Is Mormonism A Christian Religion?

[Jerry111]

The question came up on Mitt Romney during the 2008 primaries and now concerning Glenn Beck- is Mormonism a Christian religion?

The question (or attacks) seemed to be raised primarily by Evangelicals. I am far from an expert on LDS, but I am familiar with the differences on the scriptures, the different levels of heaven and the rather bizarre “revelations” given to Joseph Smith while looking inside his hat. None of this relates even remotely to Catholicism or Protestantism. On the other hand, the only Mormons I know anything about, Romney and Beck, devoutly believe in Jesus and recognize that salvation comes from Jesus’ death on the cross.

In short, does the Catholic Church consider Mormonism to be a Christian religion?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Jerry

 

[cooterhein]

The question came up on Mitt Romney during the 2008 primaries and now concerning Glenn Beck- is Mormonism a Christian religion?

The question (or attacks) seemed to be raised primarily by Evangelicals. I am far from an expert on LDS, but I am familiar with the differences on the scriptures, the different levels of heaven and the rather bizarre “revelations” given to Joseph Smith while looking inside his hat. None of this relates even remotely to Catholicism or Protestantism. On the other hand, the only Mormons I know anything about, Romney and Beck, devoutly believe in Jesus and recognize that salvation comes from Jesus’ death on the cross.

In short, does the Catholic Church consider Mormonism to be a Christian religion?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Jerry

I consider them to be apostates. So you can lump me in with the Evangelicals that you’ve seen. I’m pretty sure the CC says something similar, but we’ll see what people say.

Mormons aren’t exactly polytheistic, but they certainly aren’t monotheistic, either. The term “polytheistic” tends to imply that someone worships more than one God, which is not done by Mormons. But they do believe in the existence of many Gods while worshiping only one. This is more properly called henotheism, and more specifically, monolatrism.

Christians are monotheistic. Monotheism is certainly not sufficient for someone to say they’re Christians (see also Jews and Muslims), but it is one of the necessary conditions. For the Mormon who claims to be a Christian, they fail at the most basic level. They aren’t even monotheistic.

 

[Publisher]

While Mormons may be outside the belief system of “orthodoxy”…they are “Christians”…different…even “heretical” by some others standards…but they are “Christian”…they may believe in Jesus a little differently…but they do believe in Him…they use the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which is fairly “orthodox” in theology…it is not necessary for their circle to embrace me…but my “circle” must embrace them…none of us have the “corner” on speaking for God as to whom is or is not acceptable to Him thorough their faith in Him.

 

[ketch22]

While Mormons may be outside the belief system of “orthodoxy”…they are “Christians”…different…even “heretical” by some others standards…but they are “Christian”…they may believe in Jesus a little differently…but they do believe in Him…they use the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which is fairly “orthodox” in theology…it is not necessary for their circle to embrace me…but my “circle” must embrace them…none of us have the “corner” on speaking for God as to whom is or is not acceptable to Him thorough their faith in Him.

Simply not true. God gives us the ability to discern true Gospel from false gospel. LDS is false gospel.

 

[Publisher]

Simply not true. God gives us the ability to discern true Gospel from false gospel. LDS is false gospel.

I do not know God’s heart concerning His belief about Mormons. I do not beleive ANYONE who comes to Him with faith in Him to the best of their understanding will ever be turned away.

Mormons are not “orthodox” Christians…but they ARE part and parcel of the “Christian Religion”…“Christian Religion” is a very broad umbrella…a particular religious institution might deny them the name “Christian” as it does not meet up with their particular definition…but Mormons are Christians in belief and orientation…definitely not orthodox…but Christian none the less.

It is God and God alone who looks at the heart of each individual and is their Judge alone…not you or I.

 

[Marie5890]

While Mormons may be outside the belief system of “orthodoxy”…they are “Christians”…different…even “heretical” by some others standards…but they are “Christian”…they may believe in Jesus a little differently…but they do believe in Him…

As a former Mormon I agree with this assessment.
The Catholic Church doesn’t recognize the LDS baptism (No biggie really, LDS doesn’t recognize ANY other baptism other than their own) but this is more recent (2002 I believe)

I would say though that their belief system in Christ is more than just a little different…I would say it’s very different.

But yes Mormons believe that Jesus is Savior, the Son of God (their understanding of “god” is very theologically different from traditional Christianity, however) that salvation comes thru Him, that He atoned for our sins. That He was born of Mary, He suffered, died, was buried and then was resurrected.

 

[Erich]

In short, does the Catholic Church consider Mormonism to be a Christian religion?

From Worldwide Religious News:

Vatican rules LDS baptisms 'invalid’
Reuters (“Deseret News,” July 18, 2001)

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has ruled that LDS Church baptisms are invalid, the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano reported Tuesday.

The ruling, made on June 5 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, had been in response to a question on the validity of LDS baptisms posed by the Bishops’ Conference of the United States.

The Catholic Church recognizes non-Catholic baptisms if they conform to specific rules imposed by the Vatican.

Lutheran, Baptist and Orthodox baptisms are among the non-Catholic baptisms recognized by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church even recognizes baptisms performed by atheists or nonbelievers if the rules are followed.
…

So, no.

 

[Wesley7]

I don’t know.

 

[cooterhein]

While Mormons may be outside the belief system of “orthodoxy”…they are “Christians”…different…even “heretical” by some others standards…but they are “Christian”…

I think heretical is the minimum for Mormonism, and I have considered that, as well. It can be hard to tell when someone crosses from “heretic” to “apostate,” but when Jesus is only Jesus in name and not in what’s actually described, and when a religion fails to be monotheistic, I think that’s enough to say a religious group is an apostate one.

they may believe in Jesus a little differently…but they do believe in Him…

It’s actually quite a lot differently.

they use the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which is fairly “orthodox” in theology…

You say Mormons are outside the belief system of “orthodoxy,” and you also say the Book of Mormon is fairly “orthodox” in theology. You’re using the same word to mean two different things, and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, I do understand what you meant by the first one but not the second. What does it mean for the Book of Mormon to be “orthodox” in theology?

it is not necessary for their circle to embrace me…but my “circle” must embrace them…

I don’t think that’s necessarily true. You don’t have to embrace everyone who claims to be a Christian, especially when they say they are but they actually teach and believe something that’s antithetical to the Gospel. That’s what you’d call a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and even if you don’t think the Mormons fit that description, I do hope you wouldn’t embrace such a person if you ever met one.

 

[BartBurk]

From Worldwide Religious News:

Vatican rules LDS baptisms 'invalid’
Reuters (“Deseret News,” July 18, 2001)

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has ruled that LDS Church baptisms are invalid, the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano reported Tuesday.

The ruling, made on June 5 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, had been in response to a question on the validity of LDS baptisms posed by the Bishops’ Conference of the United States.

The Catholic Church recognizes non-Catholic baptisms if they conform to specific rules imposed by the Vatican.

Lutheran, Baptist and Orthodox baptisms are among the non-Catholic baptisms recognized by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church even recognizes baptisms performed by atheists or nonbelievers if the rules are followed.
…

So, no.

All this says is the Vatican doesn’t recognize Mormon baptism. They believe in Jesus and their baptism is at the very least a baptism of desire. They are trying to follow Jesus to the best of their understanding.

 

[Publisher]

I think heretical is the minimum for Mormonism, and I have considered that, as well. It can be hard to tell when someone crosses from “heretic” to “apostate,” but when Jesus is only Jesus in name and not in what’s actually described, and when a religion fails to be monotheistic, I think that’s enough to say a religious group is an apostate one.

It’s actually quite a lot differently.

You say Mormons are outside the belief system of “orthodoxy,” and you also say the Book of Mormon is fairly “orthodox” in theology. You’re using the same word to mean two different things, and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, I do understand what you meant by the first one but not the second. What does it mean for the Book of Mormon to be “orthodox” in theology?

The Book of Mormon is fairly orthodox in theology…Mormon belief is not…“orthodox” is correct for both statements…just pick up a BoM and read it…you’ll not find too much in contradiction with the Bible…Mormon belief is not orthodox…even though the Book of Mormon tends to be.

I don’t think that’s necessarily true. You don’t have to embrace everyone who claims to be a Christian, especially when they say they are but they actually teach and believe something that’s antithetical to the Gospel. That’s what you’d call a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and even if you don’t think the Mormons fit that description, I do hope you wouldn’t embrace such a person if you ever met one.

I will seek to speak to “that of God” within my Mormon brothers and sisters…my “circle” is large enough to contain them and you.

 

[T_Hope]

The question came up on Mitt Romney during the 2008 primaries and now concerning Glenn Beck- is Mormonism a Christian religion?

The question (or attacks) seemed to be raised primarily by Evangelicals. I am far from an expert on LDS, but I am familiar with the differences on the scriptures, the different levels of heaven and the rather bizarre “revelations” given to Joseph Smith while looking inside his hat. None of this relates even remotely to Catholicism or Protestantism. On the other hand, the only Mormons I know anything about, Romney and Beck, devoutly believe in Jesus and recognize that salvation comes from Jesus’ death on the cross.

In short, does the Catholic Church consider Mormonism to be a Christian religion?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Jerry

As a former mormon, now in RCIA and preparing to be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil 2011, I know that although I was once baptized into the mormon church, I must be baptized now in order to become Catholic, to become Christian.

Therefore, the answer to your question seems to be NO (although I haven’t read anywhere where the Catholic Church states that except to say that my mormon baptism is not a valid Christian baptism), the Catholic Church may not consider Mormonism to be a Christian religion (again, although I haven’t read anywhere that this is stated) because they do not accept or believe in the Holy Trinity, which then, is the reason I will be baptized at Easter. Yay!!!

Mormons believe that all the Christians in the world apart from themselves, are presently living according to false doctrine, and that truth was restored through their prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr. who claimed to have seen the Father (which is impossible) and the Son in the year 1820. It was all a very good story when I was 15 years old.

Having said that, mormons DO believe in Christ and mormons do consider themselves Christians. Many of the people in my life are faithful mormons who live true to what they believe. They follow Christ as best they know how, and they are very good, hard working, and loving people.

Would a discussion of perspectives and experiences, from the point of view I had as an active mormon (Christian) as compared to now, an active Catholic (Christian) be acceptable on this forum? This I do not know.

Hope

 

[Barbkw]

The “extra” books of Mormonism written by Smith as gospels are the problem. And how common words used in Christianity have very different connotations in Mormonism (the word Trinity for example).

 

[1ke]

All this says is the Vatican doesn’t recognize Mormon baptism.

Correct. And the Catholic Church defines as a Christian those who have been validly baptized in the Trinitarian formula.

The Church defines a religion that does not believe in the Trinity is non Christian.

They believe in Jesus and their baptism is at the very least a baptism of desire.

They do not believe that Jesus is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Their baptism is not baptism of desire. They would have to have an explicit desire to be baptized into the Church, an explicit desire for Trinitarian baptism.

They are trying to follow Jesus to the best of their understanding.

While this is certainly true of many sincere Mormons, it does not change the fact that the LDS religion is not a Christian religion.

 

[tbcrawford]

Jimmy Akin is your answer

“Mormons: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from a Catholic Perspective” [Paperback]
by Jimmy Akin costs £1.95 from Amazon probably around $3/4 US money.It will have all the answers you seek.

 

[MtnDwellar]

There are many different definitions for the term Christian. Before we can answer whether or not Mormons fit the definition, we have to decide on the definition.

If we use one from the Catholic dictionary at CatholicReference.net: catholicreference.net/index.cfm?id=32502

We have to conclude that Mormons are not Christian. They apparently fail the test in two categories - Baptism and belief in one God.

"A person who is baptized. A professed Christian also believes in the essentials of the Christian faith, notably in the Apostles’ Creed. A Catholic Christian further accepts the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, participates in the Eucharistic liturgy and sacraments of Catholic Christianity, and gives allegiance to the Catholic hierarchy and especially to the Bishop of Rome. "

 

[Bluegoat]

In the sense of being baptized into the Body of Christ? No.

In the sense that they try to follow Christ? Yes.

If I were asked to compile a list of religions and their relationships, I would say that Mormonism was a different religion that has it’s roots in Christianity. Maybe “Christianity is to Judaism as Mormonism is to Christianity”.

But I would never tell a person who was honestly trying to follow what he thought Christ said that he was not a Christian. I would perhaps discuss what the correct way to do that is, but I am not going to try to distance someone from Christ - I want them to get closer to him!

But as far as an analysis of the beliefs go, I think Christianity and Judaism and Islam are much more similar to each other than Mormonism is to any of them.

 

[Irish_Polock]

The question came up on Mitt Romney during the 2008 primaries and now concerning Glenn Beck- is Mormonism a Christian religion?

The question (or attacks) seemed to be raised primarily by Evangelicals. I am far from an expert on LDS, but I am familiar with the differences on the scriptures, the different levels of heaven and the rather bizarre “revelations” given to Joseph Smith while looking inside his hat. None of this relates even remotely to Catholicism or Protestantism. On the other hand, the only Mormons I know anything about, Romney and Beck, devoutly believe in Jesus and recognize that salvation comes from Jesus’ death on the cross.

In short, does the Catholic Church consider Mormonism to be a Christian religion?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Jerry

The Church has ruled that the Mormon baptism is not valid. The Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has stated that "The words Father, Son and Holy Spirit, have for the Mormons a meaning totally different from the Christian meaning. The difference is so great that a study has been done by five different Christian groups whom all have concluded that there are irreconcilable differences between Mormon doctrine and Christian beliefs based on Sacred Scripture.

“Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church: “For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, [they] are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church.” “Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn.” (CCC1271)”

God be with you.

 

[Barbkw]

In the sense of being baptized into the Body of Christ? No.
In the sense that they try to follow Christ? Yes…

Excellent point.

 

[LongJourney]

Some members of the LDS church are Christians, some are not. Since Mormon beliefs and doctrines are so fluid and contradictory, people can pick and choose between Christian ones, and distinctively non-Christian ones.

When a Mormon bishop interviews people for eligibility for a temple recommend, he uses these questions mormondoctrine.net/misc/temple_recommend.htm, which can be creatively construed.

When the Catholic prepares for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the rigorous examination of conscience is encouraged. Some get sloppy about it.

It is all in the mind of the beholder. Mormon “law” and theocracy, imitating that of the government, enforces adherence, because the BoM teaches that. Catholicism is voluntary-- people are allowed to practice it as closely or as sloppily as they want. Motivation comes from within. Mormonism is enforced.

So, I think the question is, for most purposes, irrelevant.