D
Deleted member 848
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In that case, then what do you call Christianity?
LDS general conference - Fall 2013
- Thread starter colton
- Start date
In that case, then what do you call Christianity?
I get the point you are making. Question for you. Does a denomination at some point enter the discussion as a major religion due to its size and influence?
Isn't Mormonism based on the Book of Mormon rather than being biblically based? So even though it may follow many of the same precepts as Christianity, wouldn't it have to be based on the Bible to be considered a Christian denomination?
D
Deleted member 848
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No, because to me, religions are umbrella terms that encompass various denominations. Christianity. Islam. Judaism. Buddhism. Things like that.
I think entering the conversation as a denomination alone is quite lofty respect, and praise. It makes you on par with churches that have been established since shortly after the life and death of Jesus, for example. I think it's a mistake to consider Mormonism a 'religion', because it infers separation from Christianity. But if that's what they want, they know better than £¥£.
D
Deleted member 848
Guest
See, now in this case, then it would make sense to refer Mormonism as it's own religion, among its practicers. But it seems a bit willy-Nilly to be on the fence over this sort of thing.
Archie Moses
Well-Known Member
Nope. It's based on both, Moe. Err... I mean doe.
Moe, I'm adding a link to what is called the 13 articles of faith. They are just a list of 13 statements that outline the beliefs of people in the LDS Church. You can read them how they are or delve into what that means with each of them.
One of them states
To get a little more into detail we believe that the Book of Mormon contains writings and teachings of prophets and Christ. We also believe the bible to contain writings and teachings of prophets and Christ. It is recognized that the Bible has gone through translations and changes through time so basically recognize there may be things missing or changed in the Bible as we see it today compared to when it was first written. We also believe the Bible talks about both books and references them as the stick of Judah (Bible), and stick of Joseph (Book of Mormon) as the descendants of Joseph are those who traveled to the American continent and kept records there.
Just an fyi/cliff notes version
https://mormon.org/beliefs/articles-of-faith
Islam also believes the Bible to be the word of God with similar qualifiers....
that doesn't make it a Christian faith
it also believes the Torah is the word of God, but that doesn't make it a Jewish faith - -
and most Jews believe the Old Testament portion of the Bible...
I think most monotheistic religions accept that the Bible to some extent is the word of God...
Someone can self-identify however they choose, that doesn't mean that others will see them the same way as they see themselves.
that doesn't make it a Christian faith
it also believes the Torah is the word of God, but that doesn't make it a Jewish faith - -
and most Jews believe the Old Testament portion of the Bible...
I think most monotheistic religions accept that the Bible to some extent is the word of God...
Someone can self-identify however they choose, that doesn't mean that others will see them the same way as they see themselves.
The difference is, Jesus Christ is the central figure of LDS doctrine.
edit: I know a lot of peeps like to argue that Joseph Smith is, and although he is important, historically speaking, to the LDS faith, he isn't worshipped. Nobody prays to or in the name of Joseph Smith.
If my contention is that active membership may have peaked and be on the decline then, no, your point does not still stand.
I think we also have to define what constitutes a "major world wide religion." Do you have to hit 1% of the world pop to qualify? Because even the pie in the sky numbers are not even close to that level.
To be perfectly fair and honest, most Christian religions believe the Bible with similar qualifiers whether they say it in this manner or not. There are plenty of Christian denominations or sects or whatever they are referred to that will not use certain translations of the Bible. Why is that if the Bible is the Bible, and they are considered to be Christians still?
You are correct though, people will identify the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" however they want and claim we are not Christians, and they can go ahead and do that... but a rose by any other name is still the same.
I think to become a worldwide church we have to have at least one criminal lawyer non member church historian to act as devil's advocate for topics some people may think are pretty cool. You can't be a worldwide church without someone like that to try to punch holes in things. I'm pretty sure we've arrived!