So don't go preaching about how poorly the Mormons are treated. The Mormon Church labeled the Catholic Church " that Great Abominable Church" and the Mother of Harlots. They believe the Mormon Church replaced the Catholic Church and that the Catholic Church fell into apostasy in the first Century and that the gospel was lost for 1700 years, until Joseph Smith restored it.
So go ahead and defend them. If you don't know the secret handshakes, passwords, and wear the special Underwear, you aren't getting into the Celestial Kingdom.
If you will ping me to where you were treated unfairly, I’ll do my best to give you a fair defense.
I’m defending courteous and respectful dialogue among Freepers of different faiths. I am aware of what LDS belief toward my Church and others is; I’m aware of past viciousness and even wars under the flag of religion, Protestant and Catholic. We do not have to defend each other’s religion in order to have something approaching respectful discussion of our beliefs.
Can this site be a place of respectful discussion among different faiths - all agreeing on a foundation of freedom of religion and worship?
Open threads here have devolved into hurtful flame wars, the same brickbats thrown over and over. I’ve been almost completely avoiding them and recommend others do the same.
Not that I haven’t lost my cool on occasion. I regret some of my own actions and their reflection on this site and my fellow Freepers. I hope to do better and hope that all Freepers can join together to do better - for ourselves and in order to better exemplify what Christian behavior should be - especially on Free Republic.
thanks for your reply.
| Issue | Catholicism | Mormonism | Jehovah's Witnesses | Christianity |
| Specific Church Leader on earth |
The Pope |
The Prophet |
Watchtower Organization | none (except, of course, Jesus) |
| Source of Theology | Bible and Tradition | Bible and additional Scripture | Bible and Watchtower Organization | Bible |
| Sample of non-biblical teachings | Purgatory, Penance, Indulgences, praying to Mary, her assumption. |
Many gods, god from another world, goddess mother, you can become a god. | Jesus is Michael the Archangel. No blood transfusions, no hell, 144,000 go to heaven | If it isn't taught here, I don't believe it. |
| Method of Salvation | Faith, grace, baptism, works | Faith, grace, baptism, works | Faith, grace, baptism, works | Grace through Faith |
| True Church |
Their church organization is one true church | Their church organization is one true church | Their church organization is one true church | All who are saved by grace through faith are in the true church |
| Claim of Authority | Apostolic Succession | Apostolic Succession | Being the faithful servant | In Jesus alone |
| Assets | Great Wealth and Power | Great Wealth and Power | Wealth, not much power | Treasures in heaven |
| Goddess-like figure | Mary has godlike abilities: able to hear and answer all prayers of all people all the time, intercede with God. | Goddess Mother who has populated this world with spirits who inhabit human bodies | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Images of God, or Jesus, or Mary, etc. | Used in worship in churches | Used in temples and headquarters |
Not Applicable | Not Applicable |