O.K, Just read a question that someone asked the Christian folk. It read why do Christians bash Mormon's? I am a Mormon and I am a Christian. Is this a common misconception that Mormon's (Latter Day Saint's) aren't Christian? We also do not believe in Polygamy. Just wanted to set the record straight.
2007-03-25 14:43:41 · 27 answers · asked by Amy 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Simple case of people fear what they don't understand and most people don't understand any religion or spiritual practice that is not their own. Those who don't understand your way are either not worth your time, or you should try to educate them, as only this way will they understand and lose their fear and intolerance. It is good to see someone wanting to set the record straight without going off their nut about it... thanx.
2007-03-25 14:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Taliesin Pen Beirdd 5 · 4⤊ 3⤋
What makes you a Christian? Is it that you believe that Jesus is the Saviour, that he died and was raised from the dead by God?
Does your church's theology follow the Bible or Joseph Smith/Brigham Young and other leaders of the LDS church. They are not the same things.
Sure, you can be a Christian and a Mormon at the same time but they do not necessarily go together.
It's not what the average, walking down the street Mormon believes that is in question here. What is in question is the theology that is found at the highest levels of the church that is frightening to the Christian, any Christian.
I've known many Mormons and they do not wish to or are not able to tell me just what the theological beliefs are above their own congregation level. They don't seem to have the information that was actually taught by the founders.
The run of the mill Mormon is wonderful in their dedication and faith. I pray that this goes to the top of the church but I am not convinced that it does.
P.S. I am also skeptical of many of the main stream Christian denominations as well. I have been a Lutheran for nearly 40 years and I don't accept what the Lutheran Church says at face value unless I ask many questions and get many consistent answers.
It's not the people that are the problem in any church. It is the theology.
Kev
2007-03-25 15:27:46 · answer #2 · answered by Hobgoblin Kev 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main reason that many Christians don't consider Mormons to be Christians is the multiple differences in theology.
Mormons believe in multiple gods, they simply worship only the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They also have a different interpretation of the Trinity. Too, Mormons believe that Jesus is a "spirit brother", or a first-son, much like the rest of us. Mormons also believe that we can become gods if we follow a specific plan for ourselves. These are just some of the differences between Mormons and orthodox Christianity.
On the other hand, Mormons don't believe that other Christians are actually true Christians, but rather that all other Christians fell away from God's plan. They believe that the Catholics were the first, but fell away early on, and that protestantism is merely a falling away from a fallen Chruch. So, while individual Mormons may take offense at the Christian position that Mormons aren't Christian, they themselves don't believe other Christians to be actual Christians anyway.
2007-03-25 14:55:09 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it's rather common to bash, or put down, anyone who's different, or outside the mainstream. Look at Jehovah's Witnesses; probably more people put them down than they do Mormons. Why? They're different: they go door-to-door, or stand on street corners, trying to engage people in spiritual conversations because they believe it means the person's life. Plus there are also the lies spread about them, which some prefer to believe. It's no different with the Mormons. People are too wound up in their own little worlds and don't want to expand their knowledge or understanding. Plus, of course, a lot of so-called Christians believe their's is the only true religion; therefore everyone else is automaticlly wrong.
2007-03-25 14:58:18 · answer #4 · answered by Charles d 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I haven't seen any "mormon bashing", so I can't comment on it.
As for the rest of your question, YES. Mormonisn is NOT considered a Christian denomination. It is a separate religion, with an entire pantheon (multiple Gods and Goddesses and demons) and a different "saviour" than traditional Christianity.
Christianity is a MONOTHEISTIC religion. Read: ONE GOD. Nobody was "god" before God, and nobody will take God's place "after" God. God has no wife, no consort, no female deity filling the heavens with "spirit babies". Humans do not follow Christ in the hope of becoming gods after they die.
Does this sound like your faith?
That is only a beginning! For a more detailed explanation of the differences between Orthodox Christianity and Mormon doctrine, please click on the following link:
http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/terminologymain.html
2007-03-25 15:04:26 · answer #5 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The word "Christian" suffers from a broad usage. While in the past it used to mean certain things, now it can mean many things to many people. By Christian is meant someone who follows Jesus as Lord, who believes that Jesus is God in the flesh, who died on the cross and rose from the dead, and who is walking in the truth and doing good works as a manifestation of faith. Does a Mormon believe in that? What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? That's the key question to answer.
2007-03-25 14:50:23 · answer #6 · answered by Seraph 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Any religion or church basically based on christ is a christian church. It may be different than others but that doesnt matter...
All churches that follow christ are a religion under the category of "christian" therefore catholics are christian and mormons are christian.
PS: Mormons ARE christian.
2007-03-25 17:35:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, its a common misconception among Mormons and Christians, and well, plenty of other people that Mormons are Christians. I say this based on the fact that the doctrines and beliefs of Christianity and the doctrines and beliefs of Mormons are so drastically different, it would be foolish to consider the two religions to be the same. If you don't believe me, check out this web site http://www.carm.org and/or do your own research.
2007-03-25 14:51:06 · answer #8 · answered by Jason M 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I agree. Mormons are Christians. But don't feel bad; I see the same thing directed to Jehovah's Witnesses and Catholics. They're all Christians.
2007-03-25 15:00:32 · answer #9 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I am a Christian and not a Morman - but I hold nothing against Mormans. I have friends that are Morman...but I do know that some other Christians do look down on Mormans. The same way that some Christians look down on Catholics. Catholics are Christians as well. I don't think it was a misconception so much as a misworded question. I think the person was just wondering why other areas of Christianity don't appreciate Morman teachings.
2007-03-25 14:50:08 · answer #10 · answered by momchelle 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Mormonism is considered a cult for theological reasons. Though you believe in Jesus and the Bible, many of your doctrines are too radically different from orthodox theology for you to be considerd Christian. Your beliefs about the Trinity and your Christology are just too far removed. I'm not saying you're a cult; I am saying this is why.
2007-03-25 14:57:59 · answer #11 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋