Come now, when you mentioned this, did you really think my responsive post was provoked by what you said about the MTC?
Yes, Mormonism is theological error, yes I like most of them anyway just as I like some Atheists, Pantheists, agnostics and even a new ager or two. Sheeeesh.......LOL!
What? Are you again trying to hit the rewind button & tape over your post #19? I notice you tried the same tactic with Elsie in post #44: Its hard to believe the replies I am getting just for liking Mormons.
So let me set the record straight:
It's absolutely GREAT you have Mormon friends!
It's superb that you have Mormon neighbors!
And if you hear the MTC on the radio & appreciate something musically, well, hey, that's dandy!
Having extended family who are Lds, by all means, love away on 'em!
But that wasn't the main gist of your post #19.
Oh sure, you indeed said: They got a great choir and are typically very nice people and make for wonderful neighbors...if a bunch of mormons moved into my neighborhood I would thank them profusely for improving my home value.
But you also added the following: Not one has ever told me that orthodox Christianity is an abomination or whoredom. That may be written in the discourses, but your everyday Mormon does not spread such venom...
What? You haven't heard of the delegating power of the $? If you pay somebody or assign somebody to do what you won't directly do yourself, what? You think that relieves them of their culprit connection?
And then you also said: What are the fruits that Mormons bear? Good fruit or bad? That is the real question. At least for me anyway. Its great to be aware of erroneous teaching, and to make others aware, but...
(And that's where you commented on how important your neighborhood home real estate value was in juxtaposition to the value of heavenly real estate).
Unless you have already concluded that Mormon "fruit" = heaven. (Have you?)
'Cause...see...that's the filter -- the Biblical filter of Jesus & the apostle Paul through which I'm operating:
Here's Jesus:
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)
What's wrong with exercising fear of the One who has authority to cast somebody into hell?
Here's Paul:
As Paul was leaving the church of Ephesus, he warned them with this high-priority alert:
"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)
Paul's cultural priority? (Defend against the false disciples who will proselytize the flock and draw away men unto themselves!)
Tell me something, HerrBlucher: If you did something tearfully night and day for three years, do you think you'd respond to Paul by saying, "Hey, Paul, it's great to be aware of erroneous teaching by some wolves & all, but, Paul, isn't the real question what are the fruits that these wolves-who-dress-like sheep bear? Good fruit or bad? That is the real question. At least for me anyway. Its great to be aware of erroneous teaching, and to make others aware, but if a bunch of outward sheep moved into my neighborhood I would thank them profusely for improving my home value."
Placemarker for another day
Tell me something, HerrBlucher: If you did something tearfully night and day for three years, do you think you'd respond to Paul by saying, "Hey, Paul, it's great to be aware of erroneous teaching by some wolves & all, but, Paul, isn't the real question what are the fruits that these wolves-who-dress-like sheep bear? Good fruit or bad?
Defend against? Am I supposed to raise a theological battle whenever I encounter a Mormon? Or an Athiest? Or a Pantheist? Or a Jehovah's witness? Do you? If they proselytize error to me, then I defend my faith back, if they leave me alone and we just talk shop, sports, neighborhood etc, then that is what we do.
No, I don't call them wolves in sheeps clothing out to condemn people to hell. Wow that a Thanksgiving dinner that would be if I did....yikes! And what a day in Church that would be when I encounter Christians of the liberalized variety who hardly even believe in the supernatural, or don't at all.
And yes I judge my friends and family by the fruits they bear. Of course, that is my human judgement for the purpose of establishing, continuing, or rejecting relationships. God's judgement obviously is wholly different and for a different purpose.
***Did I mention they got a great choir, or should I not listen to the MTC either? Is it demon music brought from the depths of hell?***
Many cultic groups will find something with which they hope to “show” the world they are “sincere”.
Mormons have the Tabernacle choir, the followers of Mary Baker Eddy (who denies the blood of Christ for salvation) have the Christian Science Monitor newspaper.
And then there is Scientology with Tom Cruise and john Travolta....