Well, if we’re accused of hating Mormonism, and we all pretty much cop to that plea, then what’s the issue? The mods say there is nothing wrong with hating Mormonism, JimRob’s said there is nothing wrong with hating Mormonism, and God, in the non-specific sense of course, has said there is nothing wrong with hating Mormonism. What is your objection?
And Stu...others...please note that Boogieman is specific here...discussing the "ISM"...and not the people
What people ignore are Bible verses like the following:
* "Love rejoices in the truth" (1 Cor. 13:6...the love chapter)
Truth and love are married -- not divorced -- as some might have it.
Look what the Psalmist has to say in three verses in Psalm 119:
* "I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law." (Psalm 119:163)
* "I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path." (Psalm 119:104)
* "and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path" (Psalm 119:128)
And Proverbs adds:
* "The righteous hate what is false..." (Proverbs 13:5)
You see, some people are so "open-choiced" -- open-ended on relativistic choices -- they can't bring themselves to oppose almost any "wrong path" false worldviews.
But the Bible doesn't stop there re: opposing false systems of worship. John the apostle had a vision of Jesus speaking to seven specific churches...What did Jesus tell John re: the church at Ephesus?
"But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." (Revelation 2:6)
Wow! Pretty strong. Jesus didn't "hate" the Nicolaitans...He died for them! He came for them! But guess what? He "hates" their false worship practices!
And John made it quite clear that Jesus was addressing him on all this:
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen...“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: (Revelation 1:17-->1:19, 2:1)
Why do we need to oppose the lingering lies of Mormon leaders? Because, as Proverbs says: "A lying tongue hates those it hurts..." (Proverbs 26:28)
You see, Stu...the "hate" is on the other side...those who tell lies about God, Jesus, worldviews, etc.
We are willing to absorb the hate...the prophet Amos foretold it would be that way when you openly speak truth: "There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth." (Amos 5:10)
The apostle Paul advised: "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9)
And Jesus Himself "said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. (Luke 16:15)
No, God doesn't simply "go along" with everything earthlings value. No, Jesus didn't go along with not hating the practices of the Nicolaitans.
Some people need to simply cause a duststorm by opening their Bibles to make room for some new worldviews.
I don’t like hate. It’s non productive, mean and negative.
I don’t like hate. It’s non productive, mean and negative.