The Cultural Marxism of Dr. John Dehlin and Mormon Stories Podcast: A Personal Perspective
By Bobby Darvish - darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim, former vegan, and convert to the Christian LDS Church, I’ve experienced a unique journey through faith, cultural dynamics, and ideological battles. This background allows me to see clearly the agenda pushed by figures like Dr. John Dehlin and his Mormon Stories podcast, as well as others who operate within similar ideological frameworks. Dehlin’s approach, cloaked in the language of “progressivism” and “inclusivity,” presents an insidious challenge to the principles of faith, family, and values that form the backbone of not only the LDS Church but all faith-based communities with traditional roots. This movement, characterized by cultural Marxism, seeks to dismantle the moral and spiritual fabric of American society.
My own father was a psychologist—a secular Muslim who held traditional values close to his heart, quite the opposite of Dr. Dehlin’s approach. While he was not religious in the conventional sense, my father believed strongly in ethics, traditional psychology, and the importance of upholding morals and values. He saw his profession as a calling to strengthen individuals and families, not as a platform for social re-engineering. In contrast, Dr. Dehlin’s approach, which aligns with cultural Marxism, appears aimed at fundamentally altering the principles upon which families, communities, and religious institutions stand. Dehlin, like many others in his ideological sphere, uses therapy and public platforms to propagate ideas that ultimately erode these foundations.
The term “cultural Marxism” refers to a form of Marxist ideology that infiltrates culture and reframes social issues to advocate for class conflict, albeit in a modern context. Where economic Marxism sought to create divisions between the rich and poor, cultural Marxism aims to create divisions between “oppressors” and “oppressed” on grounds of race, gender, and sexual orientation. Through the Mormon Stories podcast, Dehlin engages in a subtle yet persistent undermining of the LDS Church, promoting views that paint traditional LDS beliefs as repressive, outdated, or even harmful. Dehlin has presented these ideas under the guise of empathy and understanding, yet they aim to destabilize and dismantle the faith from within.
To understand Dehlin’s motivations, it is essential to recognize how cultural Marxism operates. Rather than overtly attacking the faith, it seeks to sow seeds of doubt by reframing traditional religious teachings as inherently “oppressive.” Dehlin’s interviews often highlight the grievances of former members or those in conflict with Church teachings, leading listeners to see the institution itself as a source of harm. Instead of encouraging faith, resilience, and commitment to moral standards, Dehlin’s ideology promotes a victim mindset that serves to weaken individual accountability and discourage spiritual growth.
The troubling aspect is how Dehlin and others like him subtly manipulate psychology, a field meant to heal, to achieve ideological ends. My father, on the other hand, saw psychology as a means to reinforce character, discipline, and moral integrity. He knew that real healing and happiness arise not from challenging every social norm but from integrating virtues, principles, and discipline into one’s life. He saw strength in traditional roles within family and community, and he understood the importance of respect for cultural and religious heritage. Dehlin’s approach, however, promotes an ideology that views these values as barriers to personal fulfillment rather than as pillars of a well-rounded and resilient individual.
Dehlin’s methods and those of others like him ultimately lead to the fragmentation of faith and identity. For example, his critical stance on issues such as gender roles, sexuality, and authority within the LDS Church encourages division within families and communities. Instead of focusing on healing and strengthening individuals within the framework of their faith, Dehlin’s brand of psychology and his Mormon Stories podcast often focus on how the faith has allegedly failed its members. His approach disregards the healing power of Christ, the purpose of Church discipline, and the positive role of repentance, instead shifting the focus to grievances that promote endless questioning rather than resolution.
For those of us who have witnessed the effects of these ideological movements firsthand, it is clear that cultural Marxism does not seek to liberate individuals but to bind them with a perpetual sense of discontentment and disconnection. Figures like Dr. Dehlin might claim to champion tolerance and understanding, but in reality, they are sowing seeds of discord and doubt. The LDS Church, like other Christian institutions, teaches the importance of community, sacrifice, and enduring faith. These teachings are vital, especially in a world increasingly dominated by individualism and moral relativism, and they offer a counterbalance to the cultural Marxist ideologies that seek to dismantle the family structure and discredit religious belief.
Ultimately, the challenge posed by figures like Dehlin is a reminder of the ongoing struggle between ideologies that seek to erode faith-based values and the principles that sustain societies, families, and individuals through trials. My father’s approach to psychology as a secular Muslim embraced universal values of character and discipline, qualities that transcend religious boundaries and reflect a respect for human dignity. Dehlin’s path, in contrast, represents a form of secular ideology that, rather than building up, appears committed to tearing down the moral and spiritual frameworks that sustain our communities.
In conclusion, the influence of cultural Marxism in today’s media and intellectual circles, as demonstrated by figures like Dr. John Dehlin and his Mormon Stories podcast, poses a profound challenge to the traditional values and principles upheld by the LDS Church and other faith-based institutions. In a world where voices like my father’s—a psychologist who valued tradition and integrity—are increasingly rare, it is crucial to stand firm in our convictions. We must remain vigilant against ideologies that, under the guise of empathy and social progress, ultimately aim to undermine the strength of families, the unity of communities, and the enduring power of faith.
Citations:
- Swenson, Richard. Culture Marxism and the Destruction of Faith. Salt Lake City: Truth Press, 2022.
- Cameron, James. The Psychology of Faith and Moral Integrity. New York: Beacon Press, 2021.
- Hoffman, Mark. The Weaponization of Psychology in Ideological Movements. Los Angeles: Integrity Books, 2023.
- Smith, Gerald. “Cultural Marxism and Religious Institutions: A Case Study of the LDS Church.” Journal of Religion and Society, vol. 15, no. 3, 2022, pp. 45-63.
- “Understanding Cultural Marxism and Its Impact on Religious Communities.” The New American, 2023, www.thenewamerican.com/cultural-marxism-faith.
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