Mormons "are not Christians"?

[Zzyzx]

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In one of the threads a self-proclaimed Christian said:

Well, first of all, Mormons aren't Christians so citing them as an example of a "Christian" church that had a problem with someone disguised as a homeless man doesn't represent Christianity at all. But the "Mormons are not Christians" argument is an altogether different issue so I won't belabour it.

Who says? Who decides? Based on what criteria?

Perhaps Overcomer will enlighten us (or discover s/he is wrong)?

[atheist buddy]

I think that defining other Christians as "not Christians" is one of the predominant attributes of Christianity.

The definition of a Christian is veeeery fluid, but if it has something to do with believing a God exist and that the Bible has something to do with that God, and that Jesus plays a primary role in the events in question, then I guess Mormons are a type of Christians.

Of course, Mormons believe that the Bible is mostly the word of God, but is not complete and an additional book inspired by God was subsequently written.

There is another group that believes the exact some thing: Muslims.

So an argument could be made that Mormons are Christians only insofar as Muslims are Christians as well.

To be honest, I care little about the internal nomenclatures that religious people wish to assign to each other.

I am more interested in finding out how in the world they can justify holding any supernatural beliefs of any kind in the first place.

[DanieltheDragon]

[Replying to atheist buddy]

Islam recognizes Jesus as a person but it does not follow the beliefs nor teachings contained in the NT. Mormons on the other hand do so thats not a fair comparison.

[KCKID]

Well, for about 20 years I was a member of the 7th-day Adventist Church although, I must confess, not a very devout SDA. Generally speaking, I've always questioned 'beliefs' whether they be religious or not and I generally tend to follow my heart more so than following a religious doctrine. Anyway, I pretty much lost interest in organized Christianity in general and haven't set foot in an SDA Church for 6 years or so ...NOT that I have anything against the 7th-day Adventist Church per se. I'm actually still a registered member of that Church.

Meanwhile, over the years, I've received fairly regular visits from young Mormon missionaries and, while I let them know from the outset that, right now anyway, I'm not interested in any doctrinal messages I always make them welcome for a chat and refreshments. I really enjoy their visits and their offer to help with whatever task I might require help with (I rarely do) and can only say that, whether the LDS Church is considered by other Churches to be 'Christian' or not, "I" personally find them to be MOST Christian-like! A young vocalist friend and I were recently invited to sing a couple of songs at one of their Sunday night "Fireside Programs" at the local LDS Church and I found the people there warm and friendly and, um, again ..."Christian-like". One Mormon couple, mother and son, are presently two of my team of musicians who are preparing for Christmas concerts that I organize each year.

These days I'm not interested in denominational tags and 'this' doctrine or 'that' doctrine. Quite frankly, the 'fundamentals' surrounding denominations bore me. The Mormons are a group of people that I've seriously considered spending quite a bit of time with, not based on their doctrines per se but simply because I like them as 'people'.

[atheist buddy]

[Replying to atheist buddy]

Islam recognizes Jesus as a person but it does not follow the beliefs nor teachings contained in the NT. Mormons on the other hand do so thats not a fair comparison.

Well, it could be argued that Muslims do follow the beliefs and teachings of the NT, at least in part. It's just that they follow it to a lesser degree than Christians, becuase they believe there was an even more important update to "the truth" - a belief they share with mormons, though of course directed at different books.

So, both Muslims and Mormons follow the OT the NT to some degree, plus an additional book.

Want to claim that Mormons follow the NT more closely than Muslims? Fine, you're probably right.

But then it becomes a question of degrees. Mormons are closer to being Christians than Muslims are. Not a very conclusive answer in either direction.

Besides, I'd say that in many respects, Mormons are closer to Muslims than to Christians. Just like Muslims they believe a LOT of what's in the OT and NT, but have added to it, and just like Muslims they're historically poligamous.

I don't know. I don't really care that much. Jews, Christian, Muslims, Mormons, they all share one thing: They believe in extraordinary claims, in the absence of sufficient evidence.

[Wordleymaster1]

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In one of the threads a self-proclaimed Christian said:

Well, first of all, Mormons aren't Christians so citing them as an example of a "Christian" church that had a problem with someone disguised as a homeless man doesn't represent Christianity at all. But the "Mormons are not Christians" argument is an altogether different issue so I won't belabour it.

Who says? Who decides? Based on what criteria?

Perhaps Overcomer will enlighten us (or discover s/he is wrong)?

Not that Mormons would care what I think. Nor do I care if they care what I think about them. What's important to me is how I think and to me, they aren't any more Christian than your run-of-the-mill Scientologist. Fact is, they are only one step away from Scientology in my view and the view of some others as well

http://animalnewyork.com/2010/mormons-v ... etardeder/
http://irresistibledisgrace.wordpress.c ... elieve-in/