They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious Bigotry, alive and well today

Saundra Duffy

[restornu]

I would remind you of this very plain language from the NT:

Philip. 2: 12

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

****

Another testament to Jesus Christ from the Book of Mormon

Alma 34
37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

Morm. 9 27
O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

[sevenbak]

I would suspect that in certian areas in the south and in places where a lot of Mormons live that preaching against Mormonism does happen. But I have never seen or heard it. It is not a standard practice of most churches. What the author of this thread wrote just isn’t true.

I have seen it myself as well, even as an invited guest into one of these Churches, they knowing full well who I was ( a missionary) it was publicly taught that we were a cult. I think it definitely happens more in places where LDS conversions are higher. Hey, look at this very thread and the many many anti Mormon posts here, and try to imagine it not happening in places where LDS conversions are reducing numbers at some of these other Churches.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

It would be very difficult. One major hotel chain is replacing the Bible with Gore’s book, though.

[Luke21]

Let’s see. You are LDS, but you spend your time in non-LDS churches listening to sermons speeches against LDS. Sorry, I don’t believe you. Churches don’t preach against much of anything these days.

Now if you want to talk about Walter Martin or Ed Decker or Christian authors that have written against Mormonism, that’s another affair entirely.

For the record, Mitt Romney was impressive in the recent debate. I might even consider voting for him. But spare me all the whining, and you LDS folks have been doing a lot of that here. You are pretty darn exclusive yourself. If you visited my church, nowhere in it would be off limits to you. The same can’t be said for myself and your temple.

A friend of mine just sent me a notice about his daughter’s wedding. We aren’t invited because he is LDS and it’s a Mormon wedding. I don’t want to hear this victim crap from you people. You belong to one of the richest and most secretive faiths in existence.

[George W. Bush]

While we're on the subject, this is a great pic of Romney and Robertson at Regent University yesterday. Great speech too.



Oh dear, it appears the Rev. Robertson forgot his firearm since we all know that "They Shoot Mormons, Don't They". Apparently, having forgotten to arm himself heavily against marauding Mormon graduation speakers, Reverend Pat's only choice was to let Romney address his graduates.

Romney talks to Regent grads

Did you see FR's thread? Didn't notice you there.

[restornu]

I even heard it taught on the radio one was the religion on line. They had a Rabi, Priest and a Presbyterian Minister.

it was a Sunday program in the AM and they would have a talk show and if someone called in asking about the Mormons they would tell the caller the Mormons were a Cult!

[restornu]

You can come to the meetinghouse that is the chaple or called Church and you could come to the reception.

If they were getting married until death do we part you could go the chaple but if it is for all eternity it has to take place in the temple.

And if the bride and groom were not worthy they too could not do it in the temple, nothing person it is God law only covenant keeps will enter.

[tantiboh]

Thanks for the links. Still, I’m not sure it’s happening quite like you say. All the news I found about it dated back to 2005 or early 2006 at the latest. Kinda early for “image-polishing.”

[tantiboh]

Very good; I stand corrected.

[tantiboh]

"Did a little searching and found this. Seems to be an ex Mormon site, but, it does quote some D&C thing and gives sources. I’m not sure what is mean by losing Celestial blessings, maybe you can explain. Please tell me the ‘secret handshake and secret password are some type of joke’."

Some of what you listed from the site is true, some is not.

I was really surprised, though, that Joseph Smith has apparently taken over for Saint Peter.

The bit about the "secret handshake and secret password," like all good fabrications, is based on a grain of truth. It would be inappropriate to go into detail on a public forum like this, but that phrase is a reference to certain ordinances performed in the Temple. The accusation, though, is a joke.

It is true that a person who is not a full tithe payer cannot receive a temple recommend.

The letter thing could have happened on an isolated case; some bishop may have gotten a wild hare and decided it was a good idea to send out such letters. I've never heard of it happening, and such a "billing" practice is not sanctioned by the Church.

As for the development in Salt Lake, if I understand correctly, that's essentially an urban renewal program in the Temple Square area that the LDS Church is taking part in. That part of the city is getting pretty old; the LDS Church feels it a duty to help the community renew it. I don't understand why our detractors find this so disturbing. Here's another news story about it: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650196045,00.html

As for: "Mormons are commanded that tithing must come first before anything else." That is essentially accurate. We teach that paying your tithing is a commandment whereby we exercise faith. An exercise of that faith will result in both spiritual and temporal blessings. Stories abound of people who pay tithing first, despite the expectation that they won't be able to make ends meet, then some unexpected development occurs whereby they have enough. It's a counterintuitive effect, but those who live by the law (including myself) swear by it.

To accept it, though, you have to accept that God actually keeps His promises, such as in Malachi 3:8-10.

In any case, the Church will not let a faithful member go hungry; we have a welfare program that is efficient, effective, and envied by many. It is what the federal welfare program should have been.

Between the church buildings, temples, and other benefits I receive from the way the LDS Church spends tithing funds, I'm satisfied that I'm getting my money's worth. Churches aren't free. You might drop the money into a basket; we choose to write a check instead.

Besides, it's tax-deductible. :-)

As for: "Mormons who claim that tithing is purely “a personal choice” are deceiving themselves and outright lying." Of course it's a personal choice. Every act of obedience is a personal choice. You don't want to do it, then don't do it. I find a great deal of personal spiritual benefit from choosing to obey.

This has been kind of a discombobulated response. Let me know if I failed to respond to your satisfaction.

[George W. Bush]

Thanks for the links. Still, I’m not sure it’s happening quite like you say. All the news I found about it dated back to 2005 or early 2006 at the latest. Kinda early for “image-polishing.”

That was just the starter-pack.

You do understand that the trial is still continuing, more lawsuits are being filed? This is happening in both Arizona and in Utah.

Initially, it was expected they'd throw the book at him with sentences of a hundred years or more. And they could easily do it. But he's cooperating and quite pathetic now, having renounced his Prophethood or whatever it was.

Law enforcement, including the federal courts, are not going to tolerate the survival of this cult. Whether they continue overseas or in Mexico (as they did after the initial polygamy ban) isn't at issue here.

There are stories every couple of days in Deseret News. They've done a great job in reporting. Try their search engine (just type in "Warren Jeffs"):

Deseret News Archives

The current charge (for which he will definitely be convicted) is felony rape in the forced marriage of a 14-year-old girl to her 19-year-old first cousin.

Marrying a cousin? Who do they think they are? Rudi Giuliani?

[tantiboh]

“I am glad you are able to vote for a Muslim for president, someone whose religion states all kafir should be enslaved or dead. It shows you have lost all faculty for reason since you don’t even have a basic sense of self preservation.”

As I said, I would vote for a conservative. I would not care about his religion, except to the extent that it shaped his politics.

It would be religious bigotry to exclude a Muslim from consideration for no other reason than his religious beliefs.

[George W. Bush]

BTW, not only did the man have 70-80 wives, it was reported that when arrested he was consuming chilled beverages?

The death penalty, I think. In Utah, it's probably still a firing squad.

[xzins]

John 3:16

Rom 10:13

Jesus said, “Whosoever comes to me, I will in no wise cast out.”

You are confusing churches and their doctrines with the saving grace of our Lord.

Hopefully, we’re saved based on the promises in His word and not based on our denomination having its doctrine correct.

I always thought that it was “through grace ~we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”

[Netizen]

In any case, the Church will not let a faithful member go hungry; we have a welfare program that is efficient, effective, and envied by many. It is what the federal welfare program should have been.

So, someone that couldn't pay the tithes could collect food etc. BUT NOT be allowed to enter the temple, in essence, not be allowed to go to church?

[colorcountry]

but surely you know that positions of leadership in the church are null and void when that person leaves the office of that calling

I said the office is higher. I did not say President Romney (Church title he still retains)as a man is higher.

I'm surprised, as a Mormon you don't know the difference between the "office" and the man.

Oopsy!

Colorcountry said: His office of Stake President is higher than that of Priest in a Catholic Church or Pastor in a Protestant Church

[greyfoxx39]

I would be very wary of Giving the power of the presidency to nyone who did not believe in a higher power, specifically a Higher power that would judge him for his actions while in office

Well I guess we had that with clinton...just who do you have in mind now? I don't have the ability, myself, to enter into the hearts of the candidates and see their relationship with a higher power.

I DO have the personal experience of being exposed to the attitudes of mormons who consider that "holding the priesthood" makes them very special and devoted to the mormon church, because they believe that their salvation lies therein...you do the math: Loyalty to country=earthly plaudits...loyalty to the mormon church=eternal salvation PLUS the admiration of their fellow mormons.

[colorcountry]

Colorcountry said:They think their own perfect obedience and works will earn them Exaltation

Sevenbak said:You seem to think that Mormons are the only ones who believe it's important to keep the commandments and do good works? The bible clearly teaches this time after time. It is through Christ only that we are saved, but he expects us to do our best to keep his commandments.

Actually if you read my quote I said you think it is important to do these things in order to earn exaltation. I am surprised at how slippery you are when it comes to changing the meaning of my posts.

All Christians (not Churches) know that good works are necessary for increasing God's glory. All the commandments are wrapped up in just two.....1)Love God.....2)Love your neighbor. It's simple, and it's joyful.

Now, please tell me how abstaining from drinking tea (and judging others who do), fits in to category 1) or 2).

In Love,

[FastCoyote]

“It would be religious bigotry to exclude a Muslim from consideration for no other reason than his religious beliefs.”

So you are bigoted against bigots? Like myself, I presume. But that makes you a bigot against bigots.

You see, my religion says to reject idiots like yourself who would vote for someone whose religious belief is that the rest of us should be DEAD!! Consequently, you are bigoted against my religious beliefs.

Amazingly enough, you are bigoted against my religious beliefs, which are ones of self preservation, while you show no bigotry against those who support the muder of children.

That makes you an absolute moron, your logic is as just shown internally inconsistent.

[greyfoxx39]

Please tell me about Evan Meacham, never heard of him.

Click the link posted in my #410. He was a mormon used-car dealer who was Governor of Arizona for about 18 mornths before being impeached and thrown out of office.