Hi ricko.
It’s not a feeling that Mormons are not Christian, it’s a fact.
Is it really a ‘fact’ if it might bear some resemblance to real observation but is slightly muddled with personal conjecture? I ask only because I cannot find a definitive idea of what exactly a ‘Christian’ is. I’ve seen definitions from the most staunch of traditional Catholics who claim that only Catholics, Orthodox, and pre-conciliar sects (eg. Nestorians, Miaphysites, etc) are Christian. Such a definition is exhaustive including but not limited to one having apostolic succession, sacramental rites, an episcopacy, and some form of Mariology.
Furthermore, I’ve seen definitions from certain Evangelical Christians which include only “Bible-believing” (whatever that might mean) Christians at the exclusion of Catholics, Orthodox, and other traditional churches.
The one thing all these definitions have in common is that they come from sources with an obvious bias; an obvious horse in the race. If I look for something with a bit more objectivity (such as an encyclopedia, a sociology text, a census, etc) I see that the definition of ‘Christian’ is much more inclusive, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints, Seventh-day Adventists, etc. I personally take on a philosophy of like begets like. Mormonism might be a bit queer compared to the traditional denominations, but many of the central tenets obviously came forth from Christianity (even if Joseph Smith claimed to receive them via revelation). Concepts of “Jesus”, a “messiah”, a “savior”, “atonement” are hallmarks of Christianity. Moreover, Joseph Smith was an American in the 19th century burned-over district of upstate New York. He was born to Christians, raised as a Christian, and was the product of an intense Christian revival in a very Christian part of a Christian country. Granted, there may come a time far removed from the annals of history in which Mormonism will make a break with Christianity (much as Christianity did with its parent religion Judaism), but I don’t think that time has yet come. I might be wrong however, and open to being corrected.
There is no attempt to insult any Mormon. What you are calling an insult is actually a statement of truth. Anyone who has even a little knowledge of the LDS can see right off that they are not Christian.
I would suppose that the LDS themselves have extensive insight to the LDS beliefs yet they seem to think they are indeed Christians. I, though never having been a member of their church, have studied quite a bit about their beliefs. I too am convinced they are Christians. Apparently it’s not as obvious as one might think.
Did you know that Joseph Smith used a “seer stone” to translate the golden plates and also used the stone to try and find gold? They do not believe in one God. They believe in multiple Gods all over the universe.
Indeed. Also, the Gnostics of old believed in two Gods; one evil and material, one benevolent and immaterial yet I don’t know of many scholars who wouldn’t call them “Gnostic Christians”. I’m not so certain that isolating one facet of a religion (such as its beliefs concerning the nature of its deity) is sufficient in classification. I think that would make for an awfully sloppy categorization much as it would be sloppy for a biologist to form a taxonomy of species based on only one character. What do you think of the Miaphysites and Nestorians who believe differently than the Orthodox/Catholics/Protestants concerning the nature of God? Are they not “true Christians”?
Their teachings conflict with the bible.
As
you and the Catholic Magesterium interpret it. The Bible is far from precise rendering many possible interpretations of various passages. It would be one thing if you were to argue that only the Catholic Magesterium has the authority to faithfully interpret the Bible (and I do believe one could make such a valid argument considering the actual history of the Bible), however this would nonetheless beg the question: Must one heed to the Catholic Magesterium in order to be a ‘Christian’?
They believe that they themselves can become a God. These, and many more, teachings are the product of not the bible but the corrupt mind of Joseph Smith.
That very well might be the case. What does this say about a
Mormon’s ability or inability to be properly labeled a
Christian?
What we condemn is the church of the LDS and its false teachings, not the people that are being misled by it.
Yet you’re some how linking alleged “false teachings” of a church, by some unknown standard, with the “Christian-ness” of the adherents of said faith. I’m curious how you’ve made such a link.
