I know they have strange beliefs about being able to rule over your own planet and they have a Book of Mormon that isn't in the original bible, but are they a cult?
This is not intended to offend. I am just curious.
To Nephihah: Go eat a dick. You're getting all worked up over a question.
Did I call Mormons a cult? No, so STFU. I was just asking, because they have some unique beliefs not found in other denominations.
From an academic standpoint, one *aspect* of every religion is their cult.
However, that's not the way the word is usually used.
Mormons keeps secrets that are only told to members. Mystification is a cult-like thing. That gives them points on a cult scale.
But there are other cult-like behaviors that they do NOT exhibit, such as not associating with people outside of their own group.
http://www.mudrashram.com/cultscale1.html
Some Christians call any group that isn't their brand of Christianity a cult. That is an inappropriate use of the word. Also, size of the group has nothing to do with its status as a cult.
They are not a cult. They are a religion. They do have the Book of Mormon. It is a second book of scripture. Not to replace the bible, but as a companion to it.
Yes, it is. They believe that Jesus Christ was a good man, not God. Jesus Christ Himself said, "I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins." John 8:24
Their religion is based in Christianity......They have Christian beliefs
Just like the many, many , many different varieties of Christianity
From Russian Orthodox to Episcopalian to Lutheran to Roman Catholic
to Jehovah's Witness .....to Christian.."Fundamentalist" to the Amish who are also Christian
all the same Jesus......no offense intended ...but
Like being the Good Samaritan, is that a strange belief to you?
Like keeping the Sabbath day holy, is that a strange belief to you?
Like not swapping venereal diseases after getting drunk every other Friday night, is that what you mean by a strange belief?
Mormons believe in what Jesus Christ taught. Jesus Christ has commandments.
Unlike Grace Fanatics, Mormons believe that when Jesus Christ said to do something, then that is what a true follower should do.
The whole saved by grace excuse to completely ignore the commandments of Jesus Christ, does not fly in THE Church Of JESUS CHRIST Of Latter Day Saints, and never has and it never will.
Don't take this personally, but this is absolutely true, in other countries like China, in many cases they meet a Mormon, and they meet a Fundie like you, and they think you're the one that is totally irrational and insane, not the Mormon that they know personally, and have a strong liking for.
You know nothing about LDS theology. Mormons do not have horns, no matter how many times your cowardly Fundie Preacher claims that is so.
As far as a Planet goes I'll tell you where you can stick your Planet, right up Uranus.
Mormons will not get a planet when they get to Heaven, they will get an entire Universe (you Fundies are so lacking in ambition it's amazing).
It is a cult. I say this because their scriptures say one thing and their beliefs/practices say another. For example the B of M states in Alma 34:32 "For behold, this life is the time for men to meet God...." and again in Alma 34:35 "For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until the death, behold ye have become subject to the spirit of the devil....." I would say that Mormonism is a cult because their scriptures say one thing and yet they practice another, baptism by proxy, or rather....baptism "for" the dead. They have more, so friend or fan me if you need more info!!!
The term "cult" is a worthless classification...there is no generally accepted definition...the definition varies from group to group and from individual to individual.
With the broadest possible definition...any group with a formal system of rituals/practices...almost all religions...and quite a few other organizations (e.g., college fraternities)...are "cults". A narrower definition would reserve the term "cult" to groups with "bizarre" or "abnormal" beliefs or practices...any "unique" belief or practice that goes against traditional beliefs is going to stand out...and what's "normal" or "reasonable" is going to vary from person to person. ...and again, religions aren't going to be the only groups that make the "cult" list (Shriner's have some bizarre rituals).
Of course, the most popular definition is going to limit the term to organized rituals/practices related to religion/spirituality. ...and again, the definition will be individual...some will say that Mormonism is a cult...but Mormons would probably label other groups a cult...and those groups would label still other groups a cult...and so on...
Personally, I tend to limit the term to small, "fringe" groups that elevate a charismatic leader to "god" status to the point of putting blind faith in obviously "abnormal" activities and beliefs. The Mormon church doesn't qualify...today at least. When they first formed under the leadership of Joseph Smith, they would have been a "cult" by my definition...but they have chosen to "mainstream" many of their beliefs to increase the marketability/acceptability of the church...and in doing so, transformed themselves into a legitimate "religion". Some of their beliefs may seem "strange" to you (me too)...but "strange" is not "bizarre"...and as "strange" as they are, there are many other people...and groups...who have at least equally "strange" beliefs or rituals.
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KAL is right about one thing: "The term "cult" is a worthless classification". It really is. It can both apply to all groups and religions by the dictionary definition, or you can use it as people tend to refer to small fringe groups that worship the leader. We dint do. We never have. So if you want to apply the term cult to us fine, but know that it technically applies to every other religious group as well.
cult
noun, often attributive \kilt\
Definition of CULT
1
: formal religious veneration : worship
((any religion))
2
: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
((any doctrine accepted by any religion, and said religions followers))
3
: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
((like any protestant denomination? So the only Pol who wouldn't apply to this one are Catholics))
4
: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
((Atkins!! ha ha..))
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 : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
((literary fad?? Nope, doesn't apply. c- a small group?? Nope, Mormons number over 14 MILLION worldwide with more members outside the US than in.))
You can see, its a worthless word. It either applies to all or pretty much...none.
Lets look at a cult. Cults are usually small group that has a charismatic leader who cuts them off from society, who maintains a authoritarian hold of the group and makes it impossible to leave.
Now, No one can say Pres. Monson is charismatic, we live everywhere there are probably some you work with you never know unless it comes up, the Church is a big part of members lives but people can object and disagree when they see fit. And HUNDREDS of people leave the Church sure they ad trials to go through but still a true cult would never have SO many people leave and then speak out the way Ex-Mormons do.
However, there are Cult-like brake-offs, Like the FLDS......
Please don't mind Nephihah, some people can't handle a debate without being defensive.
Lot's of churches have non-biblical beliefs. The self contradictory belief that the bible is the complete word of God and God doesn't speak anymore for an example. Or the belief in the trinity, the word trinity isn't in the bible anywhere, this doctrine came out of church councils hundreds of years after Christ and the Apostles.
I don't believe that we will be able to "rule over our own planets" In 27 years of attending the Mormon church in places all over I have never seen or heard this doctrine taught outside of anti-Mormon pamphlets.
The Mormon religion (Mormonism), whose followers are known as Mormons and Latter Day Saints (LDS), was founded less than two hundred years ago by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed to have received a personal visit from God the Father and Jesus Christ who told him that all churches and their creeds were an abomination. Joseph Smith then set out to begin a brand-new religion that claims to be the ?only true church on earth.? The problem with Mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the Bible. Christians have no reason to believe that the Bible is not true and adequate. To truly believe in and trust God means to believe in His Word, and all Scripture is inspired by God, which means it comes from Him (2 Timothy 3:16).
Mormons believe that there are in fact four sources of divinely inspired words, not just one: 1) The Bible ?as far as it is translated correctly.? Which verses are considered incorrectly translated is not always made clear. 2) The Book of Mormon, which was ?translated? by Smith and published in 1830. Smith claimed it is the ?most correct book? on earth and that a person can get closer to God by following its precepts ?than by any other book.? 3) The Doctrine and Covenants, containing a collection of modern revelations regarding the ?Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored.? 4) The Pearl of the Great Price, which is considered by Mormons to ?clarify? doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and adds its own information about the earth's creation.
Mormons believe the following about God: He has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort. They believe God the Father has a ?body of flesh and bones as tangible as man?s.? Though abandoned by modern Mormon leaders, Brigham Young taught that Adam actually was God and the father of Jesus Christ. In contrast, Christians know this about God: there is only one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6-8), He always has existed and always will exist (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17), and He was not created but is the Creator (Genesis 1; Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 37:16). He is perfect, and no one else is equal to Him (Psalm 86:8; Isaiah 40:25). God the Father is not a man, nor was He ever (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Hosea 11:9). He is Spirit (John 4:24), and Spirit is not made of flesh and bone (Luke 24:39).
Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the celestial kingdom, and outer darkness. Where mankind will end up depends on what they believe and do in this life. In contrast, the Bible tells us that after death, we go to heaven or hell based on whether or not we had faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. To be absent from our bodies means, as believers, we are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Unbelievers are sent to hell or the place of the dead (Luke 16:22-23). When Jesus comes the second time, we will receive new bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). There will be a new heaven and new earth for believers (Revelation 21:1), and unbelievers will be thrown into an everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). There is no second chance for redemption after death (Hebrews 9:27).
Although Mormons are usually friendly, loving, and kind people, they are deceived by a false religion that distorts the nature of God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the means of salvation.
If you look at the basic definition of cult, then yes. ALL religions are a cult. However, people don't know what the original definition is. Much like the word gay has changed definitions over the years.
When people hear the word cult they do not think of a religion that esteems a figure (Christ) above all else, they think of crazy, suicidal groups that picket outside of Military funerals. In this respect Mormons are not a cult.
Is Mormonism a cult or not?
