Again, Jews Fault Mormons Over Posthumous Baptisms

NY Times ^ | December 21, 2003 | IAN URBINA

[Pharmboy]

This is a new one on me...sounds pretty aggressive on the LDS' part. Leave people alone...even after they're dead, IMO.

[mewzilla]

They've done it to a bunch of our dead relatives.

[Pharmboy]

Well, perhaps we can offer them posthumous circumcision...

[anniegetyourgun]

Such a practice is not biblical. But I'm not sure that has stopped the LDS in the past.

[Vigilanteman]

According to Mormon theology, all people, living or dead, possess "free agency," and posthumous baptisms provide only an option, not an obligation, to join the religion in the afterlife.

So, what's the problem? Couldn't Jews give dead Mormons the same opportunity to convert to Judism in the afterlife?

Don't Chicago ward bosses already convert dead Republicans to Democrats in the afterlife and cast ballots for them. Now, that is a problem.

[formercalifornian]

I'd think there were better things to get upset about. If you believe the practice is kooky and illegitimate, how does it affect you or your ancestors if Mormons SAY it has some effect on your ancestors. You know the truth. How can it have any negative effect anyway? Better to get upset that living spokesmen for your people are liberals!

[jocon307]

"Well, perhaps we can offer them posthumous circumcision..."

Oy vey!

[greasepaint]

Readers of this thread are
permanently and irrevocably redeemed.
(void in the District of Columbia)

[airedale]

It has to do with their beliefs about what happens after death. Here is one link: http://www.catholic.com/library/Mormonism_Baptism_for_the_Dead.asp This is a link to info on Mormonism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormon/list.shtml This last site is really a good place to explore. I'm not a Mormon and most of their doctrine is foreign to me. This site was very helpful to me in understanding their religion and how it's different from what I think of as Christianity.

[dadokane]

"Such a practice is not biblical. But I'm not sure that has stopped the LDS in the past."

are the LDS on LSD?

[szweig]

The Mormons can believe whatever they want. Their "baptising" me after my expiration date will have NO EFFECT on either me or my immortal soul. Wotta waste of time!!

[Saundra Duffy]

Hold the phone. If the Jews don't believe in Jesus then why do they give a hoot what goes on in the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints? I don't get this.

[Saundra Duffy]

Don't Chicago ward bosses already convert dead Republicans to Democrats in the afterlife and cast ballots for them.

LOL!

[Pharmboy]

If you can read my past posts on THAT subject, you would indeed see that I have railed against my co-religionists unfailingly. I have said, for instance, that Allan Dershowitz has created more Jew-hatred than he has ever squelched--and the same goes for Chuckie Schumer, Barbra Streisand and the entire mailing list of the ACLU.

AS a matter of fact, I have gotten myself in trouble with the "Jews are always right crowd" here at FR. So before you accuse, know your facts.

Second, as someone who does NOT believe in the afterlife, the whole issue is bogus to me; however, it is still--IMO--obnoxious and presumptuous since there are Jews who believe in this stuff.

Let's say that you're a religious Methodist, and some rabbi comes along and says that he now converted a dead relative of yours to Judaism: is that ok with you?

[hoosierham]

Posthumous acts of ANY kind can only be done by and for those still living ; does anyone seriously think the awarding of medals or baptisms can affect the dead person?

I can understand the idea of prayer for the dead in which one asks for God's mercy on the deceased . For all the good that many Mormons do, I am afraid they are followers of a clever cult leader who sprinkled enough Truth in his fantasy to confound and confuse many.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I agree 100%.

[Alouette]

Wait until the Muslims hear about this and convert all the victims of 9/11 to Islam. Then they ramp up their jihad against America for killing 3000 Muslims.

[RaceBannon]

Mormons have been baptised for the dead for about a century now, this is not new news.

In the Bible, anyone who got baptised was alive, and they chose to do it the selves, doing it for someone is a foolish practice that has no merit for either person.

[Pharmboy]

Please see my post 14. If the shoe were on the other foot, you would have no problem?

[redhead]

I don't think they should be so concerned. If one does not adhere to the Mormon rules, they shouldn't have to worry about a process like this. Perhaps the Jews are worried about the NAMES of their loved ones and ancestors being involved in this, which would be a somewhat different matter. But on the whole, as an ex-Mormon, I'd say this ceremony has NO EFFECT on the status of any deceased person's soul, no matter what their chosen religion. I've seen articles about this before, but I don't think the Jews need to worry about this. Nothing is "happening" to the souls or even the memories of their loved ones and relatives. Once you die, you're judged. All the "baptism" in the world isn't going to change whatever happened to your soul at that moment. "For it is given to men to die once, then comes the judgment..." (I don't have the reference for this, but I believe Jesus said it.)