Why do people consider Mormons a cult? Would any Mormons like to comment?

Answer 1

I'm Mormon.
Most often it is out of ignorance which breeds fear because they listen to the rumors.
When it's not out of ignorance, it's from those who have left the church for one reason or another. I've never heard of someone who has left the church, yet refuses to bad mouth the church. I'm sure there have been a few, but you don't hear about them because they aren't vocal about it.

We do believe differently than other Christians. We're not Protestant or Catholic, yet that is what almost everyone thinks of when they think of the word Christian.

Answer 2

The word cult was originally used to mean any religion that was not Roman Catholic. The supremacy of the Roman Catholic in the very recent past has influenced modern culture through its doctrines and literature. The main reason that modern culture calls the Mormons a cult is because they practice a religion different than the religion that the Roman Catholic Church preaches. While the Mormon church may be considered to share some of the same beliefs as the Roman Catholic Church, the core of the Mormon beliefs are quite different.

So the main reason the Mormons are called a cult is rooted in modern language; however, socially questionable practises in some sects of the Mormon religion (including polygamy) have ultimately reinforced the modern day interpretation of the word "cult", meaning that cults are wierd and scary.

Answer 3

I don't claim to be an expert but I am a Mormon and I think that a lot of people think we are a cult because we like to stick with our own. Mormons tend to live in areas with other Mormons and marry and date Mormons. So people think that you have to be Mormon to hand out with us. Not true, but some Mormons can be cliquish so it can give all of us a bad name and make us look a little like a cult. The last thing I was to ad is that what cult can have over 12 million members.

Answer 4

What does it matter? By true definition, any religious group or organization may be called a cult. Some people like to label certain faiths as cults in a negative sense, because they don't agree with their belief system. Most people don't even really know what Mormons actually believe; they only know what has been fed to them by the Church's enemies. This does not bother me as a Mormon, however. It just goes to show how hard Satan works against the truth!

Answer 5

I certainly don't consider Mormons a cult
Certain branches of the Mormons are very fundamentalist and take an Amish-like approach to simple farm living without modern convenience. Certain fundamentalist sects also practice polygamy, which may be what you are referring to.
But the great Mormon majority are very holy and spiritual people, kind and giving. They go to church and they are monogamous and lead normal lives like you and I. I have Mormon friends and they certainly are not a cult. In fact, without the Mormons this country would look quite different.

Answer 6

Just something I came across on Google:
cult: A religious group that follows a particular theological system. In the context of Christianity, and in particular, CARM, it is a group that uses the Bible but distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause salvation to be unattainable. A few examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, The Way International, and the Moonies. (See also Cults)
http://www.carm.org/dictionary/dic_c-d.htm

Answer 7

This Latter-day Saint (Mormon) will comment:

It does not bother me to be called a member of a cult - we are one (as are Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, etc., etc.,)

see Roget's Thesaurus.

It is when "y'all" call me a member of a sect that I get bothered! <>

But, only a little. I've had the freedom of joining any church that mirrored what I felt in my heart. I spent decades in the search and the trials and the errors.

I tried many - all Christian - because I cannot deny the life, the teachings, the death and resurrection and the salvation of Christ.

This church, this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church for me. I could find none other that I should embrace so completely that no matter how I have might have tried I cannot deny it.

Answer 8

It is a matter of opinion.

You could easily call Jesus Christ a cult leader in his days.
Didn't the Pharisee accused Jesus using satan's power in the New testament when he cast out the evil spirits.

I personally enjoy being a LDS Mormon, no matter what others call it.sure we have our way of worshipping our God, but I don't see how many of you are unify in how you worship either.
If living a clean life, having one lovable wife, work 9 to 5 for a living and supports boyscout is a cult , then so be it.

Answer 9

Among many others things a cult has a distinctive founder or leader: Mormons: Joseph Smith; Christian Scientists: Mary Baker Eddy; Christianity: Jesus and so on.

Answer 10

I am not affiliated with the Mormons in any way, but I don't really like calling the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a "cult". In its modern sense, that term is considered offensive. It denigrates a major internationally recognized religion.