Then we will evaluate whether or not this is a useful technique for trying to convert mormonsor for keeping others from investigating mormonism. I knew mormons, and they seemed so nice, so christian. He was either a prophet of god, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. Is mormonism a cult response to mette ivie harrison.
The church of jesus christ of the latter day saints, whose members have been nick named mormons claims to be the restoration of the true church established by jesus christ. Bibliography lds author or point of view culture understanding your mormon neighbor, ross j. Cult teaches only it possesses ultimate truth and leaving will put physical, mental and spiritual health at risk. Mormonism calls this doctrine \celestial parentage. He then did massive research into the mormon history and teachings. A fine example of how these cults such as the mormons church of the latter day. Writing in the atlantic this week, kurt andersen praises members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or mormons for their. The first literal definition for the word culta formal religious venerationdefines every religious group on. Approaching mormonism as a cult rational apologetics b. Dec 23, 2011 in recent month there has been much discussion in the media on the question of whether or not mormonism is a cult. The cult mormonism mormonism is a dirty religion a heretic.
This book describes the authors work as a missionary in. It has no relation with the catholic or protestant churches but di ers from them in theology, organization, and religious practices. Even people who used to mormon and are no longer can admit that the lds church absolutely does no harm to anyone and they preach complete love and toleration of one another and other religions, and i have never met a mormon who did not live by that. Mormonism acknowledges the divinity of christ, but as noted above, mormon doctrine on what constitutes divinity falls seriously short of the biblical standard. Michael langone, editor of cultic studies journal compiled a list of characteristics to help. Christianity these are themes i heard from my pastor years ago who ranted against mormon beliefs and the menace of mormonism, but i could never believe him. The dark fiction of an exmormon writer the new yorker. It is our desire to make this discussion one of the dedliest on the internet. I had been in denial for all those years, but now i couldnt escape the facts. The mormons deny the trinity and the existence of a literal burning hell, yet they promote polytheism many gods, baptism for the dead, and the notion that jesus and satan were originally spirit brothers. A preacher had made a statement to that effect, and though he soon clarified what he meant namely that mormonism is theologically a cult of christianity lots of pundits had a field day with his comment most of them demonstrated a neartotal lack of knowledge of. Jul 10, 2012 forget the fact that he neglected to state that mormonism is a cult, even worse he tried to throw a professor of theology under the bus by saying it was his corse that stated mormonism is a cult. Countless times over the past weeks, ive been asked. Mormonism as christian because the lds church insists that it is the only true church on earth.
There are many websites on the internet devoted to spreading the message that the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is a cult. So after i read the ces letter and started researching things and learned the truth, i just stopped believing the lies and said mormonism wasnt for me but i didnt want to go so far to call tscc a cult because i was still in major denial. In order to understand mormonism from the historic christian perspective, we have to step beyond the highly professional facade that is presented to us in the lds ads. Forget the fact that he neglected to state that mormonism is a cult, even worse he tried to throw a professor of theology under the bus by saying it was his corse that stated mormonism is a cult. See sharp press, 2008 isbn 1884365442 isbn 9781884365447 includes bilbiographical references and index. Mormonism cult mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Mormonism the slop hog cult i consider mormonism the single most blasphemous cult claiming to be based on christian and bible truth. Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. A former missionary reveals the secrets of mormon mind control kindle edition by worthy, jack b download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. You can rant all day long about mormon cult, but if you dont understand the religion and its people, youll sound like an idiot when you talk to them. Evangelical christians must understand mormonism is a cult. Oftentimes, these articles use subjective definitions of the word cult in order to further their message along. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday.
First of all, most of the controversy in the media about mormonism and the word cult concerns a theological definition. The mormon cult is rooted in the teachings of jewish kaballah. Mormonism is a nonchristian cult because mormonism denies essential biblical teachings and adds new, false doctrines. Joseph smith, of course, is the founder of mormonism. The purpose behind this paper is to show that many, if not all, objective cult definitions that can be applied to the lds faith can also be applied to christianity. Certainly, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints teaches a system of religious worship, even the worship of our father in heaven and his only begotten son, jesus christ.
The cult mormonism mormonism is a dirty religion a. Nevertheless, most mormons do not accept the trinitarian views of orthodox nicene. Mormonism, also known as the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, claims to be the restoration of the true gospel and a revelation of the true god. Legitimate, healthy organizations religious, political or social adhere to the standards set by the united nations universal. Mormonism is a freemasonry demonic cult founded in 1830 by charlatan, conman, sexpervert and 33rd degree freemason, joseph smith. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s. Friend, make no mistake about it mormonism is a dangerous cult. The primary definition of the word cult in most dictionaries is a system of religious worship. In the case of calling mormonismor any other religion or belief systema cult, the writer attempts to insinuate the reader into disliking the religion. But because of its great emphasis on missions, the church of jesus christ of the latter day. This question addresses not only teaching but association, because the word cult carries a negative connotation. Mormonism zondervan guide to cults and religious movements. They teach a lot of nonsense when it comes to the bible and believe that they can change the view of anyone that will listen to them.
But, in reality, mormonism is a lot more complex than namecallers would like it to be, and a lot more moral. Mormons call themselves christians, and they take exception to mormonism being called a cult. While the theology of mormonism certainly can be defined by this words traditional meaning, to many it conjures up images of the peoples. Bpmormonism is not only a cult but also a culture, the author of a new book on the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormons said. Oct 30, 2011 listen to jeffress on youtube cnn and fox and you will be surprised to hear his real position. Mormons place a very high value on good parenting and a successful. Mormonism for dummies kindle edition by riess, jana, bigelow, christopher kimball. On april 6, 1830 the mormon church was organizedat the time it was called the church of christ. As the prophet joseph smith translated the book of mormon, he found mention of baptism for the remission of sins.
Articles that perpetuate the belief that the lds faith is a cult only serve to elicit. The ostlings write that anderson was the first to reveal the lds church keeps files on mormon scholars. On may 15, 1829, he and his scribe oliver cowdery went into the woods to inquire of the lord concerning baptism. If mormonism does not fall within the parameters of christianity, then what is it. Whether you mind the fact that mormonism is a cult or not, and whether you object to mormons or not, you ought to be familiar. With their strong emphasis on traditional family values. In recent month there has been much discussion in the media on the question of whether or not mormonism is a cult.
My lifes work has been studying the psychology of influence, so thats a fair question. Michael langone, editor of cultic studies journal compiled a list of characteristics to help define a cult. The word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine assistance. Cults new theology or philosophy is superficially coherent and appealing while its real truth remains secret and concealed. Mormonism teaches that jesus, lucifer, and all the demons, as well as all mankind, are actually all spirit brothers and sisters, born in the. Since they are masonic in nature, the fbi hires a higher percentage of. Russell ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints addresses the question of whether mormonism is a cult. In a recent blog post, mormon author mette ivie harrison asks whether mormonism is a cult.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the mormon cult. Mormonism and christianity have a complex theological, historical, and sociological relationship. Mormonism is a judaic cult that has robbed millions of victims of their money and their souls t he founder of the mormon church, joseph smith, was a practicing occultist as well as a serial adulterer whose own mother said often told tall tales. Sexuality has a prominent role within the theology of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which teaches that gender is defined in the premortal existence, and that part of the purpose of mortal life is for men and women to be sealed together, forming bonds that allow them to progress eternally together in the afterlife. Cult introduces new and unusual beliefs, practices, values. If we use this definition, we can say that initially mormonism was a cult, because it challenged and broke away from the existing religious traditions. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s the word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine assistance. Mormon cult critics of mormonism properly called the church of jesus christ of latterday saints sometimes like to tell people about the mormon cult and all the awful things it is and does. Friend, make no mistake about itmormonism is a dangerous cult. I know, mormonism wasnt the only cult that started here. To understand mormonism and the mormon cult, you need to study it. Since they are masonic in nature, the fbi hires a higher percentage of mormons from the ladder day saints church.
A cult is something that misleads people into harm, and the lds church has done no such thing. There are mormons who are wonderful people, but mormonism is a cult because the bible teaches that there is only one god, who is triune and he is eternal eternal meaning that he is without beginning or ending. As misconceptions of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints sometimes mistakenly called the mormon church abound, many untruths are spread about the church. Christianity and the group the writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help us discern religious. Notable early critics of mormonism included abner cole, eber d. When a person wants to know more about mormonism and meets with mormon missionaries, the missionaries teach mormonisms basic beliefs and encourage the investigator to read the book of mormon. I love the people who claim mormonism is a fraud, but then they believe a human being of flesh and blood died for 3. In this article, we will look at whether or not there is a mormon cult by scholarly definition and also why people choose to use a term like mormon cult. Since i myself was rescued from the group that calls itself the unification church, or the family foundation for world peace and unification aka moonies in 1976. Oftentimes, these articles use subjective definitions of the word cult in order to.
The word cult is the kind of word that frightens people away from the mormon church before they know anything about it. This sixteen page booklet contains two sermon outlines on this cult pdf file size. By calling mormonism a cult, people who dislike or fear the mormon church, justify their fear. He leaves that judgment to the individual to decide.
The first literal definition for the word culta formal religious venerationdefines every religious group on earth. Regarding mormonism, steve has an article on his blog entitled an expert responds to the cult controversy re. Mormons express the doctrines of mormonism using standard biblical terminology and have similar views about the nature of jesus atonement, bodily resurrection, and second coming as traditional christianity. A former missionary reveals the secrets of mormon mind control. The truth about mormonism church of christ in zion. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The british define a cult as a branch or division of a larger religious group, and a sect as an extreme or unorthodox group. I was pretty prickly about mormons being called a cult at the time, but 25 years later, i have begun to wonder if it might not be useful for mormons to understand more clearly why so many people think of mormonism as a cult. Find out about its teachings of men becoming gods, temples, the book of mormon, and joseph smith who claimed to have seen god the father. For example, a wide variety of religious cults exist, and some cultists have performed violent acts or led people to make unhealthy, irrational choices.
If mormonism can no longer be called a cult of christianity, then neither can the jehovahs witnesses, the united pentecostal church, or the unification church to name but a few. The writer does this by using a word that makes the reader think of other organizations that have a negative emotional appeal and therefore poisons the well before even coming up with. Cult s new theology or philosophy is superficially coherent and appealing while its real truth remains secret and concealed. Apr 28, 2007 if mormonism can no longer be called a cult of christianity, then neither can the jehovahs witnesses, the united pentecostal church, or the unification church to name but a few. However, most religious groups that start as cults fail to survive more than a single generation, and very few evolve into developed, mainstream religions. The truth about mormonism, the largest of all american cults, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the mormons has grown to a worldwide membership of over 11 million peopleyet it began in 1830 with just six members.
Note that all the documentation is taken from mormon writers and mormon scriptures. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading mormonism for dummies. The word cult derives from the latin cultus, meaning care or adoration. The controversy surrounding the american controversy is a useful reference because it brings out the issues in. They show us only what the mormon church wants us to see, a caring, sensitive church with christ centered families, all working together for the furthering of christs work on earth. The most commonly offered response by nonmormons was cult. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of. Notable 20thcentury critics of the lds church include jerald and sandra tanner, richard abanes, richard and joan ostling, and historian fawn m. Mormonism for dummies kindle edition by riess, jana. A tragic union of race and religion by timothy stelly sr. I had been a trueblue mormon for over thirty years before i found the absolute proof that the mormon church is a cult. Recently updated, each article has new material in it, and media have been abundantely added. Whether you mind the fact that mormonism is a cult or not, and whether you object to mormons or not, you ought to be familiar with what they teach. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints wikipedia.
Much controversy has occurred in recent years regarding how biblebelieving christians should view the teachings of the mormon church. Bp mormonism is not only a cult but also a culture, the author of a new book on the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormons said. Ed decker was a member of the mormon church and was born again and delivered. They go no further until the investigator then prays for direct revelation as to whether the book is truly the word of god. The lds church and mormonism have attracted criticism from their inception to the present day. Mormonism teaches that the mormon god, elohim, had a mom and dad like we do. Jun 23, 2011 a popular method for attacking mormonism is to call it a cult. Approaching mormonism as a culture missiology missiology is the science of how to best communicate the gospel and its power to change lives in a way that draws on the insights of anthropology, history, education, and.
Most people who weighed in on the subject demonstrated a lack knowledge regarding the meaning of the term cult, as well as the differences between mormon and christian theology. The mormon cult members ok members of the church of jesus christ of. Jan 02, 2020 even if mormonism can properly be defined as a cult, should it be called a cult. Not lies and rhetoric from angry ministers threatened by mormon success, but cold. Mormonism, also called the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, teaches the following nonchristian, nonbiblical doctrines. So, a closer look reveals that the concept of god taught by mormonism is quite di erent from the god of the bible. Joseph smith said the book of mormon was translated from writing on golden. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church has been the subject of criticisms. This question has been the intermittent talking point in american politics.
987 443 827 1025 1076 1295 84 405 1068 1182 1174 1045 560 547 699 1185 1447 1264 572 1546 40 1293 1331 235 718 1133 270 266 18 175 3 786 808 410 1279