Why are evangelical Christians so intolerant towards Mormons?

Question

I've noticed that evangelical Christians tend to be very intolerant towards Mormons. I'm not just talking about Rev. Al Sharpton's remark or the subtle bigotry behind the Mike Huckabee campaign. I've had quite a few personal experiences where Baptists and other "true-believer" Christians have called Mormons a dangerous cult, said that they don't believe in Jesus Christ, and have spread other untruths about Mormons (e.g: the "Mormons own Coca-Cola" myth). I've even heard some Baptists say that these lies were told to them by their pastors. And they openly say that Mormons are going to Hell. Why, if they are supposed to be following the teachings of Jesus Christ, do these groups feel the need to judge and attack people with different beliefs? And about the Huckabee campaign. I'm not voting for Mitt Romney either, but the idea that Christians shun him because he's not a "true believer" is unAmerican. I wouldn't care if a politician were a Baptist. Why should they care if he's a Mormon?

Answer 1

Well, it's not just Mormons that most Evangelicals seem to hate, it's Jehovah's Wittnesses, Masons, Musslims, Atheists, etc. Although on a lesser extent, they also are agaist Catholics.
I am a Mormon and have been told a number of times by Evangelical ministers that I'm going to hell because I'm a Mormon... doesn't matter what my belief in Jesus Christ is, or my relationship with him, I am going to hell simply because I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am also a Mason and when having conversations with most Evangelical Preachers without even letting on that I'm a Mormon, they say that simply because I belong to the ancient fraternity of the Free Masons, it doesn't matter how much of a good Christian I think I might be, I am going to hell unless I leave that organization.

In Most Evangelical Schools, they are not just taught about the Bible. They take just as many classes on other cults such as Jehovah's wittnesses and Mormons, seventh day adventists, Church of Christ's Scientists and many other prominent Christian Religions that they deem cults. They also have to learn about the Catholic church and what to teach about them.... They say that Mormons are not Christian, but they claim that all of the above denominations metioned are also not Christian either. So Mormons shouldn't take it so personal. It's not the Christians who claim we're not Christian, it's the Evangelicals who also happen to be the loudest voice of the Christian body.

In my opinion, this closed minded movement within religion has got to stop. There are enough common points between all people of faith to draw together. Those who are moved towards hatred and divisiveness are not of God (who is LOVE, but are of the devil who hates all men and seeks to divide us all.

Answer 2

The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are most assuredly 'Christians',' as His name is right there in the title of the church.
' Mormon bashers', use the term, Mormon, when the LDS
have repetively asked, not to be called that.
" Mormon ', is a name, given to the members of the LDS church, from the 'Book of Mormon', that holds the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
When non members use the term, it is usually meant as an insult.
When I read on this site,the hatred in the non LDS responses, and the downright lies, that people tell, or the misinformation they spit out, without knowing the correct doctrine, their actions, and mindset remind me of the low mentality that the mobs had, back in the 1840's.
There was a bounty on LDS members, and you could legally kill a '' Mormon'', in Missouri.
These same, like minded people, all 'good christians'', would go out in the night, or the day time , and they would, either beat up, or kill the man of the family, then rape his wife, and then ransack their home, and take what they wanted, and burn the rest. all in front of their children.
But, that was perfectly '' all right. This was done consistanly to the LDS members, from New York state, to Nebraska.
Murder, rape, and looting. None of those men, ever paid a price for any of 'their' actions.None were ever charged with murder, or held accountable, for the rapes.
When the LDS got to Utah, enemies of the church still, sent the Army after them.
'SOME' of the men who had seen other families, murdered ,and burned out, they went after a wagon train, purported to hold militia, sent to chase them out of, and away from Utah.
The men responsible for the Mountain Meadow Massacre, were punished, and the leader of that raid, was PUT TO DEATH.
The opinion of Evangelical Christians, don't matter to the LDS. In the long run, the opinion of anyone does not matter to what they believe. LDS have ''earned the right'' to believe whatever they choose.
That includes, Joseph Smith, seeing God, and Jesus! Translating the Golden Plates. Receiving the authority to baptize, from Peter, James, and John.
It includes the right to believe that we are all spiritual brothers and sisters, and that Jesus, and Lucifer are our elder Brothers, having been born first, in heaven.
The have earned the right to believe in purple unicorns if they wish.
And having survived the persecution of the 1840's and 1850's?, worrying about what ''Fundies'' think? is the last thing on their minds.

Answer 3

I don't know I have wondered this myself. Maybe they are afraid that if they take the time to understand, the teachings may make sense to them- I don't know.

Sometimes it is just fear of the unknown. I think in most cases they mean well. Many are taught that it is their duty to save the world and bring others to Jesus- they just aren't taught that the correct way to go about that is by being Christ like.

You have to give Al Sharpton a little credit though, he went to meet with the LDS church leaders to get the correct information, after he got flack for the things he said. That is more than you can say for most people on this site.

But this is nothing new to us. At least now the intolerance is not so bad, that the government is filing extermination orders against us.

Answer 4

It's a religious beliefs thing - not a person-to-person thing....

As John L. Smith, a Southern Baptist who runs Utah Mission (an organization that tries to convert Mormons) told Christianity Today: "Mormonism is either totally true or totally false. If it's true, every other religion in America is false." To be tolerant of Mormonism is to put evangelical Christianity at risk.

Answer 5

Judging ALL Christians is as bad as judging ALL Mormons. I really think we should not judge anybody. It is a different matter if we are going to discuss the theological differences among us. For the record, I am a Christian, and I believe everything the Bible says. I think Mormons and Christians disagree here: (Please look at Galatians 1: 6-10) There should not be another gospel (or addition of doctrine.) We think that the Book of Mormon is an addition, therefore it changes the message, and the Bible says that the person who does this is going to be condemned. I have no personal issues with Mormons, and I do not judge them. Only God can do that. However, the book of Galatians 1 is very clear… I cannot do anything about it. We love he same Lord, lets do what He wants. =)
For the sake of the argument, I would not get involved in politics.

Answer 6

I'm not really intolerant, but the ONLY reason I WOULD be intolerant against the Mormons was because they have not had a kind history with African Americans. And it makes me wonder if they read up on the history of the Latter-Day Saints before indoctrinating themselves in the Mormon faith.

Makes me wonder where Mormonism would be if one of them didn't have that "magical revelation" in 1979. The revelation? That Blacks were actually people and they were worthy of being in the priesthood.

And I better not get a VN for this, because this IS an answer and it IS the truth!! Even the Mormons will tell you so!!

Answer 7

I am glad that I am not the only one who has wondered this same thing! The only thing that I can come up with is people are closed minded and are not willing to open up and "listen" to others.

Being "open-minded" does not mean that you are converting to that faith it just means you are showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments.

I have studied many different religions and find it frustrating when people say they believe something when really they have no idea what that religion or individual believe or think.

I think religious bigotry is something that people need to be held accountable for. People are getting free passes for their venom filled words, because of religion. This needs to stop, but I don't think it will. Look at history, after all these thousands of years you would think we would have it wrapped up by now.

Answer 8

You only speak of extremist, I'm a christian and i wont accuse anyone Else's religion of being a cult or anything dangerous, another words those people are Hippocrates, they are judging others when its actually against the christian religion to judge others, don't let them get to you, and don't think that all Christians are like this.
And to let you know, al sharpton isn't considered a real christian either, hes just as judgmental as the rest of the crooked politicians.

Answer 9

Evangelical Christians are intolerant of everyone, even those who believe the same things they believe.
Have you noticed that there are hundreds of little Evangelical Churches. All are quite independent of others even though they might subscribe to "Sermons On Line" for their stand-up material.
The reason for the intolerance is that there are IRS tax benefits in the way churches are handled. Essentially, there is lots of money to be made by shearing the sheep and you do not have to report it to the IRS or pay taxes if you have a skillful attorney.
All the rest is just distractions for the flock.

Answer 10

Christians of all sects are very petty and mean spirited, they all think they are the true Christian people and all other christian cults are non-believers. I grew up Catholic and I was taught that only Catholics go to Heaven. Jews, protestants, baptists, mormon.. you name it, they were goint to HELL. This is how Christians teach children so you can only imagine how the adults think.