T
tequilamac
Guest
I’m sure His Holiness is honored. Nevertheless, while it may be harmless to His Holiness, these practices should always be condemned outright as they are definately not harmless to those who practice them. As far as reflecting well on the LDS- “well” in wht regard? That it shows the world more clearly their superstitious and arrogant nature? Why would anyone do anything but condemn such an evil act?Apparently, someone or several people in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have been baptised on behalf of the departed Pope John Paul II since his passing. My sources are the following:
sunstoneonline.com/magazine/mag-issue-142.asp
fairboards.org/index.php?showtopic=19521&st=0
For those unaware of this practice, the Mormons perform baptisms on behalf of the departed with the idea in mind that those who were not Latter-Day Saints in this life, and who did not have a proper opportunity in this life to learn of and to accept the gospel of Mormonism, will have such an opportunity in the next life. Because baptism, confirmation, and other ordinances must be performed by people living in ‘mortality’ (this present realm of existence), Mormons perform such baptisms by proxy on behalf of the departed. In Mormon doctrine, this does not ‘obligate’ the departed soul to anything but gives them the opportunity to accept the proxy ordinances if they choose to do so in the next life.
My personal perception of this is that while it may be a vain gesture on the part of the LDS, it is harmless and reflects well on the LDS to make such a gesture. By the same token, I hope that more than a few Roman Catholics will say prayers or have Masses performed on behalf of LDS Church leaders or other Mormons in their person sphere of acquaintance, as they pass on to the next life.
Any other thoughts?