Liberty's choice of Romney leads to angry student response [Cultic commencement speaker outrage]

Washington (CNN) – Liberty University students and alumni are accusing the Christian school of violating its own teachings by asking Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a member of the...Latter-day Saints whose adherents are called Mormons, to deliver its 2012 commencement address.

By Friday morning, more than 700 comments had been posted on the school's Facebook page about the Thursday announcement - a majority of them decidedly against the Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr.’s invitation, citing that the school had taught them Mormonism isn’t part of the Christian faith.

“I can’t support Romney and I am happy I decided not to walk (in the commencement) this year,” wrote student Josh Bergmann. “Liberty University should have gotten a Christian to speak not someone who practices a cult. Shame on you Liberty University.”

Janet Loeffler, a 53-year-old freshman at Liberty, expressed her anger at the decision when contacted by CNN. She also sent a copy of the page of the freshman textbook “The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics” which includes the passage, “Mormon doctrine stands in stark contrast to Jewish and Christian monotheism, which teaches that there is only one true God and that every other ‘God’ is a false god.”

Loeffler’s daughter, Sarah Misch, 33, of Unionville, Virginia, who is also a student at the school said, “I am glad I am not graduating this year. I would not want to end my studies at a Christian university by being sent in to the world at commencement by a Mormon. We came to Liberty because of our faith in Jesus; not for political reasons.”

Holly Stanton Morgan, another student, posted to Facebook, “I am glad that my husband and I won’t be attending his commencement. Mormonism is not Christianity. My commencement is next year. Hopefully they choose more wisely.”

So Liberty University -- Falwell's start-up -- chooses a cultic leader as their commencement speaker.

The reaction from some students & those affiliated with students?

“I can’t support Romney and I am happy I decided not to walk (in the commencement) this year,” wrote student Josh Bergmann. “Liberty University should have gotten a Christian to speak not someone who practices a cult. Shame on you Liberty University.” Janet Loeffler, a 53-year-old freshman at Liberty, expressed her anger at the decision when contacted by CNN. She also sent a copy of the page of the freshman textbook “The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics” which includes the passage, “Mormon doctrine stands in stark contrast to Jewish and Christian monotheism, which teaches that there is only one true God and that every other ‘God’ is a false god.” Loeffler’s daughter, Sarah Misch, 33, of Unionville, Virginia, who is also a student at the school said, “I am glad I am not graduating this year. I would not want to end my studies at a Christian university by being sent in to the world at commencement by a Mormon. We came to Liberty because of our faith in Jesus; not for political reasons.” Holly Stanton Morgan, another student, posted to Facebook, “I am glad that my husband and I won’t be attending his commencement. Mormonism is not Christianity. My commencement is next year. Hopefully they choose more wisely.”

I suggest Liberty just go all out...

2013 they could have a Scientologist commencement speaker.

2014: Jehovah's Witness

2015: Hare Krishna

2016: Jihadist Muslim

Every argument people could raise for Romney to speak there would also apply to the above...

Yes...

Now who wants to suggest to Mitt what his topics-of-coverage in the commencement speach might be...???

Perhaps a text from Lds "Doctrines & Covenants 1:30":
...this church, [the Mormon church] and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the ONLY true and living church upon the face of the whole earth...

Either that, or perhaps 1 Nephi 14:9-10 from the Book of Mormon would be relevant, as sized up by this one Mormon commentary by Richard G. Grant:

...what is Nephi's great and abominable church? In chapter 14 he is told by the angel that in the last days there would be two churches only; "the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil" (1 Nephi 14:10). The angel further identifies this church of the devil as "the mother of abominations" and "the whore of all the earth." Finally in verse 17 the angel removes all doubt, clearly identifying this "mother of harlots" as "the great and abominable church." From this it would seem obvious that this great and abominable church is all churches that are not Christ's church. Dr. Robinson explains: In the realm of religion there are only two categories: religion that will save and religion that won't. The former is the church of the Lamb, and the latter–no matter how well intentioned–is a counterfeit. Thus, even a "good" church must still be part of the devil's kingdom in the sense used in 1 Nephi 14 ("there are save two churches only"), for it cannot do what it pretends to do. The Great and Abominable Church: 1 Nephi 13-14 1999-2000 by Richard G. Grant

From that same Web site: The principle objective of this site is the increase of both understanding and testimony of the Book of Mormon. Articles included here are principally based on materials published by The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS).

Of course, Book of Mormon teachers claim that the Mormon church is that only true church...which means the rest all fall under the "other" heading -- "the church of the devil."

Now although the Book of Mormon comes from the Lds church -- the above quote isn't an official Mormon church interpretation of that book chapter (1 Nephi 14).

Well, read enough quotes from this thread linked below -- and you'll see what Lds leaders have taught:
Source: If Mormonism is 'anti-Christian,' then how can it be considered 'Christian?'

It includes this quote by Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie: "The church of the devil is the world; it is all the carnality and evil to which fallen man is heir; it is every unholy and wicked practice; it is every false religion, every supposed system of salvation which does not actually save and exalt man in the highest heaven of the celestial world. It is EVERY CHURCH except the true church, whether parading under a Christian or a pagan banner." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:551)

Note, per Mormon doctrine, McConkie’s reference to “the true church” applies only to the Mormon one, supposedly the "only true and living church on the face of the earth." (D&C 1:30).

How do we know that the official Lds church approves of McConkie's interpretation? #1...he was an "apostle"; #2, the Doctrinal New Testament Commentary was cited by the official Mormon church as a commentary to 1 Nephi 14:10 for its widely distributed teachings of college students: The church of JC LDS: Seminaries and Institutes of Religion: Book of Mormon Student Manual: Chapter 4: 1Nephi 11–14 : Notes and Commentary

So...since the Lds church teaches one thing above to its own college students, why doesn't Romney just cart this lesson over to Liberty and teach it to those Christian college students since apparently it happens to be extremely relevant to the Mormon plan of salvation?

And what does the Lds church officially teach its high school students...students like high school seniors about to enter Liberty in a few months?

The “church of the devil” does not refer to a specific church but to any person, group, organization, or philosophy that works against the Church of Jesus Christ and the salvation of the children of God.
Source: Official Mormon 'Seminary' (high school) teachings on 1 Nephi 14

IOW, the church of the devil is ANYBODY or ANY GROUP that opposes Mormonism, per that "tolerant" Lds, Inc.! So much for "religious liberties"...either embrace the Mormon church -- or be touted by them as "the church of the devil."

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