I find it interesting that Mormons believe in the life, ministry, death, resurrection of Christ, and they believe that their salvation is only possible because of Christ, why would other Christians label them as non-Christians?
2007-01-02 12:52:13 · 16 answers · asked by taputah 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Latter-day Saints, unlike many other Christian traditions, do not accept the definitions of God as created by the Greek philosophers.
Our beliefs about the Godhead "are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]." (The Holy Bible, Ephesians 2:20)
Using the apostolic and prophetic teachings as our base, Latter-day Saints believe in the Jesus who was the preexistent Word of the Father; that was the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; that was the God of Abraham , Isaac, and Jacob; that was the Only Begotten Son of God who was born to the virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem; that was baptized by John; that healed the sick and raised the dead, that walked on water, multiplied loaves and fishes, and performed many other miracles; that set a perfect example for mankind to emulate and that all men and women are commanded to follow his teachings and example in all things.
We believe that Jesus suffered in the garden and on the cross, until he finally died as a willing sacrifice for mankind in order to bring about an infinite atonement through the shedding of his blood. After his death, we believe that he was physically resurrected and that he ascended into the heavens, from which he will come at the end of this world to establish his kingdom upon the earth and eventually to judge both the living and the dead. We believe Jesus is and was the Holy Messiah, the Savior and Redeemer of the world and all those who will follow him. Finally, we believe in the Jesus who is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.
Now that we have established the identity of the Jesus Christ in whom Latter-day Saints believe, may I ask who is the Jesus in whom you believe?
A dictionary defines a Christian as "one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus," and "one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus." Thus two characteristics identify Christians: First, they profess belief in the Savior, and second, they act in harmony with the Savior's teachings. Faithful members of the Church called Saints or Latter-day Saints, qualify clearly in both characteristics. In our belief and our action, we demonstrate that "Jesus Christ Himself (is) the chief corner stone" of our faith.
As for those that say we believe that we can become as Gods also then please explain these verses; and these are just a sample. Oh, and EVERY one of them are from the Bible.
Gen 3:22 ¶ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Ps. 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are achildren of the most High.
John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Romans 8: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rev. 3: 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
2007-01-02 13:46:12 · answer #1 · answered by trollwzrd 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are considered a cult or close to one. I read a book on what makes a religion a cult and the Mormons have like six of the seven criteria for being one. Moreover, they also have what is known as the book of Mormon. Their founder supposedly found a new tabernacle here in the new world which speaks of Jesus here in the New World before we arrived. This is an extreme separation from traditional Christian doctrine. However, Mormonism is the fastest growing Christian faith. I don't think they are bad people, I have know a lot of them, some are a little different in their ideals, but not bad people and they do try to follow good practices, and in my opinion they are a branch of Christianity, no more rediculous than the next branch, but they do diverge from Christian doctrine in many ways. Also, their historical past is shady with their founder and with multiple marriages which is not condoned by the modern church of latter day saints. Unfortunately there are off shoots of Mormonism which still practice polygamy and even more strange beliefs which also lends to a bad name for the Mormons. There is much more, but in a nut shell, they do diverge in many ways from traditional Christian doctrine, so that is probably why.
2007-01-02 21:01:57 · answer #2 · answered by fifimsp1 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because they belive some very different things about who Christ is and what Deity or what being God consists of than what is taught by Orthodox Christianity, Othodox here just meaning those that agree on the 66 canonical books of whats considered scripture and the doctrine that comes from these books. Mormons belive that a man can eventual become a god ruling over his own planet and populating it with souls, this is very different than what christianity teaches about the nature of what it is to be God. or who God is. Mormons also belive that Jesus and Satan or Lucifer are brothers. This is also very different than what Christianity teaches that Lucifer was an angel and the Christ was God the son from enternity past. So they do not belive in the same God or the same Christ. Hence the opinion of those that do not accept their extra scriptural writings of the book of mormon that they are not christians.
2007-01-02 21:13:08 · answer #3 · answered by scottc 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they have the Book of Mormon and believe Christ visited North America after his resurrection. They go outside the "norm" and everyone knows that that frightens Christians. If you do not believe exactly or nearly exactly as they do you are not Xian and not right because then they'd be wrong or missing something. They say JW are not Xian as well but both preach door to door as Jesus instructed his followers to do. They are the only ones I know of that do this and take a lot of crap for it.
2007-01-02 21:02:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of the things they believe in..
Salvation for the Dead
JESUS and satan are brothers
They can become gods
God was once a man who lived on another planet
Jesus was begotten by physical union of God and Mary
Since we have the name of Christ in our church - our church is the only true one.
We believe in the Book of Mormon
baptize by proxy dead people so they too can become Mormons
That they will be making spirit babies on their own planet
and so forth.....
2007-01-02 22:02:19 · answer #5 · answered by faithful 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People label us as non Christians because we are a little different from "main stream" Christianity. Some people just dislike what they don't understand. I find it interesting that Jesus Christ himself taught things that were not main stream in his time, and he was crucified for it...
P.S To everyone who does not know what they are talking about: We do read the bible, we believe in Jesus Christ as our savior, we DO NOT worship Joseph Smith we revere him, and the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.
2007-01-02 20:58:46 · answer #6 · answered by Pace 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Probably because Mormons have the book of mormon and the majority of the other mainstream religions believe that is their (the mormons) bible when in fact as the cover of the book of mormon says it is just another testament of christ. Plus mormons also believe in other various practices that the other religions don't.
2007-01-02 21:00:05 · answer #7 · answered by n0s 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I bet reading from the book of Mormon and not the Bible has something to do with it.
Plus they worship Joseph Smith more than they worship Jesus. I went to a Mormon church to see my nieces baby blessed and when they got up and had what they call testimony they would cry when the spoke of Joseph Smith, I never not one time heard anyone say anything about Jesus.....plus they think that this Joseph Smith was Jesus's brother and a direct son of God......(WHAT?)
2007-01-02 21:06:08 · answer #8 · answered by Bridget 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because Mormons have, in their official literature, specified that they are not Christians, and have instructed Mormons to differentiate themselves from Christianity. Apparently some Mormons didn't get the memo.
2007-01-02 21:02:16 · answer #9 · answered by NONAME 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i dont say they are non christian. that is not for me to say. however mormons teach that the Bible is mistranslated. and that they will become a god one day if they do certain things. they believe in a secret handshake for starters and if you dont know what this is then you wont beable to be a god as well as secret names and they were a secret garmet.
as i said the biggest is that they have there own book the book of mormon and a couple other books. they use the Bible but believe it is the word of God as long as it is translated correctly. so if you show them a verse that God says there is no god before him and there will be no god after him and that there is no other gods and there will be none or that God said he knows of no other god they will say it is mistranslated for they believe they will become a god one day.
there are a lot of people out there who say they are christian. does it mean they are. there are so many now that they say they are christian just to give christians a bad rep. we dont know only God does. the Bible teaches us to not be ashamed, to obey the word of God. to go out and preach the words of God and share them with everyone. to repent from sins. read the Bible and pray everyday. i know many who say they are christians who only go to church when they are not too tired and on sunday and then live there worldy life the rest of the week.
2007-01-02 21:00:59 · answer #10 · answered by dannamanna99 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋