Are Mormons a Cult?

[Porter Rockwell]

From LBR (Chad)

I took the liberty of starting a new thread since your question about cults seems separate from the other thread. I hope you don't mind.

I am moving your last comment to the first. You said this and I take your workd for it. I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT YOU AT ALL.! You stated:"�I post this with all sincerety, and in a spirit of love. I figure this will offend some, but that is notit's purpose. I hope you will take it in the spirit in which it's sent. Chad.

Porter: Chad, I don"™t know you well enough to be offended. Even if I did, it is my responsibility to go to you and discuss my feelings..first go to thy brother and then come unto me. (At least this is what I believe Christ taught (Matthew 5:23-24, Also in the Book of Mormon found in Third Nephi 12:23-24. page 432).

LBR: I don't mean to offend here, but I'm not the type to call a duck a peacock--if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck then until you prove to me otherwise I'm going to call it a duck.Under my personal definition the Mormon religion is a cult, and it seems that it also falls under the secular definition also. My personal belief is that any group, whether it's 12 people or 12 million plus people, that puts their faith in anything other than God, Christ, and the Bible is a cult. Generally these groups are founded by an individual that, somehow, gains control and people follow this person rather than the Bible--David Koresh, Jim Jones, Mohammed, L. Ron Hubbard, and yes, Joseph Smith.

I wish I could understand how these people gain such a hold in the hearts and minds of their followers. This would be so much help in understanding why they think like they do, and helping them to see the truth.

Question: Are Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a Cult!)[/b]
LBR"™s offered a good definition I believe he obtained from Dictionary.com ie. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. The followers of such a religion or sect.

Porter: However, I think we need to take a look at the rest of the definitions as well (From dictionary .com) Why, because i beleive you have only usedthe frst portion of the definition, it would appear that the word cult is a fairly negative term. The way it is stated here seems pretty pejorative. However, if you look at the full definition, cult can take on a greater breadth of meaning.
Cult:



A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
The followers of such a religion or sect. [/ol]
A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.


Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
The object of such devotion. [/ol]
An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.[/ol]

If you look at definitions 3, 4, 5 and 6. these definitions could probably include just about anyone! In fact in number 6 would you consider ANY Christian group a group of persons sharing a usually artistic or intellectual interest. I think such a definition would include just about anyone posting on this site!

Maybe another definition via Merriam-Webster would also be helpful. (From M-W.com)
Main Entry: cult
Pronunciation: 'k&lt
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL

1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion.

I ask you would not any Christian fit into definitions 1 and 2? Would not Current Christiansfit into 1 and 2. Would not historical Christians fit into 3 and 5 (Jesus Christ being great devotion to a person or idea) . I think the definition again could fit just about any religion or form or worship organized or not. Don"™t you?

A friend of mine, Steve Robinson basically described what the word cult has come to mean among those who want to label "œMormon"™s"� as a cult or "œnon Christian."� Here is what he had to say and I agree. I hope any of you reading this would agree also.


Cult oftentimes just means "œname calling."�

"œName calling has often been used in religious controversies. At one time, Catholics called Protestants 'heretics,' and Protestants called Catholics 'papists.' But this sort of tactic amounts to nothing more than saying, 'Boo for your religion, and hurrah for mine.'

"The negative term most frequently flung at the LDS is 'cult,' a term which can suggest images of pagan priests and rituals. But the truth is there is no objective distinction by which a cult may be distinguished from a religion. Use of the term cult does not tell us what a religion is, only how it is regarded by the person using the term. It simply means 'a religion I don"™t like.'

"Though non"‘LDS scholars have made many attempts to define a 'cult' in a way that would distinguish it from a 'religion,' to date every such attempt has failed. So far the major difficulty has been that any definition of 'cult' that fits the LDS Church also fits New Testament Christianity! But that"™ s not bad company to be in." (From :Are Mormons Christians).

"Are Mormons Christians?" Stephen E. Robinson, in New Era 28/5 (May 1998) available online at:http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/NewEra/1998.htm/new%20era%20may%201998.htm/are%20mormons%20christians.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0

I"™ll tackle the other questions from the other postlater. God Bless,

Porter

[Rebel Hog]

LETTER FROM AN EX-MORMAN
March 1997

The following letter will give the reader some insight into what happens when a person receives Jesus Christ as his or her Savior, and announces that they are leaving the Mormon church:

"When I informed my home teacher [an office in the Mormon church] that I was leaving the church, his whole demeanor changed. His eyes glowed red and he cowered over me and said in a strange mean voice: "Do you believe in hell or outer darkness? That will be your dwelling place forever." He also told me that when Jesus comes again He will be trampling out the wine press and will be wearing a red robe, and during the rapture only people wearing temple garments [Mormon secret underwear] would rise up to meet Him in the air.

When I ran into my institute teacher, [another Mormon office] he hugged me and said he misses me in class, and asked me what was going on. I told him I was leaving the church. His demeanor changed, he puffed up and his face turned red, and he said in a mean voice: "If you know what's good for you, you won't say anything bad about the church.

Last month some of our best friends [Mormon] came over to the house and I stayed out in the kitchen while they talked to my husband. One started shouting to me from the living room in a sneering voice: "Come back to the church. Don't throw away our friendship of 32 years. We'll welcome you back with open arms! Just come back within the walls of the church", and on and on he went. My husband told him if he came over and harrassed his wife one more time (he had come several times) he would call the sheriff, and have him arrested for harassment. He stopped coming but began calling me on the phone in his sneering, devilish voice, and saying "If you know what is good for you, you will come back into the fold".

Now my LDS friends shun me big time. They are scared to look at me, touch me, talk to me or be seen with me. Leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life! But Jesus never left my side. He wanted me to be with Him and He lifted me up and cradled me in His arms. I was His lost lamb. He loves me. I do not need anyone or anything else. YSIC, E.J.H.

Ed note: We counsel so many people that are going through the agony of leaving a cult. We see broken families where mother will not speak to daughter or father will not speak to son. We see grandparents that are never allowed to see their grandchildren because some cult leader says they will be a bad influence on the child. We know of wives and/or husbands that disappear with the children, and the spouse does not know where they are. Please pray for these people and that we will be able to help them in some small way.

Back To Article Archives

P.O. Box 0491

Carmel, IN 46082-0491

Or call 317-844-8055

Or Drop an Email Message

[ Apologetics Central ] [ Home Page ] [ Book Store ] [ Links ]

[ Who Is FAC ] [ Newsletter ] [ Article Archives ] [ Eternal Life ] [ Conference ]

This FAC site is the © 1998 FAC, Inc.

Should you have trouble reading this page please contact the webmaster at webmaster@ibae.org

[Chuck7]

Dear Mormon friends,
Here is the experiences that I have had with the LDS.
1. Whilecast netting one day I had 2 clean cut fellows ask if they could share the Mormon faith with me. At first they said things tha tI could easily agree with. It was like they were hiding something. Look at the conversions in the New Testament..they were simple and could be understood by a child. They had come 3 times and still seemed to be hiding something from me. Something they knew I might have trouble excepting . I felt a snare possibly coming around my soul and nicely told them not to come back.

2.Galations 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. To me the Mormon book is another gospel. I can not be persuaded otherwise. One reason for your explosive growth is..
a. Your evangelism program.
b. Your social skills
You folks have not once insulted me. Thank you.
I also agree that coffee and tea are not healthy. I am addicted
Chuck

[Moose75]

Are Mormons a Cult?

Yes

[Clint.]

2 Tim. 2:14-17 KJV
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2 Tim. 2:14-17 NIV
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. [15] Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. [16] Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. [17] Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,



Titus 3:9 KJV
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Titus 3:9 NIV
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

[Judyboi]

Reb,
If that truly happened, that is sad.
My dad left the church, he hasn't been shunned, yelled at, sneered at, or anything. He associates with the members just as easily as he did when he was in the church. He wanted a 'looser' lifestyle and didn't want to live by the teachings of the LDS church. He will not say we are a cult, or even that it isn't true.
Likely that story is highly inflated and possible made up. Do you know them personally? Otherwise it is just 2nd or 3rd hand knowledge, unreliable.

[Judyboi]

child. They had come 3 times and still seemed to be hiding something from me. Something they knew I might have trouble excepting . I felt a snare possibly coming around my soul and nicely told them not to come back.

they were probably worried about the "sexual purity" discussion. They always don't like that one. CHuck, I have our missionary handbook. I can pm the list of each discussion topic. I would send the whole book, if I could, but 200 pgs is hard to type up!

[LBR]

I believe it was dictionary.com. I just did a google search on dictionary, typed in cult on the first site that came up, and took the mostcommon definition.

My point was that "cult" could becorrectly used to describe the Mormon religion. Depending on the person and which definition they chose to use, "cult" could be used on most any other religion or belief. However, that does not fall under the most common usage of the word.

Chad

[mr-pirk]

Porter Rockwell I have spent a most of today while I was at work thinking about this.

I am bowing out of themormon topics.

I don't in anyway intend forthis post to be offensive, just plain spoken.

Speaking man to man.

I have read enough of the LDS writtings to know, much, beyond a reasonable doubt that mr. smith was a liar.
I don't know if the mormon church has became mis-guided enough to bar thier way to Heaven or not.
If I had a reasonable belief that they had I would not bow out because I wouldn't want to see folks guided by blind guides into Hell.

To me debating/discussing the whole mormon issue is just plain silly.
It is like the two geeks sitting around debating what would happen if time travel happened and you went back in time and shot your grandpa. It isn't ever going to happen.

A New-New Testament (which is what mr. smith claimed he had been given) would NEVER be brought into existance in a corner...... it would be brought forth with the same miracles
and public signs surrounding the first two Covenants.

It would never happen in any of the 3 manners mr. smith gave accounts of.

There is 0% reason to give mr. smith any more credence than a thinking man would give muhammad and his koran.

If you can't get past the very first smell test then the rest doesn't matter.

Porter Rockwell from what I gathered when you told things about yourself I came to the understanding you around my age 49.
I can't understand how a person that would examine things reasonably could be a mormon and believe the accounts and writingsof the LDS and mr. smith.

I don't understand how anyone who has read the Christian Bible can give the mormon writtingsany morecredence thanthey would give theislamic faith.

Neither one pass's the very first reasonable smell test.
Both have been conceived in a manner that very strongly suggests they are nothing more than the musings of men.

What concerns me is that if you allow your trusting off-spring to become mormons and at some later time a real wack-o becomes the leader. What happens when his teachings goes over the line and your grand-kids are barred from Heaven because the future leader of the LDS starts teaching that people become gods on earth and they don't even need to accept Jesus as God. (btw the Christian Bible never teachs us that we become God's in Heaven. The Christian Bible teachs that there is ONLY One God and all there EVER will be is ONE God)

I know that you are a grown man. I accept that there is nothing I can say to you to make you understand my point of view.
So I am bowing out, it just amazes me that a grown man who can read as well as you do and can think for himself would be a mormon.

May God bless you and yours.

I say again this post isn't meant to be offensive, just a plain spoken man to man post.

Thanks
Mr-Pirk

[Tazman]

Would everyone who beleives the Mormon faith is a cult concur that using the very same logic the followers of the Jewish faith could call all Christians and Muslims cultists?

Using the exact same logic that is used by those Christians who call Mormonism a cult I would call all Christians a cult if I was a follower of Judaism.