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My own quick thoughts on group think–there are good and bad aspects to lots of things. The problem is that if group think it the reason something good is done, or followed, the same type of group cohesion may become detrimental when a bad idea or problem comes along. There are certainly times when peer pressure has caused good decision making, but it is often associated with teens doing dumb things to fit in. It doesn’t make those positive instances bad, but it does mean that in general, peer pressure isn’t the best way to get people to do things (I guess group think and peer pressure are very similar). Group think afflicts all sorts of things, not just Mormonism, and it isn’t a good thing. The Church would be better off if it pushed more individuality, and more personal analysis of the gospel and its policies. Naturally, this would create less cohesion and as a result, lesson the power and authority of the Church’s leaders, but it would certainly create stronger members,i.e., members that could withstand contradictory evidence, or difficult issues like Prop 8. Sorry if my thought doesn’t totally fit in, it’s off the cuff, and I’m new to this website and anxious to post. I disagree with the idea that there isn’t a “normal”. To me, normal is what is statistically most common, and within Mormon culture, there are normative behaviors. For men, wearing white shirts, and often suits, is an example of this normative behavior. Not talking during the sacrament, or bearing one’s testimony on Fast Sunday are examples of normative behavior. Obviously, just because those are normative behaviors doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of members that feel differently. The problem with the ideas we have about “normal” Mormon behavior, is how they become institutionalized to the point that we treat them as matters of fact. Then we have a member that has accepted these norms that gets called to be a Bishop or Stake President; all of the sudden these ideas of normalcy become more ingrained and more expected. This becomes problematic for those of us who don’t agree with these “normal” behaviors, because we aren’t supposed to question/challenge are leaders. What should we do when a behavior that has become culturally doctrinal contradicts with our beliefs, and common sense for that matter? If we start to question these behaviors outside of our homes, we begin to viewed as rebellious, unfaithful, or apostate. How are we supposed to go about this? What should we do when a leader is obviously wrong about an issue? Are we supposed to just be “faithful” and take it, or can we speak up?
