I support Beck's freedom of religion as well as yours. Saying that I believe a particular religion to be a cult is not to say people shouldn't have the freedom to practice it. I couldn't care less if someone thinks my belief is cultish. Suggesting that because I believe some religions are cults, that is somehow the same thing as suggesting they should not have the freedom to practice their faiths is completely dishonest and putting words into my mouth.
My belief about Mormonism is that it is an authoritarian cult that controls the lives of it's adherents. It is a very weird faith obvious built on the lies of a violent scoundrel, Joseph Smith. Those who accept it don't have the religious rigor to question it's precepts, but they are very willing to accept the worldly benefits it offers. As much as I dislike McCain, I would choose him any day over Romney the grinning game show host.
Your desciption of Reagan and Lincoln is dishonest. They both openly spoke the name of Jesus as Savior. Most of the others (Nixon, Kennedy) did not live or govern within the denominational strictures imposed by their faiths.
I hope you respect my freedom of speech as I express my beliefs. It sounds like you don't.
Your initial posts:1)
To: Amerisrael
I sincerely doubt this had any meaning for Beck. However, for those who oppose Romney in part because of his Mormonism (that would include me), they should remember that Beck is a Mormon as well.
To me, Mormonism is a cult and an insult to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in that they use His name, but make for themselves a false Gospel. Because of this, although I appreciate Beck's willingness to take on the leftist establishment, I cannot trust him.
13 posted on
10/10/2009 1:10:23 PM PDT by
Dr. Thorne (Buy Gold and Guns Now!)
2)
To: egannacht
I support Beck's freedom of religion as well as yours. Saying that I believe a particular religion to be a cult is not to say people shouldn't have the freedom to practice it. I couldn't care less if someone thinks my belief is cultish. Suggesting that because I believe some religions are cults, that is somehow the same thing as suggesting they should not have the freedom to practice their faiths is completely dishonest and putting words into my mouth.
My belief about Mormonism is that it is an authoritarian cult that controls the lives of it's adherents. It is a very weird faith obvious built on the lies of a violent scoundrel, Joseph Smith. Those who accept it don't have the religious rigor to question it's precepts, but they are very willing to accept the worldly benefits it offers. As much as I dislike McCain, I would choose him any day over Romney the grinning game show host.
Your desciption of Reagan and Lincoln is dishonest. They both openly spoke the name of Jesus as Savior. Most of the others (Nixon, Kennedy) did not live or govern within the denominational strictures imposed by their faiths.
I hope you respect my freedom of speech as I express my beliefs. It sounds like you don't.
50 posted on
10/11/2009 11:08:00 AM PDT by
Dr. Thorne (Buy Gold and Guns Now!)
My response: Lincoln and Reagan were non-sectarian.
Look up word, because it's apparent you are confused by the definition. They were non-sectarian because they did not check off one particular sect (Catholic, Marion-Catholic, Syriac Orthodox, Lutheran, Cathari, Hussite), or religious creed (Judaism, Hindi, Rostafarian) as a specific creed. Nor does the US consitution require you to accept any such creeds. Let me repeat that for you to comprehend:
The US Constitution does not require you to accept a specific denomination, sect, creed, Jesus Christ as savior, the existence of a specific deity, the worship of spirits of dead ancestors, or even the existence of a deity, in order to serve as a representative, judge, or president. And history proves we had numerous presidents that you, in your infinite tolerance, would call them cult-like creeds that dishonor or disgrace your idea of true religion. As for Reagan, his biography points to certain influential family members being fundamentalist while others (gasp in shock) accepted seventh day teachings (oh no cultish Judaic christianity--the horror). And Lincoln? Lincoln most certainly did not call any sect or belief his creed and mental home. Most historians define his religious views as "seeker," much like Roger Williams, reading and comprehending religious texts with an open mind and no specific agenda attached.
Further, the presidents' creed or lack thereof, mentioned in my initial
post, are an accurate description of their personal creeds,
never their official creed pushed as doctrine onto citizens of a free United States. This is a great thing about our founding fathers and the constitution they created; it proves we do not live in a theocracy nor does our constitution allow a theocracy. End of debate.
But let's get back to your quote
"...Mormonism is that it is an authoritarian cult that controls the lives of it's adherents. It is a very weird faith obvious built on the lies of a violent scoundrel, Joseph Smith." So that I may understand your dogmatism, your mysterious faith holds no authoritative cult-like biases that drive you to make this statement (which offends conservatives that just happen to be or know mormons), nor does your unstated religious affiliation guide your hositility towards Romney, Beck "and cults" found in your initial statements? Thank you, you made my point clearer. And my assertion in my initial
post stands better addressed by your contrast.
BTW, I am not a Mormon.