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Cult! A Classic False Claim
Mormon Defense League ^ | October 9, 2011 | Mormon Defense League

Posted on 11/12/2011 10:43:37 AM PST by Saundra Duffy

Some public figures have labeled the “Mormon” church as a “cult”. Most recently, ABC News reported that Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress applied such a label in an interview following a political gathering where Jeffress introduced a political rival to Mormon candidate Mitt Romney.

Use of such a term to describe Mormonism is highly offensive to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Cult” carries the connotation of dangerous, even violent groups whose beliefs are irrational and whose practices are immoral and lawless (Koresh and the Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate, Aum Shinrikyo, and The People’s Temple are all prominent examples) . The term cannot be applied to Mormons unless it is so broadly defined that its use could be applied to virtually any religious body.

Like racist language, the use of the word “cult” to describe a religion usually tells us very little about the religion, but a great deal about the person using the word. In short, it tells us only that the person using the label “cult” doesn’t like the religion in question, or thinks it is illegitimate. Bryan Wilson, a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and a noted sociologist of minority religions noted:

(Excerpt) Read more at mdl.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: classof98opus; cult; lds; mormon; opus; zot
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To: Mudcat
I ken that you & I most likely would not have the mutual capability to carry on a coherent conversation, due to differences of an epistemological nature;

I usually stay far away from the Religion Forum because a good part of the discussion there is decidedly not Christ-like. I have my beliefs and others have theirs. I have no problem telling someone I disagree but after that have no real desire to make a career of beating people with the Bible. However, in this case the Religion Forum has invaded the front page.

61 posted on 11/12/2011 11:21:43 AM PST by Pan_Yan
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To: Pan_Yan
Whether or not they zot you is not my concern.

Oh; she KNOWS the length of the dogs chain; and stays just out of reach.


There's been to mention of NAZIs, MURDERers or praise for ROMNEY... yet.

62 posted on 11/12/2011 11:21:58 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Mudcat
Seriously, people, Saundra didn’t intend to convey that FR is a cult!

Mindreading again?

63 posted on 11/12/2011 11:22:57 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Saundra Duffy

All large organized religions today are cults, and consist of a “congregation” that is used by the religion’s hierarchy to wield power over people’s lives and create wealth and monuments for the hierarchy.

That said, there is no bad religion, just bad religionists.


64 posted on 11/12/2011 11:22:57 AM PST by SaxxonWoods (.....The days are long but the years are short.....)
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To: Mudcat

What does it mean “earn the right”? What if she openly campaigned for Romney, which JR is strictly opposed to having FR used for?

Has she “earned the right” to do that?

Not saying that she’s doing that, just asking YOU if you have the slightest idea of what you’re even talking about.


65 posted on 11/12/2011 11:23:22 AM PST by samtheman
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To: Saundra Duffy

No, thank you for the wonderful bimbo eruption thread. Best humor on a pleasant Saturday morning. Keep it up...I’m just about ready for a beer and some popcorn.


66 posted on 11/12/2011 11:23:54 AM PST by Utah Binger (Southern Utah where INVITED Freepers will meet again next summer. Jim Robinson Too)
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To: Elsie

No I think this whole thread shows just how intolerant of others religious views most of you are. The BAC’s think that unless you believe like they do, you are headed for Hell. The Catholics think that because they go back to Peter (or so they say) that they are the only “true church.” I personally think all of you should take stock of what Christianity is all about be for you go opening your yaps about the Mormons or anyone else for that matter. It’s a disgrace, but then that’s what organized religion devolves to when the rank and file get talking! It’s all about “we’re right and you’re wrong” and none of you can actually prove that what you believe is right! You devolve into Liberals when you speak about religion because all of it is about “feelings,” and “knowing” the truth.


67 posted on 11/12/2011 11:23:59 AM PST by vette6387 (Enough Already!)
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To: Saundra Duffy
When members of the LDS Church were standing side-by-side with other Christians to pass Prop 8, I didn’t hear anyone condemning us to hell and calling us cult members.

My wife calls this selective hearing.

68 posted on 11/12/2011 11:24:00 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Elsie
Find me a religion or philosophy or outlook that doesn't make its adherents feel in someway superior -- or doesn't make outsiders feel that insiders think themselves superior -- and maybe I'll join.

No matter how modest or humble you might think your religion or philosophy or ideology makes you there's somebody out there who'll think it makes you proud and puffed up.

They may even be right.

69 posted on 11/12/2011 11:27:00 AM PST by x
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To: Saundra Duffy
“Because I believe in liberty and freedom of conscience.”

Me, too!

And I am kinda partial to that Freedom of Speech thingy as well.


Do any of you MORMONs know just WHERE in the BoM this FULLNESS of the Gospel is to be found?

70 posted on 11/12/2011 11:27:54 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Pan_Yan

Gotcha—and thanks for the thoughtful reply :)

I’m a Jew, and have a quick trigger for religious intolerance (as well as anything resembling intolerance). Mormons stand among our best allies in the GOP, and it seems nuts to beat up on one of our own... especially an individual who has done so much over the years in support of common goals and specifically FR-supported causes.


71 posted on 11/12/2011 11:28:13 AM PST by Mudcat (What would Reagan do?)
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To: Saundra Duffy
Remember folks, that SD posted this thread, and if it gets too much for her to handle; she can ORDER that it be pulled.
72 posted on 11/12/2011 11:28:58 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Mudcat; Saundra Duffy

Ok! Sandy’s a great patriot, but if she’s from Bakersfield that explains how she doesn’t get that Moromonisn’t a cult.


73 posted on 11/12/2011 11:29:14 AM PST by Coldwater Creek (He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:)
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To: Saundra Duffy
I have done a lot and it hurts to be kicked in the guts just because I disagree on a couple of issues.

You poor thing; can I help in ANY way?

74 posted on 11/12/2011 11:30:36 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: Coldwater Creek
correction Mormonism is a cult.
75 posted on 11/12/2011 11:31:00 AM PST by Coldwater Creek (He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:)
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To: Saundra Duffy; 50mm; darkwing104; Old Sarge
IBTZ


76 posted on 11/12/2011 11:31:38 AM PST by metmom (For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore & do not submit again to a yoke of slavery)
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To: Saundra Duffy
Dog pile alert.

Yup; that's the realization I want folks to come to!

And the HYPOCRASY shown as well.

77 posted on 11/12/2011 11:32:00 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: null and void

They who Guardith the Holy Realm...the Viking Kitties ;)

I’m shocked that there are Freepers that know about Visual Kei! Coolness ;)


78 posted on 11/12/2011 11:32:11 AM PST by Norm Lenhart (Chief Druid of Trollhenge: Cult of Palin)
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To: My hearts in London - Everett
If the atmosphere here on FR is soooo anti-mormon as to seemingly negate in your eyes the conservative and patriotic values it promotes, why do you remain a member?

Oh; she stayed away for a while, but like a moth...

79 posted on 11/12/2011 11:33:14 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: null and void
speaking as a former cult member, FR is nothing like a cult...

Few shaved heads, few sexual assaults, but plenty of ADDICTION.

80 posted on 11/12/2011 11:33:17 AM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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