Lately I've been surfing the net and people have used words like "cult" and "heresy" to describe the LDS faith. Now this is not a new occurrence or one that comes as a big surprise to me, still I find the tendency for name calling very disturbing. It is a mystery to me why such animosity has developed for my church, and why it is especially prevalent among otherwise loving and well meaning orthodox Christians.
The LDS faith is outside of the orthodoxy of the historical Christian church. This springs from an attempt to restore what we call the primitive (pre-orthodox) Christian church. Another factor that provides an obvious difference is the existence of the Book of Mormon and its implications on defining the canons of Christianity. But restoration and canon aside our faith is growing, and I think that scares some people outside the church. So the challenge becomes: How do Latter Day Saints encourage dialog with and alleviate fears of traditional faiths?
LDS doctrine states that "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." (Article of Faith 11) To the best of my knowledge no one has ever been forced to join the LDS church. This is not true for other faiths. When people have started talking about cults and heresies historically it has been followed by forced conversions and often times murder. Mormons were shot on sight because of the fear I am trying to end. If you've had some success in dealing with this problem give me some input on how to solve it. And if you think the LDS faith is a cult or a heresy let me try to convince you otherwise. May God bless our broken world.
-markezuma
posted by Mark @ 12:46 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
I think the biggest step members of the LDS faith have to make (which you and I both made before we joined the LDS faith) is learning about other religions and having an appreciation for them. You cannot tell people (at least not successfully), "My faith is right; your faith is wrong. And you need to respect my faith."
Life just doesn't work that way, yet some people in the LDS faith try to do exactly that (against doctrinal teachings, of course). Now, this is certainly not a trait that is exclusive to the LDS faith, but is one that we, as a people, need to get over. There are those amongst us who believe the Latter Day Saints need to be the leaders, set the examples, and so forth; for those who believe such, let them do it and set the example of respecting all faiths.
For myself, I recognize that I am a fallen creature and have many sins which I need to overcome. I'm not looking to lead, but I am still trying to live as the best example I can. I cannot always love people irregardless of their actions, but I can and do love people irregardless of their faith.
In the end, I do not believe that Jesus Christ cares which version of Christianity you believe in; I believe He cares whether or not you believe in Him, and whether or not you tried to follow where He would lead you. (This statement is not intended to disparage those who do not believe in the divinity and power of Christ, merely to open the hearts of those who do.)
Recently two young Mormons came to my door and asked me what I knew about the Mormon Faith. I started explaining what I knew; the history of the Mormons travails and eventual settling in Utah; the saving of the crops by seagulls, etc.
When I finished I politely explained that while I deeply respect the Mormon Church I was a Baptist and preferred keeping it that way. That is my choice as a human and American. These two fellows were as polite as could be.
I simply believe that the way we live our lives is the true personal Testament to Christ. In this area there are plenty of folks who make it to church every Sunday but their Christianity is left in the glove compartment when they get home.
My beliefs conflict with many others (such is life) but Jesus erected an awfully big tent and it is not for me to determine who gets in and who stays out. That is up to Him.
The LDS is a faith I would fight to defend.
Thank you, Michael.
Mark,My faith is right and yours is wrong is about all I ever heard in some of the churchs I went to before I became an LDS member. I've not heard it said at the Ward I'm a member of when I do manage to get there. Not to long ago it was still legal to shoot Mormons in Missouri. Kit Bond took that law off the books when he was our governor. You post made me wonder if you had ever seen the Handbook of Today's Religions at, http://www.greatcom.org/resources/handbook_of_todays_religions/default.htm ? It ask, "What is a cult?" Sounds to me like it would be anything the author doesn't agree with.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
I looked at the online excerpts from "The Handbook..." and it's exactly that kind of intellectual arrogance that worries me. The thing that sickens me most about the website is that the authors don't offer a place for debate or even a link to "help." They do have a link to sell their book though. They are stirring up hatred and misunderstanding to make a buck, they are doing it in the name of Christianity, and they still have the gall to call my beliefs un-Christian. All I can do is pray that their attacks don't result in more murders like the ones in Missouri. How I wish the Crusades would end!
Mark, We might also pray that one day they will wake up and find the truth.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
At the LDS chapel Duncraig Ward two priesthood holders went to my daugthers primary room and removed her from class in the sight of all the other students because she was from another ward, she suffers sinus tachycardia and has had several heart attacks, they said she took some candy and so they threw her out. Shes 9 years old.
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