Mormons believe that all righteous Mormon men can eventually become Gods (and their wives, goddesses). They believe that Jesus Christ is a created being and our older spiritual brother. They believe that the garden of Eden is in Missouri, and they believe that God was once a man, raised to Godhead by another God. They wear 'holy undergarments' to provide themselves with a form of spiritual protection. And these are only a few of their very controversial beliefs and practises.
But they see themselves as a mainline Christian denomination and reject the 'cult' label.
What do you think? Are Mormons Christians? Why or why not?
2006-11-13 04:10:37 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Mormons may not like the idea of being labeled a cult, but that's what they are.
One of the primary red flags in Christianity is to ask about the Deity of Jesus Christ.
Jesus states repeatedly in the Gospels that He is God in fleshly form. He says it so emphatically that the Jews picked up stones to stone Him for such a blasphemous claim.
Christian denominations all support Jesus' Deity, and they worship Him as God.
Mormons deny Jesus' Deity, and then also deny the accepted doctrine of the Trinity of mainline Christian Churches. The Apostle Paul would take GREAT exception to Mormons claiming that they are Christian.
Other Red Flags?
*Exclusivity for salvation. They believe they are the only true church and the rest of us are going to hell. "Membership" in their church is required to get to heaven.
*Exclusivity for interpreting the Bible. Without their unique explanations of the Bible, a person cannot fully understand the scriptures. Therefore, they added books to the scriptures to further explain God's plan. (additions and subtractions to or from are clearly prohibited in the Bible.)
I wonder what the Angel Moroni (source of Joseph Smith's Golden Plates) would have to say to Paul?
2006-11-13 04:30:01 · answer #1 · answered by Bob L 7 · 3⤊ 8⤋
Permit me to separate two things.
1) The question says; Are Mormons Christians? My present answer is; from what I presently know of them; Yes.
2) The comments made after the question; Many of them I have not previously heard; therefor I will not at this time and place consider them.
Peace Be With You today
2006-11-13 04:29:49 · answer #2 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I would say they are Christians.
As to some of the beliefs you mention...(I must first note that I understand those beliefs sound crazy, especially to someone that has not studied Mormonism from the foundation up, because there is no way you can understand deep doctrines withouth a foundation, it's like studying geometry without knowing basic addition)...
Mormons don't believe they can become God's, in relation to God, the supreme being/father, they will remain his children for ever. They do however believe that there is a potential for continual progression after this life, part of which includes having spiritual children, thereby making them lesser gods, but having godly lives in the sense of what they do and are. God, the supreme God, also increases and does so by our progression, and therefore we will never be greater than God, but he will always be our Father.
I don't need to go into, because there are plenty of teaching/words in the Bible that are contrary to the belief in the Trinity. The Trinity wasn't a doctrine of Christianity, or at least agreed upon until around 325 A.D, at the council of Nicea. Before that, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit were considered separate beings.
"Holy undergarments" have always been interesting to me. I prefer the term "funny undies". There are many religions who have symbolic items which they wear, which remind them of their purpose in life, to pray, to acknowledge God, etc. The protection you speak of, to my understanding, comes from the faith of the individual, not from the undies. The undies are just a symbol of the faith. I don't criticize Catholics or Protestants for wearing crosses, because I understand what it may mean to them, but at the same time I think it odd that they focus on the death of Christ as opposed to the resurrection, the true crowning event.
Lastly, I don't think they consider themselves "mainline". They understand they are a peculiar people, looked at by outsiders in an often misunderstood way, but that doesn't mean they aren't Christian. The foundation of their religion is Jesus Christ and the Atonement, which opened the door for each of us to receive salvation. They believe God loves mankind, because we are his children, and that he has provided guidance for mankind to return to "heaven". It is through God's grace that we are saved.
I don't profess to be an expert on Mormonism, but gave it a shot. I am open to all religions, and have studied numerous, from accurate sources, and I would encourage everyone to do that. We should be respectful of each other regardless of religion. I know that is what the Mormons are taught.
2006-11-13 05:11:43 · answer #3 · answered by straightup 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Yes, Mormons are Christians. Christians believe in Jesus. I believe in Jesus and yes, I am a Mormon. I can't believe how many people can't or won't believe that Mormons are Christians. Anyone with questions should check out lds.org. This site will also show you that we didn't "write our own bible". It's called The Book of Mormon and no, we did not write it. We believe it is another testament of Jesus Christ.
2006-11-13 04:30:43 · answer #4 · answered by lovebeingamommy 3 · 6⤊ 1⤋
From what I can remember about the religion... Joseph Smith wandered into the woods one day and "God" appeared to him and told him that what is being practiced now is not good and right and to do what he said. The only problem that I find with this is that God far before that had refused to directly talk with humans. So why then. Having a debate about this earlier, the only logical spiritual explaination that can come from this is that it was not God that spoke to Joseph but a demon. So, if this were in fact true... No. I don't personally believe that Mormons are Christians.
2006-11-13 05:26:21 · answer #5 · answered by Frumpy Kitty 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋
A Christian is one who believes that Jesus is God's son (who came to Earth to die for the sins that we have committed, are committing, and will commit, rose again, is in Heaven with God today, and is coming back to get His children) and who is sorry for the wrongs they have done and has asked Jesus to save them. Jesus is not a created being, because He is 100% God; yet He is 100% man because He was born to Mary, though not by intercourse (As is believed by Mormoms [Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 218, 1857; vol. 8, p. 115.]). Mormons believe that Jesus is the brother of Lucifer (Satan) [Mormon Doctrine, p. 163.]. This is a huge fallacy because Satan is a fallen angel, and Jesus is God. The ONLY way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ, yet Mormons believe that they can do good works to get to heaven.
For more information visit http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
2006-11-13 04:40:02 · answer #6 · answered by reenactor_18th_girl 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes we are, because we follow Christ and his teachings. YOU might not think so, but we do. It all comes down to interpretation as you refer to "controversial beliefs and practises." I could say you are not Christian since you don't believe as I do...does it work that way also???
Everything you said in that first paragraph is true. Why does it sound so bad? I can't wait for the Celestial Kingdom!
2006-11-13 08:06:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
No Mormons are not a sect of Christianity. They reject all others and servants of the devil. For years they taught this inside their temples. In The testimony of Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price (Which Mormons put on equal status with the Bible as Scripture) Smith says that he was told by God that all the other churches are an abomination in God's site.. Their extra Biblical revelation, their strong central control, and their strange beliefs many of which you have listed make them so far outside the mainstream of what has been called Christianity of two thousand years makes them a non christian cult... Jim
2006-11-13 04:31:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
The basis of the faith of Christianity is that Jesus was the son of God, died and rose again. So if they believe that, technically they are Christians. There are not coincided main line Christians by most of the Christian church.
For more information see here:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10570c.htm.
2006-11-13 04:19:59 · answer #9 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Mormons are not Christian. Not even close. Just believing that Jesus Christ existed doesn't make you Christian. Most atheists believe that. Just using the name of Jesus in your bizarre theology doesn't make you Christian either. What Mormonism teaches about Jesus Christ is totally incompatible with the Christian faith. Therefore, they are not Christian. In fact, Muslim beliefs are closer to Christianity than Mormon beliefs are. Mormonism is a manmade polytheistic religion that just happens to include some ideas about Jesus Christ in the mix.
2006-11-13 04:38:02 · answer #10 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Errrrrrrrr - they believe in Jesus Christ, they are Christians.
If they are recognized as one by the state or not is not related to that. It's a Christian religious group.
Godhead? I hope you mean Godhood, it reminds me of the Easter Islands :-D
2006-11-13 04:14:40 · answer #11 · answered by Mynnia 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋