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Similarities between Mormonism and Scientology
epologetics.org via alma.edu ^ | Dec. 23, 2007

Posted on 01/22/2011 2:19:40 PM PST by Colofornian

* Origins

o Based on entirely unevidenced stories

o Doctrines created and evolved over time, sometimes changing

* Founders

o Known for their extreme desire for wealth

o Known for telling stories and lies

o Convicted and imprisoned for illegal activities

o Died during their trouble with the law

* Legal troubles

o Involved in many illegal activities, in many cases as part of official organization doctrine and practices

o Support destruction of outsiders, especially apostates (blood atonement, shunning, "fair game")

o Legal troubles led to changes in doctrine (at least on the surface, note polygamy and "fair game")

* Teachings

o Pre- and post-mortal existence

o Eternal progression (godhood, clear thetan)

o Only way to know truth is to experience it yourself

o Christianity, Bible only partly true

o Focus on thriving and happiness in present life rather than the afterlife or eternal life

o "Salvation" by works

o Give "milk" instead of "meat"

o Official endorsement of lying about or avoiding discussion of controversial doctrines, especially origin of man and key figures (Heavenly Father, Xenu, spirit children, thetans, etc)

o Levels can be achieved (Operating Thetan levels, temple Mormons, eternal progression, different kingdoms)

o Resistance is dismissed as proof/evidence of validity

* Behavior

o Persecution complex

o Label and treat opposition as evil enemies ("Antis", "Suppressive Persons")


TOPICS: Apologetics; Other Christian; Other non-Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: inman; lds; mormon; scientology; similarities
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To: svcw

Why would I include anti-Mormon sites in my links of truth? You are making no sense. Hope you are having a great Sunday!


61 posted on 01/23/2011 2:19:47 PM PST by Paragon Defender
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To: greyfoxx39

“There are none so blind as those who will not see.”


Boy do I agree with that!


62 posted on 01/23/2011 2:20:26 PM PST by Paragon Defender
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To: greyfoxx39; SZonian; Paragon Defender
Directly from Tommy Monson...I don't suppose it occurs to mormons that Christians can change denominations any time without being slandered and libeled for doing so...because they move from Christian church TO Christian church and are known by their fealty to the REAL Jesus Christ, which never changes.

TO YOU MORMONS WHO THINK LDS-R-CHRISTIAN & MOST CHRISTIANS IN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES-R-CHRISTIAN:
This is a real simple grasp. If those Christians in many non-Mormon churches are Christian, & if you consider yourself "Christian" too...then guess what? You can worship any given week in a church that doesn't have to have "Lds" in its title.

If most churches are "interchangeable" -- and if you deem Mormonism is just one of those in a broader network of the Lord's church, why...how freeing to you, right?

You've got Sunday plans...or want to make Sunday plans...well, many Evangelical churches offer Saturday night services now. Just find one. Go worship. You can do so fairly anonymously.

Or, make a commitment to go try an Evangelical church for three months' straight. If it doesn't work out for you, hey, it's a free country.

C'mon, you know both you -- AND many Lds you associate with -- consider Christians in other churches to be truly Christian.

Isn't it time you represent the Mormon community in stopping the "frowning" upon us Christians?

Isn't it time you represent the Mormon community in stopping the appearance of elitism communicated by many of your Lds peers?

Be bold. If you have Lds leaders and peers who label Christians in Christian churches to be exactly that, here's what you tell them: "Hey, I'm just taking up what we already believe to be so...I'm actually treating them as the Body of Christ!"

(See, PD, this approach isn't very "threatening" to you or other Mormons, right?)

63 posted on 01/23/2011 2:32:10 PM PST by Colofornian ( Life isn't FAIR!)
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To: Colofornian

Colofornian, the mormons make a big deal of weekly “sacrament”....quite a few Christian churches have a weekly communion...the only catch is, baptisn us a requirement (you don’t have to “prove” your worthiness or tell anyone if or how much you tithe) but mormon baptism would not fill the requirement in most of those churches.


64 posted on 01/23/2011 3:00:36 PM PST by greyfoxx39 ("Journalists" see no problem with fueling a mass panic over our "political discourse.")
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To: Paragon Defender

I did not write anti-mormon I wrote anti-Christian. I am beginning to believe you have not read the sites you post.


65 posted on 01/23/2011 4:52:00 PM PST by svcw (God doesn't show up in our time, but He shows up on time)
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To: Paragon Defender
It’s stuff like this that makes me glad we have sources of truth for folks to go when and if they truly seek it. Your propaganda is exposed and we get one of those ahah moments I refer to.

Sources of propaganda? One of your links is to FARMS/ Maxwell Institute. They teach that there are TWO Hill Cumorahs, one still unlocated in Central America, the other in the tradition place in New York. The OFFICIAL source- the mormon GA are on record as clearly stating that FARMS/Maxwell is teaching false doctrine on this point. Clearly your source cannot be trusted to present the real 'truth' when it cannot even present OFFICIAL truth.

Another link is to FAIR. FAIR conducts a practice called 'cybersquatting' - registering related and misleading domain names as a means of smearing an opponent. They have registered over 200 names. This is similar to the ploy used by the Church of Scientology when it infiltrated, bankrupted, and purchased the Cult Awareness Network, one of its biggest critics. Scientology now owns the Cult Awareness Network!

In an article defending the church position on Matthew 22:23-30 (about no marriage in heaven) http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Brochures... says, "We believe in continuing revelation....we do not have to show where in the Bible we get this doctrine"
In another article about the "Father" having a sexual union with the Virgin Mary http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Brochures... they say, "The place members should always look for official church doctrines is in the canonized scriptures of the church."
So, they want it both ways. Ignore the scriptures and listen to the church leader's continuing revelation OR ignore the continuing revelation of the church leaders and listen to the scriptures.

Such shining examples of integrity.

66 posted on 01/23/2011 5:32:38 PM PST by Godzilla (3-7-77)
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To: Elsie; All; Paragon Defender; restornu
ALL: Just look @ how many “it came to pass” phrases and “I, Nephi” statements are in just the brief excerpts Elsie cited in posts #44 & #45. .

Imagine, say that you’re one of the “Nephis” (there were supposedly several) who was etching out this "historical record" on "gold plates."

Tough going, right?

I mean, my Book of Mormon is over 500 pages! All of it was on “gold plates” supposedly written in “Reformed Egyptian???” (whatever language that is!)

And these “gold plates” apparently weren’t that large…I mean by supposedly about 400 years after Christ, the Book of Mormon character "Mormon," a guy who supposedly accessed ALL of these “gold plates,” said per Mormon 9:33: ”And IF our plates had been sufficiently large…”

(IOW, these "plates" were NOT "sufficiently large")

So, imagine again being that "historian." You’re gonna “tighten” things up, right?

What does the "evidence" tell us that Paragon Defender wants us to sift through?

(1) These gold plates weren’t sufficiently large (Mormon 9:33)
(2) Note the sheer amount of copy generated = 522 English pages
(3) Not an easy thing in B.C. and early A.D. times to scribble that much on “gold plates,” right?

I mean even one of these “Nephi” writers says @ one point: Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words…” (2 Nephi 31:2)

So that’s evidence of “tightening up” right?

But THEN we look @ certain verses from later “Nephi” characters…like from 4 Nephi 1:6.

Question 1: If all of this was so tough, why did it take the 4th Nephi guy 57 words to say in 4 Nephi 1:6 that 59 years had passed? Why would someone writing on a tight “gold plate” be so wordy?

Don't believe me that he was unnecessarily wordy?

Here, I'll type out that verse:
"And thus did the thirty and eighty year pass away, and also the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, also the fifty and first, and the fifty and second; yea, and even until fifty and nine years had passed away."

Or take 3 Nephi 21:2-7the 1830 version…these six verses are actually ALL ONE SENTENCE in that version! [Lds leaders realized “Houston, there’s a problem here"…and realized it didn’t convey to the reader a certain “economy” of somebody writing on “gold plates” – so they stretched out this original one sentence 1830 version to SIX verses!]

Question 2: Again, put yourself in this 3rd Nephi guy’s position. You’re etching a single sentence in your book. You know how laborious this process is. And so you offer a “tight” summation of details, right?

Not if your Joseph Smith makin’ somethin’ up! Smith used over 340 words in that ONE 1830 sentence of 3 Nephi 21!

According to Colleen Ralson, in her 1988 booklet, "Color Me Confused," p. 49 (Watchman Fellowship)-- as she commented upon the original verbiage of 3 Nephi 21:2-7 written as just ONE sentence in the original 1830 version:
'Father' is used 8 times,
'Gentile' 5 times,
'shall come forth' 4 times,
'that' and 'which' 20 times,
and 'me,' 'I' and 'my' over 11 times.
This Mormon Jesus is a lot more expressive in his statements than the Jesus of the Bible, who averaged only 19 words per sentence.

So the Biblical Jesus averages 19 words per sentence; here we have a Book of Mormon Jesus stuck on the words "that" and "which" 20 times alone in one sentence!!!

Mormons, you need to ask why your leaders are editing supposed "revelations" supposedly "translated" by the power of God?

Inquirers, when a Mormon asks you to pray about the Book of Mormon, ask him, "Which one?" The 1830 version or the massively edited version?

67 posted on 01/23/2011 6:15:43 PM PST by Colofornian ( Life isn't FAIR!)
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To: Colofornian

Your new method of “helping” the reader is almost clever. Don’t want them looking into themselves maybe? Doing the footwork for them?

Hopefully folks will be insulted as that is certainly what it is when you “help” with your propaganda.

Folks, look into these things for yourselves from both sides of you are sincere in your search for truth.

As I have stated repeatedly, your ahah moments will be frequent. Don’t take my word for it and don’t take the word of an anti-Mormon activist either.


68 posted on 01/23/2011 6:45:45 PM PST by Paragon Defender
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To: svcw

I did not write anti-mormon I wrote anti-Christian. I am beginning to believe you have not read the sites you post.


Since Mormons are Christian then you box yourself in a corner of nonsensical reason.


69 posted on 01/23/2011 6:51:11 PM PST by Paragon Defender
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To: Paragon Defender
Why would I include anti-Mormon sites in my links of truth?

Why... LDS.ORG of COURSE!!

When we post things that THEY have published; you call it REGURGITATED propaganda!


You see PD; your biggest problem is NOT us ANTIs: but your own chosen Organization!

70 posted on 01/23/2011 6:58:39 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Godzilla
we do not have to show where in the Bible we get this doctrine"

"We don't have to answer every question..."

71 posted on 01/23/2011 7:00:35 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Paragon Defender; Colofornian
‎"Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer to the end of it's creation". ~ D&C 49:16:: This was a revelation given by "God" to J.Smith. I wonder why he would contradict his own revelation to produce D & C 132. Folks seeking truth from mormonism need to be aware of the lie of mormonism as well. And that the 'god' of mormonism is a fickle god, unable to make up his mind on what is lawful or not. Eternal principles that are not eternal principles.
72 posted on 01/23/2011 7:01:41 PM PST by Godzilla (3-7-77)
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To: Colofornian
"And thus did the thirty and eighty year pass away, and also the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, also the fifty and first, and the fifty and second; yea, and even until fifty and nine years had passed away."

It's a wonder that ALL of SZonian's and Reaganuat's and the other EXMOs braincells have not withered away to nothing by reading THIS!

73 posted on 01/23/2011 7:03:15 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Colofornian
and 'me,' 'I' and 'my' over 11 times.

I was going to go back and highlight all the "I"s, but MEGO was starting to take effect!

74 posted on 01/23/2011 7:05:16 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

When we post things that THEY have published; you call it REGURGITATED propaganda!


I usually just ignore your babblings Elsie but I’ll respond to this one.

As I have said repeatedly, we have no issue with any of the scriptures or leaders being quoted. But in context and not misrepresented.

Did you see the “but” part? Do you understand?

Stick to your grocery store checkout tabloid posts.


75 posted on 01/23/2011 7:05:57 PM PST by Paragon Defender
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To: Godzilla

“Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer to the end of it’s creation”. ~ D&C 49:16:: This was a revelation given by “God” to J.Smith. I wonder why he would contradict his own revelation to produce D & C 132. Folks seeking truth from mormonism need to be aware of the lie of mormonism as well. And that the ‘god’ of mormonism is a fickle god, unable to make up his mind on what is lawful or not. Eternal principles that are not eternal principles.


/yawn.... there it is again... another in the long list of regurgitated no-issues. Addressed a thousand times over many many years. Blinders fitting well tonight?


76 posted on 01/23/2011 7:08:36 PM PST by Paragon Defender
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To: Paragon Defender
Hopefully folks will be insulted as that is certainly what it is when you “help” with your propaganda.

What is INSULTING is your calling OFFICIAL MORMON SCRIPTURE propaganda!


Your fellow MORMONs (are there any left?) in these threads MUST approve of your method, for NONE of them seem to call you out about it.

77 posted on 01/23/2011 7:08:49 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Paragon Defender
Since Mormons are Christian then you box yourself in a corner of nonsensical reason.

No, PD. They are mere WANNABEEs!


Repeat after me:

FLDS folks are MORMONs - they are NOT Christians.

78 posted on 01/23/2011 7:10:49 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Paragon Defender; Elsie
Yawn? What happened to /sigh...?


79 posted on 01/23/2011 7:13:36 PM PST by Utah Binger (Southern Utah where the world comes to see America)
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To: Godzilla
Silly Godzilly!

You are laboring under a misunderstood definition.

You Hateful ANTIs think that TWAIN means two; where we MORMONs have been given REVELATION that it can mean up to 72!

--MormonDube(3-4 would be about all I could handle.)

80 posted on 01/23/2011 7:14:08 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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