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M$1.35  Funded By Mahalo ? |  October 06, 2009 07:18 PM

What do you think about Mormons? Are they a cult?

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samid samid
 
 October 06, 2009 08:42 PM | view on twitter
All religion is a cult, per say. The Mormons are just a cult who believe some guy walked into the woods and was contacted by God and given a book and then walked out of the woods, didn't bring the holy book associated with that meeting, went back into the woods, still couldn't find the book, so he re-wrote the book from memory and, apparently, when you die, you are judged by a panel of three, including God, Jesus Christ, and that guy from the woods. Hee/hee. Not to knock another person's religion, but John Smith could have sold waterfront property in Arizona I bet.


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Voted as best: pellrider, stanar, mysterygirl89
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girlyskwer... girlyskwer...
 
October 07, 2009 07:53 PM
Your facts are wrong, about what Mormons believe and that you believe you are no "knocking" another religion.

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samid samid
 
October 08, 2009 01:57 PM
Sorry, are you a Mormon? I watched the movie "Religulous" and that's where I got this spiel from. The above is almost exactly what he said. The funny thing is, he also interviewed two young Mormons who broke off from the church and they said once they broke off from the church, they were completely cut off from all family and friends. What a great religion! He was also run off of the Tabernacle's lawn by a bunch of goons in black suits and dark shades. It looked like something out of the Godfather movie. LOL I can't believe some people are so scared of what will happen if they don't "please God" that they will completely disown their own children, their own family, when really all God wants out of us is to love and support each other through this difficult life.

If you want to know the truth, I'm prepared to knock ALL religions, as I believe they are all just a method for controlling the masses. Not to say I don't believe in a God. I do. I simply believe your relationship with God should be one-on-one and that standing up in front of a congregation preaching the good word to the masses is arrogant, egotistic, and presumptuous in the belief that you (the preacher) have a better handle on the concept of God and the afterlife than everyone else when, really, you don't know any more than anyone else. If you ask me, religion should be completely obliterated from the face of the earth and replaced with spirituality. Not that this will happen, but I believe if it did, you would find wars would be less frequent and shorter in duration, judgment would practically be obliterated, and people would have more love and compassion for one another. But, that's just my opinion. It doesn't mean it's right. It's just an opinion.

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samid samid
 
October 08, 2009 01:59 PM
So, briefly please, what DO the Mormons believe? You have me curious now.

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bunnyphuph... bunnyphuph...
 
October 08, 2009 02:58 PM
Any group (not just religion... but 'group') that alienates you from the rest of society. Cuts you off from any friends or family that are not apart of the 'group' is a cult. Plain and simple.

You can read more here:
http://mormoncult.org/

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shinju shinju
 
October 12, 2009 11:11 AM
This answer could be improved by using proper punctuation to avoid run-on sentences. Also, the name of the founder is Joseph Smith, not John Smith.

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samid samid
 
October 12, 2009 07:38 PM
Thanks, shinju. As I said before, I was going off memory from what I learned from that documentary.

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spoon spoon
 
October 06, 2009 07:42 PM | view on twitter
The Mormons are a cult just as much as any other religion.

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cheapgamer cheapgamer
 
October 06, 2009 08:34 PM | view on twitter
Orson Scott Card wrote about this topic "Hey, Who are you calling a cult?"

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Latter-Day-Saints/2000/11/Hey-Who-Are-You-Calling-A-Cult.aspx

This really dives into what is a cult and deconstructs it to show why it should not apply to Mormons.

If you want to look at the beliefs and choose for yourself, here is a nice list of central tenents of the faith.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/06/What-Latter-Day-Saints-Mormons-Believe.aspx

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teflashfir... teflashfir...
 
October 06, 2009 10:31 PM | view on twitter
Insults to a widely-held religion put aside, it's easy to understand how some might perceive their religion as a cult. Particularly when they believe that the current leader of their church is a living prophet. However, I feel they would better meet the definition of a cult if they felt their leader was himself divine.

It can be challenging to realistically discuss religious matters without it degrading into a "flame war", but I leave you with this thought.... the fact that religion exists in the world is a reality (I myself am not a believer, but I happen to be married to a Mormon), and this reality is not likely to change any time soon. To single out one religion's oddities against the backdrop of such a full spectrum of beliefs is folly.

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Voted as best: bbrookin
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stanar stanar
 
October 11, 2009 02:56 AM
" (I myself am not a believer, but I happen to be married to a Mormon), "

is that possible? I heard it otherwise.

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teflashfir... teflashfir...
 
October 11, 2009 10:46 AM
Since my wife is mormon, and I'm an atheist, then yes, it's possible.

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girlyskwer... girlyskwer...
 
October 07, 2009 07:56 PM | view on twitter
By my definition of a cult the Mormons are not. I think by popular opinion they are not considered a cult. I think if you look into it a little you personally would find they are not a cult.

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Voted as best: buddawiggi
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psionandy psionandy
 
October 07, 2009 09:32 PM
@girlyskwerly what is your definition of a cult?

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girlyskwer... girlyskwer...
 
October 07, 2009 09:42 PM
A cult to me includes a leader that considers himself to be god, or next to god. Expectations of the members are controlling and exclude them from society. Brainwashing, control of members assets (money, homes, investments, cars), an extreme dress code, leading members to believe that they are better off without their family and friends, etc. There are also punishments for disobeying the rules or expressing an opinion that is not of the group, these punishments further the isolation into self hatred. Members feel that this is the only way of life, including the abuse, isolation and lack of individuality.

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shinju shinju
 
October 12, 2009 11:08 AM
The LDS (Mormon) church is infamous for its excommunications, as are the Catholics. To many, this can be the worst punishment of all. There is definitely pressure to believe and to act certain ways. I have many friends who are ex-Mormons; who left due to the pressure to conform. I speak as someone who spent 20 years in Salt Lake City.

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samid samid
 
October 12, 2009 07:41 PM
Aha! Your comment, shinju, gave me an epiphany! A cult is an organization that forces belief either through extreme brainwashing, threat of loss such as loved ones or family, or other severe negative consequences due to nonbelief. Does that sound correct?

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tealmyster tealmyster
 
October 08, 2009 08:36 PM | view on twitter
I wouldn't necessarily call them a cult...to alot of people the word cult seems to be hurtful. They are just on a different walk then others, just as any other religion. Each religion does their things that make others wonder...seriously wonder....but as long as there is no secret punch awaiting the death of everyone who comes to the party...I wouldn't see it as a cult. No illegal aspects is another thing, I feel that mormons are seperated into two categories in some places (please I'm not trying to start an argument) I worked with this gentlemen who was mormon and the church or temple of whatever he went to believed in Polagamy...which as far as I know is illegal...not sure...but pretty sure...but I know not all Mormons are like that...Anyways now that I have totally gone off track :( I'll go ahead and stop now...

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Voted as best: twinpairs
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