My thought is that it is in response to the LDS's strong missionary program. (It is the same with the JW's) We are actively spreading our beliefs, and others feel the need to defend against this. And the best defense is a good offense, eh?
2007-11-30 08:28:37
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answer #1
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answered by Senator John McClain 6
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Having been a dyed-in-the-wool Mormon for forty-five years, served a two-year mission in Italy, and then spent the past seven years in Salt Lake City and Provo (the most Mormonized areas in the world) as an atheist, I feel that I am well-qualified to answer this question.
For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. The Mormon belief is that all other churches even with their good qualities will not get you into the highest degree of heaven; that only this one path is for everybody.
This is not to say that Mormons believe that everybody else will go to Hell; far from it. Succinctly put, most people will end up in some kind of heaven according to their overall goodness; only the truly evil malicious haters of God and of His truth will go to live with Satan.
So everybody else takes offense at this attitude (that only Mormonism will get you into the best kingdom where God the Father lives) and strikes back.
Another thing which incites people to speak up against the Mormons is that so much of their doctrine is not like other Christian (Bible-based) religions. Speaking as someone who knows Mormon doctrine inside out, there are a few passages in the Bible which might support some of the doctrines; however, it is awfully flimsy.
This flimsiness is attributed to the fact that the Bible is not in its perfect original form; which is to say that it is a collection of religious writings over thousands of years. We have to thank the Catholic church that we have a Bible. However, the Bible as a whole never existed until men put it together and chose which scriptures to put into it. The Mormons capitalize upon these facts to show that many precious things have been lost in the Bible over the years and by that line of reasoning, the new and different doctrines which they teach USED to be in the Bible, but now are not.
So when you compare the Bible to what the Mormons teach, it looks like an entirely different story. When you compare the Mormon church to exactly what Jesus was quoted as saying during his life in the four gospels, there is barely any correlation at all.
So it seems that all other Christian religions are united against Mormonism; they all seem to agree on the various arguments against the Mormons. And the Mormons take this persecution as further proof that they are right. Thus adding fuel to the fire; it is a viscious circle.
(Throughout my answer, I have used the term Mormon and Mormonism as convenient and easily-recognizable nicknames. It is technically the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and all of its members are called saints; not because they are saints in the Catholic sense, but as used in the New Testament, meaning followers of Jesus Christ.)
2007-11-29 22:17:07
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answer #2
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answered by Ultraviolet Oasis 7
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Do not be critical of those who are unwilling to open their heart to the Holy Spirit, for they are stiff-necked and improperly educated, no fault of their own. Just keep praying for them to be willing to gain knowledge. I was listening to a Mennonite radio program today, and the message was about how the most educated and scholarly people in the world cannot understand the bible, let alone the Book of Mormon, because they have not been willing to let the Holy Spirit in to their hearts to understand writings. The message also was that people who love God, and believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins may not understand the bible either, because of wrongful teachings in churches, by well-meaning people without the knowledge and authority. I am a member of the LDS church, buy I respect others for their faiths, better any faith than none.
To "Ultra violet Oasis": if you were a dyed-in-the-wool "Mormon" how can you call yourself an Atheist? We LDSaints will pray for your recovery from death of your spirit.
2007-11-29 22:33:27
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answer #3
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answered by D L R 3
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It is easy to pick on a denomination of Christianity because of the different interpretations of the scriptures. Now the Mormons are more noticeable because of the extra books they have. Now I happen to have read the book of Mormon and to believe it to be the most perfect word of God. But how many attack it without reading it. What sorrows my heart is that the Mormons have more books that don't agree with the Bible and the book of Mormon. I love the Mormons as I love the Catholics, Protestants. for as Christ said if they are with him their not against him.
2007-11-29 21:40:08
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answer #4
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answered by furgetabowdit 6
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I think the reason people do try to prove it wrong is because they are concerned about people following a false religion and spending an eternity in hell. Hell is very real and not a place we would want anyone to have to go.
2007-11-29 22:32:53
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answer #5
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answered by Deb S (SFECU) pray4revival 6
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Mary, Mary quite contrary; they don't understand yet that the truth cannot be proven wrong. They will only understand that when, through your example of Christ like living and the others that are practiceing Saints, they come to the realization that they have been in error all along. Remember; save it be but one soul, how great will be your joy.
2007-11-29 21:37:56
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answer #6
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answered by ? 3
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Some people are just judgmental and believe they have the right to criticize other religions. Usually they really don't understand the religions they attack very well in spite of their belief that they do.
Yours is not the only religion they attack. You can't change them, however. They will remain hateful.
2007-11-29 21:31:30
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answer #7
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answered by Nedra E 7
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You'll notice most the people questioning the Mormon
faith are liberal newsmedia and Democrats....and only
because a Republican Mormon is running for President.
They believe in God, and so do I.
2007-11-29 21:37:38
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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I have no problem with people choosing to follow the mormon faith. I have a problem with the extent the mormon church goes to hiding and covering up what the early church leaders taught and believed. I think they deliberatly decieve their followers and I think people have a right to know the truth. I welcome anyone willing to have an open discussion about early church history to go there. If you believe that asking a simple question about Joseph Smith translating phony plates is ripping apart your religion then you should read about real persecution. The irony is, is that Joseph Smith translating false plates should rip apart the very foundations of mormonism.
2007-11-29 21:34:03
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answer #9
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answered by Teha4 3
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Finally someone who is nice. We have a religion, and they need to learn to respect that, as I respect them. They do not know what they are talking about most of the time and in my eyes when they are rude are unintelligent ppl. Im happy with my religion!!!
2007-11-29 21:30:43
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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