KimberlyAnn wrote:There is a practice in the Mormon church which to me exemplifies why many people do not consider Mormonism to be Christian, and that practice is denying communion to repentant sinners. In my opinion, that shows a fundamental misunderstanding of grace and the Atonement.
Denying the very symbols of forgiveness to people who are sorry enough for sin to go to a Bishop and confess it seems utterly unnecessary and cruel. Does Mormon God not forgive easily? Isn't sorrow and repentance enough for Him, or does He need his pound of flesh, too? From what I understand by studying Christianity in various mainline Christian denominations, most Christians believe God did indeed require a sacrifice for sin, and that sacrifice was Jesus. The idea that there needs to be individual "punishment" for repentant sinners in order for them to receive forgiveness is utterly foreign to the Christians I know.
How can denying the symbols of forgiveness--the flesh and blood of Christ-- to repentant sinners be of any benefit to them at all? Is it necessary in Mormonism to add to the atonement some kind of personal payment for sin in order to be forgiven?
KA
Yes indeed, I am of the firm belief that the Mormon institution misunderstands grace. I see it in the lives of some of my uber-Mormon friends who are on that never-ending treadmill towards being perfect. People who will do anything to be seen as a "good, temple-worthy Mormon", but who will let some of the most intrinsic and common-sense things slip. Example: the couple with the baby who got RSV. They're ok because they're temple-worthy. Let that have been someone who wasn't...the recrimination would have been fierce.
Denying the very symbols of forgiveness to people who are sorry enough for sin to go to a Bishop and confess it seems utterly unnecessary and cruel.
Yes, it is. And it's very painful. It's also sick that you're required to go back and confess things that may have happened a long time ago, if it happened after your last temple recommend interview. And why people don't recognize the damage that is done every Sunday, when people are glancing out from under their bowed heads at that sister or brother who passes the plate untouched is beyond me. I used to hate that. But I put myself through it, because I thought I had to.
KA, you are right that most Christians feel that Christ's sacrifice is enough. Some take it WAY to damn far, and take grace to mean a "get into Heaven free" ticket. They make life very uncomfortable for the rest of us honest folks. But I define grace as being God's love enabling us to be what it is we need to be in life, a strength to do what we cannot on our own. The church I attend (when I can) never leaves me feeling guilty...no matter what I've done. Rather, I feel excited about tomorrow, eager for it. Hopeful. That's the way Christianity is supposed to be.
How can denying the symbols of forgiveness--the flesh and blood of Christ-- to repentant sinners be of any benefit to them at all?
There is no benefit. This is a tool used by the institution to control people. Plain and simple. I don't want to hear any noise about "true repentance" and how people outside the LDS church cannot understand that. Those LDS who can say that have not spoken to many mainstream Christians. There is an attitude amongst those in the church who are out West (and some who are not ), that they are the only Christians who really truly "walk the walk". They are the only ones who are chaste, they are the only ones who read scripture regularly, they are the only ones who don't drink, or who don't view certain media. And what's strange, is that many of these folks who have moved out here to the East coast are surrounded every day by folks who do these things...but these LDS are so caught up in themselves and their own faith, that they don't try to see the bridges that can be walked upon, so that people can meet in the middle. When I was LDS, most of the wardmembers I had were clueless about mainstream Christianity...and some of the converts seemed to have lost their knowledge, too. One friend, when asked why he converted goes back to that ONE preacher who told him revelation was dead...when he was like, 13 or something. He hasn't spoken in depth to a mainstream Christian preacher since...and is afraid to, it seems. But let there be an opportunity to give a discussion...that's another story.
Is it necessary in Mormonism to add to the atonement some kind of personal payment for sin in order to be forgiven?
If you want to keep the masses in line, there is. In my church, you don't even have to drop a tithe in the plate if you don't want to. I've heard my pastor specifically say...if you don't have it...don't give it.
Much has changed. But people see what they want to see. All I know is that I'm glad I let go of a lifestyle that didn't help me to love myself as I am in this moment. To me, true perfection lies in loving yourself as you are in the moment. That's perfection...when you're comfortable in your own skin...and know that what changes need to be made will be made, and you're just grateful for who you are and what you have at that time.