just because we interpret the bible differently and have what other christians beleive is false doctrine, doesn't exclude us of the christian name.
edit: i was going to put this at the bottom, i just decided to bump it up here.
i read the op and do plan on reading the rest of the posts, but i wanted to put my thoughts down before i forgot them.
the name of the thread implies mormons are not christians, but the op keeps stating it is not orthodox christian. as a mormon, i do agree that mormonism isn't orthodox christian, but we are christian in all sense of the definition. we beleive in christ, and god, as defined by the bible, rather than what was set forth by the nicene creed, which was created by man.
The Methodists said Mormonism incorporates a "gendered, married and procreating god" with "a body of flesh and bones," and has a theology that "more closely resembles a tri-theistic or possibly a polytheistic faith" than monotheism -- worship of the one God.
The Methodists also objected that "the Jesus of Mormonism is not co-eternal with the Father and of one substance with the Father" and that Mormons add other scriptures to the Bible.
we are essentially monotheistic, as we worship one god, but we are polytheistic in faith.
it is true that we do beleive in other works outside the bible, mainly the book of mormon.
The Mormon Jesus Christ
A created being: the elder brother of Lucifer
Common (one of many gods) and, in some ways, of minor important in the largerMormon cosmology
Conceived by a physical sex act between God the Father (Adam or Elohim) and Mary, thus not through a true virgin birth
Once sinful and imperfect
Earned his own salvation (exaltation, godhood)
A married polygamist?
we do value christ just the same as any other faith professing christianity. i have never heard of any sex act between god and mary. we also beleive christ had the ability to sin, but was never sinful, and wasn't perfect at birth, but developed, and was as perfect during childhood as is capable. i haven't heard of him earning godhood (nor that he didn't), but he did earn salvation. nowhere has it been stated that christ was married, and if he was, he wouldn't have been to multiple wives, as it was not appropriate.
The Biblical Jesus Christ
Uncreated God
Unique (the Second Person of the one and only Godhead) and of supreme importance through time, eternity and all creation
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, who supermaturally "overshadowed" Mary, thus a true virgin birth
Eternally sinless and perfect
As God, never required salvation
An unmarried monogamist
from reading the bible, i haven't encountered anything that states christ as uncreated, eternally perfect, never requiring salvation (though it does say everyone does). or specifically stating he never married.
Mormons not only claim to be Christians, but to be the only true Christians. According to them, the early Christian church went through an apostacy, lost the true teaching of God, and is built on a Bible that, according to them, is translated incorrectly and is missing many books.
which is true, and any christian historian would know that many books were most likely missing. joseph smith did re-translate many books of the bible, but the bible we use is the same as the king james version, with corrections at the bottom. and most corrections are a few missing words, and rarely does it ever effect doctrine.
However, in spite of their efforts at revisionism, Mormons have not been able to support their claims. On the contrary. While Mormon allegations regarding the Bible and the course of Christianity are refuted by history, archeology, and other sciences, the scriptures of the Mormon church are problematic at every turn. Far from showing us so-called 'restored truth,' they are testimonies to the deceptive nature of Mormonism.
history is written by those who experienced it. i do not know of any " history, archeology, and other sciences" that difinetly(sp?) contradict mormon beleif.
At best, the Book of Mormon was written using occult methods. It is also known for - among other things - its plagiarism of the King James Bible (using Victorian english in what is supposed to be an American translation of an ancient, historical record), the absence of archeological and historical records supporting the book's story, as well as an array of anachronisms.
most of the writters in the book of mormon spoke and wrote the same few languages that the bible was written in. that must mean an english translation of both should have similar speech.
there are no archeological records reputing the book of mormon, though i do notice not very much that supports it.
And surprisingly, despite Smith's claim that the Book of Mormon is "the keystone of our religion," it is noted for its absence of key Mormon doctrines.
this is true. but, unlike almost all christian denominations, we beleive in modern revalation(sp?), and along with the book of mormon and the bible, modern prophets have given modern doctrine.
1.as stated above, we are not orthodox, and i wish other christians would realize that and stop calling us non-christians.
3.sure looks like you quoted text that did bash mormonism repetitively.
5.i too agree neither political party are anywhere near perfect, and the last election was voting for the lesser of two wrongs.
I hope I have enlightened you all considering the tenets of orthodox Christianity which focuses on a Christ-centered worldview, and that I have made a distinction between Mormonism and orthodox Christianity. Thank you for reading, and please keep discussion civil.
i have no problem with you making that distiction, i just wish you would rename your post to "Why Mormons are not
Orthodox Christians"
from other posts:
Originally posted by: ariafrost
Originally posted by: StormRider
Hmmm, I just read more of your article and a lot of the Mormon doctrine does seem weird.
Well I won't pass judgment and call it "weird", but I will agree with you that it is a bit odd and something I have not read before. I understand Mormons (LDS) are very secretive about practices and beliefs and that the Book of Mormon does not actually contain many of their beliefs - apparently a book called Doctines and something-or-another does.
we beleive in modern revelation, and we use the word doctrine to cover scriptures, the doctrine and covenants (instructions from god in the begining(sp?) of the latter day church), and anything officially (speeches, articles, etc...) coming from the apostles and prophets pertaining to our beleifs.
Mormons do not beleive in the Trinity, Christians do. I think that is a summerization that Mormons are not Christians.
most do, we do not. the trinity, i think (i have not read much on it), was created by man well after christ and his apostles died. not believing in something other christians beleive does not make us any less christian.
There is one simple fact which turns what you have said: Mormons believe in salvation by works, not by faith, and thus do not truly believe that Jesus is their Saviour. Therefore they cannot be called Christians. Nice try
mormons beleive in salvation by works and faith, therefore we beleive you must beleive in christ as the savior, and follow his example by doing good works.