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The Mormon "Church" was founded in the 1800s by Joseph Smith who claims he was visited by an angel named Moroni who had some golden plates that Smith then transcribed into The Book Of Mormon, the book upon which the cult is based.
Their origin is questionable and their beliefs even more so, so as to conflict with mainstream Christianity, which they desperately claim to be a part of or even superior to.
Their origin is very similar to the origin of Islam, where Muhammad claims to have been visited by an angel who then gave him the Koran to write down.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Galatians 1:8
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
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I would have a tough time voting for someone who has not only bought into such an obvious lie hook, line and sinker, but also perpetuates it.
Umm...I don't agree with the tenets of Mormonism but when was the last time you ever heard of Mormons cutting off people's heads or acting as suicide bombers? I've seen Mormons and although I can't figure out how they can refrain from coffee (typing this as I am sipping my Java) and alcohol, they cause no one any harm. So when you post that you would have a hard time supporting the candidacy of someone because of his Mormonism, ask yourself if you would turn down the services of a Mormon paramedic, cop, or refuse to be defended by Mormon soldiers and marines.
When you think about it, all religions (except perhaps your own) have some hare-brained notions. The Muslims are a special case, as they have amply demonstrated during the past few years.
But the Mormons certainly seem to be peaceful. I've never been harrassed by their proselytizing or anything else. Once on a plane, leaving Utah, the person sitting next to me said that I shouldn't be drinking Coca Cola, but that was the end of it. Not much of a harrassment, and I could have appreciated his concern so long as he didn't press the point.
So their beliefs a goofy--so are lots of the beliefs of mainstream religions. My mother was raised Baptist; she had some really weird beliefs. (Sorry all you Baptists out there.) And what about the Episcopalians (I'm one!)!
I still don't get it. I don't see the difference between a cult and a mainstream religion.
I think the important thing is whether you can believe that there is a seperation between religion and state and that the goofy ideas of one's religion won't interfere with everybody else.
In the case of Muslims, this is a big issue, because the religion itself is imperialist and does not seperate dogma from government. Furthermore, basic dogma includes such things as taqiyya, kitman, dhimmitude, and capital punishment for apostasy, insulting the religion, and perhaps failing to convert.
Mormonism doesn't seem to be anything like that.
Thanks for the help. Sorry I'm still a bit dense.