Posted on 12/20/2009 1:59:25 PM PST by Gamecock
Mormons often use common terms that to them have completely different meanings than those used in the Bible or by orthodox Christian churches. Mormons may say they believe in "Jesus Christ," trust in the "scriptures," believe they are "saved by grace," and have been "born-again". They will talk about "eternal life" and things like "heaven," but they rarely explain what they mean when they use such terminology.
Holding back information is especially a problem with Mormons in the mission field. It is not uncommon for Mormon missionaries to purposely refrain from discussing doctrines which clearly separate Mormonism from the usual perception of Christianity. They are well aware that to do otherwise would risk any chance of a return visit. In many foreign countries the local population is at a severe disadvantage. Very few books are printed in their native language which critically examine LDS teachings. In many areas they do not even have a translated set of the standard works. At best they may have a copy of the Book of Mormon (or selections). Since the Book of Mormon does not reflect modern LDS teaching on many critical issues, this only adds to the deception 10.
Here is an alphabetical list of some of the more important terms and their meanings to a Mormon:
AARONIC PRIESTHOOD: This is called the lesser priesthood, and is usually held by young men starting at the age of 12 to the age of about 18. It is also held for a short time by men who have just become members.
AFTERLIFE: The Mormon afterlife is divided up into four levels. From the lowest to the highest they are: hell, and then three levels of heaven: the telestial, the terrestrial, and the place where God dwells, the celestial (also called the kingdom of God). The celestial is also divided, the highest level being "exaltation," or becoming a God.
APOSTLES: The Mormon Church claims to have the same organization as the primitive church that Jesus set up. They also have twelve apostles and sometimes use this as a proof of their divine appointment as the one true church. But they actually have fifteen or more most of the time. The general practice has been for a new president, who is also an apostle, to appoint counselors from the Quorum of the Twelve; then the openings left by the president and his counselors are filled, resulting in a total of fifteen.
CELESTIAL KINGDOM: See Heaven.
ELOHIM: The name of God the Father.
EXALTATION: This is becoming a God in the highest level of the celestial kingdom.
ETERNAL PROGRESSION: The teaching that each of us has the potential to become a God just like God the Father did. He was once a man capable of physical death, was resurrected and progressed to become a God. We can take a similar path and get all the power, glory, dominion, and knowledge the Father and Jesus Christ has. We then will be able to procreate spirit children who will worship us as we do God the Father.
GOD: Usually means God the Father. He was once a man like us capable of physical death and he progressed until he became a God. He has a body of flesh and bones, but no blood. Within Mormonism, Gods, angels, people and devils all have the same nature or substance but are at different stages along the line of progression to Godhood.
GRACE - The Mormon concept of grace means making oneself worthy of the grace of God by doing good works in the church, temple, and community.
HEAVEN-The Mormon church teaches there are three levels of heaven (three "degrees of glory"):
HELL: A place of torment from which the worst of sinners are resurrected (if they repent) into the Telestial kingdom; only a limited number remain in hell forever, - the devil and the demons and apostates who consciously reject and work against Mormonism.
HOLY GHOST: The third member of the Godhead, a personage of spirit, unlike the Father and Son who have bodies of flesh and bones.
JEHOVAH: The pre-incarnate name for Jesus Christ.
JESUS CHRIST: The spirit of Jesus Christ was the first spirit born to God the Father and his wife (Heavenly Mother). He progressed to become a God under the Father. (The Father is also the literal father of Jesus' body in the exact same way we were begotten by our earthly parents.) He now has a body of flesh and bones, but no blood. He is the spirit brother of Satan whose spirit was procreated in the same way as Jesus'. To Mormons, even the atonement of his shed blood is not enough to provide forgiveness of sin and bring eternal life. Stripped of his Deity and demoted to a partial Savior, the Jesus of Mormonism has been robbed of his power and authority. Not only is the Mormon Jesus one who had struggled to achieve his own salvation, he also failed to establish his church. Both in Jerusalem and in the America's where Jesus was supposed to have visited, he attempted to build a group of followers. But in each case, truth was overcome by the alleged early church apostasy into false teaching.
MARRIAGE: The Mormon Church teaches two types of marriage. One ends at death. The other is for "time and eternity." If the couple is married in a Mormon temple by someone with authority it is believed they will stay married in the next life. This kind of marriage is needed if they are to progress, not only as husband and wife, but as God and Goddess.
MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD: The higher of two categories of ministry in the LDS Church, assigned primarily to seasoned members over the age of 18, males only.
POLYGAMY: The practice of men having more than one wife was started by Joseph Smith in the early/mid 1830's and ostensibly ended in 1890. It is not now sanctioned by the LDS church headquartered in Salt Lake City. Members found practicing it are excommunicated. While the practice was ended, the revelation teaching it is still in Mormon scripture (Doctrine & Covenants 132). Some Mormon splinter groups believe the teaching was for eternity and still practice it. These modern-day polygamists (called fundamentalists) number in the 30,000-50,000 range.
PRE-EXISTENCE: The Mormon teaching that our spirits (Mormons and non-Mormons) were procreated in a premortal life by God the Father and our Mother in Heaven, that our spirits were born and raised to maturity before coming to earth to obtain physical bodies, and that the spirit of Jesus Christ was the first one born to our Heavenly parents.
PRIESTHOOD: A category of ministry in the LDS Church open to all worthy males 12 years of age or older, empowering them to act in God's name. Non-Mormons cannot hold the priesthood, hence they have no authority. Men of African descent have only recently (by special correction of the original revelations) been allowed to hold these offices.
PROPHET: The top leader of the Mormon Church is considered not only a prophet but is also a seer and revelator. He has the title "president." He is the only one who can speak for the whole church and receive new revelation for the whole church. When the current prophet dies, the most senior (time as an apostle, not age) of the twelve apostles, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, becomes the new president. He can appoint counselors, who receive their authority from him.
SALVATION: A word that Mormons qualify in one of three ways: unconditional or general salvation is simply resurrection from the dead, granted to all through Christ's atonement; conditional or individual salvation involves entering the celestial kingdom through works of Mormonism; full salvation means exaltation to become a God as a result of temple ceremonies and other works. The word 'salvation' can have a two-fold meaning: a) forgiveness of sins and b) universal resurrection:
The Mormons have several different levels of "salvation".
SATAN: One of the spirit children of God. As a consequence of their rebellion Satan and his angels cannot have mortal bodies - hence cannot progress.
SCRIPTURES: The Mormon Church has four documents it calls canonized scriptures: the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
SON OF GOD: Along with Jesus Christ, all of us are viewed as the children of God, his literal spirit children. This makes us all - Mormons, non-Mormons, Jesus Christ and Satan - spirit brothers.
SPIRITS: Nonmaterial beings allegedly procreated in the pre-existence by God the Father and his wife. Jesus Christ, and even we ourselves, were supposedly born and raised to maturity as spirits before coming into bodies on this earth. The spirit of Satan was also procreated in this way. This makes Satan and Jesus Christ spirit brothers. Jesus selected a righteous path; Satan selected the opposite.
STANDARD WORKS: The four canonized scriptures (see Scripture above) used by the Mormon Church are called the Standard Works.
TEMPLE: One of about four dozen special (for LDS) buildings around the world in which sacred (to LDS) ceremonies are performed for the living and the dead; off limits to nonmembers and even to Mormons who lack a "temple recommend" from their leaders. Only about 20% of the Mormons qualify to go.
TRINITY: This word is used by Christians to summarize the Biblical teaching that within the one true God is three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. They share the same nature or substance so that there are not three Gods, but three persons in the one God. Mormons say they also believe in the Trinitarian concept of God. But really what they mean are that God the Father is a God, God the Son is another God, and God the Holy Ghost is a third God and they are "one God" because they are "one in purpose." Mormons often have an incorrect understanding of what Christians mean by the "Trinity." They say Christians believe that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one person (i.e., Monophysiteism) or that God shows himself as the Father or the Son or the Holy Ghost (i.e. Modalism).
VIRGIN BIRTH: A concept negated by the view that God, a resurrected man with flesh and bones according to Mormon teachings, literally fathered Jesus in the flesh in the same way in which earthly men father their children. Despite the documented position of previous Mormon prophets, presidents, and apostles about the nature of Christ's conception, modern LDS apologists maintain that "Christ was born of a virgin". How can they? By changing the definition of the word "virgin". The reasoning goes like this: since Mary had sexual relations with an immortal man, not a mortal man, the phrase "virgin birth" still applies.
WORD OF WISDOM: The name for the Mormon Church's teaching requiring abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, and hot drinks (tea and coffee).
But the Mormon church is not about theology; it's basically a support group for middle class people trying to raise children, usually in numbers greater than two. It also functions as a countervailing force against the federal government in a region in which the government owns 80% of the land.
I seriously doubt that any more than about a tenth of one percent of Mormons have ever spent more than five minutes thinking or wondering about Mormon theology.
I love Mormons and respect their values, even though I believe their religion is a phony one made up by a weird guy from upstate NY. This probably is not a good place to have a fight with Mormons, and serves only the purpose of dividing conservatives. Maybe that is the intent of this post.
I seriously doubt that any more than about a tenth of one percent of Mormons have ever spent more than five minutes thinking or wondering about Mormon theology.
LOL... we can tell you don't know much about Mormons... :-)
I guess you haven't heard of the Mormon Missionaries, then, huh? I think they spend more than "five minutes" on their theology...
I love Mormons and respect their values...
Well, there are going to be a lot of very good people, with very good values -- who are going to end up going to a very bad place -- called the lake of fire, which will result in eternal separation from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and eternal torment and damnation.
It really has nothing to do with their values (or anyone's values).
This probably is not a good place to have a fight with Mormons, and serves only the purpose of dividing conservatives. Maybe that is the intent of this post.
Ummmm..., you did note that this is listed in the "Religion" category and that's where it does get discussed... LOL...
I take it you haven't seen these types of discussions before... huh?
I don't have a problem with most of their politics, but we're not talking about politics here.
Ping
We also have a lay ministry, which means that the common members teach each other, give talks, teach classes, officiate in the Priesthood, do all things that are required, that other churches hire out or pay for. It's very hands on, for all members.
In fact, just today my lovely wife gave a talk during the Christmas program in our Sacrament meeting. (the main Sunday meeting) She was one of 2 speakers, besides the choir numbers for the Christmas program. SHe was given a topic, "The divinity of the Christ" for this Christmas program.
I'll post her talk here. Hopefully it will help you understand the obvious misunderstanding you have of my faith and it's adherents.
Merry Christmas.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David… to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke chapter 2.
When asked to think of the divinity of Jesus Christ, his divine birth immediately spring to mind. President Ezra Taft Benson tells us “The paternity of Jesus Christ is one of the mysteries of godliness. It may only be comprehended by the spiritually minded.” The Bible and the Book of Mormon are full of testimonies of appointed witnesses that leave no question as to the paternity of Jesus Christ: our Heavenly Father was the Father of His earthly body, and Mary, a mortal woman, was His mother. He is the Only Begotten Son of our Heavenly Father.
His ministry on earth tells, again, of his divinity. In 3rd Nephi, Jesus tells the people his divine purpose: “And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil – And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.”
It was prophesied before His birth that He should perform many might miracles, as part of his ministry. In Mosiah chapter 3 verse 5 we read, “ For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.”
Today there are many who would seek to explain away the miracles of Jesus Christ, or to even proclaim that they never happened. President Benson bears his testimony this way, “ I say, Jesus’ entire ministry was a mark of his divinity. He spoke as God, He acted as God, and performed works which only God himself can do. His works bear testimony of His divinity.”
Other marks of His divinity are the Atonement, his Resurrection and the promise of his second coming. Put all together, these points, and many more testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ. May I put my testimony with that of the leaders of our Church,
“He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.”
Close with personal testimony of the Savior
Its good that all the enemies of Christianity have been defeated, so now that you can focus on eating your own. The big battle is over, so now you can start zeroing in on all the believers who don’t believe in quite the right fashion.
If you don’t like Mormons, then perhaps you’ll find Muslims more to your liking. After all, Islam is defeated. It must be, otherwise worrying about Mormons is like worrying about defeating the Sons of Confederate Veterans while the Nazis are still roaming Europe. In other words, pretty silly in light of the real threat.
And if you want to know what is bigoted about this article, change every instance of Mormon to Jewish and then maybe you can tell me.
By the way...you do read the original Hebrew/Greek Bible before making your determination of who is Christian and who isn’t, don’t you? Oh, you don’t? Well then...I’m sure whichever version of the Word you’re referencing is the correct one. And your correct(ed?) version no more made up by man than the Mormon’s version. Honest.
Thanks for posting!
(Well, jolly good...but have you ever considered loving them with the truth? Or are you just going to be an "enabler" all your life? If your neighbor bowed down to tulips in his backyard & worshiped them, would you conclude, "Yeah, I know, his 'religion is a phony one made up by a weird guy from upstate NY,' but 'I respect his values', anyway"???)
This probably is not a good place to have a fight with Mormons, and serves only the purpose of dividing conservatives. Maybe that is the intent of this post.
(We're sure you've approached many of the 60,000 Mormon missionaries out there, knocking on doors which are 50-75% Christian, and have told them, "Hey, 'this probably is not a good place to' tell Christians that they're 'apostates' according to strict Mormon doctrine that all Christian sects are such -- and that 100% of their creeds are an 'abomination' to the Mormon god. I mean, come on, Mormon missionaries, you mentioning such only 'serves...the purpose of dividing conservatives. Maybe that is in the intent of' your doorbell ringing.")
Anyway, Defiant let us know when you've told that to .000001 of Lds missionaries and we'll give your comment some serious consideration then.
You are bullies is what you are. I am not aware that any part of FR is for the purpose of berating good Americans for their religious beliefs. It is just plain stupid to try to argue religious doctrine on a political forum, just as it is impolite at the dinner table. As I said, it may be a tactic for liberal Democrats to try to divide conservatives.
We are not afraid to discuss our beliefs in the slightest. Stop slamming us all the time on Free Republic. It gets so old.
There are still Monophysite Christians today, but I think they prefer the term "Miaphysitism." (Mia is Greek for "one.)
"Our own?" You do realize, SK, that one thing that's common between Muslims & Mormons is that they BOTH deem Christians as infidels/apostates?
The Muslims calls us "infidels";
the Mormons say 100% of Christian sects apostatized for 1600-1700 years!
So who left home first? (J. Smith)
Who fired the first shot over the bow? (J. Smith...calling us all apostates)
Who said in his very original "vision" -- supposedly occurring to Smith when he was a 14 or 15 yo lad -- that 100% of Christian creeds were an "abomination" to their god? (J. Smith)
Who said that NONE of these Christian sects weren't worth joining in that original "vision"? (J. Smith)
Who said that all of Christian professors were "corrupt"? Again from that first vision? (J. Smith)
The Mormons NEVER considered Christians as "their own." In fact, Smith tried to build the biggest spiritual graveyard possible, practicing scorched earth religious politics, claiming we were all astray. Why? Because you can't claim a "restoration" until you do away way with the original. (Otherwise, you're a bit superfluous)
Now these weren't just deemed as "opinions" by Smith. These were canonized as Mormon "scripture" by a later generation of Mormons.
As for "bigoted," you're the one's who intolerant of the truth. I have a new moniker you've inspired for folks like you: Truth Bigots. People who can't stand the truth. People who want to suppress the truth.
The big battle is over...perhaps you'll find Muslims more to your liking. After all, Islam is defeated. It must be...pretty silly in light of the real threat.
Boy. What a tough choice, you've given us, Spike. You somehow think that America's only capable of handling single opposition. (Guess you better write your letter to the White House, saying bring home the troops in either Iraq or Afghanistan...'cause some FR conservatives think they can't take on both the Muslims and the Democrats at the same time).
As far as priorities go, let's see what Jesus has to say:
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)
So does Jesus say, "fear the Muslims?" (No)
Does Jesus say "fear the Islamic jihadists?" (No)
Instead, does He say to exercise fear of the One who has authority to cast somebody into hell? (Yes)
So, indeed, our "fear" is on behalf of those who are placing their eternal spiritual lives at risk.
As the apostle Paul was leaving the church of Ephesus, he warned them with this high-priority alert:
"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)
Paul's cultural priority? (Defend against the false disciples who will proselytize the flock and draw away men unto themselves!)
Tell us something, Spike:
#1 Are Muslims trying to come among us & move out across the world, pretending they are Christians? (Hey, we can't figure out who will eventually come to be a Christian; but in terms of beliefs, here, let me provide one helpful clue to you: How can polytheists pretend to be monotheists? Christians ARE NOT polytheists!)
#2 If you did something tearfully night and day for three years like the apostle Paul did, do you think it's rather important? So what? We're just to conclude, "Oh, the man who contributed a good chunk to the New Testament -- what does he know about cultural priorities?"
You’ve basically got it. Just all kinds of things in the world more worth worrying about than the Mormons.
Hey, Rip...now that you've accused the thread poster of "misunderstanding" -- are you actually going to answer my Q here (for once)? Here it is: When your wife -- and now you by posting -- say that Jesus' life "neither began in Bethlehem..." -- from a Mormon perspective, tell us, what's so unique about the Mormon jesus in this regard compared to every other human being? (I mean, didn't your wife make a false claim that Jesus taught about our "premortal existence"? In fact, can you show me ANY verse from the Book of Mormon that teaches about you or me being in a "pre-existence?")
(Shall I prophesy crickets as answers to these Q?)
Or since you tend not to address any of my other comments on other threads, perhaps I should just treat my Q as a rhetorical & proceed to answer it from a "Mormon perspective."
You see, Lds believe we ALL joined Jesus as having origins before "our Bethlehems." (Gee, Rip, and here you're wife was making this out to be something so unique of the Mormon jesus) I mean, from a "Christian" perspective, Rip, your wife is right on the $...indeed, Jesus didn't "begin" in Bethlethem).
Beyond that, the only difference 'tween the Mormon jesus and the Biblical one is:
(a) mere spiritual birth order--having been first;
(b) was twice made a son of God via Mary; and
(c) died for Adam's sin so folks could be resurrected (his role as Savior).
The true Messiah was born in Bethlehem as the Bible foretold and affirmed post-birth--not like the Mormon jesus of Mormon "scriptures" supposedly born in Jerusalem. (Hey, your wife was 2-for-3 there from a Christian perspective -- just not very faithful to the Lds version of jesus' "Jerusalem" birth)
Other than that, the lds jesus is not the Son of God from eternity past. He worked his way up to godhood status. He's not an exalted God-become-man, but an exalted man-become-God. He was an elder spirit bro of Lucipher. Had you or your brother been "first" in that pre-existent spirit world birth order, he could have been Christ!!!
This "jesus" is foreign to the Bible. The Messiah of the Bible shared the glory with the Father in the beginning (John 17:5). This Jesus is THE Son of God, not just a son of God. And THE Son of God did not consider equality with His Father something he couldn't let go of while becoming a man (see Philippians 2). Phil. 2 makes it clear He was already divine, not just a "wannabe" God like Dear Ole Dad.
The True Jesus Christ: Savior, not a Saved Being
In contrast, the Mormon christ is but a "saved being"--a mere creature like dear ole Dad: "Christ is a saved being” (lds apostle McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, p 257) “Modern revelation speaks of our Lord as he that ‘ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth ‘ (D&C 88:6). Christ's rise to the throne of exaltation was preceded by his descent below all things. Only by submitting to the powers of demons and death and hell could he, in the resurrection, serve as our exemplar of a saved being...” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 1, p. 234) (Please also see McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 238 where he said the Mormon "jesus" "Needs salvation...Came to earth to work out His own salvation”)
Your wife's message: ...the Redeemer of the world.”
Wow, Rip, your wife was 3-for-4 here representing the "Christian" perspective. But -- was she faithful to the Mormon "prophets" of old? Oh, sure they recognized Jesus as "Redeemer." No doubt about that. The real distinctive Q boils down to that little word, "THE":
SAVIOR (Singular) or SAVIORS (Plural)?:
SINGULAR SAVIOR a la Christianity: And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be THE Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14; cf. John 4:42).
PLURAL SAVIORS a la Mormonism: (In contrast, IMA, to your wife's presentation of Jesus as THE Redeemer): "...we are the only people that know how to save our progenitors, how to save ourselves, and how to save our posterity in the celestial kingdom of God;...we in fact are the saviours of the world..." (lds "prophet" John Taylor; Journal of Discourses, vol.6, p.163).
(And here all this while so many "Gentiles" just thought all that...
...genealogical research
...& database entries
...& "family centers"
...& ritualistic temple proxy baptisms involving teen-agers...
...was alll simply innocent behavior...
...and now we "Gentitles" realize that Mormons think by this process that they join Jesus as "co-'saviours of the world'!!!)
If you don't "sustain" John Taylor as a "prophet" in those words
-- if your wife doesn't by maintaining her words that Jesus is "THE" Redeemer and is joined by none other...
...then I dare you, call John Taylor -- at least in those words -- a false prophet.
(Ya know what'd be nice? If folks like you would just once tell Mormons & their 60,000 Lds missionaries as many of them ring doorbells inhabited by Christians -- perhaps at a 50-60% clip or more: "Just all kinds of things in the world more worth worrying about than the Christians.")
(Otherwise, not sure why the literal million Mormon Missionaries who have gone out over the past almost 170 years get a free pass from commentators like yourself...but a few FR threads & posts in stark contrast seemingly needs feedback like yours)
You are bullies is what you are. I am not aware that any part of FR is for the purpose of berating good Americans for their religious beliefs.
You must have missed out on all the "Muslim threads" then... LOL...
If you haven't seen them, I sure have -- so many FReepers soundly criticizing the religion of Muslims -- and rightly so. They should be criticized and criticized with great vigor. They're an evil religion and there are Muslims here in the United States, too, so we're not talking about just Muslims walking around with bomb-packs on them or Muslims overseas. We're talking about Muslims right here in this country. It's a totally evil religion.
I'm just so shocked that you've missed all those religious threads on this "political forum"... :-)
It is just plain stupid to try to argue religious doctrine on a political forum, just as it is impolite at the dinner table.
Ummm..., well, the teachings of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are precisely where many conservatives get their values that are called "conservatism".
And you might want to check out this thread, too...
12/11/2009 | Jim Robinson
Posted on December 11, 2009 7:57:16 PM CST by Jim Robinson
Free Republic is a fringe right-wing Christian fundamentalist site... or so they say... and they might even be right.
We don't go for any of that godless left-wing big government socialist malarkey. And we do put our faith and trust in God, not government. We are pro-God, pro-Life, pro-Family, pro-Country and pro-Liberty.
We do not believe that government or science knows what's best for us or our children. We will make our own decisions thank you very much.
Every once in a while some group of posters get together and try to bend Free Republic to their will. Now, we tend to be pretty free-wheeling around here and will take a lot of guff and a lot of obnoxious insults from a lot of people, but eventually a breaking point is reached.
For example, when a group of RINO lovers recently banded together to try to force FR to accept an abortionist/gay rights RINO as our presidential candidate, they soon found themselves on the outs.
And a few years ago a group of evolutionists tried to force FR over to their way of thinking and they soon found themselves on the outs.
FR is a pro-God, pro-Creator, pro-Life, pro-Liberty site.
And now we have yet another group of Darwinists trying to have their Darwinist way with us. Well, as I've said before what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger.
Darwin Central has again declared war on FR. They have ping lists and email lists and will try to pull away as many FReepers as they possibly can. So be it. Those who would rather go with Darwin, please go. I sure as hell won't try to stop you.
FR will remain a pro-God, pro-Life, pro-Liberty, pro-Creator conservative site.
We wholeheartedly believe that our unalienable rights are a gift from God our Creator not from man or government. And no man, no government will ever deprive us of same.
Keep your powder dry.
As I said, it may be a tactic for liberal Democrats to try to divide conservatives.
It's more like liberal Democrats to cover up and minimize the essentials of Christianity, and gloss over these things. Your posting is the one that sounds more like liberal Democrats... :-)
A lot of similarities to the Catholic church...
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