---
title: "Jeanette Sherman I think shame, like pain, can be very useful to..."
date: 2023-07-28
source: facebook
type: comment
context: "Archer T. Ships replied to Lydia Laurenson's comment."
fb_link: "https://www.facebook.com/dyi/l/?l=AYMHjdNE8kIT7fAN9FnMun8dZnuKI490XYNnEfUB2SiRtEGJNtxqt3uHHC9UHOZyz1ywijOzCj2Ypka4jJIpiYq1UrRE9EUycL6Ogv-WBuYO8AKDIxydG-8KlUzMeQzbr2BqI-ed5f9MQTnT7pjtceWTAo7vv4A5U-00T0N9Zsn2noBIpMamkv24WGKOS_ap2-0ta4aOlUs&s=519"
---

# Jeanette Sherman I think shame, like pain, can be very useful to...

*July 28, 2023 — Comment Archer T. Ships replied to Lydia Laurenson's comment.*

Jeanette Sherman I think shame, like pain, can be very useful to alerting us to circumstances we should avoid.  For example, I think it's healthy to feel shame when caught stealing money from other people. But I also think some religions (such as Mormons) use shame to control their members. For example, Mormons are only supposed to have sex inside a "temple marriage".  In order to get a temple recommend, you're supposed to pay your tithing, attend church regularly, take on work roles w/in the church, abstain from coffee/alcohol/tobacco, etc. The church also teaches that sexual activity outside of a "temple marriage" is a grave sin.  If teens masturbate, they're supposed to confess to their bishop and repent.  Imagine a 14 year old boy confessing to a 50+ year old man  about the last time he masturbated.  It's excruciatingly embarrassing. By persuading members to feel great shame about sex outside the church, and by making guilt-free sex contingent on making large, and ongoing contributions to the church, the church channels the sexual energy of its members into its own propagation.