And Joseph Smith claiming he's better than Jesus makes him, what?
Posted on 02/27/2011 8:35:02 AM PST by Colofornian
America has probably supplied the world with more new religions than any other nation...the country's atmosphere of religious experimentation has produced dozens of movements, from Mormonism to a wide range of nature-based practices grouped under the name Wicca.
...how do we tell when a religious movement ceases to be novel or unusual and becomes a cult?
...Hollywood writer-director Paul Haggis...left the Church of Scientology and has accused it of abusive practices, including demands that members disconnect from their families...
In the early 19th century, the "Burned-over District" of central New York state—so named for the religious passions of those who settled there following the Revolutionary War—gave rise to a wave of new movements, including Mormonism, Seventh-Day Adventism and Spiritualism (or talking to the dead). It was an era, as historian Sydney E. Ahlstrom wrote, when "Farmers became theologians, offbeat village youths became bishops, odd girls became prophets."
SNIP
Many academics and observers of cult phenomena, such as psychologist Philip G. Zimbardo of Stanford, agree on four criteria to define a cult. The first is behavior control...monitoring of where you go and what you do. The second is information control, such as discouraging members from reading criticism of the group. The third is thought control, placing sharp limits on doctrinal questioning. The fourth is emotional control—using humiliation or guilt...I would add two more categories: financial control and extreme leadership.
Financial control translates into levying ruinous dues or fees...
Yet every coercive religious group harbors one telltale trait: untoward secrecy. As opposed to a cult, a religious culture ought to be as simple to enter or exit...the group's finances should be reasonably transparent. Its doctrine need not be conventional—but it should be knowable to outsiders. Absent those qualities, an unorthodox religion can descend into something darker.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
And Joseph Smith claiming he's better than Jesus makes him, what?
You need to look here. You are being misled as is obvious by your worn out propaganda.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up in the anti-Mormon propaganda can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
Nope. All religions and even “isms” give you guilt! Guilt is powerful!
Nope, the only difference between a religion, or way of life, and a cult, is that the cult will not let you leave. PERIOD.
I do not care how many angels dance on the head of a pin.
LOL, The Utah cult may think they still own me but I got over the guilt long ago. And they keep trying to lay it on me.
In my mind I am very free of them, Free at Last. Thank that Powerful Almighty, I am Free at Last!
Having been raised in a “different” religion, I can answer the question presented in the title of this thread...
It’s a cult if I (the speaker) don’t believe in it.
How did I know that this spam would be coming? At least you didn’t lead with it this time. In case you missed it, there’s a question (which should be pretty easy for you to answer) back in #60.
Sure I do. BOTH 9/11/2001 and 9/11/1857.
Or have you conveniently forgotten the latter?
I try to have an eternal perspective and don’t focus as much on threats to this temporary journey in life. God is in control and is sovereign, so while I remember 9-11, I don’t worry about it everyday. I’m more concerned about lost souls being deceived away from the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jesus).
You seem to be focused on politics, so why are you on the
Religion forum? My statement referred to spirtual impact and not political impact or any thing else relating to this temporary world.
You can fight Islam on a political and military front all you want, but what really matters is if a person places their trust in Jesus Christ as their savior.
But Jesus, who is God, gave a command to tell the whole world about him and to be wary of false prophets. So it seems that the OP is following the commands of Jesus by pointing out the false teachings of Mormonism...why do you have a problem with that?
You need to look here. You are being misled as is obvious by your worn out propaganda.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up in the anti-Mormon propaganda can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
If this was "propaganda" how come nobody in the world has any evidence of the Nephite or Lamanite people? We can find fossils from a billion years ago but not one Nephite clay pot?
Once inside my youngest stood in front of the Mona Lisa for a solid ten minutes. I was very impressed, thinking that the trip might be worth it. At last she turned, shook her head and said..."I don't get it."
how come nobody in the world has any evidence of the Nephite or Lamanite people?
That we know of. Patience grasshopper. I won’t tease you when the time comes. I promise. And I won’t post obnoxious, antagonistic photoshop pictures either. I promise.
Now go look up this and every other subject you have brought up at the links provided. You want the truth right?
It’s about art, not subjects or objects.
Once you figure that out it is very easy to deal with.
The subtleties are very evident in that very small portrait. And if your daughter had not been looking at art prior to going there her response is very understandable.
More work and development of a level of understanding is always required when trying to determine what art is.
Keep working on this as it is very important.
I gave her credit for trying. She’s grown now and out of the house. She will not put anything on her walls that is not original...it might not all be good, but it is all original.
So, I can't look forward to some video of you doing the football touchdown dance once they've published the evidence of the Nephite people? Well darn, there goes my evening.
I'll read your links after I read some chapters in the bible. Psalms 63:1 is my favorite.
Do you read Psalms?
Do Mormons believe King David is in hell?
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