Where Have All the FR Protestants Gone?

drstevej

[drstevej]

OBSERVATIONS:

[1] There seems to be a significantly reduced number of Protestant Threads (KJV Only being the exception for sure) in the FR Religion Forum.

[2] There seems to be a reduced number of FR Protestant posts in the Religion Forum.

This thread is a place to discuss these observations.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Looks like Baghdad in Bluenotes.

[unspun]

Sounds like there may be something to claims of lopsided discipline about this issue.

However, there is certainly much discussion of unChristian things having to do with the Mormons in this thresd.

I wish we were all more adept at "speaking the truth in love."

[Wrigley]

Marlowe, I think there a lot of Protestants who probably think that Jerry Falwell is a buffon.

Good points though.

[P-Marlowe]

That's the difference. A lot of protestants THINK.

[Bat_Chemist]

Nail? Hammer!

[P-Marlowe]

Is this what you wanted to say?

http://www.geocities.com/wavs03/rimshot.wav

[Poet Laureate]

You might try joining that lot.

[drstevej]

Self-Ping

[The Bard]

He did not come to that understanding instantaneously. He was taught and give truth gradually, line upon line.

In high school I attended the local Mormom church with a girl I was dating at the time. Let's review what they taught me, shall we:

1) God used to be a man on another planet and Mormon members may become gods of their own worlds
2) There are many gods
3) The Trinity is three separate Gods
4) Entrance into celestial heaven is by the consent of God and the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith
5) God has a body of flesh and bones
6) God is married and produces spirit babies by having physical relations with his goddess wife
7) Jesus, Satan, and all of us are spirit brothers and sisters procreated in a pre-existent spirit life
8) God had relations with Mary to make Jesus’ body
9) You must shed your own blood for the forgiveness of some sins
10)Good works are necessary for the forgiveness of sins

None of this stuff is in my Bible. Some of it can make for good science fiction, but as a religion, I couldn't buy it then, and I don't buy it now.

I am not Catholic either, but married into a Catholic family. Considering the fixation I know that Cathoics have with the idea that Mary was a perpetual virgin, I can't understand why or how so many Catholics seem to agree with the Mormons about how Protestants have incorrect beliefs and teachings (see #6 & #8 above).

[Illbay]

Well, thank God for a free nation where freedom of conscience is the rule.

[The Bard]

Well, thank God for a free nation where freedom of conscience is the rule.

I have a question. In previous portions of this thread, I was in conversation with some Catholics who confirmed that some of the beliefs that my in-laws hold about the Catholic church were incorrect with Catholic teaching. I still didn't believe with what the Catholic teachings were, be even the Catholics I was conversing with were amazed at the false teachings that were out there in regards to the church.

My question to you is, of the list of 10 things I previously listed, in regards to what the Mormon church tried to teach me, was I incorrect with any of that list? I am interested in seeing if the church I visited for many months was teaching things that were not representitive of the actual teachings of the true Mormon church.

Thank you for your time in this.

[Wrigley]

Don't dodge the question Illbay. the Bard asks a very reasonable question.

[Illbay]

1) God used to be a man on another planet and Mormon members may become gods of their own worlds

Well, yes and no. There is much more to this than this simplistic statement. It is more accurate to say that God the Father was once a Son as Jesus Christ is, and that those who achieve exaltation will inherit "all that the Father hath." Anything beyond that is speculation.

2) There are many gods

In that sense that "god" is a title indicating inheritance of "all that the Father hath," that's true. In the sense that they are co-equal with God our Eternal Father, no.

3) The Trinity is three separate Gods

More accurate to say that the Trinity is a false concept.

4) Entrance into celestial heaven is by the consent of God and the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith

Again, this is a distortion. Joseph is a Judge in Israel, which is what the Lord decreed for all His apostles, but he doesn't "consent" anything.

5) God has a body of flesh and bones

Yes.

6) God is married and produces spirit babies by having physical relations with his goddess wife

God the Father has spiritual offspring but no one on this earth has any notion how this is achieved. However, eternal marriage is possible.

7) Jesus, Satan, and all of us are spirit brothers and sisters procreated in a pre-existent spirit life

That's crudely stated, but generally true.

8) God had relations with Mary to make Jesus’ body

No, this is a misconception. It is just that we know that God the Father is the literal Father of Jesus Christ. How this was done we have no knowledge.

9) You must shed your own blood for the forgiveness of some sins

No. Those who do not repent and take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ must suffer for their own sins. I'm always amazed at this, since it is biblical: The notion that those who don't repent and accept the atoning blood of Jesus Christ must suffer for their own sins is pretty generally accepted.

10)Good works are necessary for the forgiveness of sins

If you want to be more accurate, say that obedience to the commandments is part of faith. This is what the Lord required, and the Bible states this innumerable times.

[Illbay]

If you asked, I would not respond, because I don't cast pearls before swine.

But I did answer him, because it just might be he really wants to know the answers.

[Wrigley]

Ah, but in answering him on a public forum, you also answered me.

Thanks a bunch.

[drstevej]

***It is more accurate to say that God the Father was once a Son as Jesus Christ is***

Some pearl.

God as a former Son had a Father, who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father,who once was a Son who had a Father...

Is that's a real PEARL or a Pig in a Poke!

[Illbay]

But I can selectively ignore you, just as I TOTALLY ignore certain others.

[Corin Stormhands]

It is more accurate to say that God the Father was once a Son as Jesus Christ is...

More "accurate" perhaps, but still blasphemous. Tell me, Illbay, who were God's parents?

John 1: 1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

[The Bard]

So essentially, part of what was attempted to be taught to me by that particular church was wrong, either through error in teaching, error in the presentation of the teacher, or error in my understanding of what they were trying to teach.

On the flip side, from what you confirm to be correct teachings (of what I did understand), to me it is still Un-biblical teachings. I myself believe fully in the Bible first. I can't accept the idea that if has error, other than what some of the modern "mis-translations" introduce. Acts 17 shows that we are to search the scriptures, and Timothy also informs us we are to study the scriptures. My understanding of the scriptures don't support your claims.

I have heard it said that the Mormon church accepts the Bible as far as it has been correctly translated, but that it is the work of man and open to error. I believe that the Bible is the inspired, unchanging Word of God, and that anything that disagrees with the Bible is in error.

Thank you for you answer. I appreciate the time on this. I think that in the end we will just agree to disagree on this, but If you have any questions for me, I would be glad to give them a shot..