Mormons and Muslims? How do you all see each other?

http://www.byui.edu/Ricks/employee/PECKDD/LDS_View_Muhammad.pdf ^

[fishtank]

http://www.byui.edu/Ricks/employee/PECKDD/LDS_View_Muhammad.pdf

[fishtank]

How do Mormons and Muslims see each other? Both of these religions had very similar beginnings:

(1) both feature a single prophet received a revelation from an angel

(2) both had violent early histories (although Mormonism has become peaceful, while Islam has not)

(3) both religions teach the idea that humans will have sexual relations after death - an idea foreign to Judaism and Christianity

(4) both have similar views on 'lifestyle' issues, like alcohol, etc.

(5) both are post-Christian creeds, with a written scripture that contradicts the New Testament

(6) Although Islam denies the divinty of Jesus, Mormonism affirms His deity, however, in a peculiar way that affrims the potential godhood of all humans - again, a concept foreign to both the Hebrew Bible and the NT.

In sum, the conservative evangelical Christian stands opposed to Islam. How does the politically conservative Mormon view Islam?

Thoughts?

P.S. No flames please, let's keep this calm and civil.

[anniegetyourgun]

Why does it matter what LDS thinks of Islam when the bottom line for Islam is that LDSers are infidels?

[fishtank]

I acidentally bumped into that essay, and I've never heard any discussion of this issue.

Just curious.

[TheDon]

(1) both feature a single prophet received a revelation from an angel

Christianity and Judism also have a prophet, and revelation from an angel, John the Baptist, and or Jesus Christ, and Moses, respectively.

(2) both had violent early histories (although Mormonism has become peaceful, while Islam has not)

Hmmm...Mormon history is violent at times, mobs against Mormons anyway!

(4) both have similar views on 'lifestyle' issues, like alcohol, etc.

You mention alcohol, but that is about the only item I can think of too. As we don't believe in smoking, but I don't think that is proscribed by Islam. I would think that Islam, Christianity and Judism all share many common lifestyle values.

(5) both are post-Christian creeds, with a written scripture that contradicts the New Testament

Well, at least you, and others, believe it contradicts the NT, but we believe the Book of Mormon is a Second Witness of Jesus Christ, and it explicitly witnesses that the OT and NT are divine in origin.

How does the politically conservative Mormon view Islam?

I can't speak for the faith, but being a member, I would think that Islam is an anti-Christ religion, i.e. they deny the divinity of Jesus Christ.

[Brush_Your_Teeth]

Why does it matter what LDS thinks of Islam when the bottom line for Islam is that LDSers are infidels?

Well to be fair to the mormons they have had more problems with other christians then muslems. However now that the LDS chuch is starting to grow past the four million mark and do mission work around the world they might have more contact with our friendly and peace loving muslem friends.

[ImphClinton]

Mormons "violent History" was that numerous people persecuted them. The religion was always peacful. They defended themselves on occasion but far more often did little as mobs forced them from city to city and eventually out of the US into terotarial land no one wanted (Utah where they began practicing pologamy). Even then Johnston sent an army after them to boost his political fortunes (he could care less about poligamy but had been incorrectly told the mormons were rasing an army to fight the US). Then all of their property was stolen by the government because of their belief in pologamy. The government eventually forced all these mariages (which were absolutely legal when entered into) to be ended. The church stopped the practice as soon as the SCTOUS rulled against them.

For over a hundred years now then church has not ben persecuted nor practiced pologamy.

[TheDon]

We have gone beyond the 10 million mark, and more than half of our membership is outside of the US. As we literally believe that the Gospel must be preached to all nations, and peoples, before the 2nd Coming, we believe the day will come when we will be preaching in the currently Moslem countries, but in China. Actually, we are in Hong Kong already.

[Reagan Man]

I'm not a Mormon, so I can't speak to any specific religious beliefs they may hold. I have read portions of the Book of Mormon and don't remember any references to having sexual relations after death. But I'm not saying it doesn't make an inference to that possibility.

I do know that Christianity, which Mormon's are considered part of, have a faith based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus didn't condone terrorism and modern Christian's don't support terrorism either. When I look at how Muslim's interpret their Koran teachings, I see a definite desire to spread the word of Mohammand, at all costs.

It has been pointed out time and again that Middle Eastern Muslim's have a militant view towards anyone not part of the Islamic religion. Many anti-Jew and anti-Christian passsages from the Koran have been posted on FreeRepublic. They're very troubling even to some Muslim's. But since 9-11-2001, we've seen few serious remarks from the Islamic community, condemning those heinous attacks. There are over 1-billion Muslim's in the world. I would have expected a considerable amount of outrage coming from the Muslim leadership, at the very least. All we've heard from the entire Islamic religion is almost utter silence on the subject. Even American Muslim's have been very quiet.

[Technocrat]

(6) Although Islam denies the divinty of Jesus, Mormonism affirms His deity, however, in a peculiar way that affrims the potential godhood of all humans - again, a concept foreign to both the Hebrew Bible and the NT.

Not so fast - that concept is mentioned in passing in Psalms 82:6, in Isaiah, and by Jesus Himself in John 10:34.

[Wrigley]

Hmmm...Mormon history is violent at times, mobs against Mormons anyway!

Oh, what about the Mountain Meadow Massacre?

[Technocrat]

(3) both religions teach the idea that humans will have sexual relations after death - an idea foreign to Judaism and Christianity

Also incorrect - Mormons believe that there is a potential for eternal increase after death, but the exact method is not known or described.

How does the politically conservative Mormon view Islam?

After pride, Islam (as an old-style secret combination) is the single greatest threat to civilization of our day, and must be destroyed.

[TheDon]

I would guess there are more than just that one instance of those who professed our faith, violating it.

[Technocrat]

Oh, what about the Mountain Meadow Massacre?

Condemned by the leaders of the time, and never repeated. Can you name the second most violent episode in the history of that church (perpetrated by its members in the name of religion)? I'm pretty schooled in early church history, and I can tell you that you won't find any. There was an episode with the indians, but that was more of a property dispute.

[fishtank]

I'm sorry, but I really think that too many OT & NT passages contradict this idea.

When you read Revelation, for example, the redeemed saints there are all bowing down to worship the Lamb Jesus, they are not all getting up on a throne to be adored, which they would have the right to do if they really were little gods.

Jesus was being sarcastic, as was the Psalmist.

[TheDon]

"There are over 1-billion Muslim's in the world. I would have expected a considerable amount of outrage coming from the Muslim leadership, at the very least. All we've heard from the entire Islamic religion is almost utter silence on the subject. Even American Muslim's have been very quiet.
"

I think that is what disturbs so many people. I know it does me. I would feel quite a bit differently if the entire American, at least, Muslim community would have come out after 9-11 and unanimously condemned 9-11.

[TheDon]

"Mormons believe that there is a potential for eternal increase after death, but the exact method is not known or described."

Good clarification.

[Technocrat]

I have to disagree here (somewhat). Mormons do not believe that men shall become Gods immediately after death, or even in some short period of time thereafter. They believe that life and death are two very small and very vital steps in that immeasurably long process, and that all men shall bow down before God at the judgement day and when they are resurrected, just as small children bow down in obedience before their own fathers. God will continue to instruct man, and all that God has will become ours in due time if we continue in obedience to Him.

In Psalms, David seems to be lamenting the fact that humanity, with such divine potential (as literal children of the Most High), could walk in darkness and be so corrupt. He reminds us that even though we can become as out Father, we have a very long path yet to trod, including death. In John, Jesus was responding to the outrage of the Jews when he declared himself as the Son of God. It looks like he is reminding the Jews that they have a spark of divinity inside them, and that they should not shortchange themselves (before he goes on to remind them how much greater He is than they are at this point).

[Nephi]

How do Mormons and Muslims see each other? Both of these religions had very similar beginnings:

Only in the simplest of terms.

(1) both feature a single prophet received a revelation from an angel

Not really. Mohammed is the one and only prophet for Muslims. Joseph Smith was the first. Today, Gordon B. Hinckley is our living prophet...just like in Old Testament times.

(2) both had violent early histories (although Mormonism has become peaceful, while Islam has not)

This statement is slanderous toward Mormons. Mormons have never espoused violence in word or scripture as Muslims do.

(3) both religions teach the idea that humans will have sexual relations after death - an idea foreign to Judaism and Christianity

While, Mormons believe the families created here on earth are eternal, I have never heard of "eternal sex."

(4) both have similar views on 'lifestyle' issues, like alcohol, etc.

Not really. Remember the lifestyle of the terrorists? Generally, active Mormons follow the Word of Wisdom, but it is enforced by a personal committment, not by public beatings, stoning, etc.

(5) both are post-Christian creeds, with a written scripture that contradicts the New Testament

Islam is a corruption of Judaism and Christianity. Jews rejected the Christ that their/our Old Testament prophets foretold of. Mormons embrace the New Testament because we believe it to be the word of God. Any contradiction is merely your perception.

(6) Although Islam denies the divinty of Jesus, Mormonism affirms His deity, however, in a peculiar way that affrims the potential godhood of all humans - again, a concept foreign to both the Hebrew Bible and the NT.

This is a similarity?

In sum, the conservative evangelical Christian stands opposed to Islam. How does the politically conservative Mormon view Islam?

As a conservative Mormon I personally view the Muslim religion as a modern pagan religion. Based upon their scripture which advocates murder, lying, breaking oaths and so on, their actions, the silence of their people and leaders in the wake of the attrocities of September 11, 2002 I am convinced that Satan is Allah.

While I have answered this question in good faith, I realize that some Christians and even Jews will disagree with the premise of my answers. That's fine, but I'm not interested in a debate.

[JesusIsLord]

(6) Although Islam denies the divinty of Jesus, Mormonism affirms His deity, however, in a peculiar way that affrims the potential godhood of all humans - again, a concept foreign to both the Hebrew Bible and the NT.

Not so fast - that concept is mentioned in passing in Psalms 82:6, in Isaiah, and by Jesus Himself in John 10:34.

John 10:29-32 reads, "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? "

Nowhere in scripture do we see Jesus equating anyone other than himself with God. Jesus is "exclusively" equal with God. This is the common and orthodox Christian view, but it is not shared by Mormonism.

[Nephi]

Try eleven million.