What is your opinion? Mormons Christians?

I believe that I have some degree of authority on this matter, having extensively studied Mormonism (I've read the Standard Works, much of the Journal of Discourses, and several books on Mormonism, both pro- and anti-), and having nearly converted to the LDS faith in 2006.

The answer depends entirely on how you define "Christian" -- there is no definite answer, as it is purely a matter of opinion. If you define a Christian as one who believes in Christ, regardless of the identity of the person of Christ, then yes, Mormons are Christians.

That said, there are significant differences between LDS doctrine and "traditional" Christianity that cannot be ignored. Latter-day Saints reject the traditional understanding of the Trinity; instead, Latter-day Saints believe the Father (Elohim), Son (Jehovah), and Holy Ghost are three distinct entities. Latter-day Saints believe that God the Father possesses a body of flesh and bone. Many Mormons, including an ex-girlfriend of mine, will also admit to believing that God the Father once was a man who inhabited another planet and received exaltation to Godhood.

Latter-day Saints believe that human spirits originated as "intelligences" which later became spirits and eventually inhabited human bodies, a process known to Latter-day Saints as eternal progression. Included in the doctrine of eternal progression is the belief that worthy Mormons will receive exaltation to godhood.

There are many, many more significant differences between LDS doctrine and traditional Christianity.

Are Mormons Christian? It's a matter of opinion. That said, I don't think telling Mormons to their face that they aren't Christian is very productive. But that's just me.
 
Jarod said:
1) That is up for debate, many conservative Christians strongly disagree with you, those are the very ones who were attacking the president for not being Christian.
2) I know.
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1. No, It's not. Conservative Christians (far right wing evangical zealots) are NOT real christians. They are posers and deserve NO respect.
 
Lowaicue said:
I learned a fair bit from my visit. It was made primarily for business but I found my discussions with my host and the (I have to say) the majesty of the construction very interesting. But it is still a cult run by people with a skewed view of reality who think they have the right to proselytise in foreign countries.
Do you WANT people to fear you? Says a lot I think.
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1. ALL ORGANIZED RELIGONS ARE A CULT. Look up CULT in the dictionary.
2. I agree the temples are beautiful.
3. proselytising is legal most everywhere. Where it isn't ... there is a dictator afraid of losing his power.
 
Thoth said:
I believe that I have some degree of authority on this matter, having extensively studied Mormonism (I've read the Standard Works, much of the Journal of Discourses, and several books on Mormonism, both pro- and anti-), and having nearly converted to the LDS faith in 2006.

The answer depends entirely on how you define "Christian" -- there is no definite answer, as it is purely a matter of opinion. If you define a Christian as one who believes in Christ, regardless of the identity of the person of Christ, then yes, Mormons are Christians.

That said, there are significant differences between LDS doctrine and "traditional" Christianity that cannot be ignored. Latter-day Saints reject the traditional understanding of the Trinity; instead, Latter-day Saints believe the Father (Elohim), Son (Jehovah), and Holy Ghost are three distinct entities. Latter-day Saints believe that God the Father possesses a body of flesh and bone. Many Mormons, including an ex-girlfriend of mine, will also admit to believing that God the Father once was a man who inhabited another planet and received exaltation to Godhood.

Latter-day Saints believe that human spirits originated as "intelligences" which later became spirits and eventually inhabited human bodies, a process known to Latter-day Saints as eternal progression. Included in the doctrine of eternal progression is the belief that worthy Mormons will receive exaltation to godhood.

There are many, many more significant differences between LDS doctrine and traditional Christianity.

Are Mormons Christian? It's a matter of opinion. That said, I don't think telling Mormons to their face that they aren't Christian is very productive. But that's just me.
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Lot of posts here but I'm going to respond to the one that makes the most sense so far.

The problem with arguing this is that any mormon can respond with "No that's not mormonism, you don't know what we believe we're christians too, and you can't say anything different." The other side can draw upon works, statements and experiance and the mormons can just respond with "No that's not true." It's a typical religious argument.

As a side point if believing in jesus was the only thing required to be a christian the christians' ranks would be up 1.2 billion muslims, they believe in jesus, just slightly differently than catholics and protestants.

Personally, I don't categorize mormons under christianity, an experiance brought up by growing up in a community with a high mormon population(10-15%) having four close mormon friends, (3 of whom are on their missions, Denmark, Argentina and Japan) and really, sorry guys not christian.

Edit: Just as an interesting distinction, if mormons are christian, why do you guys call your places of worship temples instead of churches?
 
Lowaicue said:
and I have the right to post those opinions here since it is a place designed for that.
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it's generally considered helpful if those opinions are somewhat related to the topic being discussed.......however, as you seem to have admitted that instead your post was inserted for the benefit of those who prefer childish comebacks intended to prove the ignorance of the poster, I will concede you were successful.........
 
Imagine how upset many Conservatives would be if the Democratic nominee were Mormon. They would be screaming about how our nominee is not even Christian.
 
Jarod said:
Who burried the golden plates? What is Brigam Young's status? When you die are you a God to your decendents?
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1. I don't recall but I will look it up.
2. Dead -- and in the Celestial kingdom.
3. No. We will be reunited and reside together in the Celestial kingdom.
 
Vader said:
1. I don't recall but I will look it up.
2. Dead -- and in the Celestial kingdom.
3. No. We will be reunited and reside together in the Celestial kingdom.
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Are you a Temple Morman? Have you baptized all your relatives, did you do a mission?
 
Lowaicue said:
No it wasnt. My point was to belittle Mormonism AND the lesser well known and loony fringe Christian churches who use evangelism as a mainstay of their faith. My guided tour round a new temple was inserted simply because, historically, posters here enjoy childish come backs trying to prove the ignorance of the poster.
I have no problem with admitting my ignorance of Mormonism, nor do I have a problem with admitting to my ignorance of those private churches you seem to have in America, or of Scientology or those snake worshippers or the Phelps family. But my ignorance is not complete. I have engaged with many of these people and I have formed opinions, as is my right, and I have the right to post those opinions here since it is a place designed for that.
You have the same rights.
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Don't sell yourself short lad......your ignorance is about as close to complete as you can get and still feed yourself or wipe your own ass.......
 
Jarod said:
Imagine how upset many Conservatives would be if the Democratic nominee were Mormon. They would be screaming about how our nominee is not even Christian.
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do you realize the only ones who've actually demonstrated any ignorance and bigotry about Mormons on this thread have been the liberals?......
 
I have not heard a single person, other than an odd evangelical Religous Right wack, suggest that Romney should not be President as a result of his religen.
 
Jarod said:
I have not heard a single person, other than an odd evangelical Religous Right wack, suggest that Romney should not be President as a result of his religen.
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perhaps....but liberals, yourself prominently among them, have demonstrated ignorance and bigotry regarding Mormons.....what say you?.....
 
I went to a funeral last night, my friends brother. He was an alcoholic and was also addicted to cocaine. The family was very open at the funeral about his addiction. His sister read a letter he had written before his death to be read at the funeral, he apologized to all he had hurt because if his lifestyle, everyone in the Chapel was crying.

Then the cousin stood up, he is a missionionary who also was addicted to cocaine until he was "saved", he then started to give his personal testimony to Jesus Christ and asked everyone to stand and committ themselves to Jesus. The discomfort in the room was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. I heard one lady whisper, this is so inaapropriate.

It got worse, when no one stood, he called out a Baptist minister, this gentle man has a Doctorate in Divinity, he had spoken earlier and had told a personal story about the deceased and the only mention he made of his beliefs was that R. was now in the arms of his Savior and sited a Bible verse. The minister did not stand and also did not comment, I felt bad for him having been put on the spot, but it was obvious he had already given his life to God. The room was so silent you could have heard a pin drop. The cousin finally realized that no one was going to come to God at that moment and he sighed and left the podium, in fact he left the funeral.

I am always horrified that some people use a funeral to "preach", I feel it is not the time to ask people to come to Jesus. I felt so bad for the family. I felt so bad for all those in attendance.
 
Rana said:
I went to a funeral last night, my friends brother. He was an alcoholic and was also addicted to cocaine. The family was very open at the funeral about his addiction. His sister read a letter he had written before his death to be read at the funeral, he apologized to all he had hurt because if his lifestyle, everyone in the Chapel was crying.

Then the cousin stood up, he is a missionionary who also was addicted to cocaine until he was "saved", he then started to give his personal testimony to Jesus Christ and asked everyone to stand and committ themselves to Jesus. The discomfort in the room was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. I heard one lady whisper, this is so inaapropriate.

It got worse, when no one stood, he called out a Baptist minister, this gentle man has a Doctorate in Divinity, he had spoken earlier and had told a personal story about the deceased and the only mention he made of his beliefs was that R. was now in the arms of his Savior and sited a Bible verse. The minister did not stand and also did not comment, I felt bad for him having been put on the spot, but it was obvious he had already given his life to God. The room was so silent you could have heard a pin drop. The cousin finally realized that no one was going to come to God at that moment and he sighed and left the podium, in fact he left the funeral.

I am always horrified that some people use a funeral to "preach", I feel it is not the time to ask people to come to Jesus. I felt so bad for the family. I felt so bad for all those in attendance.
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That was extremely inappropriate. A testimony is one thing, so long as it is for the purpose of encouraging people. But having an altar call at a funeral is very tacky. I'm sure he meant well, but he needs to change his tactics.
 
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