Why do brands collapse?

[Red Ryder]

I asked chatgpt why brands collapse. Then modified it to why religions collapse. Some interesting insights that cam be currently seen within Mormonism.

Religions, like any human institution, can experience decline or collapse for various reasons. Here are some factors that can contribute to the decline or collapse of religions:

1. Changing social and cultural dynamics: Societies and cultures evolve over time, and religious beliefs and practices may no longer resonate with new generations or shifting societal values. As societies become more secular or embrace different belief systems, religious institutions can lose relevance and struggle to attract new followers.

2. Failure to adapt: Religions that resist change or fail to adapt to new social, cultural, or intellectual developments may find it difficult to connect with contemporary individuals. This can lead to a decline in membership and influence, as people seek religious or spiritual frameworks that better align with their worldview.

3. Internal conflicts and divisions: Internal divisions, schisms, or conflicts within religious organizations can weaken their credibility and coherence. Disputes over doctrine, leadership, or moral issues can result in the fragmentation of a religious community, leading to a loss of followers and decline in influence.

4. Scandals and controversies: High-profile scandals or controversies involving religious leaders, institutional corruption, abuse, or moral failings can significantly damage the reputation and trust of a religion. Such events can erode the faith and commitment of followers, leading to disillusionment and a decline in membership.

5. Competition from other religions: Religions often exist in a pluralistic environment, and the presence of alternative belief systems can challenge established religions. Competition from other religions or non-religious worldviews can lead to a decline in the influence and membership of a particular faith.

6. Advances in science and knowledge: Scientific discoveries and advancements in knowledge can sometimes conflict with religious teachings or challenge traditional religious interpretations of the world. As societies place greater emphasis on scientific understanding, some individuals may abandon religious beliefs that are perceived as incompatible with scientific knowledge.

7. Political and social changes: Political shifts, changes in governance, or government policies can have an impact on religious institutions. Religions that were once closely aligned with political power may face challenges when political dynamics change or when the separation of religion and state becomes more pronounced.

It's important to note that while religions can decline or collapse in certain regions or among specific communities, they can also experience growth and adaptation in other parts of the world. Religious beliefs and practices continue to be a deeply personal and meaningful aspect of many people's lives, and the reasons for the rise or fall of religions can be complex and multifaceted.

[stuck]

That is interesting! Sounds like what's happening to Mormonism. With new knowledge and the internet the people are leaving the faith especially the millenials and gen z kids. Yet in poorer countries like Africa and South America the church is still going strong perhaps because they lack access to the internet and so on. Then it has corruption like the sec fines and failure to adapt such as not being as accepting to the LGBTQ+ community as perhaps they should.

Any predictions on what other changes the church might make in say 10 to 20 years from now?

[Hagoth]

Yet in poorer countries like Africa and South America...

The church is really between a rock and a hard place. Their only hope for growth lies in countries where numbers are only likely to grow because they can control the message to people who don't have access to facts. They don't have access to facts because they are poor. But "We are not a wealthy people..." so the church is not there to help those people financially, only to drain what little money they have to spare. Diminishing returns. When they have burned those countries over I guess they can always go for the people living in third world trash heaps. Not to help them get out of their situation, mind you, but to bolster convert numbers and teach them further humility by offering them the opportunity for blessings via even greater sacrifice.

[nibbler]

Maybe this gets lumped in with failure to adapt or one of the other categories but another biggie is an insulated leadership.

No constructive criticism is allowed to penetrate any of the multiple layers that divide leadership from the rank and file. Only positive things get reported up the chain and there's probably a little fudging of the numbers at each reporting layer.

The corporate culture of the church also runs off anyone with an independent streak. The whole model of the church is conformity to the program.

Your brand might collapse if you never hear honest feedback and you've created a culture where people have to adapt to whatever you give them.

I think there's one thing that penetrates the bubble. Sacrament meeting attendance. Clerks in every unit of the church report it quarterly. Granted ward clerks pad the numbers they report. I'd guess reality is about 5-10% lower than the number that's reported but if that padding remains constant, someone somewhere knows the totals and the trends.

Global stats are the only thing that really gives top leadership a window into any potential issue. Of course by the time they notice it's already too late and they won't have any understanding at all about the reasonings behind the trends they identify. After all, the last time they went to a stake conference everyone there was so glad to see them and commented on how great all the church programs were.

Change? When all is well in Zion?
But sir, the numbers.
Oh. Well let's make a change then. How about the same exact things we're doing but like 20% less of it. Also... take their budgets away! There, fixed it.