Any child indoctrinated from birth into any religion could then be called addicted from birth.

Hey I heard you don't like Mormons confirm/deny

The Life of a Mormon Child: . Parents sealed in the temple. . Child born in the covenant. . Child blessed shortly after birth in a 'fast and testimony' meeting in front of the congregation. This means that the childs name is placed on the church records and is counted in the membership statistics even though the child is not a baptitsed member. . Child is taught to pray, go to church, partake of the sacrament (even though there is no need because they have not been baptsed - it's habbit forming), read scripture stories, have family home evening. . From the ages of three to four the child spends their time in nursary - they have a lesson where the church doctrine is taught very simply to them in a fun way. . From the ages of four to eleven the child is in primary. There are a number of different classes for the different age groups and a joint section called 'sharing time'. In primary 'sharing time' children sing songs, give mimi-lessons, pray, share scriptures, etc - there are all assigned to give the child a sense of importance and responsability but mainly to involve them with the church. . From age twelve to eighteen the 'yound men' and 'young women' seperate for one hour into two different classes - this is the age that the young men recieve the aaronic priesthood and have the duty of either, preparing, passing or blessing the sacrament. . Is a child 'addicted from birth' - I would say that a child is brought up to accept the teachings of the church from birth - they may ask questions but essentially the church is right and everything contrary is wrong. There is a moral code that needs to be kept and the church's teachings reflect the morals the child is taught. . This 'no question' - 'it's right and eveything is wrong' attitue is an integral part of every born in the covenant child. They understand that theit christian and religous friends may believe something different but 'know' that it's incorrect before they even hear the teachings. . I spoke about 'habit forming' and much of the ubringing of a child is based aroung forming 'good' habbits when it comes to their religion. In this sense an 'addiction' is a valid suggestion - just like good and bad habbits or addictions are formed, so is the 'life-style' of a young LDS. . I have known many however to come to a point where they reject the church at some point because once older they reject what their parents are telling them to do and instead do what they want to. Others, and this is the case with a friend of mine that left the church at age sixteen, never really believe the church's teachings and just go along until they are old enough to do their own thing rather than having to do what their parents tell them or to avoid causing some kind of tension when parents try to get them to 'do the right thing'. . Yes it can be an addiction, yes it can be a robotic form of programming, but at some time people come to what I feel is a 'natural' step where they have to either accept of reject what is being taught. The church even recognises this and says that a time must come when we don't live on the 'borrowed testimony' of someone else. . With addictions people normally know they have a 'problem' with it and are either trying 'to stop' or don't want to. It may be true to say that some youth wait till a moment they can break away without too much 'fuss' and recognise the 'problem' however many are not aware of any issue with a system that does not allow you to question or accept things that do not form a part of the 'accepted truth'. I think there is a problem when internal integration and teachings do not make people aware that there is any reason or 'complete truth' outsdise of the established organization - only partial truths that cause confusion.

RELIGION: 11. Religion has convinced people that there’s an invisible man…living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn’t want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money. George Carlin

If the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ do NOT govern your entire life then you aren't really committed to it are you? . After this life, would your rather be committed to heaven or not. The choice is yours. God has given it to you to make for yourself.

Not an entirely appropriate analogy. Less an addiction, than a paradigm suckled alongside the mother's milk. It is part of their nature to "know" that mormonism is correct. And they've never been seriously challenged to justify that 'knowingness' to an outsider before. But one must tread carefully, and not become too zealous in attempt to make them see the 'truth'. It's human nature to become suspicious of any hardsell.

I'm not an ExMormon but thought it beneficial to say the following. I was born into an LDS home along with my 7 siblings. We were taught LDS beliefs, principles, and doctrines which have helped us lead better lives. We were also taught that you can feel God's uplifting spirit in other places besides an LDS chapel. My family went to Ebenezer Baptist Church (Southern GA where MLK used to preach) a few times a year. Always a great experience. . I guess I wanted to point out that not all LDS children are brought up in a way that adheres to the "Addicted from Birth" premise. Many of us have been presented choices and we have chosen to be who we are in the LDS faith. . I would even venture to say that all people brought up in the LDS faith have that choice. The problem is that it can be hard to see if it is not pointed out. . No matter what faith you adhere to, it needs to be of your choice. Otherwise it does no good. The question is then, when is someone mature enough to realistically make that choice.