In a recent post on this sub, (https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/188qb0j/two\_things\_1\_ive\_noticed\_paganwitchcraft\_rituals/), I saw mention of Mormon family members essentially co-opting rituals and practices from other spiritual belief systems, particularly paganism and witchcraft.

I believe this trend is going to increase exponentially in coming decades.

What we see now with meditating, "awareness", altars, essential oils, and herbal medicine will soon morph into full blown pagan rituals, fascination with hypnosis and past lives, tarot, divination, chakras, plant spirits, astrology and more.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see changes to or reinterpretations of the Word of Wisdom in order to allow for usage of "plant medicine". Picture a sacrament meeting where members have the option to take mushrooms instead of bread or something similar. Hell, we might even see church-sponsored Ayahuasca retreats at some point. (Though they won't be done in the Amazon, I can tell you that. They will find a way to make it much more sterile.) They will simply reframe these "drugs" as "therapy" or "a new way to find Jesus" and people won't question it as long as the prophet declares it so.

It's not going to make a whole lot of sense. But then again, Mormonism never made that much sense to begin with. Just ask any true-blue Mormon to explain the why behind the WoW rules for coffee and tea.

Why is this going to happen?

Because many of the hardcore, ultra-conservative upper-middle class cohort of the church will be dying off, and they're the ones who pay most of the tithing and fill most of the seats on Sunday. Without them, those who will be left will be mainly millennials and Gen Z, and many of them find the church too boring, stingy, non-inclusive and stifling. In order for the church to stay alive, it will have to change its rules and make it more attractive to young, inquisitive minds who want meaning in an increasingly disconnected, lonely and frightening world.

I can't say I'm happy about any of this. It's going to be weird. And it's probably going to be very culturally-appropriative, but it is what it is.

Thoughts?

EDIT: I am only just now thinking about this, but isn't this what happened with Boy Scouts and native americans? I remember Boy Scouts incorporating various aspects of native american cultures into its traditions, mottos, activities, etc. For example, I think we sometimes chanted native american songs and sayings on campouts. I can't think of a whole lot of other examples because it's been so long since I was in scouts, but I think you get the point. In my opinion, it was pretty disrespectful and culturally appropriative.