are specifically forbidden to debate or argue. The same page says missionaries can only read “books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.”
A rationalist community could only adopt the methods and practices of the Mormon church by abandoning rationality.
Well, I do volunteer work myself, so unpaid work is certainly not a phenomenon unique to Mormonism or religion. Perhaps a more detailed look at volunteerism’s motivations and psychology is in order?