Seven Differences Between Mormonism and Christianity

mormoninfo.org ^

[Elsie]

That send a chill down yer spine??

No; but the sentence before that does.

[Religion Moderator]

Your use of the word "bigotry" in statements to the anti-MormonISM posters on the Religion Forum suggested to me that you might be offended by "open" RF debate. Therefore I intervened.

Also, some posters - even oldtimers - were not aware of the software change that causes RF posts to appear by default ("everything" browse) and ultimately wanted some way to make them disappear again. So I make it a point to provide that information to posters who evidently disapprove of contentious religious debate.

But apparently you are here on purpose and have a theological, ideological, philosophical etc. issue to discuss - and that is fine of course. The main guideline on the RF is to encourage just that, i.e. to "discuss the issues all you want but do not make it personal." The second part of that guideline exists because flame wars ignite quickly when posters deplore each other's deeply held religious beliefs. Some "take it personally." By disallowing ad hominems we nip many flame wars in the bud.

[Elsie]

My thought about the theology being discussed is that you are disingenuous to critique Mormon theology versus “traditional” christianity which is listed as including Roman Catholics, when in fact your concerns about the theology of Mormonism eventually would by necessity cause you to equally denounce Catholic theology.

Oh?

You've got to prove your case, before you can build on it.

[Elsie]

Further that you are intolerant as regards Mormonism.

You have this right.

[Elsie]

Furter, that Mormonism is not a serious threat to traditional christianity.

You haved this almost right.

ANYthing that detracts a person from choosing CHRISTIANITY is a 'threat' to it.

I've stated what the THREAT of MORMONism is already in this thread.

[Elsie]

I choose to value religious freedom.

Over exposing heresy?

I find that a bit, shall we say, disingenious.

[Vendome]

Naw, Naw, Naw....

It’s still there at #5.....

[Elsie]

Just wondering, by what possible right do you purport to speak for the Pope?

Hell!

I can do better than THAT!!!

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

(Now THAT'll send chills up yer spine!)

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BTW - just WHERE did I say ANYTHING about speaking FOR the pope?

I merely said that the Pope might be interested in the data put forth so far.

[Elsie]

You are not Catholic yet you seem to fantasize that you speak for and can pronounce judgment on all religions. You do not.

Then I guess I'd better switch to being a Catholic so I can!

[svcw]

zombie defenders march on

[Jabba the Nutt]

So, is this how you are going to decide who to vote for for President? Really?

Jesus welcomed prostitutes and even tax collectors to his table.

[Jabba the Nutt]

The Constitution outlaws religious tests for public office. Are you using your own religious test to decide how to vote? This isn't a general discussion about religion, it's an argument to not vote for Romney.

That is not the American Way. I've asked, what the point of this discussion is. I've asked what exactly about Mormon beliefs would make Mormons unqualified for public office. I'll ask what about Romney's Mormon faith makes you fear what he will do in office?

I've received tons of theology, but no answer to my questions.

[Elsie]

So, is this how you are going to decide who to vote for for President? Really?

What are you JABBERing about?

This thread is about religious differences - NOT politics!

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Jesus welcomed prostitutes and even tax collectors to his table.

HE sure did!

And then told them to SIN NO MORE; right?

[greyfoxx39]

The Constitution outlaws religious tests for public office. Are you using your own religious test to decide how to vote?

The Constitution states that no one would be prohibited from running for public office because of his religion. There is NO prohibition against a voter voting for or against a candidate because of the candidate's religion.

This is a fallacy that has been posted over and over by Mitt supporters ever since '08.

That is not the American Way.

The American way is that a voter may vote his/her conscience.

I'll ask what about Romney's Mormon faith makes you fear what he will do in office?

I'll answer that.

Mitt Romney has made the following vow numerous times in the mormon temple. Can you guarantee he will put the Oath of Office before his oath to "consecrate everything to the mormon church"?

“You and each of you covenant and promise before God, angels, and these witnesses at this altar, that you do accept the Law of Consecration as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, in that you do consecrate yourselves, your time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed you, or with which he may bless you, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for the establishment of Zion."

Additionally, why would I vote for anyone whose power of discernment allows him to continue to follow the beliefs listed in the article at the top of this thread? See my tagline.

[svcw]

The Constitution outlaws religious tests for public office.

Correct.

However, this does not refer to individuals, it refers to government mandated religious tests.

Individuals may use whatever criteria they wish to use to pick the candidate of their choice.

This the Religion Forum, not the political forum, so the discussion is about religious differences not political.

[Utah Binger]

Coffee being served hot and cold directly below!

[MHGinTN]

When you start posts with non sequiturs, it's hard to believe your motives are 'pristine':

The Constitution outlaws religious tests for public office. Are you using your own religious test to decide how to vote?

An individual can use any criteria they choose to determine for whom they will vote. But then you knew that, so we can readily see that you meant to create a non sequitur as your tool.

[greyfoxx39]

Yep.

[Springfield Reformer]

The Constitution outlaws religious tests for public office

That's a serious misstatement of the law. In court you can get in real trouble for doing that. But not here of course. Anyway, the point of the Constitutional prohibition on religious tests is not to restrict a voter’s free expression under the First Amendment, but to restrict the federal government from limiting voter ballot choices based on religion. Constitution 101. This is not rocket science.

That is not the American Way

What’s not the “American Way?” You do realize the early English settlers of America came here primarily to exercise their God-given natural right to quarrel over religion, don’t you? Religious liberty means nothing at all if not the inherent right to try and persuade someone that religion A is true and its opposite, religion B, must therefore be false. It is hard to imagine anything more American, by history and principle, than folk like us on the FR Religion forum duking it out over how Mormonism contrasts with Christianity and what significance that has to our life as Americans. That’s what Americans do. We think and act like free people.

This isn't a general discussion about religion, it's an argument to not vote for Romney.

Now there you go trying to read minds and attribute motives that haven’t been stated. That’s a violation of the “no personal attacks” rule for this forum. Don’t worry. I won’t report you.

But I would like to challenge your assumption. Not all things revolve around “pragmatic” political outcomes. In fact, pragmatism at the expense of principle is a distinctly sub-Christian ethic, and it is a forbidden fruit to me (and those like me). Like Jesus said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?”

So we’re not primarily saying “don’t vote for Romney.” That may be a side-effect if our message is believed. But please know I am telling the truth when I say our interest in this is not who sits in the WH. Our interest is in knowing the truth and using that knowledge to live in obedience to Christ, because that way lies real freedom. Like Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” No one is freer than one who is free to live obediently to God, regardless of the shifting winds of the world around him.

[greyfoxx39]

Well said!