Is Mormonism a Cult?

[David]

Pastor Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas made this statement yesterday at a "Values Voter" conference. Endorsed Perry.

Sorry for a group to be a cult it must make it difficult or near impossible to leave the group. LDS doesn't restrict people's comings and goings. We may have serious theological differences. I certainly do. But, it is counter productive to label LDS a cult.

[Bemused]

Originally Posted by David

Pastor Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas made this statement yesterday at a "Values Voter" conference. Endorsed Perry.

Sorry for a group to be a cult it must make it difficult or near impossible to leave the group. LDS doesn't restrict people's comings and goings. We may have serious theological differences. I certainly do. But, it is counter productive to label LDS a cult.

My opinion is that to many people concern themselves with this kind of question.

I know jack about core Morman beliefs. I DO know that the Book of Morman "history" of the 10 lost Tribes paddling their canoes across the Atlantic to become Native Americans is crap. And that there is plenty in The Bible, Old Testament and New, that is crap.

That said, there is very little, in my mind, in either work, that causes me to disbelieve the core principles.

[jtdc]

Originally Posted by David

Sorry for a group to be a cult it must make it difficult or near impossible to leave the group.

I guess that describes Muslim.

[David]

I have done shows with ex Mormon, Tricia Erickson. She sure can stir it up.

SOURCE

[Rifleman]

Originally Posted by David

Pastor Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas made this statement yesterday at a "Values Voter" conference. Endorsed Perry.

Sorry for a group to be a cult it must make it difficult or near impossible to leave the group. LDS doesn't restrict people's comings and goings. We may have serious theological differences. I certainly do. But, it is counter productive to label LDS a cult.

Certainly that would apply to the Mormon "Spinoffs", the ones that still practice polygamy in spite of it being against the law. It seems "girls' are the ones that can't leave, the boys are "driven out". But I am quite sure Romney isn't in one of "those".

Personally, Romney seems to elevate the Mormon Church, I just don;t thin he is Conservative enough. The LDS should be embarressed for Harry Reid, the guy is a crook who gets away with very profitable but shady land deals, because he was a mere Snetaor, but is now in charge of the Senate.

[bond]

Perhaps people here need to take a broader view of Roberts "Js"Narrow view of who he thinks fits into the Christian template.

[David]

Evangelical criticism of LDS is nothing compared what the secular left will jump on in regard to Romney.

SOURCE

[GeronL]

The LDS calls every other Christian denomination "heathens" so they might be a cult. They don't believe that Jesus is the only son of God and there is only one God, they have secret rituals....

So.... I guess they would qualify as a cult in the Christian sense.

[wancow]

Originally Posted by Bemused

And that there is plenty in The Bible, Old Testament and New, that is crap..

I don't disagree with you on Mormanism, though, like you, I know very little about it so I'm ignorant enough to not be able to disagree...

But would you mind giving me an example from the Bible that would justify the statement you made on it containing crap?

[wancow]

Originally Posted by Rifleman

Certainly that would apply to the Mormon "Spinoffs", the ones that still practice polygamy in spite of it being against the law.

Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145 (1878), which made Polygamy illegal for all time, is one of the most egregious examples of Judicial Activism in the history of SCOTUS. It is eminently challengeable under the strict constructionist view of Constitutional Power.

State and local laws forbidding Polygamy are questionable in their legality especially after Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652 (1925).

[Bemused]

Originally Posted by wancow

Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145 (1878), which made Polygamy illegal for all time, is one of the most egregious examples of Judicial Activism in the history of SCOTUS. It is eminently challengeable under the strict constructionist view of Constitutional Power.

State and local laws forbidding Polygamy are questionable in their legality especially after Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652 (1925).

Kewl! Wait 'til I tell the wife!

[Bemused]

Originally Posted by wancow

I don't disagree with you on Mormanism, though, like you, I know very little about it so I'm ignorant enough to not be able to disagree...

But would you mind giving me an example from the Bible that would justify the statement you made on it containing crap?

For example, the pillars that hold up the firmament (described in Job)

For example, the Book of Revelation, the last book to be accepted as Canon, as a result of the Council of Carthage in 397 presided over by whom? Oh that's right, none other than Augustine, that Manichean who introduced so many heretical beliefs into Christianity that are not supported by the teachings of Jesus. Not surprising, since Augustine needed Revelations to be the word of God in order to support his theology of everlasting punishment.

BTW, I applaud the Mormons for their devotion to that wonderful Christian tradition of feeding the poor. As do many Christian denominations. That, at least, is in accordance with the practices of those Christians who knew Jesus personally, or who knew those who themselves knew Jesus. that is all that should matter, IMHO.

...

[dcannady]

Joseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni who told him where to find some golden plates with divinely inspired scriptures written on them, but he would have to use the two stones that were with them to translate the scriptures into English. He was not allowed to let anyone else see the plates except for three "witnesses". For some reason he had to return the plates to Moroni so we must take their word for it. He put the plates on the floor and the two stones in a hat and put his face in to read the plates and dictated the sciptures to a person who would write down what he read.

[wancow]

Originally Posted by Bemused

For example, the pillars that hold up the firmament (described in Job)

For example, the Book of Revelation, the last book to be accepted as Canon, as a result of the Council of Carthage in 397 presided over by whom? Oh that's right, none other than Augustine, that Manichean who introduced so many heretical beliefs into Christianity that are not supported by the teachings of Jesus. Not surprising, since Augustine needed Revelations to be the word of God in order to support his theology of everlasting punishment.

BTW, I applaud the Mormons for their devotion to that wonderful Christian tradition of feeding the poor. As do many Christian denominations. That, at least, is in accordance with the practices of those Christians who knew Jesus personally, or who knew those who themselves knew Jesus. that is all that should matter, IMHO.

...

Interesting! Actually, that's a revelation to ME! I was not aware that Augustine was involved at all in making any part of the Bible cannon. It is certainly enough to question the inclusion of the Book of Revelation.

[Mad_Dog]

Is Mormonism a Cult? No.
Are some Mormons cultists? Yes.

[David]

Romney’s religion still a sticking point

SOURCE

[David]

They’re relevant again. If he wins the presidency, Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and Mormon bishop, would not be the first president to confess a historically disfavored faith. But Romney would be the first who belongs to a church that the U.S. government actually tried to crush.

SOURCE

[Bemused]

Originally Posted by David

They’re relevant again. If he wins the presidency, Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and Mormon bishop, would not be the first president to confess a historically disfavored faith. But Romney would be the first who belongs to a church that the U.S. government actually tried to crush.

SOURCE

First of all, what gave the feds the right to "crush" any religion?

Second, what is this anti Mormon bigotry that continues to be preached on many right wing websites?

I speak as a Catholic who grew up in the 50's and remember well the anti Catholic bigotry of the times.

[Daisy]

Bemused, I agree, I too am Catholic, I also remember how many were upset that JFK, if elected would have the pope demand everyone convert. Nothing changes on this topic too many folks believe the nonsense.

[Bemused]

Originally Posted by Rifleman

Certainly that would apply to the Mormon "Spinoffs", the ones that still practice polygamy in spite of it being against the law. It seems "girls' are the ones that can't leave, the boys are "driven out". But I am quite sure Romney isn't in one of "those".

Personally, Romney seems to elevate the Mormon Church, I just don;t thin he is Conservative enough. The LDS should be embarressed for Harry Reid, the guy is a crook who gets away with very profitable but shady land deals, because he was a mere Snetaor, but is now in charge of the Senate.

So where in the Constitution does it forbid polygamy?

So where in the Constitution does it say that Government has the right to regulate marriage? Or the religious definition of marriage?

I agree with you in everything else in this post. I continue to ask any and all why they think that Government has any say in marriage, the practice of marriage, and the definition of marriage by ANY religion.

If nothing else, the 9th Amendment applies. Just because the right ins't enumerated, that does NOT mean that the right does not exist.

JMHO