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Am I the Only One, Who Thinks That Mormonism is As Strange As Hinduism?

Posted on 01/28/2012 9:20:46 AM PST by pinochet

Almost all Christian denominations can be traced to 3 main traditions - the Catholic, the Protestant, and the Eastern Orthodox traditions. All three traditions are based on the Bible. Mormonism is a religion that has a heritage that is very different from traditional Christianity, and is based on the Book of Mormon.

The theological differences that separate a Baptist from a Catholic, are not the same as those which separate a Baptist from a Mormon, or a Catholic from a Mormon. In a dispute between a Baptist and a Catholic, they will argue over whether Church tradition prevails over scripture on some issues, and on whether salvation is by faith alone, or a combination of faith and works. The main argument will focus on how they interpret the Bibilical verse, James 2:17, which notes "Faith without works is dead".

But Mormonism doctrines involve stuff that is completely incomprehensible to Christians. It is not just the fact that Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith was a polygamist, like the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. I will grant you that Joseph Smith was not as violent as Muhammad. But Mormons have this crazy doctrine that Jesus visited America, and that some Native Americans are the lost tribes of Israel.

They also have secret ceremonies in Mormon temples, in which they perform wierd rituals and ceremonies, such as one creepy ritual called "naked touching". Non-mormons are never allowed to attend those secret Mormon ceremonies, and only a minority of Mormons - those in good standing with the church, are allowed to witness the strange ceremonies. One is also required to wear special undergarments as part of the faith. Here is a description on "naked touching" by ex-Mormons: http://www.exmormon.org/mormon/mormon366.htm

Many of us have met individual Mormons, and admired them and their families. They are a model religious minority like Hindus from India. Hindu immigrants in America are hard working, law-abiding, and their children do well in school. But we cannot get over the fact that Hinduism is a really strange religion with multiple gods and goddesses, and strange cultural practises such as viewing cows as holy animals. Some Hindu gods like Shiva, Hanuman, Ganesha, and Kali, are really weird creatures. I have always viewed Mormons as a nice pro-family people, but with a religion as strange as Hinduism.


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KEYWORDS: christianity; cojcolds; faithandphilosophy; hinduisim; hinduism; inman; mittromney; mormonism; vanity; wrongforum
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To: editor-surveyor

I reckon I won’t really know that until I pass from this world!


61 posted on 01/28/2012 11:35:37 AM PST by old school
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To: pinochet
imho, Hinduism is not strange -- mormonism IS. Hinguism has a logic in it -- if you think of it not as a religion but as a meta-religion i.e. a group of different religions with no central theme etc. except that it comes from the continent of India.

Mormonism is made-up

62 posted on 01/28/2012 11:44:35 AM PST by Cronos (Party like it's 12 20, 2012)
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To: muawiyah; pinochet
correct -- the Mahabharata with the Gita, the Ramayana and the Puranas, not to mention the Vedas are not strange.

If one just looks at the various facets of Hinduism or thinks of it in comparison with Christianity it seems strange, but Christianity is a coherent, pretty unified theme. Hinduism is multi-religious -- athiest, polytheist, monotheist etc. etc all at the same time

63 posted on 01/28/2012 11:50:41 AM PST by Cronos (Party like it's 12 20, 2012)
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To: Cronos
But "made up" of elements (hermetic, gnostic, masonic) that were all present in 19th century America and Europe, so perhaps closer to our heritage than South Asian religion.

Maybe the topic can be reframed so as to avoid the stigma of "strangeness" or "weirdness" and the temptation to make Hinduism or Mormonism the "odd man out," though.

64 posted on 01/28/2012 12:00:51 PM PST by x
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To: donmeaker
because we don't know and can't prove that Noah is adapted from the epic of Gilgamesh. There are other flood stories like Manu in Hinduism.

In fact I would argue that Noah isn't an adaptation of Gilgamesh due to the locale -- Gilgamesh's tale is from Sumeria and the Akkadians (a semitic people) would be well aware of this story.

J Smith's stories about a Semitic people in pre-Columbus America is historically, archaeologically,linguistically and genetically wrong.

65 posted on 01/28/2012 12:05:31 PM PST by Cronos (Party like it's 12 20, 2012)
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To: Longbow1969

” they feel Republicans just don’t really like them.” — yes, I agree, we (as a group) give this perception.


66 posted on 01/28/2012 12:14:59 PM PST by Cronos (Party like it's 12 20, 2012)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion
Just voters.

Voters can pick their candidate for any reason at all, and they do.

67 posted on 01/28/2012 12:27:26 PM PST by Will88
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To: Laserman

The Mormons feed on Christians, they seek them out to convert them to an anti-Christian cult.

You don’t support exposing and resisting that?


68 posted on 01/28/2012 12:39:44 PM PST by ansel12 (Romney is unquestionably the weakest party front-runner in contemporary political history.)
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To: katana

Not that I have anything against Masons but Mormonism sounds a lot like the Masons when one considers the secret rituals. But of course, the Masonic organization is not considered a religion and maybe neither should Mormonism.


69 posted on 01/28/2012 12:42:08 PM PST by Jukeman (God help us for we are deep in trouble.)
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To: RegulatorCountry

I am very sure I am not alone in the perception of Mormon bashing here on FR. I have been a Freeper since about the time FR started, have attended rallies in DC, and am a staunch Conservative. I want to see Conservatives of all types attracted to FR. Mormons are some of the most conservative folks I know, and have great family values and principles. We should welcome them to FR even if we do not support Romney politically.

If people want to argue about religion, and nit-pick various religions, I think they should go to a religious blog and vent their attitudes there. Here at FR the goal is advancing Conservatism and a country of Liberty and Opportunity. Mormons do that as much as any group I know.


70 posted on 01/28/2012 12:44:38 PM PST by Laserman
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To: TennesseeGirl

You betcha, TennesseeGirl. I admire many different people who have many different religious beliefs. And some who are atheists just for their human qualities. Some of the people of the Mennonite religion are the people I admire the most. I’ve never seen more hard working, more industrious people and their children are, of those I know, the most well behaved, hard working and courteous of any children I know. Of course, they broke from the Baptist branch of protestantism way back when, if my memory is correct. I detest socialism at any degree.


71 posted on 01/28/2012 12:58:17 PM PST by Jukeman (God help us for we are deep in trouble.)
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To: Laserman
You know, a cult that has a prospective president believing he is a -god- ...just kinda mighta sorta have some miniscule bearing on the decisions he might make as president. Or maybe you're of the notion that Zero's muslim and black theological roots should have been withheld from the public? Man's religion is none of our business...

I'll discuss anything factual I wish to about a prospective president, I'll even ask if magic underwear is itchy. If you don't, then I guess you already know whether magic underwear is itchy.

(ex-mormon "gone commando" since '80)



72 posted on 01/28/2012 1:16:09 PM PST by AnTiw1
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To: cherry
but no matter what kind of tolerance one has, its hard to understand the very odd things that Mormonism supports....

Mormons historically do not broadcast their doctrine so many are indeed unfamiliar with it and would consider it odd. Actually its not all that different when compared to other religions out there. While Mormons are certainly not following historical Christianity doctrine, but they are much closer to it than any other religion I know of.

73 posted on 01/28/2012 1:22:13 PM PST by Starwolf
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To: AlmaKing

It is not “intolerant” of other religions to think that their theology and doctrines are in error.

Why would you think that it is?


74 posted on 01/28/2012 1:22:42 PM PST by chesley (Eat what you want, and die like a man. Never trust anyone who hasn't been punched in the face)
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To: Rome2000
Romney is not just a Mormon, he is high up the food chain in church hierarchy, comparable to a Cardinal.

You are showing your ignorance of how the LDS church is structured. Admittedly their use of terms is different that other groups - Every practicing member is ordained as a priest. - Local churches (wards) and groups of wards (stake) are run by "bishops" who would be considered unpaid laymen in most denominations. - It is not until you reach the next step up (The Seventy) that you are effectively full time LDS clergy and paid by the church. - Romney has never been anything close to a Roman Catholic Cardinal status in the LDS church. Lay pastor is about it. If you are going to throw rocks, at least get your facts correct.

75 posted on 01/28/2012 1:44:35 PM PST by Starwolf
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To: Starwolf

MYTH ROMNEY IS A MORMON MELCHIDEZEK HIGH PRIEST

He doesn’t need to get paid, he pays them millions of dollars a year


76 posted on 01/28/2012 1:54:36 PM PST by Rome2000 (MYTH ROMNEY IS A MORMON MELCHIDEZEK HIGH PRIEST)
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To: Graybeard58

I’m glad someone said it so soon.


77 posted on 01/28/2012 2:03:39 PM PST by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: Rome2000
MYTH ROMNEY IS A MORMON MELCHIDEZEK HIGH PRIEST

So what. So is every practicing LDS male his age. You are aware that every Mormon male is ordained to the preisthood? Before you try and label that as some sort of heresy...consider the Christian concept of the priesthood of beleivers.

78 posted on 01/28/2012 2:12:11 PM PST by Starwolf
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To: donmeaker

I might agree with you if that was still being practiced, but it isn’t. Yet, the LDS has not changed that much at all in its core beliefs (less polygamy).


79 posted on 01/28/2012 2:33:56 PM PST by SgtHooper (The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.)
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To: RegulatorCountry

“...Mormons as a whole ... are a conservative, patriotic people.”

No doubt. Fine people. The only rub is that the religion is so far removed from Christianity, and yet LDS tries to appear as Christian. It’s the misleading religious association that gets me, not the people.


80 posted on 01/28/2012 2:39:59 PM PST by SgtHooper (The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.)
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