As an atheist on the sidelines, I have to agree with you. Personal prejudice is one thing, but no one’s been able to explain to me what “threat” there is in Mormons believing what they wish.
Some folks are getting into a weird place where their legitimate opposition to Multiculturalism (as opposed to the genuine mix of cultures that has always been part of this nation) and ILLEGAL immigration has led them to be against anyone who doesn’t believe in precisely what they believe in. That’s not what being an American or a conservative means to me.
ping
Mormonism is a non-Christian religion that has always directed it's efforts, wealth, advertising, trained door to door salesmen, at getting Christians to leave Christ, that is about as serious as anything can get, in fact it is the most serious threat in the existence of all that exists, naturally people will respond to a campaign to destroy souls.
I'll take a stab at it noting that I'm posting to at least one confessed atheist and that my explanation is my own. Of course, it may not satisfy your curiosity or answer your question, but the gauntlet has been thrown down and I'm going to attempt to pick it up.
Disclaimer: Since I'm relatively "new" to Christianity, some of my rationale may not pass muster with a true theologian, however, my knowledge of mormonism is sufficient for me to speak on it.
I don't perceive a "threat" from mormons per se. I believe the assumption many make who are not familiar with the LdS religion or the theology, the belief held by many Christians is that the "threat" is faced by the mormons in regards to their eternal salvation. So the Christians "fight" the threat by posting information about the theology and doctrine in hopes of "saving" mormons, or at a minimum, showing mormons what a false doctrine mormonISM is.
I am one of those who was quite surprised to learn many things that I was woefully ignorant of. I then furthered my study by doing the research.
What I take issue with in regards to mormonism is the twisted use of Biblical scripture to claim theirs is the only "true" religion as some others do as well (but that's another conversation). There are many other reasons but I'll offer the one that caused me to leave mormonism. "Men can become gods because God was a man once, just like us."
They claim that their interpretation of Romans (8:14-17):
"14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, [Notice, "led by the Spirit of God", not by lineage or "birthright" do we become sons of God], they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[Abba is a term of endearment and closeness, similar to "daddy.]
"16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [Notice that "with our spirit", not by lineage, but by spirit we are "children of God.]
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.[That we are heirs to being glorified with Christ, not heirs to godhood.]
specifically verse 17, along with Doctrine and Convenants Sect. 132 entitles them to godhood.
D&C 132: 19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.
20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.
However, they have taken a verse (Romans 8:17) that applied to ALL and have excluded their women folk. Making them completely dependent on their men (working to become gods) in order to reach heaven.
Since the mormons are using the “joint heirs” (Romans) scripture to justify godhood, and the scripture is talking about glorification [like Christ], this presents a problem for the females in mormonism. Especially since only mormon men can become gods.
The scripture is saying that as heirs we all get to be glorified like Christ, yet, the mormons have now inadvertently(?) excluded their women from glorification in order to use it to justify becoming a god.
Some may see no problem with this, however, since almost all mainline Christian churches agree that there is only ONE God, this presents a serious theological issue.
It also creates a problem about the number of gods in mormonISM. They claim there is only one God, yet, their doctrine clearly teaches the opposite. IF all mormon men can become a god, then how many gods are there? Polytheism, much like Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.
There are many more theological problems with mormonISM, but there isn't any further reason to use up FR's bandwidth on it. If one is interested as to why there are folks on FR who continually question the theology of mormonISM, all one has to do is compare the vast amounts of information that can be found on the web.(This one's for you PD.)
I will note as a matter of disclosure, that I am an ex-mormon, recently converted to Christianity (non-denom.), married over 20 years to a fine mormon woman who works in the mormon temple. So, I don't fear or feel "threatened" by mormons. They're salt of the earth folks (for the most part, like any other group).
I have many good friends and Scouting acquaintances as well as co-workers who are mormon. I "fear" for them, for their salvation. Nothing more. I am not "threatened" by their existence. As a Christian, following Christ's admonition, we have a "responsibility" to warn others. I realize that an atheist will have an issue with that, but it should be a part of one's core beliefs and actions after accepting Christ.
I would love nothing more than for my family to come out of the religion. I truly believe, after having done a lot of research(which I didn't do before joining the LdS as a young man) on the religion, that it is false.
YMMV.
FRegards,
SZ