Obedience Culture values conformity over competence, unflinching faith over critical thinking, and institutional loyalty over human dignity. I examine the ascendancy of Obedience Culture among LDS and other US religious communities and explore its recent extension into public policy. I argue that Obedience Culture influences have deteriorated America’s moral leadership and that the particularly organized LDS strain was decisive in passing Proposition 8 against same-sex marriage in California. I conclude by suggesting a course of action for engaging the greater LDS community, with the hope of a more thoughtful and favorable role.

GLENN CORNETT