Posted on 07/04/2010 5:10:15 AM PDT by Colofornian
The Mormon Chapter of the Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy is organizing its 2010 conference to address issues surrounding the relationship between Latter-day Saints and the Abrahamic traditions. Recent events have demonstrated the Church’s interest in participating more actively in interfaith dialogue and LDS leaders have encouraged their members to engage more directly in productive exchanges that are aimed primarily at the cultivation of mutual understanding. The conference is designed to explore various perspectives and methods for thinking about Latter-day Saints among the faiths and cultures of world. Its aim will be to connect theology with practice in allowing space for Mormons to think about the activity of interreligious dialogue and the possibility of mutual transformation.
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...The recent statement by the Church entitled “Respect for a Diversity of Faiths” opens up new possibilities for thinking about other religions and ideologies and what might be learned from them. Citing Kristor Stendahl’s three rules for religious understanding, the statement encourages us to “leave room for ‘holy envy’ by finding elements in other faiths to emulate.” It goes on to affirm that “Latter-day Saints accept all sincere believers as equals in the pursuit of faith and in the great work of serving humanity.”...Our goal is not to diminish the faith claims of any community, but to help enhance conversation that can lead to more peaceable and respectful relations.
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The conference will include participants from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with representatives from other faith traditions who can engage Mormonism in productive dialogue. The conference will be an opportunity for Latter-day Saints to 1) explore the resources in their own tradition for engaging other religions and ideologies, and 2) learn how other traditions deal with religious diversity...
(Excerpt) Read more at fidweb.org ...
Well, they say a purpose of the conference was to promote "mutual transformation". I'm not sure how open they are to transformation "from the sideline" so to speak when they are such a hierarchical-structured organization. But, since dialoguing with people of other faiths goes back in the New Testament in the book of Acts with Paul and Apollos and the Jews, it's better than isolation.
You can also check out this link presented at the Web site:
"Again, Jews Fault Mormons Over Posthumous Baptisms" Ian Urbina, New York Times
I think the word “holy envy” is not quite appropriate because of the use of the word envy. Why not? envy in not a part of God’s personality. However jealousy is a part of God’s personality. So “holy jealousy” would be better.
I think that other religions would do well to emulate some Mormon practices and organization.
What Mormons would do well to emulate would do well to leave behind is the arian theology that was all the rage at Joeseph Smith’s time.
how’s the mind-meld with islam going?
A respect for the diverse beliefs and unique contributions of all the world’s faiths is one of the hallmarks of Mormonism. From the earliest days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith elevated the principle of religious liberty and tolerance: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may” (Articles of Faith 1:11).
In that same spirit, Church President Thomas S. Monson made a plea during general conference, a semiannual worldwide meeting, for more religious understanding: “I would encourage members of the Church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.” Latter-day Saints accept all sincere believers as equals in the pursuit of faith and in the great work of serving humanity.
Emphasizing God’s love for all people, not just those of one religion, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency, the highest governing body of the Church, declared: “We honor and respect sincere souls from all religions, no matter where or when they lived, who have loved God, even without having the fullness of the gospel. We lift our voices in gratitude for their selflessness and courage. We embrace them as brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father. … He hears the prayers of the humble and sincere of every nation, tongue, and people. He grants light to those who seek and honor Him and are willing to obey His commandments.”
The late Krister Stendahl, emeritus Lutheran Bishop of Stockholm and professor emeritus of Harvard Divinity School, established three rules for religious understanding: (1) When you are trying to understand another religion, you should ask the adherents of that religion and not its enemies; (2) don't compare your best to their worst; and (3) leave room for "holy envy" by finding elements in other faiths to emulate. These principles foster relationships between religions that build trust and lay the groundwork for charitable efforts.
The spiritual and physical needs of the world require goodwill and cooperation among different faiths. Each of them makes a valuable contribution to the larger community of believers. In the words of early Church apostle Orson F. Whitney, “God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.” Thus, members of the Church do not view fellow believers around the world as adversaries or competitors, but as partners in the many causes for good in the world. For example, the Church has joined forces with Catholic Relief Services in a “collaboration of caring” that aids victims of famine and natural disaster. Furthermore, the Church worked with Islamic Relief Worldwide and the Islamic Society of Great Salt Lake to provide immediate humanitarian assistance in December 2004 to the tsunami-hit areas of Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
It is important to note that interfaith cooperation does not require doctrinal compromise. Though the Church asserts its ecclesiastical independence and recognizes its doctrinal differences, this does not prevent it from partnering with other faiths in charitable projects. These efforts are based on universal values. A different interpretation of the atonement of Christ, for example, need not diminish the mandate of Christ to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a separation between charitable efforts and doctrinal tenets, while at the same time sharing mutual concern for those in need. People of good faith do not need to have the exact same beliefs in order to accomplish great things in the service of their fellow human beings.
********************************************** Revisionism is in full swing in Salt Lake City.
I’d like to see what the Muslims think of Mormons baptizing Muslims after they have died.
Ooooh, me too.
Joseph Smith, who with Sidney Rigdon saw the Son of God sitting on the right hand of God and gazed upon the glories of eternity,
Joseph Smith, who with Oliver Cowdery beheld Jehovah, even Jesus Christ,...
That was all nice and ecumenical until the last paragraph, where it fell into the most shameless, outrageous blasphemy
Yeah, all the "ecumenical" stuff is shown as being empty words by the last paragraph in which the ever-present "Mormon Attitude of Superiority" shines forth.
MORMON
ATTITUDES OF SUPERIORITY
1. I’m Superior; I have a special gift of the holy Ghost -- you don’t!
2. I’m Superior; I have God’s true priesthood power -- you don’t! 3. I’m Superior; I can go in God’s secret Temple -- you can’t! 4. I’m Superior; I’ve been Endowed with special Gifts and Knowledge -- you’re just normal! 5. I’m Superior; I’ll have my family with me in heaven -- you’ll be with strangers! 6. I’m Superior; I’m becoming a God -- you aren’t! 7. I’m Superior; My women know their place as servants of man and yours don’t. 8. I’m Superior; YOUR creeds are wrong because they come from man - mine comes from God (you can find each one printed in our Scriptures). 9. I’m Superior; I don’t HAVE a creed - I’ve got 13 Articles of Faith. 10. I'm Superior; I have 4 "Bibles"-- the standard works (5 if you count the JST) -- you've only got one: in as far as it is translated correctly. 11. I’m Superior; I can lie with impunity about such things as church membership, church growth, church doctrine, church history, church influence, etc. — -- You can’t. 12. I’m Superior; I am right (everybody knows) when I say 'evangelical' Christians are lunatics -- -- You’re a hideous narrow-minded bigot, who is persecuting me by practicing discrimination by saying I'm not a Christian.
13. I'm Superior; I have a testimony about a prophet -- you don't. 14. I'm Superior; I have a Scripture-producing Amos 3:7 prophet -- you don't 15. I’m Superior; I have a Living Prophet who talks to god every day -- you have a dim-witted hireling of Satan who only talks to himself. 16. I'm Superior; I have my calling & election made sure -- you don't. 17. I’m Superior; I have magic underwear to protect me from the bogey man -- you don’t. 18. I’m Superior; I have secret clasps and grips to give the angel so I get admitted to the celestial kingdom -- you don’t ;so you can’t. 19. I'm Superior; I know secret handshake codes for afterlife entrances-- you don't. 20. I’m Superior; I will see Joseph Smith setting on the right hand of GOD, when I get to Mormon heaven, and he will recognize me and judge me favorably -- You’re on your own; when you get to wherever you’re going! 21. I’m Superior; I’m going to hie to Kolob -- you’re going to who knows where. 22. I’m Superior; I get to have a harem and act like a celestial stud for time and all eternity -- you don’t. 23. I’m Superior; I have sun stones, moon stones, sky stones, cloud stones, Saturn stones, and the evil eye of Osirus guarding my temple -- all you have is a stupid cross. 24. I’m Superior; My church has billions in assets stashed away -- yours has taken a stupid vow of poverty. 25. I'm Superior; Last - we have the power to keep a whole race out of our priesthood if we wanted to reinsert our 148-year legacy (we ARE still keeping an entire GENDER at bay!) Revision 46.1
Semi-Official creed of the EXclusive club of Freeper Flying Inmans.
All rights liable to be abused. |
RE-dedicate?
This place is made additionally sacred to Latter-day Saints because it was to these sacred grounds that Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then a newly-called Assistant to the Twelve, came at sunrise on April 28, 1961, and, with about a hundred in the audience rededicated the Philippines so that missionary work could begin here.
Unable to produce an actual response BM? Give it a try.
Apparently some one is complaining about a magazines photographing Crosses.
I can't answer for this magazine. I doubt anyone can answer with out asking the photographer.
I would think the Crosses are there and would make a good picture.
I just don't know why.
Why not ? I ask
Maybe some one is making a rule.
2 posted on Sunday, July 04, 2010 5:22:28 PM by UCANSEE2 (The Last Boy Scout)
Yes everyone is having so much fun. Lots of other groups have been left out.
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