[Grig]

Signed by Grig

[Saundra Duffy]

Signed by Saundra Duffy

[Godzilla]

The appeal here lacks substance. I do not run to the moderators every time my belief in Christ is slandered by mormons. I do not run to the moderators when a mormon calls me a b*tthead, for lack of a better presentation of mormonism. I do not run to the moderators every time a mormon tells me or others that theirs is the only true church and mine is of the devil. Though those of us here have been accused by Greg of willfully lying about mormonism, I have yet to be shown that any of my citations from mormon leadership, standard works or historical documents have been deliberately fabricated.

BTW, many of these 'anti's' are former mormons, many multigenerational, the materials regarding mormonism I've seen them post has yet to be refuted or shown to be a deliberate misrepresentation - but accurate in citation and context.

Mormons want to be known as Christians on their own terms, not that of historical, orthodox Christian theology. The exoticness of mormon theology is unbelievable. I believe the following article best explains their reactions to our opposition.

http://www.afcministry.com/FAIR_says_anti_Mormons_are_not_Christians.htm

Anti Mormons are not Christians is what a Mormon Apologetics website called FAIR has stated at their website concerning those who oppose the Mormon Church doctrines. FAIR stands for "Foundation for Apologetic Information Research", which is a Mormon Apologetics website which means they provide information to defend their beliefs and respond to those who oppose.

What FAIR has said concerning anti-Mormons
"The term anti-Mormon is herein used to describeany person or organization that is directly and actively opposed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its doctrines, policies and programs. It is not, as critics sometimes mischievously try to claim, a catchall term for anyone who does not accept or believe in the Church, but is applied only to those who actively campaign against it. As an adjective, it applies to those specific activities that may with reasonable accuracy be described as attacks upon the Church."

http://www.fairlds.org/apol/antis/200201.html
The above quote from FAIR has some very interesting points to examine.
- The term anti-Mormon means any person or organization that is opposed to the LDS Church.
- The term anti-Mormon means any person or organization that is opposed to LDS doctrines.
- The term anti-Mormon only applies to those who actively campaign against the LDS Church.
- The term anti-Mormon applies to those who are against the Church. These are attackers of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints.

Mormons are taught repeatedly by their leaders that those who oppose the Mormon Church are inaccurate and are teaching false things. The following quote is from FAIR concerning anti-Mormons who oppose the Mormon Church and if they are Christians. "So we return to the question with which we began this survey: are anti-Mormons Christian? The answer: of course not. They were never even in the hunt." http://www.fairlds.org/apol/antis/200201.html

Purpose of this information

Mormons get upset at Christians who say, "Mormons are not Christians", yet what do Mormon defenders say? They say those protest, voice their beliefs, expose Mormons doctrines, and preach what the Bible says, are anti-Mormons and are not true Christians. The reason this information has been shared is to show that all Mormons are not alike, and that there are Mormons who attack people's love for the truth of the Word of God. Many Mormons would not say what FAIR has said, but there are those who do would agree.

The Bible warns about False Teachers

"13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:13-15 King James Bible)

"4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]." (2 Corinthians 11:4 King James Bible)

"13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 King James Bible)

"6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9 King James Bible)

These warnings were not only for then but also for today! Joseph Smith was not a true prophet of God and many wonderful people have been deceived with his false teachings. Joseph Smith taught another gospel, another Jesus, and claimed that an angel from heaven named Moroni was sent to him to give him the gospel truth. Moroni was not a true angel of God and Joseph Smith was deceived, and since then many people have come to believe in Joseph Smith, but he was a false prophet.

Defend the Faith and have Answers for what you Believe "10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:10-11 King James Bible)

"15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 King James Bible)

"15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (1 Peter 3:15 King James Bible)

"3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3 King James Bible)

We are to examine all things, no matter who is teaching us. The example of the Bereans is something people today need to practice daily. Paul writes for us to study the Word of God and to share it in truth, because it is a serious issue sharing the Word of God! Many people today have been deceived concerning the Mormon Church and the truth of the Scriptures. Christians are to share the truth in love and with great confidence, so that those who are seeking may come to know Jesus Christ personally. There are those such as FAIR, who call those who oppose the Mormon Church anti-Mormon, but the truth is Christians who oppose the Mormon Church are doing what Jude instructed them to do. Christians are to earnestly contend for the faith, and if that means to oppose the doctrines of the Mormon Church, than so be it. **end of citation**

Perhaps some should look into the reasons why so many have left mormonism – many of their stories can be read here: http://www.exmormon.org/

As long as mormons here try to force acceptance of their beliefs, they will be challenged to defend those beliefs - just as I have been challenged on occasion by mormon and non-mormon to defend mine. This is the public square, and if their ideas are superior, they will prevail. But they will not prevail with this kind of victimization play.

[Saundra Duffy]

Signed by proxy by FReeper lager who has given his consent

[SeaHawkFan]

We have, to the best of our ability, conducted ourselves with civility and dignity. We do not feel that that respect has been returned by some posters (putting it mildly).

Old Mountain Man and restornu? Give me a break.

[magritte]

I’m not a Mormon, but I agree there is an uncomfortable amount of anti-Mormon hatred/paranoia on this forum. I doubt, however, that it is much more than I encounter here in SE Missouri. (Note: No ex-Mormons around...it’s fundamentalist Baptists)...magritte

[Kitten1]

I’m a Baptist who converted to Catholicism.

I have no issue with you. I’ve met many nice, decent people in my life who live within the Mormon faith. I agree on the level vitriol on this board (and not just regarding religion).

supportively signed by Kitten1

[hunter112]

I've also seen the anti-Mormon posts, and been somewhat distressed by them, I think of FR as primarily a political forum, and not one that seeks to figure out what an unseen deity tells us what to do. But then, I'm an atheist, and I see discussions of religion as fairly meaningless anyway.

I respect our LDS FReepers as fellow conservatives, and hope that as the contentuous Republican primary season recedes into memory, that those folks can find some healing from the bitterness they have experienced here. We will need them to help us restore a conservative Congress to deal with the liberalness that we will surely face after the election is all settled and done.

[Drango]

This group is full of hate
http://www.utlm.org/navaboutus.htm

[wardaddy]

You’re quite right and many of the nastiest Mormon bashers are not here...yet.

[uglybiker]

Some of you have noticed lately a lot of LDS (ie: Mormon) threads here on FR. I'm going to tell you why.

Cuz Dan Brown's next book is gonna be out soon and they just want to keep their skills sharp! ;-)

[Theo]

You wrote, “We will actively define our faith here rather than just respond to accusations.”

I welcome that. The clearer you are about what you believe, the more evident it is that it is a non-Christian cult, a perversion of Christianity.

[Elsie]

Every faith has things in it that are not or can not be proven, and things that run contrary to what secular science would have us believe.

Some faiths have stuff that CAN be proven, and the mere mention of them upsets the HECK out of the present day leaders of it.

[MrEdd]

Are they not started by Mormons? Many of the Catholic and Anglican threads are started by Catholics and Anglicans.

[Petronski]

There was a tendency to smear all of Willard’s opponents as anti-Mormon, regardless of evidence or reality.

[Petronski]

I’ve read through your post three times now and I gotta say, it seems so familiar. So much of what you describe is something I see done every day here by those who hate my Church.

I don’t have to endorse LDS to know that conflating it with FLDS is unfair and stalking you & your fellow faithful and hijacking your threads with the same spam day after day, week after week is wrong and abusive.

I stand with you in the hope for “respectful dialogue” among all faiths.

Signed by Petronski

[sitetest]

I've often been appalled by the treatment of the LDS and its members here.

I remember when it was worse than what it is presently. I remember at least one poster who was permanently banned at least in part because he couldn't seem to help himself from taunting and mocking LDS folks and their beliefs.

I thought he was a nice guy otherwise, but I was glad that he was banned.

Signed,

sitetest

[Domandred]

2 Nephi 1:23 Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.

Signed Domandred

[cherry]

I'll hit the abuse button every time I come across the Mormon sermons on the news page...keep your stuff on the religous page and it'll make us all happy....

as long as some insist on preaching to other freepers they can expect more and more freepers to distrust or dislike Mormons.....some of you really come across as arrogant....

I've known a ton of Mormons.........work with them..live next to at least one.. belong to the same groups etc...No one has ever openly tried to sermonize anyone... NO Mormon that I know has ever even brought up the subject of them being Mormon except if its a direct question....

so why would any Mormons do it on a blog that is centered on news and politics?

[YCTHouston]

The frequent, bigoted spam from a handful of people who seem to have no dayjobs is one of the reasons I avoid FR for long periods of time.

A few jerks are determined to ruin it for everybody else, and I think it’s reasonable to believe that they’re neither Republicans nor Christians, but are just here to sew dissent.

[TheDon]