Mormon Cult?

[jjacks]

I think it is funny that the same people who hold true the story of Noah's ark or that creation happened the way the Bible spells out could call Mormonism a cult. All religions have aspects that other religions call "weird" and since nobody actually knows the absolute truth, no one religion should look at another established religion in a judgemental light (unless their religion calls for the deaths of others). I say "established" because obviously there are some very dangerous fringe cults such as the ones led by Herb Applewhite and Warren Jeffs.

I could vote for a Mormon, a Jew, a Catholic, a Buddhist, etc... as long as they didn't wear it on their sleeve when making important decisions about our country. At this point I could not vote for Santorum because he is so outspokenly evangelical. But the reason for that decision is only because there are not enough people in this country that would rather put up with that than have obama in there for 4 more years. It doesn't have anything to do with my personal beliefs about evangelicals, only my desire for someone who can actually beat obama.

[Ocelot]

Santorum is actually Catholic (not evangelical), but your point is taken...

[Geck]

Originally Posted by kevinc

Separation of church and state doesn't need to be written anywhere, the first amendment covers it.

Your feeling of society being less tolerant of Christianity stems from you being a Christian obviously. I'd imagine most people of other faiths have felt that way for a long long time. However I agree that it is unreasonable, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, Catholicism or any other religion should be treated equally.

First off let's differentiate something.

1. separation of Church and State is NOT mentioned in the 1st amendment. 1st amendment expressed that there shall "no law establishing a religion or prohibiting free exercise thereof" basically freedom of religion.

2. the separation of Church and State comes from a letter written buy Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist association in 1802 and DOES NOT appear anywhere in the 1st amendment or the constitution. This is often misquoted as a 1st amendment right. The 1st amendment ONLY covers freedom of religion and that the government will not establish or support one religion.

that being said YES i could support a Mormon, Muslim, Catholic, et al as long as i feel that person, man or women was sworn to uphold the constitution of the United States.

as far as being a cult this was discussed in another thread about another religion and i will repeat my comments from there. Speaking as a Jew who's religion has been around a lot longer than some others mentioned in this thread I feel EVERY religion including my own STARTED out as a cult. At some point the thinking of each of these religions was completely opposite from the establishment of the time and over time grew to be accepted by a fairly large or increasingly larger group of people making that religion more mainstream.

I think most religions believe in the same basic principles. Love, peace, tolerance and helping your fellow man. To classify ANY religion teaching these principles as a cult to me is just plain ignorant.


edited to add that i don't think kevinC's comments in any way were ignorant i just quoted his comment as to be able to correct the part mentioned that separation of church and state was in the 1st amendment.

[melmax]

Originally Posted by Geck

First off let's differentiate something.

1. separation of Church and State is NOT mentioned in the 1st amendment. 1st amendment expressed that there shall "no law establishing a religion or prohibiting free exercise thereof" basically freedom of religion.

2. the separation of Church and State comes from a letter written buy Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist association in 1802 and DOES NOT appear anywhere in the 1st amendment or the constitution. This is often misquoted as a 1st amendment right. The 1st amendment ONLY covers freedom of religion and that the government will not establish or support one religion.

that being said YES i could support a Mormon, Muslim, Catholic, et al as long as i feel that person, man or women was sworn to uphold the constitution of the United States.

as far as being a cult this was discussed in another thread about another religion and i will repeat my comments from there. Speaking as a Jew who's religion has been around a lot longer than some others mentioned in this thread I feel EVERY religion including my own STARTED out as a cult. At some point the thinking of each of these religions was completely opposite from the establishment of the time and over time grew to be accepted by a fairly large or increasingly larger group of people making that religion more mainstream.

I think most religions believe in the same basic principles. Love, peace, tolerance and helping your fellow man. To classify ANY religion teaching these principles as a cult to me is just plain ignorant.


edited to add that i don't think kevinC's comments in any way were ignorant i just quoted his comment as to be able to correct the part mentioned that separation of church and state was in the 1st amendment.

I do understand where your coming from with this, but I wanted to note that most religions don't start out doing the wrong thing, things sometime happen when it is too late. As mentioned before, I had a friend, her mom and many others die due to the teachings of a cult. I understood this cult well as I knew many of the people. It was teaching love, peace, and all of that great stuff. But it did one more thing, it taught to leave all of their "wealth" to the cult so the teachings could continue. Oh, and none were ill when they died.

[friscomatt]

Originally Posted by jjacks

I think it is funny that the same people who hold true the story of Noah's ark or that creation happened the way the Bible spells out could call Mormonism a cult. All religions have aspects that other religions call "weird" and since nobody actually knows the absolute truth, no one religion should look at another established religion in a judgemental light (unless their religion calls for the deaths of others).

I believe all those stories...Noah's Ark, Creation, Joseph Smith and the Magic Golden Plates, Santa, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, The Boogeyman...I'm sure I'm missing a few

[Geck]

Originally Posted by melmax

I do understand where your coming from with this, but I wanted to note that most religions don't start out doing the wrong thing, things sometime happen when it is too late. As mentioned before, I had a friend, her mom and many others die due to the teachings of a cult. I understood this cult well as I knew many of the people. It was teaching love, peace, and all of that great stuff. But it did one more thing, it taught to leave all of their "wealth" to the cult so the teachings could continue. Oh, and none were ill when they died.

Agreed but right and wrong is ultimately determined by the believer. I'm sure the folks who support the Whitesboro Baptists believe what they are doing is the "right" thing by protesting the funerals of our soldiers. I like many others disagree. I think they started out doing the "wrong" thing but some would disagree. Like you said splitting hairs but saying the same things.

[melmax]

Originally Posted by Geck

Agreed but right and wrong is ultimately determined by the believer. I'm sure the folks who support the Whitesboro Baptists believe what they are doing is the "right" thing by protesting the funerals of our soldiers. I like many others disagree. I think they started out doing the "wrong" thing but some would disagree. Like you said splitting hairs but saying the same things.

Great Point !!

I would never want to belong to an organization that taught hate toward anyone, most importantly on the graves of those who served and protected our freedom as well as others. If any of these people go serve in the service, I can tell you that if word gets out to others...there are ways that "accedents" happen, truth be told.

[howedoyoudo]

Originally Posted by kevinc

There are similarities in 99% of all religions.

Specifically between those two I would point out:

They both have heads of the church
Both claim their heads can be infallible
They both have similar hierarchy in the church
They both have latter-day saints
Both claim to be THE church
Both pray to others besides god
Both religions adhere to similar dogmata as far as traditions, rituals, secrecy etc.

Mormons don't pray to anyone besides God.
Mormons also do not claim their prophet to be infallible. He is human and therefore is imperfect.

I would agree that at their cores, most religions share most basic principles.

In essence, this is a non-issue.

[friscomatt]

Mormons definitely are a cult.
They believe in a "Magic Man" in the sky.
...
oh wait
...
All religions believe that.

[wilx1]

Mormonism is a theological cult in that it portrays itself to be part of historic and mainstream Christianity yet all of its major doctrines and beliefs are at odds with historic Christianity. This is why they have been viewed as a cult by the majority of the Christian community. If Mormons had simply declared themselves to be a different religion, such as Buddhism or Hinduism, then they would be one religious community among many. But they do not. They want to be seen as part of Mainstream Christianity. Which is a bit odd given that their founder viewed all churches after the death of the Apostles as apostate.