Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
This thread is intended to discuss the impact that the LCM has on people's personality traits and also the results of that impact. It should be noted that I am approaching this topic as someone who was born and raised in the LCM, so I might have a different take on the issue than those who came into the LCM later in life.
Early on, I became aware that in the LCM, certain personality traits like assertiveness were generally frowned upon. I also observed how people acted and interacted, and I took that as an example. The result? I learned to act in a passive way, I learned to not speak up for myself and never I learned how to say "no" to people. Of course, not all of that can be blamed on the LCM, but I feel it is fair to say that the LCM was a big influencing factor.
Once I was in college, I had a rude awakening. I came to realize two things. The first is that people outside the LCM didn't walk around in a state of self-imposed humility and passivity. I also realized that personality traits that the LCM considered to be desirable were only considered as such because it presented the opportunity to control and manipulate people. In fact, I came to realized that among local leaders, there was a lot of resentment over the fact that members were too passive. But they knew they couldn't change that because that's how people were taught to act.
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This can all be related to "submission and authority". Those older than you, submit. Those older than you even if they're wrong they're still right. This behavior translates into the workplace where you end up being passive and deferring to others. Thought process is usually the same "it's not my place".
We all have opinions, but we become trained in the local churches not to express them. Those that are expressive in their opinions are usually ones receiving some form if disciplinary measures.