Cultural homogeny and the internet

[Lexew1899]

Growing up in the late nineties in the church, I consider myself as part of the last generation to enjoy my formative years without the societal and cultural pressures to surrender to the way of modern man. It was a time when we still had a unique and distinct upbringing from the rest of the world.

The Family a Proclamation was not problematic. Pornography and the internet were in their infancy, and although I grew up in California, I still enjoyed a distinctly Mormon upbringing.

We had scout camp, priesthood activities, Christmas parties, Halloween parties, 4th of July, and more, all at the church. There was a strong sense of community, which I don’t see, feel, or experience today.

The church has become overtly politicized. People spend less time with other members, and it certainly doesn’t feel like a community. Our conversion and birth rate is falling, and it seems like the unique a Mormon identity or upbringing is dead.

I was wondering what religious groups are still culturally homogeneous, and the two largest I can think of in the United States that are unique, are the Amish, and the Hasidic Jews. Both of their birth rates are huge, even though they don’t convert people.

I found some interesting videos about these groups, and they both essentially say their worst enemy is the internet. Which makes me wonder if our church embracing the internet so strongly was ultimately a mistake?

Here are the videos.

[Lexew1899]

TLDR: was the church embracing the internet the downfall of our unique Mormon culture and a mistake?

[Lexew1899]

Interesting when both the Hasidic and Amish talk about the virus also. Watch the first few minutes of this one.

[Cruiserdude]

Growing up in the late nineties in the church, I consider myself as part of the last generation to enjoy my formative years without the societal and cultural pressures to surrender to the way of modern man. It was a time when we still had a unique and distinct upbringing from the rest of the world.

The Family a Proclamation was not problematic. Pornography and the internet were in their infancy, and although I grew up in California, I still enjoyed a distinctly Mormon upbringing.

We had scout camp, priesthood activities, Christmas parties, Halloween parties, 4th of July, and more, all at the church. There was a strong sense of community, which I don’t see, feel, or experience today.

The church has become overtly politicized. People spend less time with other members, and it certainly doesn’t feel like a community. Our conversion and birth rate is falling, and it seems like the unique a Mormon identity or upbringing is dead.

I was wondering what religious groups are still culturally homogeneous, and the two largest I can think of in the United States that are unique, are the Amish, and the Hasidic Jews. Both of their birth rates are huge, even though they don’t convert people.

I found some interesting videos about these groups, and they both essentially say their worst enemy is the internet. Which makes me wonder if our church embracing the internet so strongly was ultimately a mistake?

Here are the videos.

Dude. You can't tell me those old timer Amish sitting on that bench didn't get you smiling
Pinecraft, FL, huh? See you there

[Cruiserdude]

Interesting when both the Hasidic and Amish talk about the virus also. Watch the first few minutes of this one.

Hermano, I'm telling you, these are my people....

[Cruiserdude]

For me it just shows how fake and garbage our society is. My soul longs for community like they live. The closest I can get to that at the moment is here on LDSFF

[BeHealthy94]

Its all relative, I was a teenager in the 90s and agree with your perspective, however, friends and family of mine that grew up in the 80's, 70's, 60's etc.. all say the same thing.

"Our generation was the best."
"This new generation is soft."
"This generation doesn't know what its like..."
---------------------

"was the church embracing the internet the downfall of our unique Mormon culture and a mistake?"

Nope! The past 200 yrs of the 1830 restored gospel morphing into the now "Mormon culture" was a mistake, Christs church is not a church of clean cut bretheren in white shirts and perm hair mascara wearing women. The internet is the greatest thing to ever happen to Gods church.

President Nelson is leading the church in the right direction and we will see a great spike in growth and discipleship despite all the religious pessimists who think the world is going to hell.