What about Mormons?

Question

Just want to know what other people think..please answer honestly, I was baptized a Mormon when I was 8, when i was old enough to think for myself, I decided that the "religion" was full of crap, they talk about family and then turn their back on them, the whole book of mormon is just weird, I could go on and on, because I didn't believe in their religion I was excommunicated (no big deal to me) now they are coming to my house at least once a week to try to get my son to be baptized, it isn't going to happen and now I don't even answer the door when they come here. Does anyone else think the mormons are a cult or do you have a story about them?

Any good suggestions on how to keep them away would be helpful..please don't say just tell them to stay away, we have done that and the next week they just send different people over.

Answer 1

Yes, I do think they are "cult like". I too was baptized as a child and left as soon as I was able to. Some members of my family, however, are still very devout, and I do know a lot about the religion. The Mormon (more properly LDS for Latter Day Saints) faith is exclusive rather than inclusive. I have heard personal stories of peole that were refused employment in Utah because they didn't belong to the church. So it follows that they very aggressively recruit members. They believe they belong to the one true church of God, people of all other faiths are damned. Although I am now an ordained elder in the Protestant faith, I know I have family members who still pray for my soul on a daily basis.

There are seemingly strange beliefs and practices. The three levels of heaven, baptisims for the dead are only a couple. People of color were not welcome into the church until the mid seventies when a "prophecy" from God was received (some believe in response to action by the IRS to remove the non profit status of the church because of its practice of discrimination) before that people of African descent were ostracized as bearing the "mark of Cain", their skin color. Even today, women in the church are marginalized by the male hierarchy of the Church and expected to "submit" to their husband and other men of the "Priesthood". Much has been written about the practice of polygamy. Its widely held that this began in the early days of the church when its founder, Joseph Smith, conducted a series of adulterous affairs. (This is what may have led to his murder, not a lynching for his religious beliefs but a scorned husband.) Thus, the practice of polygamy was legitimized as "ordained" by God to justify his indiscretions. There are many, many stories and books written about the Mormon/LDS faith. One that I would highly recommend is Jon Krakaur's "Under the Banner of Heaven".

Answer 2

I thank my Heavenly Father every day that they did not stay away from me when I left the church around age 18. I avoided members of the Church like the plague. But after several years of living without Christ as a part of my life, I finally figured out that I needed Him in my life. I then began investigating other faiths. Each one just did not make sense to me. Then one day, a missionary who had no idea who I was knocked on my door and offered me a Book of Mormon and asked if she (yes, they were young women) could tell me about the church. I told her I was a member but was not active and had no interest in becoming active again. Later that same day, I was going through a box of books looking for a particular novel that a friend wanted to read and came across my own copy of the Book of Mormon. I began to read it. I read it cover to cover for the first time in my life. Finally something made sense.

As for us being a cult, all organized religions are cults by definition. Check out the site below for more details on that:

Answer 3

To get rid of them put up a "No Missionary" sign, and if they still come by, call there mission president and threaten to press charges.

I think they are a nice people, but the culture brainwashes them a lot, when I finally pulled out of my childhood brainwash and was finally able to study from non church approved sources unbiased, I then realized what should have been common sense all along, the Indians did not migrate from Israel to Central America, and the Book of Abraham Facsimiles’ are ordinary Egyptian funerary texts, I will end there but there are more problems.

Other than there strange beliefs and annoying proselytizing efforts, I feel safe leaving my door unlocked as I leave my house.

Answer 4

Your family shouldn't have turned their back on you. That was stupid. In the perfect situation the people coming to baptize your son would be just doing it out of love. Unfortunately some do it for other reasons. If you were in my family I would respect your decision to leave the religion because it was yours to make. That is what mormons are supposed to do. I hate it that so many of them are so self-righteous and have that stupid holier than thou attitude. I hope you have a wonderful life full of happiness. :)
*On the getting rid of the missionary type people front. I would call whatever ward/branch you would be in and tell them not to come to your house anymore. They can't baptize your son without your permission unless he is like 18. If they keep coming call the mission office and ask them not to come anymore. They aren't supposed to come back if you ask them not to.*

Answer 5

I don't consider them a cult although I don't believe in the "Book of Mormon". I think they do have some pretty positive beliefs about family. Hey, one of the Presidential Candidates, Mitt Romney is a Mormon and he is an honest and good man.

Answer 6

heres some advice just move on you dont need to give everyone you life story on how you came about with the mormon church if you didnt want anything to do with them you would just move on a long time ago and not care so much about it

Answer 7

Sorry about your problem. I really can't offer any suggestions on how to keep them away, since I welcome all religions at my door and happily discuss the Bible with them. My advice to you is to do the same. Show them what the Bible says. Look at what they teach, find what the Bible says about it and then tell them. As you share your faith with them, you will feel better and stronger.
I don't agree with what they believe.

Answer 8

I am one. I'm sorry that you had some bad experiences with the Church. I respect your decision to leave the Church and that you have your own beliefs now. I hope those beliefs bring you satisfaction and happiness!

Agreed with Laura S about the missionaries. Contact their ward... The missionaries aren't supposed to return if they are asked stay away.

Answer 9

Have you requested to have your name removed from the church records? You'll need to contact Salt Lake for that. You'll also need to contact the missionaries 'president' and tell him in no certain terms that the missionaries are not welcome on your property, and that means now and forever. If the church violates this, have the missionaries arrested for trespassing with the press present.

Answer 10

Well I am just the opposite of you I was very against the Church for years but now I am a strong member. I am truly sorry you had bad experiences with the church.