Posted on 08/31/2010 6:42:35 PM PDT by Gamecock
I really like Glenn Beck. Though I have never met him in person, I have often watched his television programs and thought it would be so nice to have that kind of a guy as a friend. I imagine that he is far too busy and way too inaccessible for that to become a reality, but I do genuinely like the man. He is insightful, articulate, funny, and seems to want some great things for his family and our nation. I do think that sometimes he has one or two conspiracy theories that may not be fully justified - we shall see - but all in all, Glenn seems to be a really nice guy.
I share many of the same goals as Glenn. I speak as one born in England but now very much a U.S. citizen. All my children were born here in these United States and I live and pray for America to become in all reality, "one nation under God." I love America. I sincerely believe Glenn does too.
But I do have a problem - not a problem with him as a person in any way at all, but when he asks me to join him in praying for the very same things I wish for my country, I just cannot. I can pray for these things privately, and with fellow Christians, of course, and I do. I just cannot stand with Glenn in a public setting and be comfortable while I know he is praying to a false god. How could I ever say "Amen" at the end of his prayer that people would turn back to the god he serves? I just cannot do it. That is because Glenn Beck is a Mormon. The "god" he prays to is not in any way the same God as mine.
I know.. I know.. even saying this is politically and religiously incorrect, but I cannot help but say it. When Glenn Beck speaks of "god" we need to remember that he uses a different dictionary to Christians. The God of the Bible is One in essence and eternally exists in three co-equal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Mormons reject this completely, believing that there are many worlds controlled by different gods and the god of this planet was once a man. The Jesus of Mormonism is the begotten offspring of this exalted man in sexual union with one of his many wives, and this god lives on a planet circling a star named Kolob, and his "gospel" is the message of how you, too, can be exalted to godhood. Christianity is Monotheistic. Mormonism is the most polytheistic religion in the world. Doctrine matters folks and deceived people, deceive people!
A dear fellow Christian, in coming to understand where I am on this issue wrote to me today saying, "I like Glenn Beck and appreciate his effort to bring America back to her godly roots. He is doing a great job in uniting government, church, and media. He does speak from a Mormon perspective but still has a heart of seeing America return to God even though he might not have the same theological view as we do."
I responded by saying, " I understand you - but I cannot agree that Mormonism is in any way "godly." According to the Bible, there is nothing at all godly about false religion. Godliness is not just about acts of service, honor, integrity, courage and the like, as wonderful as these things are, but it also includes worship of the One true God and the avoidance of all forms of idolatry. Mormonism is idolatrous worship and when Glenn Beck prays, despite his intentions, he prays to a false god who cannot help either Mr. Beck or America."
I can remember reading about the worshippers of the golden calf. They had high family values and were absolutely sincere in their worship. Now I may not be the sharpest tool in the drawer, but I do tend to get the distinct impression that God didn't like the worship - yeah, the ground opening up and swallowing the worshippers.. hmmm... it does lead me to believe that God was somehow ticked, wouldn't you say?
And then I wonder what God would feel about a "prophet" in the Old Testament asking Baal to bring Israel back to its godly roots. I think in such times, he would be stoned. In Deuteronomy 18:20 God says to His people, "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die."
God often tested His people by seeing if they would be true to Him even as false prophets tried to lure them away from Himself. God says, "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst" (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).
Thank God for grace!!! (we don't stone false prophets now) but I believe God's feelings about false worship have not changed. As Glenn Beck calls this nation to pray for some very valuable, important and even vital things, I ask now, is God testing us in the same way today? Perhaps God has raised Glenn Beck up for this very purpose, to test our hearts. Just a thought!
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, the one and only God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the eternal One, Yahweh, the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, who is from everlasting to everlasting.
So, though I really like you Glenn, thanks for the invite, but I cannot join you.
Do you think that Mormonism is Christian?
Can't we put aside our differences in beliefs long enough to secure our right to believe?
What?
The Catholic Church is very explicit regarding mormonism - it does not consider it to be a Christian faith and will not accept their baptism. It is not so much an 'imperfect' understand of God, but a false belief in a 'god', one among many other 'gods'.
Think about it...
Not my job to figure out your vague posts, try again and make your point clear this time.
Do you not see the danger we face in America today of loosing our freedom, including our freedom of religion?
It seems Pastor Samson (the author) doesn't see the danger as he states, "I do think that sometimes he has one or two conspiracy theories that may not be fully justified - we shall see - but all in all, Glenn seems to be a really nice guy."
I think those of us willing to support Glenn in his efforts "to bring America back to her godly roots" (from the article), fully recognize the increasing danger.
See post 560.
1) Beck didn’t ask that people turn to the god Beck serves. He asked that people turn back to their own faith. He did not proselytize. The “creepy feeling” about the “bait and switch” is unfounded. More than likely, it was just this abject fear/bigotry of Mormons raising its head.
2) When I pray, I pray to God. I believe there is only one. What the person next to me is doing or thinks he’s doing when he prays has no impact on whom my prayers are directed to. It’s not like the Mormon praying next to me has the ability to steal my prayers and send them to his god instead.
3) It sounds to me more like abject fear of Mormons. I heard it during the presidential primaries. Folks admitting they liked Mitt Romney, but would not vote for him because if a Mormon was elected president, it would put a spotlight on his religion for four years and souls would be lost as a result. Something to take into consideration...if you are electing a pope or the president of your synod, etc...but we were electing the POTUS. If you want to throw Mitt under the bus for being a RINO, not being conservative enough, wishy washy on abortion...fine...fire away. But this “spotlight” argument struck me as fearful, bigoted, and naive. Thank goodness we didn’t elect a Mormon. Phew! Having the spotlight shining on a godless Marxist instead is such a relief!
Well, I guess that’s where you and I disagree. I feel he is being honest with his reason for asking for support. But naturally, I’ll keep a wary eye on him for fear he may convert me while I’m not suspecting it...
You say that you are a Christian, do you think that Mormonism is Christian, if it isn't, then what happens to a Christian that knows Christ and then becomes a Mormon?
I didn't think that your posts had much meaning behind them, I was right.
IMO, there is probably very little you've ever been right about.
:)
That was the subject of the most recent rally, and I think Beck handled it very well, the whole subject of God in the public square, without going off into any theological debating points.
But that's not the reason I support Beck. I support him because of his tireless work exposing the 100% Marxist core of our current Washington regime.
This is extremely important work and Beck joins Limbaugh and Levin in doing that important work very, very well.
Thanks, I wholeheartedly agree!!
I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight on this subject here in FR. You are not alone. Many agree with you.
I did it for awhile but I’ve back off for now. I might get back into it later.
I have to warn you though, the stupidity on the other side of this argument is blithering... and tireless.
Tireless, energetic, impassioned stupidity... it’s the hardest thing to argue against.
But keep the lurkers in mind. Most of them are on your side.
My belief on the dispositon of souls is irrelevant to the point. The point is that the POTUS is not a spiritual leader, and shouldn’t but be viewed in that light. I might see someone as morally unfit for office, but the POTUS is not a spiritual advisor, director or leader. His role is a secular one.
You are arguing that Mormons are unfit for public office regardless of their platform because of their religion? Given the choice between a Nancy Pelosi and a principled conservative that happens to be Mormon, I should cast my vote for Nancy Pelosi? Or not vote at all?
That’s not bigotry...that’s cutting of my nose to spite my face bigotry.
I tell you what I’d do, I’d vote for the Mormon and then have a theological chat with him over a beer after his concession speech....of course it would be a concession speech...because the “Christian” vote wouldn’t turn out for him.
I'm not trying to win any fight on FR, I only hope to help others present the facts in such a way that more and more people begin to see the danger we face, put aside our differences and try not to offend too much (needs work I know) in the process. I've gotta run... Later Sir...
“The Catholic Church...does not consider it to be a Christian faith and will not accept their baptism.”
Just curious - what other faith group does the Catholic Church accept the baptism from? Quakers, Lutherans, Methodists, etc.? Any of the mainstream groups?
The Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches accept baptism performed by other denominations within this group as valid, subject to certain conditions, including the use of the Trinitarian formula. It is only possible to be baptized once, thus people with valid baptisms from other denominations may not be baptized again upon conversion or transfer. Such people are accepted upon making a profession of faith and, if they have not yet validly received the sacrament of confirmation or chrismation, by being confirmed. In some cases it can be difficult to decide if the original baptism was in fact valid; if there is doubt, conditional baptism is administered, with a formula on the lines of “If you are not yet baptized, I baptize you….”[133]
[133]^ Code of Canon Law, canon 869; cf. New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law By John P. Beal, James A. Coriden, Thomas J., pp. 1057-1059.
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.