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. 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. The controversy surrounding the american controversy is a useful reference because it brings out the issues in. I love the people who claim mormonism is a fraud, but then they believe a human being of flesh and blood died for 3.
The cult mormonism mormonism is a dirty religion a. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the mormon cult. Approaching mormonism as a cult rational apologetics b. Is mormonism a cult response to mette ivie harrison. The first literal definition for the word culta formal religious venerationdefines every religious group on earth. 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. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of.
There are many websites on the internet devoted to spreading the message that the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is a cult. A cult is something that misleads people into harm, and the lds church has done no such thing. 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. 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. 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. Joseph smith said the book of mormon was translated from writing on golden. 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. The primary definition of the word cult in most dictionaries is a system of religious worship.
In a recent blog post, mormon author mette ivie harrison asks whether mormonism is a cult. My lifes work has been studying the psychology of influence, so thats a fair question. I had been in denial for all those years, but now i couldnt escape the facts. Since they are masonic in nature, the fbi hires a higher percentage of mormons from the ladder day saints church. Note that all the documentation is taken from mormon writers and mormon scriptures. The mormon cult is rooted in the teachings of jewish kaballah. Countless times over the past weeks, ive been asked. 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. 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. The first literal definition for the word culta formal religious venerationdefines every religious group on. Mormons call themselves christians, and they take exception to mormonism being called a cult. Cult teaches only it possesses ultimate truth and leaving will put physical, mental and spiritual health at risk.
This book describes the authors work as a missionary in. The word cult is the kind of word that frightens people away from the mormon church before they know anything about it. However, most religious groups that start as cults fail to survive more than a single generation, and very few evolve into developed, mainstream religions. To understand mormonism and the mormon cult, you need to study it. Much controversy has occurred in recent years regarding how biblebelieving christians should view the teachings of the mormon church. It has no relation with the catholic or protestant churches but di ers from them in theology, organization, and religious practices. 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. Jun 23, 2011 a popular method for attacking mormonism is to call it a cult. The mormon cult members ok members of the church of jesus christ of. Notable 20thcentury critics of the lds church include jerald and sandra tanner, richard abanes, richard and joan ostling, and historian fawn m.
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. Articles that perpetuate the belief that the lds faith is a cult only serve to elicit. 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. He then did massive research into the mormon history and teachings. But this question was asked before it became political and will be asked long after the fleeting interest of the media and of politicians. Bibliography lds author or point of view culture understanding your mormon neighbor, ross j. Mormonism teaches that jesus, lucifer, and all the demons, as well as all mankind, are actually all spirit brothers and sisters, born in the. I know, mormonism wasnt the only cult that started here.
Then we will evaluate whether or not this is a useful technique for trying to convert mormonsor for keeping others from investigating mormonism. But, in reality, mormonism is a lot more complex than namecallers would like it to be, and a lot more moral. Mormonism as christian because the lds church insists that it is the only true church on earth. Oftentimes, these articles use subjective definitions of the word cult in order to.
It is our desire to make this discussion one of the dedliest on the internet. 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. 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. Joseph smith, of course, is the founder of mormonism. So, a closer look reveals that the concept of god taught by mormonism is quite di erent from the god of the bible. Nevertheless, most mormons do not accept the trinitarian views of orthodox nicene. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday. 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. This question has been the intermittent talking point in american politics.
Recently updated, each article has new material in it, and media have been abundantely added. First of all, most of the controversy in the media about mormonism and the word cult concerns a theological definition. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church has been the subject of criticisms. See sharp press, 2008 isbn 1884365442 isbn 9781884365447 includes bilbiographical references and index. Mormonism teaches that the mormon god, elohim, had a mom and dad like we do. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints wikipedia. Cult introduces new and unusual beliefs, practices, values. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading mormonism for dummies.
For example, a wide variety of religious cults exist, and some cultists have performed violent acts or led people to make unhealthy, irrational choices. 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. By calling mormonism a cult, people who dislike or fear the mormon church, justify their fear. Legitimate, healthy organizations religious, political or social adhere to the standards set by the united nations universal. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. I knew mormons, and they seemed so nice, so christian.
But because of its great emphasis on missions, the church of jesus christ of the latter day. On april 6, 1830 the mormon church was organizedat the time it was called the church of christ. 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. 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. The most commonly offered response by nonmormons was cult. Mormonism for dummies kindle edition by riess, jana. I had been a trueblue mormon for over thirty years before i found the absolute proof that the mormon church is a cult. The dark fiction of an exmormon writer the new yorker. 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. Mormonism the slop hog cult i consider mormonism the single most blasphemous cult claiming to be based on christian and bible truth.
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. Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. In the case of calling mormonismor any other religion or belief systema cult, the writer attempts to insinuate the reader into disliking the religion. Mormonism is a freemasonry demonic cult founded in 1830 by charlatan, conman, sexpervert and 33rd degree freemason, joseph smith. 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. The ostlings write that anderson was the first to reveal the lds church keeps files on mormon scholars. Mormonism is a nonchristian cult because mormonism denies essential biblical teachings and adds new, false doctrines. Oftentimes, these articles use subjective definitions of the word cult in order to further their message along. Regarding mormonism, steve has an article on his blog entitled an expert responds to the cult controversy re. The cult mormonism mormonism is a dirty religion a heretic.
Friend, make no mistake about it mormonism is a dangerous cult. 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. They go no further until the investigator then prays for direct revelation as to whether the book is truly the word of god. Cults new theology or philosophy is superficially coherent and appealing while its real truth remains secret and concealed.
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. 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. As the prophet joseph smith translated the book of mormon, he found mention of baptism for the remission of sins. 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. Jan 02, 2020 even if mormonism can properly be defined as a cult, should it be called a cult.
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. Writing in the atlantic this week, kurt andersen praises members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or mormons for their. Cult s new theology or philosophy is superficially coherent and appealing while its real truth remains secret and concealed. 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. 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. Michael langone, editor of cultic studies journal compiled a list of characteristics to help define a cult.
Mormonism zondervan guide to cults and religious movements. Mormonism for dummies kindle edition by riess, jana, bigelow, christopher kimball. 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. 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. With their strong emphasis on traditional family values. Mormonism and christianity have a complex theological, historical, and sociological relationship. Notable early critics of mormonism included abner cole, eber d. Mormonism calls this doctrine \celestial parentage. 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.
In recent month there has been much discussion in the media on the question of whether or not mormonism is a cult. Mormonism cult mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The lds church and mormonism have attracted criticism from their inception to the present day. 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. 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. Mormonism, also called the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, teaches the following nonchristian, nonbiblical doctrines. While the theology of mormonism certainly can be defined by this words traditional meaning, to many it conjures up images of the peoples. 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. This sixteen page booklet contains two sermon outlines on this cult pdf file size. Mormonism acknowledges the divinity of christ, but as noted above, mormon doctrine on what constitutes divinity falls seriously short of the biblical standard. 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.
This question addresses not only teaching but association, because the word cult carries a negative connotation. Evangelical christians must understand mormonism is a cult. The word cult derives from the latin cultus, meaning care or adoration. Christianity and the group the writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help us discern religious. A fine example of how these cults such as the mormons church of the latter day. Ed decker was a member of the mormon church and was born again and delivered. A former missionary reveals the secrets of mormon mind control. The british define a cult as a branch or division of a larger religious group, and a sect as an extreme or unorthodox group. 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. 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.
Michael langone, editor of cultic studies journal compiled a list of characteristics to help. 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. Friend, make no mistake about itmormonism is a dangerous cult. He leaves that judgment to the individual to decide.
The truth about mormonism church of christ in zion. 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. 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. Not lies and rhetoric from angry ministers threatened by mormon success, but cold. A tragic union of race and religion by timothy stelly sr. 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. On may 15, 1829, he and his scribe oliver cowdery went into the woods to inquire of the lord concerning baptism. Since they are masonic in nature, the fbi hires a higher percentage of. By this definition, almost all religions, including the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, exhibit at least some characteristics of a cult. 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.
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