Posted on 05/04/2007 5:46:36 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy
Nary a cross to be seen, just a bunch of Gold Baals.
Go Utah!!! Great game last night.
The LDS Church has the Mormon Tabernacle Choir aka “America’s Choir”. I guess some people think America’s Choir is doing the devil’s bidding. See how ridiculous that is? Huh?
“The LDS Church has the Mormon Tabernacle Choir aka “America’s Choir”. I guess some people think America’s Choir is doing the devil’s bidding. See how ridiculous that is? Huh?”
The North Koreans have beautiful parades and shows as well. I guess that will get them off the hook too.
May I ask, how long have you been a member?
I don't see the connection between the Mormon Tabernacle choir and getting a clarification on exactly what it is that Mormons believe.
There is the remote possibility that what Mormons believe is, in fact, the truth. But getting a Mormon to express what it is that they do believe is sometimes a difficult and frustrating process.
Apparently Mormons like to pretend that they are just another Christian sect. But as Delphi so aptly pointed out, Mormons believe that the entire Christian Church went into apostasy back in the first or second century. They also believe that Mormonism is the true restored Church. If that were true, then Mormonism would be Christian and all other Churches would be false and only Mormons would be Christians.
When I was a Mormon, I believed that. I didn't try to pretend that I was a Christian "just like my Protestant and Catholic friends." No, I believed that they were preaching a false religion, that their churches were of the devil and that only Mormons were in possession of the truth.
That doesn't sell well these days. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a public relations prop, just as are all those commercials that claim that the Mormon Church is all family oriented and that the book of Mormon is just "another testament of Christ".
The truth is, and I would be amazed if you admitted it, that Mormonism teaches that it, and it alone, is the restoration of the First Century Church and that all other churches are false and that all other churches are "doing the devil's bidding."
Now can you admit that you believe that the LDS Church is the "One True Church" to the exclusion of all others and that all other churches are FALSE?
Let's get some clarity here.
You believe that, don't you? I think it is still in the Manual.
Nice, CC and it shows.
Wellll...since this is the internet, I could claim that my IQ is 180 and no one could prove me wrong..of course, since some here automatically call me "liar"....!
You weren’t suppose to notice that post.
Actually I think I am worse off because of it. God gave me a gift I have failed to utilize properly. It is like a singer who refuses to sing and only hums....It’s like a man with strength, who becomes a couch potato.
Great, so I score well on tests.....what have I done with it? I’d be great on a trivia show - so what?
And BTW I agree with FastCoyote. He was only responding to an attack upon him that he was “looney.” He wasn’t bragging, only defending himself....there is a difference to those of us who have ears to hear. ,-)
And BTW I agree with FastCoyote. He was only responding to an attack upon him that he was “looney.” He wasn’t bragging, only defending himself....there is a difference to those of us who have ears to hear. ,-)
Actually, I have been following that particular discussion, since (ahem) I have a higher that average score myself.;)
The name-calling seems to have racheted up lately, which I find ironic, since the original poster on this thread states with disdain that "as if just being a Mormon is reason enough to open the floodgates for free flow of pent-up hatred and vindictiveness." And " I think they’re (the evangelical religious bigots, that is) scared half to death'. It's enlightening to go back occasionally and read that post.
I might reply that just questioning the doctrines and practices of mormonism "is reason enough to open the floodgates for free flow of pent-up hatred and vindictiveness."
I have faith though, that the lurkers reading these posts will wonder why name-calling is necessary if your message is being presented adequately.
Okay, let me put it this way and see if it makes sense to you:
Let’s say that I tell you I am a Mormon, but I don’t believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I don’t believe that the BOM is the word of God, and I don’t believe in celestial marriage. Am I a Mormon? How do you know?
Now let’s say that there are 3 million people who believe they are Mormons, just like I do, but they don’t believe in Joseph Smith, the BOM, or celestial marriage. And let’s say we all meet together regularly, but we don’t call it a ward, we call it a wigwam. And we go door-to-door telling people we are Mormons and asking them to become Mormons too.
How would the LDS feel about these people? Would they be recognized as true Mormons? How would you feel about these people calling themselves Mormons? Would you not seek to differentiate yourself and true Mormons from them? Would you not feel a bit insulted that they are misrepresenting your religion’s name and your religion’s beliefs?
Yes only God will be the final judge as to who gets into heaven and who doesn’t, who are true believers and who aren’t. But the Bible warns us to be wary of false teachers and false prophets. That must mean there are false teachers and false prophets out there wanting to deceive us. We are to use discernment and use the Bible to help us know what is true and what is not true.
So we as Christians certainly do have a right to discern and to proclaim what teachings are in line with Christianity and what teachings are non-Christian.
If for example someone says they believe in, worship, and follow Jesus Christ, but they believe he came to Earth in a space ship, and believe that salvation is earned through good singing, are they a Christian? No. Saying that they believe in, worship, and follow Jesus does not in and of itself make someone a Christian. A Christian acknowledges and accepts all of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, as defined by Christians.
I hope that makes sense. Everything I say, I say with respect and compassion, and also with conviction. I really do feel sorry that so many people in this world are deceived by false or errant teaching.
I will try to address some of your points. If the Christian religion or the Mormon religion, or any other religion, does not have doctrines that define what the fundamental beliefs of that religion are, then that religion is meanlingless. Would you agree?
If we as Christians say that our doctrines and fundamental beliefs do not define Christianity, and that pretty much anyone with beliefs and doctrines that differ from ours (to a small or large extent) can call themselves Christians, then isn’t the name Christian meaningless? Would the same not be true of Mormonism or any religion?
I do not mean to judge your heart, or the heart of any Mormon. I am quite sure that a majority of Mormons believe that they are Christians and are very sincere. But I have to tell you that it is as plain as the sky is blue that the beliefs or Mormonism do not agree with the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. I really do say that with regret and humility. But I think you can see how it would be easy for you to identify a religion that does not line up with the doctrines of the LDS, so I’m sure you can see where I and other Christians are coming from.
You are right, membership in a religion does not lead to salvation.
Yes, the Bible makes it clear that false teachings are dangerous:
2 Peter 2:1—But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Matthew 24:24—For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.
1 John 4:1—Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
I won’t stoop so low as to make fun of your writing. I was hoping to have a civil discussion. And the only reason I posted on this thread is because I saw people who believe doctrines that are not in line with Christian doctrines calling themselves Christians. I am sure you would feel the same way about Mormons who believe doctrines that are not in line with true LDS doctrine.
No I am not the arbitor of absolute truth. But if I did not believe 100% that Christianity is true, I would not be a Christian. All I am saying is there is a difference between what Christians believe and what Mormons believe. I am not telling you not to be a Mormon. If you believe Mormonism is true, then good for you.
You are right, if Christianity is not true, it is false.
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