Mormon Culture
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Asperger’s-Related Trauma in the LDS Church
By contributor Tom Irvine Introduction LDS members with Aspergerâs, or high functioning autism, may face difficult challenges particularly with respect to neurotypical, authoritarian priesthood leaders. In some cases, these challenges may be deeply traumatic for the Aspie. People with Down syndrome are easy to recognize from their neck and facial characteristics. Their behavior then confirms this. Autistic people are less recognizable by their appearance, but their condition is manifested by their behavior. Almost all church leaders will make allowances for Down syndrome people. Some leaders may misunderstand autistic people, but most make allowances for them, as well. On the other hand, Aspies may appear and act normally most of the…
- Abuser Loyalty, ADAM Conference, Danna Hartline's articles, Dissociation, Effects of Trauma on the Family, Mormon Culture, Post Traumatic Church Syndrome, Trauma vs. Offense
ADAM Conference Presentation
Not a perfect performance or video footage but it is what it is. đ
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Mormonism Can Be Good; Mormonism Can Be Bad
Travis and Devin are both active in the LDS Church. They both perform their church duties, pay their tithing, read their scriptures, and pray daily. However, their motivations for doing so are totally different. Travisâs reasons for church attendance and personal commitments are due to intrinsic motivationsâbecause of deep devotion to God; while Devinâs purposes are extrinsic motivationsâbecause of the need to appear âgoodâ and for social status. It sounds pretty simple to say that Travis is on a higher plain than Devin and that Travis will fare better than Devin in the long run. We often hear this. (“I don’t go for others; I go to strengthen my relationship…
- Courage to Speak Up, Danna Hartline's articles, Dissonance, Examples of Courage, Mental Illness, Mormon Culture
Are Happiness and Dissonance in Opposition?
Recently, I saw a meme on Facebook that said in essence, âThe longer I live, the more I want to stay away from drama, conflict, or stress and just live a happy life, surrounded by friends, eating good food in my cozy house.â Doesnât that sound appealing and even right? It received lots of likes and affirmative comments. But I couldnât help but ask myself, âWhat about those who do not feel that kind of life is available to them? What about those who feel thrown into a life that is filled with conflict and drama, a life they didnât âask for?â What about facing wrongs that need a voice?â …
- Abuser Loyalty, Courage to Speak Up, Danna Hartline's articles, Dissociation, Dissonance, Mormon Culture, Trauma vs. Offense
The Deep and Unspoken Church Ache
I often sit in church meetings that teach about church growth and fellowship. In general, they are uplifting, pat-yourself-on-the-back lessonsâvery encouraging and good. But for some reason I cannot ever fully buy into what I am hearing. I want toâand I do to a point because I do see so much good that is happening in the Church. But in the same breath, it seems a little off to think that all is well in Zion and that everyone is as happy and thriving as well as seems to be claimed. I know there are success stories of conversion going on and I am so grateful that those people are being reached and are finding such a…
