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.
BSA has different awards/goals depending upon the religious affiliation (if any of the sponsoring group). the LDS one is VERY different from most Christian ones. I can see where faith would be an issue.
PYW posted a chart the other day with the different awards and denominations/religions.
Nicely framed distinctions.
To paraphrase the good captain, “What does a PCA church need with a Boy Scout troop?”
“The reality is that if one religion is a cult, all religions are cults.”
Exactly. There is nothing in Mormonism that is not shared by religion in general. A belief in the metaphysical.
“colorcountry; reaganaut; greyfoxx39; Colofornian; P-Marlowe”
Yup, call in the cut an paste queens.
A grandchild.
To me, it makes them look like they are afraid of anyone who doesnt toe the line in their doctrine.
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No, that would be if they refused to allow a Methodist or non-denominational Christian to be leaders.
Mormons are a different bird all together.
Oh lease, dixjea. Show me my last cut and paste (that wasn’t lyrics or a picture), or retract your accusation.
If there weren't such a WEALTH of claims, statements and downright lies from mormon leaders all the way down from Joseph Smith, there wouldn't be any material TO cut and paste.
Nice false accusation...
I give it am 8, would be a 9 but it could have been more detailed to really catch the uninformed...
There is nothing in Mormonism that is not shared by religion in general.
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But there is A LOT in Mormonism that is not shared by CHRISTIANITY in general. And THAT is why these people were not allowed to be scout leaders.
OK then. Presbyterians voted to allow gay clergy, but booted the Mormon cub leaders.
At least they have their priorities straight.
Yup, call in the cut an paste queens.
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ROFL. the ones listed above (including me) rarely ‘cut and paste’.
Generally what is cut and pasted are statements from Mormon prophets and Apostles. When Mormons see those statements on a thread they have a tendency to "cut and run".
BTW you left out Elsie.
Wrong Presbyterians, Rip.
These are the conservative ones that broke of of the ones that allow gay clergy.
Their priorities are fine.
So did my Hindu landlady from 15 years ago.
Yes, I know about the rift. That was a general observation. I don’t imagine the PCUSA that accepts gay priests to have a different policy when it comes to Mormon cub scout leaders.
That's about as fair as if I were to try to hang the Texas polygamists around the necks of the LDS folks in Salt Lake. Sort of a sun is to green as ocean is to yellow comparison.
So a mormon is a buddist is a moslem is a shintoist is a druid.
Give us some TRUTH to cling to; instead of our BIBLES and our GUNS!
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