Posted on 08/23/2012 8:20:55 PM PDT by delacoert
Edited on 08/23/2012 8:26:36 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
In recent decades the Republican Party has made a person’s religious beliefs an issue for election to political office, despite the First Amendment to the Constitution explicitly forbidding this.
For the Republicans, that requirement is a person must be a Christian. Mitt Romney has chosen staunch Roman Catholic Paul Ryan as his running mate. That should help divert some of the concern about Romney himself being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints — a Mormon.
There has been debate, including in The Herald-News’ OpenLine, about whether or not Mormons are true Christians. Most people don’t know what Mormons believe, so I thought I would publicize some of their basic precepts, all of which can be easily confirmed.
Mormons believe that “God” created multiple worlds with people living on them. Multiple gods exist but each has its own universe. All people existed as pre-mortal spirit children of God and are then physically born on this earth and are subject only to our specific “God.” If you follow God and his law (the precepts of the LDS Church) you can reach the highest level of heaven and become a “God” also.
Our “God” was a mortal on another planet who reached this highest level and became “God.” He had a mortal wife who also became a “Goddess.” He physically had sexual relations with Mary and Jesus became mortal from his spirit life as the eldest son of “God.”
Mormons recognize God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but all three are not one substance but completely different beings forming one “godhead.”
They feel the early Christian Church became corrupted by pagan influences at the Council of Nicea. The Church was finally “restored” through appearances by God, Jesus and some of the apostles to Joseph Smith, beginning in 1820 at age 14. (Smith and his mother and father all believed in “visions, prophecies and folk magic.”) Joseph Smith viewed himself as the “prophet” of God who spoke to the people through him. The LDS still has a “prophet” who can have visions from God and announce new Church beliefs, such as the acceptance of African Americans into the “priesthood” in 1978.
Further beliefs: When people die, the “spirit” is separated from the body and either goes to “spirit heaven” or “spirit prison” waiting for the second coming; Jesus appeared to the people of America after his resurrection; and God, Jesus, and “resurrected beings” have bodies of flesh and bone.
They believe there is no salvation outside the LDS Church, there is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet, and Satan originated the idea that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation.
Mormons believe the entire world must be converted to Mormonism, and they proselytize aggressively.
The final item is their belief in “temple garments,” often referred to as “Mormon underwear.” These are worn day and night, and are required to be worn to enter a temple. They are believed to be a constant reminder of the LDS covenant with God and are a “source of protection from evil.”
These are some of the beliefs of Mitt Romney, the man who would be president; beliefs he does not want to discuss. What do you think?
Short answer: Nope, they’re not.
THANKS !!!!!! s/ Barack
Because he is a Mormon and it’s never been an issue for him. Why is it an issue for Romney when no one cared about the leader of the senate being a Mormon. Double standard!
“However, keep in mind, that right now as it stands, on this earth, there is only one man and his running mate who might be able to unseat the incumbent...that is Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan.”
Bears repeating.
No it is like all the denominations of Christianity agreeing that the 1800s cult started by Joseph Smith, is not a Christian religion, but a different religion entirely.
“However, keep in mind, that right now as it stands, on this earth, there is only one man and his running mate who might be able to unseat the incumbent...that is Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan.”
Bears repeating.
In spite of any shortcomings they might have or how I may disagree with their current or past stand on an issue, the stark reality is that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are the only men on the planet who can unseat the incumbent. Period.
Who would bring it up? He is a member of the anti-Christian political party, his potential voters don't care.
Republicans are the party of religious people, religion is important in our politics.
I’m not sure where Huckabee encourages us to lie on behalf of the LDS. The LDS is a religious cult that enslaves its followers into a life time of mediocrity and false vanity followed shortly thereafter by hell. There is nothing good in it, and once you analyze it, you realize that every one of its “good points” are a lie. You can’t even take them at face value when they start complaining that they are so oppressed. Even old Joey Smith’s martrydom came after organizing a mob to burn down a dissident newspaper’s printing press. The Nauvoo Expositor was exposing him for his systematic abuse of women, his theocratic designs, his complete disdain for opposing voices and his flagrant disregard for the law. It is ironic, therefore, that he died to a lawless mob himself.
But there is. Mormons see themselves as a Christian denomination. The Baptists see themselves as a Christian denomination. Yet the Mormons and the Baptists disagree on many things.
Granted, things today are not (yet) quite as dire as during the siege of Constantinople. But my point is this: self-identified Christians should spend more effort looking for commonalities, not differences.
Commonalities strengthen us, differences weaken us.
“But there is. Mormons see themselves as a Christian denomination. The Baptists see themselves as a Christian denomination. Yet the Mormons and the Baptists disagree on many things.
Granted, things today are not (yet) quite as dire as during the siege of Constantinople. But my point is this: self-identified Christians should spend more effort looking for commonalities, not differences.
Commonalities strengthen us, differences weaken us.”
What the hell. We are the world has come to Free Republic. I’m no relativist though. I can’t ignore the truth just to get along, especially when it is being done just for political purposes.
"Regarding the question of whether Mormonism is Christian though, there is no disagreement among the different Christian denominations."
"Greek Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and so on, they are all on the same page in regards to the question of this thread topic, Mormonism is a new 'religion' created by Joseph Smith, it is not Christian."
“I don’t think there is one Christian that has posted on this forum. Who is a mortal man to judge who is Christian and who is not? When God has the final judgment, are you really a Christian or just a religious person,”
You don’t think one Christian has posted. Well, I don’t think you have spent much time studying your Bible.
Your modern non-judgmental view may sound nice to some, but it’s so much nonsense. Vain philosophical musings are irrelevant. Scripture is all that counts. Unless your opinions are grounded in sound biblical exegesis, they aren’t worth a hoot.
Of course we don’t render final judgment on men’s souls, but the Bible is replete with commands for Christians to judge. For instance, we are commanded to stay away from those teaching another gospel. We are commanded not to be unequally yoked with non-believers. How could we possibly live up to those commands without judging?
In Matthew 7 Christ said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Surely you can see that in order to “beware of false prohets” we must first determine who is and is not a false prophet.
Amen!
Sorry, that wasn't my intention. My point is that the Mormons see themselves as Christians, even if no one else does.
“Sorry, that wasn’t my intention. My point is that the Mormons see themselves as Christians, even if no one else does.”
Actually, this is a more recent phenomena, a newer strategy. The Mormons have not always seen themselves as Christian, but actually have called the Christian world the “whore of Babylon.” They believe themselves to possess the “Priesthood,” with all sorts of powers (Joseph Smith even claimed they were given SUPER INTELLIGENCE), and that they are the only ones who possess the Holy Spirit. Their new PR method is to blur the line between cults and mainstream Christianity. It is just infiltration, like the way the socialists used to (and still do) with the Christian church.
Romney thinks he’s a Christian. All Mormons think they are Christians. They aren’t practicing some sort of deception. They are saying what they really think.
The problem with insisting on ideological purity is that it eventually leaves you all alone, without any allies. Then when the barbarians come, you are overwhelmed.
Of course, the opposite is also true. If you accept everything, then you stand for nothing.
For me, I look for a middle ground, I believe in Reagan's "big tent" philosophy. I view Mormons as VERY misguided Christians, but Christians nevertheless.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.