Mitt Romney and Mormonism

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by 3894

No. If you go into a Methodist Church, the pastor will tell you everything there is to know about that branch of Protestantism. S/he will not charge money for the information. The same is true for all the mainline Protestant churches.

Do you think Mormons charge for information? Or are you confusing them with Scientologists?

[3894]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Do you think Mormons charge for information? Or are you confusing them with Scientologists?

I think you have to be a member in various degrees of standing to receive the Mormon Church's beliefs in increments. I assume that to be a member in good standing of the Mormon Church, you have to contribute something. So yes, I do think Mormons charge for information in that way.

The secrecy is the main reason why many Christians think Mormonism is a cult, like Scientology. I haven't thought enough about Mormonism to know if it's a cult.

[katiesue]

Originally Posted by 3894

I think you have to be a member in various degrees of standing to receive the Mormon Church's beliefs in increments. I assume that to be a member in good standing of the Mormon Church, you have to contribute something. So yes, I do think Mormons charge for information in that way.

The secrecy is the main reason why many Christians think Mormonism is a cult, like Scientology. I haven't thought enough about Mormonism to know if it's a cult.

I think in the past joining the church and going through the various levels was the only way one could get certain information. But as Erica said with the internet much of that is now easily found public information. The same with say the Masons or other "secret" orginizations. There are shows on the History Channel and the like with "insider" information.

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by 3894

I think you have to be a member in various degrees of standing to receive the Mormon Church's beliefs in increments.

I don't know where you got this from but it's absolutely and totally false. Go look in the internet, visit a Mormon church, ask a Mormon friend, or even pull aside one of the millions of missionaries out there whose sole duty is to teach all the church has to teach and you can find out everything you want to know.

It's the lies, the misinformation, and half-truths spread by anti-Mormon propaganda that has lead to what appears to be lack of transparency.

[3894]

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

It's the lies, the misinformation, and half-truths spread by anti-Mormon propaganda that has lead to what appears to be lack of transparency.

My best friend in elementary school was Mormon. I lived in St. George, Utah and Park City, Utah in the early '80s. At the time, both towns were 99.9% LDS. It is just not true that all beliefs of the Mormon Church are readily available to non-Mormons.

It's the lack of transparency that concerns people and causes "lies, misinformation, and half-truths" and cult suspicions to pop up. The Mormon Church is certainly within its rights to withhold information from non-Members. The Mormon Church needs to own its lack of transparency and accept the speculation, rumor, and misinformation that results.

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by 3894

It is just not true that all beliefs of the Mormon Church are readily available to non-Mormons.

Feel free to be specific. Since I'm not coming up with which beliefs you're talking about you'll need to let me know.

[3894]

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

Feel free to be specific. Since I'm not coming up with which beliefs you're talking about you'll need to let me know.

I remember a Mormon friend telling me about the possibility of having his own planet after death. This was many years ago that he told me so I wanted to make sure I was remembering correctly. An internet search produced this article. Does it accurately describe some of the beliefs of the Mormon Church?

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by 3894

I remember a Mormon friend telling me about the possibility of having his own planet after death. This was many years ago that he told me so I wanted to make sure I was remembering correctly. An internet search produced this article. Does it accurately describe some of the beliefs of the Mormon Church?

I'm trying to read through that whole thing but I'm running short on time. But what I have read so far (about half), is exactly what I was talking about earlier... the half-truths and misinformation provided by anti-Mormon propaganda. The whole "follow a few simple rules and get your own planet" thing is a twisted misconception of the belief that God is our Father and wants us to become like Him. That means we (by "we" I mean all mankind) have the potential to be gods ourself. Notice the small "g" and not a big "G." That's to say that we become like Him, not replace Him or even equal to. Just receive all that He has. Which is also taught in the Bible. Does that mean you "get your own planet"? I suppose it's possible, and why not? But it's also no guarantee. It's also not as simple as following a few simple rules. Nor does it imply that the rest of humanity will go to hell.

The problem with this doctrine is not that it's secretive or that you have to "pay to play." This is one of the fundamental doctrines and it's one of the first things taught to non-members who are interested in learning more. But it's also one of the deepest and can be the hardest to comprehend. (And in my rush I'm probably making things worse.) I mean in someways it's very simple but in others we're dealing with a finite mortal mind trying to grasp the concepts of eternity and immortality.

The author also twisted what the role of the priesthood is and how it relates to women. This is probably because of the perception and role of the priesthood in other churches as having authority to advise or instruct. The author implies that a prepubescent boy can rule over his mother, but that just isn't the case and it's not how the priesthood works in the Mormon church. It's a role of service. If said prepubescent boy is not obedient to and honor his mother then he's not honoring his priesthood. The claim that Mormon women are oppressed would be laughable if it weren't so sad.

[Snowflake]

Other than my snarky comment earlier, religion plays almost no part in my vote. I really do not have an interest in that as I do not feel embracing or not embracing a faith has anything to do with the job that is president. Unfortunately, it does seem to be a huge factor to many, just not so much to me. I'd much rather cast my vote based on someone who has views on issues similar to mine and has much more intelligence than me to do the job and is crazy enough to want to do it.

[Moonliner]

So the general consensus seems to be that organized religions all have their skeletons in the closet. Some more than others.

Would you support an atheist for President of the United States?