Description

Neuropsychologist Stephen Porges developed polyvagal theory around the idea that feeling safe is fundamental to healthy mental states. Data suggests that, within the Mormon community, each succeeding generation feels increasingly “unsafe.” This is largely because, as family and gender practices changed over the last 100 years, a widening gap has emerged between Church teachings and secular norms. This creates a situation in which members perceive danger – and experience actual harm – within Mormon culture, while at the same time being told that they are in eternal danger if they leave it. Individuals under such threat respond with fawning, fighting, fleeing, or freezing. On a societal level this can be observed in increasing levels of anxiety and scrupulosity (“fawn”); political radicalization (“fight”); disaffiliation (“flight”); or anxiety and depression (“freeze”).

As this gap grows, the Church itself is experiencing threat and is responding aggressively. In this session, we will examine the elements of the Church’s fight response, including its emphasis on temples, sealings, and “the Covenant Path.”

Speaker

Carrie A. Miles (she/her)