| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 12/07/2008 11:35:59 AM PST by Admin Moderator, reason:
Enough already. |
Posted on 12/03/2008 8:59:31 AM PST by Publius804
An Ugly Attack on Mormons
The easiest targets for an organized campaign against religious freedom of conscience.
By Jonah Goldberg
Did you catch the political ad in which two Jews ring the doorbell of a nice working-class family? They barge in and rifle through the wife’s purse and then the man’s wallet for any cash. Cackling, they smash the daughter’s piggy bank and pinch every penny. “We need it for the Wall Street bailout!” they exclaim.
No? Maybe you saw the one with the two swarthy Muslims who knock on the door of a nice Jewish family and then blow themselves up?
No? Well, then surely you saw the TV ad in which two smarmy Mormon missionaries knock on the door of an attractive lesbian couple. “Hi, we’re from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!” says the blond one with a toothy smile. “We’re here to take away your rights.” The Mormon zealots yank the couple’s wedding rings from their fingers and then tear up their marriage license.
As the thugs leave, one says to the other, “That was too easy.” His smirking comrade replies, “Yeah, what should we ban next?” The voice-over implores viewers: “Say no to a church taking over your government.”
Obviously, the first two ads are fictional because no one would dare run such anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim attacks.
The third ad, however, was real. It was broadcast throughout California on Election Day as part of the effort to rally opposition to Proposition 8, the initiative that successfully repealed the right to same-sex marriage in the state.
What was the reaction to the ad? Widespread condemnation? Scorn? Rebuke? Tepid criticism?
Nope.
The Los Angeles Times, a principled opponent of Proposition 8, ran an editorial lamenting that the “hard-hitting commercial” was too little, too late.
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
The flaw in that thinking is that intelligent, honest people differ in their interpretation of the Bible. For example, some can not find the doctrine of the Trinity in the Bible. Does that mean that anyone believing in the Trinity is not a Christian?
Why is it so hard for some people to have a little bit of intellectual humility? They can’t seem to fathom the difference between their particular opinion and absolute reality.
But don’t the Mormons promote the idea that the entire Christian faith fell into heresy shortly after the passing of the Apostles and that it wasn’t restored until Joseph Smith came along.
In short, do they consider any non-Mormons to be Christians in light of that teaching?
> That was the motivation behind the Nicene Creed. Are we going to throw that away? Are we going to be silent while heresies pass themselves off as Christian? Of course not.
There be dragons there, in that line of reasoning.
There are some Christian denominations that believe the Nicene Creed to be a heresy and the beginning of Apostasy for the “true” Christian faith. And they believe that they can prove it, every bit as much as you believe you can prove your viewpoint, from the Bible.
That kind of back-and-forth sniping is surely not the best way for Christians to behave in these, the Last Days? Enemies on all sides — real heresies like islam and marxism and atheism and all manner of satan worship — and like typical Christians we’re going to argue over who is more Christian than who?
What shameful bloody nonsense! “Will I find the Faith on the Earth?” becomes a very valid question. Who knows?
It doesn't. Hatred is bad. Religious relativism is also bad.
I disagree completely. Paul may not have written out a creedal statement, but he spent his career both spreading the faith and fighting heresies. We should do no less.
> In short, do they consider any non-Mormons to be Christians in light of that teaching?
I have no idea what Mormon thought on that is, as I am not a Mormon. There are dozens of ‘em on the FRee Republic tho’, perhaps one will enlighten us.
> I disagree completely. Paul may not have written out a creedal statement, but he spent his career both spreading the faith and fighting heresies. We should do no less.
And there are Christians who believe that St Paul did not work by Inspiration, but rather spent his career spreading heresies.
They have a name for such heretics. They are called “mormons.”
And who gave you the right to make the Nicean Creed the definition of what it means to be a Christian.
The Nicean Creed is essentially the restatement of belief in God using the concepts of Neoplatonic realism. Is Neoplatonic realism, concepts not found in the Bible, that important?
>>We should do no less. <<
There is a huge difference between constantly showing how you are right and constantly telling a person they are wrong.
I dabbled in other religions for a while. The one thing that brought me back “Home to Rome” was the haughty elitist attitude of some of the “Christians” towards Catholics. Catholics were spoken of as evil or stupid. That is not how we should treat each other.
A dear friend of mine came into the Catholic church and asked why we did not evangilize as his old church did. We don’t get in anyone’s face. We live our faith and will tell anyone that asks.
Beating people on the head with your faith will get you really far. /s/
I was wondering just what kind of “Christian” DieHard was referring to, who thinks the Apostle Paul was a heretic.
Up is down, down is up - topsy-turvy thinking right there!
>>They have a name for such heretics. They are called “mormons.”<<
Are you a Christian?
Oh please. You do not have to apply ancient Greek metaphysics to get the trinity and other doctrines out of the bible. Just read the Gospel of John. It makes the divinity of Christ abundantly clear. Mormonism is a racist and sexist heresy.
Do you believe a Christian could possibly think that St. Paul was a heretic?
If so, what is your definition of Christian?
No kidding! I’ve had some pretty heated theological debates with Catholics about the chair of Peter and whatnot. Perhaps God allowed Mormonism to make us appreciate just how much we do have in common.
Just so. And I thought finding Ibex Wells was a big deal.
>>Do you believe a Christian could possibly think that St. Paul was a heretic?<<
Maybe you should ask Diehard that question. You might be surprised at the answer.
I will tell you this, Diehard’s replies on this thread are some of the most Christian here.
> They have a name for such heretics. They are called “mormons.”
If you believe calling Mormons ugly names helps you in your Christian walk, then best of luck to you.
I do not see how namecalling could possibly help you persuade Mormons to accept Jesus the “right” way: indeed, it is sure to alienate them and turn them against your brand of Christianity — perhaps that’s a good thing.
If you believe God gives you sanction and license to turn people against Him, then FRiend I believe you probably have a nasty surprise coming.
Recall, if you will, the Prodigal Son. Or the parable of the Lost Sheep.
For what?
PRinting quotes from their Founder and subsequent Leaders?
Printing things that their publishing house has issued?
Not saying nice things about Mitt?
WHAT?
Well, I’m more interested in your opinion as a Catholic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.