Speaking as a Protestant, we branched off the root of the Roman church and if it’s a “cult” our faith must be a sub-cult. Mormonism is, whatever it claims, a wholly new religion with what are to Catholics, Protestants, or Orthodox believers some very strange beliefs. That being said, we should all recognize what “major religions” pose the greatest threats to us all and they are, not necessarily in this order, Humanism and Islam. The first is a more immediate threat and the second far more ancient, but both are militant and intent on the destruction of Christianity in general.
“There have been several commenters here in the past who have indicated that as a fact Catholics are not Christians. Maybe some of them will come out and play today. “
A Christian is someone who trusts in Christ for their salvation.
Insasmuch as a Roman Catholic trusts in Christ for his salvation, I assume he is a Christian.
However, if he is following Catholic doctrine to a “t” and therefore trusting in the extra good works of Mary or Bartholomew or Dominic or whoever to credit his account and get him into heaven, he is not trusting in Christ, but in Mary or Bartholomew or Dominic. Therefore how can he be a Christian? He is not, at that point, trusting in Christ.
Or if he is trusting in his own works - doing penance to atone for whatever sins he may have committed - then he is also not trusting in Christ.
It all comes down to who your Savior is. Is it your own merit? Is it the merit of another person or persons? Or is it Christ and Him alone?
As for Mormons, I am unaware of any part of their doctrine where they are even taught that Jesus is as described in the Bible. They are taught rather than Jesus is an exalted man who got his own planet; a spirit brother of Satan, no less. They themselves through obedience to certain laws and good works earn themselves a planet of their own to rule as a god. This is nowhere near Christian doctrine, although the name of Jesus is used, and yes, it’s a cult through and through.
Mormonism is definitely a cult. I have mixed feelings about Catholicism. I used to see them as another church, but then I found out (through some Catholic posters here and confirmed by other sources) that the church teaches that mary was without sin and that she NEVER had sex, even after Jesus’ birth.
So the jury is still out with me, but that is very troubling.
Catholics are the FIRST Christians. Jesus founded his church on St. Peter and the other apostles — the first Pope and the first Bishops. I think you already knew that.