Does Mormonism seem a little "cultish"?

Question

I know it sounds weird, but doesn't it seem somewhat cultish? I mean, only their followers can reach the best afterlife, but Jesus came to save everybody, and plus, their beliefs are somewhat "eh"

Answer 1

Mormonism is a cult for sure. They are not saved, and not Christians.

Answer 2

The LDS Church is not really cultish and, I must admit, they do have a lot on the ball spiritually. I am not a Mormon, but once was. My problem, or problems with the LDS Church is/are thier oppressive and repressive tendencies toward the woman in the church; I think this is wrong as they preach equality for all. Yet the practice seems to be difficult for them.
The other is the idea that only the Church President, who is supposed to represent Christ on Earth, can get connected to heaven. I don't buy it because I know of some people who have had bona fide visitations from St. John the Baptist, Mary, and even Jesus Christ. The friend who was visited by Christ is an unimpeachable soul in every way. He did just as Joseph Smith (founder of the Mormon church) did and prayed mightily on a certain aspect of his life. He prayed with all his soul and was visited by Christ who answered his vexing question. He reported the vision to the Bishop of his church and rebuked and told that it was only a dream because why would Christ "waste His time on you?" He was cautioned not to tell his 'tale' any more, as it was heresy to do so...members have been excommunicated for less.
Hmmm...seems to me that God, Christ, or any of the saints who want can visit any body they wish, right?
As far as the afterlife is concerned, I hold to the idea put forward in "What Dreams May Come"; Heaven is what you make it to be. I'll believe that until someone can come here from heaven and give me a first-hand report, with pics and vid. LOL!
Have a great day!
Peace!

Answer 3

Well technically all religons fall under the "cult" category. But when I think of cults I think of groups that segregate themsleves from society and there is usually criminal activity associated with them too, such as child abuse. Mormons live everywhere, have normal jobs, and aren't segregated. Mormons believe in the Bible and believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior, so that makes Mormons Christians too. Also, religon in general seems somewhat "eh" to those who don't have a religon.

Answer 4

Oh, let's just put an end to this silly controversy: Using the definitions of a "Cult", every single christian denomination qualifies in more or less degrees.

So, with everyone in the same boat, who's going to start bailing the water? I don't see no one walkin' on it.

Answer 5

I guess it depends on how you define cult. There are many definitions out there.

About those who receive the "best afterlife," didn't Jesus himself say, "stait is the gate and narrow is the way and few there be that find it?" Matt. 7:14

If you've studied our doctrine, you'd realize that compared to most Christian and other faiths, our understanding of the afterlife is rather kind and generous. 99.99% of people will receive a degree of glory and be satisfied with their lot.

Answer 6

Don't most religions teach that only their followers reach the best afterlife, including most Christian denominations? They don't seem more cultish than a lot of other major religions.

Answer 7

There are many arguments that paint the LDS church in a cult-ish light.
Much of the church practices have a cult criteria to them:
Testimony meetings
Temple practices
Group mentality toward dress and behavior
Rote teachings

Do I believe that it is? Yes.
Do I think it's harmful? Well..Yes and no. I don't picture the Mormons pulling a Waco, or a Jonestown, but I think that some of the things they drill into their children can be harmful to their mental growth and emotional development.
Do current member of the LDS church think it is a cult? Absolutely not, and I will get several thumbs down for even suggesting it.
They do ban together after all.....

*EDIT
Yes airdog I do know what a Testimony meeting is...
I particularly LOVE the parts with the 3 year olds proclaiming that they KNOW the church is true while mommy whispers in their little ear...

Answer 8

I always thought of a cult as a group that just pops up and when the founder eventually dies - the religion dies with them. So since the LDS Church is over 175 years old I wouldn't classify it as a cult.

Answer 9

cultish because you don't understand it? Does that make calculus "clutish."
Miss understandings should not be mistaking as clutish!

>>>There are many arguments that paint the LDS church in a cult-ish light.
>>>Much of the church practices have a cult criteria to them:
>>>Testimony meetings
>>>Temple practices
>>>Group mentality toward dress and behavior
>>>Rote teachings
What how does that make it a cult?
Do you even know what a Testimony meeting is?
Temple Practices? So temples make it a cult?
Dress and behavior? being nicely dressed makes it a cult?
Rotate teachings? What! Everybody in the LDS Church serves in some way in the church, and that makes them a cult?

Answer 10

Not really. I kind of like it myself. Traditional Christianity says that everyone who isn't Christian goes to hell. Non-believers in Mormonism are still rewarded for the good things they did in their lifetime. They still go to Heaven, but they don't live in the presence of God. Sounds pretty fair to me. I like it better than mainstream Christianity. If I weren't Wiccan and I had to choose a sect of Christianity, I would probably be Mormon. But I like Wicca too much to ever consider that. But you get the idea.

Answer 11

eh