Posted on 07/16/2011 7:24:33 AM PDT by greyfoxx39
In response to whether the public should vote for a Mormon for president, one should know what beliefs a candidate had.
Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman have Mormon roots and they have been vague about their beliefs and loyalty to the LDS church.
Mormon theology includes ideas like their priesthood brethren will become the government leaders, or future kings of the world, in a globalized theocracy, and that their male leaders will take over when a second coming of Christ occurs. They believe they are the pre-ordained leaders to rule over a coming theocratic kingdom.
Worthy Mormon males are temple attending, dressing in white with special learned handshakes, altar rituals, Masonic rites and gestures and do secretive activities different from normal society.
They believe they are the future gods of new worlds in a life after this one. They follow prophets with ever-changing doctrine and change their fictional "Book of Mormon" every time it is found to be un-politically correct.
Their women are taught they are good for breeding, to have large families.
A member of this cult is loyal to its church leaders and to whatever their modern prophets tell them is gospel, which changes at their will.
They claim to be Christian, but Mormon polytheism of many gods/goddesses in a hereafter, rituals that must be performed in their temples, garment wearing and works (not grace) that saves a person is different ideology.
It is debatable whether Mormons are Christians, and they have other scriptures special to Mormonism written by their leaders, not just the New Testament, like their Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon.
To learn about them and their practices, beliefs and personal character will help us determine whether they are the future leaders of Americans. Or are they really stuck in their controversial past?
As stated, such list was requested. When unasked for it becomes badgering.
I have seating here a Wasilla High School English Teacher that reads this the same way I do.
Hopefully that 'teacher' has a better spell checker or grammar than you.
The repetition of that question was an indication of the deep suspicion that prevailed and I think prevails to this day. To calm the fears, at the end of the hearings, the church authorities codified the testimony of the church president in an official statement: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds to the doctrine of the separation of church and state." At the time that was a departure, but an accurate statement of what they had come to believe. "They believe in the non-interference of church authority in political matters and the absolute freedom and independence of the individual in the performance of his political duties."
On these terms, Mormonism entered the political scene: We will not interfere in politics or in the action of any politicians who are members of the church. And that policy hasn't changed over the century.
There is, on the church website, this statement: "Elected officials who are Latter-day Saints make their own decisions and may not necessarily be in agreement with one another or even with a publicly stated church position. While the church may communicate its views to them, as it may to any other elected official, it recognizes that these officials still must make their own choices based on their best judgment and with consideration of the constituencies whom they are elected to represent."
On the whole it is fair to say that by comparison to the 19th century, the church has withdrawn from politics. It does get entangled in Utah politics; it's such a large part of the state's economy and population that engagement is inevitable. The church also occasionally takes stands on political measures that it considers to be moral issues, such as prohibition, but it doesn't direct politicians how to vote. There is nothing like the Catholic bishops' statements. There is no bishop who would threaten to excommunicate a Mormon because he took a position contrary to church positions on abortion or gay marriage or anything of that sort – nothing like the Pope's recent statements in Latin America.
So I believe that we should truly be able to lay aside fears that Romney will receive directions from Salt Lake City. There is nothing in the record of the past century that would lead one to think otherwise. The question is, Why does this fear keep coming up with fairly well-informed people – the same question over and over again? "Is Romney going to be directed by the church president?"
I think it is because of the logic of revelation. It's not necessarily a logic that believers themselves follow, but a logic that unbelievers think is required of believing Mormons. The necessary consequence, unbelievers think, of believing that your prophet is a prophet speaking for God is unquestioning submission.
So the question is, Why doesn't that work? Why are there church members who don't follow their prophet when it comes to political opinions, gay marriage certainly being one of them, but abortion being another, and many other things? The same thing is true for the Catholic Church. There are lots of good Catholics who don't necessarily do everything that the Pope says. I hope I am safe in saying that.
I hope I'm able to post more of the same article.
When unasked for it becomes badgering.
I don’t see asked or unasked in the rule.
Your 97%ile failing you on contextural understanding bm. Back to your lessons now.
People using message boards and chat groups have varying typing and literacy skills. Other net users may not be typing in their first language. Riding people about their spelling or grammar in informal online settings is generally considered rude. It’s okay to politely ask for clarification if misspellings make the message unclear, though.
This is now about me ?
Why, are you wanting to be the drama queen of the day or are you wanting to understand the errors of your ways in regards to what the mod has posted and has been addressed many, many times since.
Or do you want to make it about reaganaut?
Levels in Mormonism
A. Until you are officially a god, it’s above your pay grade*
B. The leadership is unaccountable to the flock
C. It ain’t the members business how the money is spent
D. There is lots to hide
E. All of the above.
Pay Grades within the Pantheon of Mormon Gods:
Heordearves
AAA - God with planet, worshippers, etc.
AAa - God without planet - keep trying
Aaa - God, but subordinate to other Gods at social events
aaa - On the verge in the third level of heaven
BBB - Completed all necessary works on earth to earn salvation and someday, godhood
BBb - Most works complete
Bbb - Halfway there! Keep pushing!
bbb - Temple Worthy! Now the works must begin in earnest
CCC - Almost qualified for Temple Recommend
CCc - Bishop likes you! Advance one square
Ccc - You commit yourself to spreading Biblical heresy
ccc - You are made part of the priesthood of men
DDD - Newbie who is finding out the Meat that was withheld from you during the visits from the nice young men
DDd - Newbie who felt burning in bosom
Ddd - Having Bible studies to learn why all other churches are wrong
ddd - Troubled by what those nice young men have to say about your faith and considering hearing more.
(Thank you Flying Inman AMPU)
:-)
I never get why Catholics defend Mormonism in light of the things Mormons believe about the Catholic church and in light of Catholic teachings about the Mormons (that they are not Christians).
Some Catholics. Some nonCatholic Christians defend Mormons as well. Everyone has a crazy relative somewhere...
Odd that we have not really even started the primary, yet you have devoted days to the Romney candidacy on this thread.
That seems to indicate some level of current enthusiasm for the guy.
1) I never admitted because you did defend her and the jury on those threads.
2) Don’t accuse a freeper of lying, it is against forum rules.
3) God already has, He got me out of the Mormon cult.
4) Can’t weigh in on the topic at hand?
Well that’s certainly confusing. Since Mormons aren’t Jewish how can a Jew be a gentile?
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Because the LDS believe and teach that they are Israel. In their Patriarchal Blessing, it usually lists what tribe of Israel the person belongs to.
Note that my score in reading comprehension was 97%tile.
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I don’t believe that at all.
Also, most Mormons are polite and neighbourly outside of their religion. Much more so than (I hate to say it) most Christians (including Catholics).
I fail to see how pointing out that mormons reject the Trinity (for instance) as well as nearly every other distinct Christian doctrine - makes a presenter some how a 'skinhead'. So starlifter - if you are Catholic, why not research why the Catholic church rejects mormonism before you start standing by calling others 'skinheads', etc.
I have been in a short (so far) conversation on another thread with a self-identified Christian who does not believe in the Triune God and does not believe that it affects his salvation in any way.
No it isn't, I remember when that article hit here, it didn't pan out that way.
Your 97%ile failing you on contextural understanding bm.
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Cut BM a little slack, ‘zilla. Mormons are discouraged from reading comprehension, it just makes them leave the LDS church.
Good point, Mark. I stand corrected. However, I don’t get why ANY Catholic or Christian would defend Mormonism.
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