Just re-read the two pieces from the Oct 17th Newsweek on Mormonism (hey, thought we weren't supposed to call them that anymore!): The Mormon Odyssey and 'Solid, Strong, True'.
Ugh. Utter puff-pieces. Their look at the new Odd Couple revival in the same issue pulls fewer punches.
They come close to actually making the story interesting, and showing a little skepticism regarding Smith's claims (note they only use one version of the First Vision) in one paragraph. One.
Because of Mormonism's unique theology, some of which challenges early Christian creeds, many Christian denominations don't consider the LDS Church to be Christian. "There is no rightful claim by historic Mormon doctrine to the name Christian, because they deny almost every one of the major fundamental doctrines of Christendom," says Norman Geisler, founder of the Southern Evangelical Seminary. But for Latter-day Saints, who believe in the Jesus Christ of both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, the cold shoulder from other denominations is baffling. "I am devastated when people say I am not a Christian, particularly when generally that means I am not a fourth-century Christian," says Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."Fourth-century Christian." Oy. Someone's been reading Dan Brown. (yeah, yeah, oversimplification, I know)
You never see Newsweek exercise this much "blind faith" in the source documents, theologians when discussing the Resurrection, the Virgin Birth, etc.--as they will do in a month or so just in time for that one holiday (you know, the one with all the family movies). Disgusting.
8 comments:
The Newsweek article provides absolutely no evidence for its assertion that the Mormon church is a "booming faith."
Although I have not attended the Mormon church for over 30 years, they still consider me an active member. The membership numbers that the church gives are crazy. The numbers don't reflect who many believe actually believe in the church or attend church. The church leaves every baptized person on theirmembership list unless you fight and fight to get your name removed. What kind of crazy religion is that?
Recently, I called the membership department in SLC and asked to have my name removed. They actually refused to remove my name from their membership list. (this is freedom of religion?) The church insisted that to get my name off, I had to send a letter with my signature. So I did. They received my letter over three months and sent me a brochure: "please come back." I wrote again and again asked to have my name removed. No removal. Instread two men that I have never met dropped by our house to talk over the spiritual consequences of removing my name. I explained that despite their personal testimonies I wanted my name out of the church membership list for doctrinal reasons. (I have researched the church well and don't believe that it is the only true church.) I have still not received a removal. No wonder there numbers are "booming;" the church never lets anyone out.
I would be very interested in some accurate numbers of church membership that would reflect what the church membership actually. I doubt that it is booming and I'd challenge Newsweek to back up that claim with any evidence.
I agree that the "resignation" process is farcical at best. Most religions don't consider 8 year olds old enough to make an informed decision about religion (true, some baptize infants, but that's another story).
So the LDS baptize kids at the drop of a hat (some missionaries even trick children into being baptized to bring up the "membership numbers") and when these people want OUT they have to jump through all kinds of hoops to take their names off the records.
It wouldn't be so bad if the "church" didn't also demand ten percent of one's income, and bar non-members from attending their own family members' weddings in their (LDS) temples, but this smacks more of a cult than a religion, n'est-ce pas?
Am hoping to find a moment or two to reply to anon. and prometheus...thanks for your comments, however did you find this place?
oh yeah, and rk, if you can't play nice, go find another sandbox.
"Left-wing, Neo-Christian..." lol.
in response to anon2:
There is no demand to pay tithing, but those who do know the blessings that come from it. I've gone months without paying tithing before, and was I chastized or stopped by my bishop in the hallway to be demanded for the money? No. It's a personal choice, but one that many make because they know the blessings that come from that small sacrifice (you do get to keep 90% of it, you know).
Also, being the only member in my family, I know the struggles of trying to explain to my family and friends why they won't be able to come to my wedding. The temple is a holy place meant for worthy members of the church. There are ways around the wedding "crisis," such as holding a second ceremony in a normal chapel. I fully plan on doing this, and my family has come to accept the fact that I don't want to be married anywhere but in the temple.
the Church is true. God Lives. Truth Restored. Sometimes those who try to present "evidence" of the Church being a fraud are the best evidence of its truthfulness. They are not unlike the scribes and pharasees in their commitment to tradition and closed mindedness
As converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints my wife an I chose to have what we referred to as a “civil” ceremony in conjunction with our sealing in the Temple. Many of our family members were not members of the Church and we wanted to include them as much as possible in our lives and in our new marriage. We chose to have this civil marriage performed with all the trappings and festivities associated with these types of weddings. The service was even performed by a Protestant minister and close member of our family followed by a wonderful reception, party and festivities. It was a delight to all involved and my wife and i could not have been more pleased with it. Our family was delighted and very satisfied with it as well.
Shortly there after my wife and i were also sealed in the Temple. We see this Temple event more as the performance of a sacred ordinance than as a wedding celebration or party. Though very dear, special and sacred to us we felt that even if our non-LDS member friends and families were able to attend the ordinance in the temple it would not have been as meaningful, endearing or even fun for them as the civil service and wedding festivities were. We really just see them as two different kinds of events with simular yet different purposes.
Anyone choosing to get sealed in the Temple can easily have a civil ceremony or any other kind of event for their family and friends if they so choose. I have know many people who have.
Before joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints i practiced the law of tithing as a Protestant Christian(though not as faithfully as i do now, i must admit). Now that i am LDS i practice the law of tithing as an LDS Christian. I do not think it would be fair to say that my previous Protestant church “demanded” me to pay tithing- and i certainly do not think it would be any more fair to claim that the LDS Church “demands” me to pay tithing. Paying tithing is a great opportunity and blessing. A principle and truth that i have grown to love and appreciate so much more now as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I consider it a great honor and gift to be able to tithe- a practice my wife and i gladly participate in and have never felt even in the least bit that it was demanded from us from the Church.
inhimdependent_lds
hard to believe this was actually a post on media coverage....wonder what's going to happen when I start posting on Millet's problems again. Critiques of Matt Lauer?
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