Mormon official challenges 'cult' designation

[_Joseph]

l-dsinc is a cult.

Temple square is a compound.

The outfit breeds crazies across the world - what else do you call people who believe Jews rode horses in the New World and produced Indians for Columbus to find... all without leaving a trace of their great civilization and battles that killed hundreds of thousands?

[_Simon Belmont]

Just because they have secret rituals, which you have to pay money in order to obtain the highest degree of glory...

We don't.

Just because they give you a new secret name...

We don't.

Just because they foster an us vs them, persecution complex...

No more than any other religious organization.

Just because they ask the members to wear special clothing that has magical protective powers...

We don't.

Just because they believe themselves to be the elite, chosen ones...

We don't.

Just because they believe that they hold special powers to heal...

As do many other religious groups.

Just because they send tens of thousands of missionaries to recruit...

As do many other religious groups.

Just because they teach that members should have strict obedience to one man who claims to talk to God, even to the giving of your own life...

We don't.

What you're doing here, Scottie, is oversimplifying the LDS faith so that you effectively reduce what you believe it teaches to meet your already decided-upon presupposition that it is a "cult" (whatever that means).

I mean, think about it, most of the items on this list, when oversimplified, apply to charter schools too.

[_Jason Bourne]

Yeah.

..

Yeah??? Well then most religions are a cult to one degree or another....

Just because they have secret rituals, which you have to pay money in order to obtain the highest degree of glory...

Catholics have high liturgy and rituals and believe in transubstantiation. They also expect donations to support their Church. Historically they sold the right to sin in the form of indulgences. I will grant that their liturgy is not secret. Other Christian Churches have odd liturgy and practice as well.

Just because they give you a new secret name...

Esoteric worship is cultic?

Just because they foster an us vs them, persecution complex...

Many Evangelicals will not vote for a Mormon for president. Many push for a conservative protestant. Does that make them a cult?

Just because they ask the members to wear special clothing that has magical protective powers...

Check out what a priest wears. And the Pope? When I was a young Mormon I found such garb very odd.

by the way, what magical protective powers are are really taught about garments? None that I know of.

Just because they believe themselves to be the elite, chosen ones...

Christians thing if you do not confess the right Jesus you are headed for Hell and not part a child of God. Are they a cult?

Just because they believe that they hold special powers to heal...

Core Christian doctrine. I guess charismatic Christians are a cult as well.

Just because they send tens of thousands of missionaries to recruit...

Christianity has a history and even a divine command to preach the gospel. Many sects send out missionaries. I work with three groups in my profession that have established missions that are Christian faith based through out the world. Are they cults?

Just because they teach that members should have strict obedience to one man who claims to talk to God, even to the giving of your own life...

Who teaches that obedience in the LDS Church should go to the point of giving ones life if the prophet asks?

[_Joseph]

The 'majority' decides what normal is and they decide what a cult is.

l-dsinc is not part of that majority even if hinkster&co were trying to become one of the gang.

So, l-dsinc is a cult.

Christianity is, just a much bigger one with many branches vying at times to be he poster child for stupidity in its practices.

[_Simon Belmont]

The 'majority' decides what normal is and they decide what a cult is.

LDS Inc. is not part of that majority even if hinkster&co were trying to become one of the gang.

So, LDS Inc. is a cult.

Christianity is, just a much bigger one with many branches vying at times to be he poster child for stupidity in its practices.

By that definition you're a cult.

[_Joseph]

By that definition you're a cult.
*******************************

Still waiting for you to put up your money on "I have read and written more on Joseph Smith than you" deal.

You talk big but never back it up boy.

[_Simon Belmont]

Still waiting for you to put up your money on "I have read and written more on Joseph Smith than you" deal.

You talk big but never back it up boy.

It's quite obvious that you know absolutely nothing about Joseph Smith. You think his name is "joethecoxman" or some other equally asinine thing.

It's also quite obvious that you know nothing about anything. I mean, my gosh, you think the Church hates Linux!

[_Jonah]

I copied this from some site (perhaps this one) a few years ago. Enjoy.


Top ten reasons the Mormon Church is not a cult

10. We took out the throat-slitting gestures.

9. Larry King likes us.

8. At least the weird-ass underwear doesn't show, like those freaks who wear turbans.

9. Unlike JWs, we don't officially shun apostates

7. Missionaries can call home anytime they want on Christmas and Mothers Day

6. The green apron matches my eyes.

5. Cults have charismatic leaders. We haven't had one of those since 1844.

4. Ask yourself, would someone like Gordon Hinckley and/or Thomas Monson be involved in a cult?

3. We encourage questioning, as long the answers are in the manual.

2. We don't hide embarrassing history; we just choose not to talk about it.

1. Three words: Pay Lay Ale.

[_Morley]

5. Cults have charismatic leaders. We haven't had one of those since 1844.

Nominated for best quote in this thread. (Yes, I know it's a short thread.)

[_Scottie]

You know, I'm pretty sure and David Koresh and Jim Jones could defend themselves the same way you guys defend Mormonism.

"Hey, WE'RE not a cult, cause those things you say are cultish about us apply to other religions too!"

It's like porn. I don't know how to define it, but I know it when I see it. There is a difference between porn vs art, just as there is a difference between religions and cults.