Posted on 10/22/2010 2:42:31 AM PDT by Gamecock
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In shopping around for a Cub Scout program for their two sons, ages 6 and 8, Jeremy and Jodi Stokes decided on the one at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, N.C.
The Stokeses, also of Matthews, weren't members of the evangelical megachurch, but they had many friends who were. And unlike the Cub Scout pack at their own church, which doesn't have a program for 6-year-old Tiger Scouts, Christ Covenant's was big enough to accommodate both of their boys.
The couple even signed up to be Scout leaders when they discovered the church needed adult help. And when the Scouting officials at Christ Covenant found out Jeremy Stokes was an Eagle Scout, they were thrilled.
So why did Christ Covenant reject the Stokeses' application to be Scout leaders?
Because they're Mormons. And, therefore, not real Christians, church officials told the couple.
"I can't believe they had the audacity to say, 'You can't be leaders, but we want your boys,' " Jodi Stokes said. "Are you kidding me?"
The Rev. Gabe Sylvia, Christ Covenant's staff liaison to the Scouting program, confirmed the Stokeses' account. He called them to apologize but defends the church's decision.
"When it became clear that they were Mormons, they could not become leaders in our pack. Mormonism is not consistent with historical Christianity," he said.
That view — that Mormons, whose church is formally titled the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are not Christians — is shared by other Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches, as well.
"It was so offensive," said Jodi Stokes, who was raised Catholic, then became a Mormon. "I have a picture of Jesus in my living room."
Members of the Salt Lake City-based church believe salvation is possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But significant theological differences separate Mormons from most Christian churches.
The LDS church treats as holy scripture the Book of Mormon, which isn't recognized by other churches, but which it believes was divinely revealed to Joseph Smith in the 1820s.
Mormons also disavow belief in the core Christian doctrine of the Trinity — that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one — instead believing the three to be individuals united in a single purpose.
Mormons believe the original Christian church vanished 100 years after Jesus' death and resurrection. The authentic church, they believe, was restored by Smith.
It’s “We only worship one god, there is just a lot of them.”
repeat: I firmly believe in God. I also firmly believe that the evil one encourages religious secularism, animosity, hatred, ridicule and war. Just like politics, there’s money involved; so, the leaders must keep their followers as followers.
Epic Fail, PD.
Mormonism has nothing in common with historical Christianity and in fact counters it.
Of course to a mormon it 'sounds' like historica Christianity because they've been spoonfed it from their 'living' prophets and extra biblical revelations from day one. Follow the prophet and check your brain at the door. Of course the book of mormon is true - even though we don't have a clue as to where they actually 'LIVED' during those times. Sure the prophet is a 'true' prophet, even though his prophecies don't come to pass or conflict with the prophecy of a previous prophet. And the only 'real' way to translate a document is to look at a smooth stone while stuffing your head into a hat.
Wow, I think I've posted about 50 times to you regarding stuff you've said on this forum and this is the first time I can remember that you ever responded to anything I've posted here.
No, Paragon, the fact is that what us ex-Mormons post here is the stuff we were taught in the LDS Church. You know, like the stuff about God being a man on another planet in a previous mortal existence and that if we were good little Mormons that someday we would be gods too.
Someday you'll be an ex-Mormon too.
I just pray it happens before you stand before God at the Judgment and he personally explains to you that if you thought you could become a God by your good works, that you will have an eternity in Hell think twice about that demonic doctrine.
Actually most of us ex-Mormons are not "Anti-Mormons" since we only want Mormons (for most of us that includes our own family members) to be saved and to go to heaven and we know that most of them are on the fast track to Hell. Believing you will someday earn the position of God is a sure fire way to end up in Hell.
One of the principle arguments against Christianity is how a perfect writing, the Bible, is used to create so many cults. It it were perfect and defined, only one religion would spring from its pages.
But it has fostered many religions; the cult members trash each other, claim superiority over other cults, and then claim the high ground is theirs after waging such poor behavior. They do not set a good example for those who seek spiritual guidance. It is like our political system!
I agree, which is why I oppose the LDS whitewashing of history and doctrine.
The vast majority of Christian denominations don’t do that.
They aren't even slow on the far, FAR front lines!
Amen, P!!
Thank you, Pan Yan!
Come on down. I’ll make a Danish feast like you’ve never had before. I use butter instead of lard however.
I’ll try to get a young goat shank so Elsie will feel at home.
Paragon Defender Maxims:
"The way to highlight the straw man is to embody him!" "Make the posters the issue, not the issues."
As of December 31, 2009, there were 51,736 LDS missionaries serving in 344 church missions throughout the world. Their work, often in cooperation with local members, resulted in 280,106 convert baptisms in 2009.[12] Author David Stewart points out that the number of convert baptisms per missionary per year has fallen from a high of 8.03 in 1989 to just 4.67 in 2005.[13] He argues that the number of converts would increase if Mormon missionaries made greater efforts in meeting new people; he points out that the average companionship spends only four or five hours per week attempting to meet new people.[13]
How terrible it is that a handful of Christians post a handful of threads per week on FreeRepublic to counter the proselytizing efforts of the missionaries and public relations campaign of the mormon church. Don't you just feel SO sorry that the poor, persecuted mormons aren't able to have their message heard?
>>Sorry but Mormonism IS historical Christianity restored.<<
So Jesus originally said that he was Lucifer’s brother? The Bible tells us that Lucifer was originally a good angel that rebelled and was cast out and that Jesus was “the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God”. Sounds very different from Mormon to me.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
I suggest you get your facts straight. As pointed out, this is the Presbyterian Church in America, which does not condone homosexuality in any way, shape or form.
Interestingly the liberal PC(USA), tho ones who are more "open minded" probably would not hesitate allowing cultists like the LDS be scout leaders.
Let's let them be Scout leaders! (If Mormons expect consistency that is.)
>>Believing you will someday earn the position of God is a sure fire way to end up in Hell.<<
That is after all what got Lucifer in trouble.
If they want a troop that allows mormons to be leaders, I'm sure they can do that.
BUT I am sure the mormons would be warmly welcomed to participate in the life of that church, up to the point where they would want to partake in the Lord's Supper, teach, or be the husband be installed in an office.
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