As you say you are a studier, I hope and pray that your studies reveal to you, why the Baptist and Catholic can be lumped together, but the Mormon never can be, with them. It's a false religion. If that seems like an unfair "attack", well, Jesus Himself was very willing to be "offensive" when it came to the truth, that all would come to the truth and be saved. That is true love, not the liberal-minded "anything goes" mentality
Thanks for your reply...but pointing out to me that Jesus Himself was willing to be offensive, when it came to the truth, does not really apply here...because, as I pointed out in my previous post, Jesus Christ Himself, offending others when it came to the truth, is a good thing, because Jesus Christ Himself, because of who He was, did know the absolute truth...that I am sure of...
But when regular mortal human beings tell me they know the absolute truth, that is something I am not at all sure of...I know that all here, do believe that their own 'religion', is the only religion, or the best religion, but that is their opinion...and their opinion is only the opinion of a regular mortal human being...and thus, could be prone to error...
Only Christ Himself, knew the truth to a certainty...all others have their opinion, and everyone has their own opinion...that does not make those opinions the absolute truth...
We all have to study and reflect and pray and hopefully that will bring us closer to the truth...
You have decided, from your posting, that its ok for one to lump the Baptists in with the Catholics, but never the Mormons, because as you say, its your opinion, that Mormons can never be lumped together with Baptists or Catholics, because after all, Mormons have a false religion...but that is your opinion, not a fact of truth...
So which religions do you deem to be 'false' religions, or not Christian religions?...there are so many religions which consider themselves to be Christian...Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Orthodox, Mormons, Jehovahs Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Science, Anglican, Episcopalian, Presbyterians,
and on and on...and then there are many little churches, that seem to have no 'official' affiliation, but nonetheless consider themselves to be Christian...
Who gets to decide which religions are Christian? Certainly not I, certainly not you, certainly no one on any religious thread...all one can do is inform themselves, and try to seek the truth...
And this discussion and disagreement is good, as it allows those with knowledge of their religion to present the doctrine and beliefs of their religion, and allows for good and frank discussion...and there have been many, many religious threads on FR, which have been exactly like that...full of informtion, Scripture, personal experiences, history, etc, all usely trying to explain why a particular person feels that his own religion is the truer religion...that is a discussion which is grand...
Sticking out your tongue, and saying, "neener-neener', and calling someone a 'snake-handler', or a 'cannibal', as a cheap shot, and then running away, is like a spoiled, little child who does not get his way, and in frustration goes downhill in language and behavior...
I hope that the discussions on these religious threads bring out those mature in their religious beliefs who are willing to help and and inform and act like adults, serious about their religions and serious about passing that info onto those of us less knowledgeable...I just dont like to see adults act like little two year olds having a temper tantrum...
That's fine to disagree, and one can even point out what they think are fallacies with my religion. I am secure enough and my faith strong enough to handle it. I enjoy discussion religion with people, especially similarities and differences. I enjoy experiencing new things, different points of view. That's what drew me to this website in the first palce. But there is a lot of disrespect from many people when said discussion takes place.
Christ was always direct and honest when correcting people. He did it in loving, respectful way that helped people see the light or the error of their ways that caused them to want to change. The disrespect and name calling that goes on here is highly contrary to that.
If you want to call my religion false, that's fine. I have no problem with that. That I could debate and discuss in a logical, constructive way. Just don't be disrespectful. The point one tries to make with hateful statements gets lost when they offend the one they are talking to.
Being LDS, I've become used to people with different beliefs disagree with what I believe. I guess I just expect a level of mutual respect. Afterall, we're all children of God.