I have a couple of questions. How does being a Mormon differ from other religions? What are some of the prejudices or discrimination have Mormon’s in this country expericenced and what were the sources of those prejudices/discrimination?
One Response to “I have a couple of questions – How does being a Mormon d…”
Mario Rios
2012-04-15 05:32:30
Hi Amye. I'm happy you posted your question here. "Mormonism" is a beautiful Christian religion. It's true, however, that it is a unique kind of Christianity; Mormons are not Catholics, Protestants, or Orthodox Christians. They don't accept the creeds established after New Testament times.
Christ is divine and salvation comes only through Him.
The Bible is the word of God.
People should love one another.
Mormons belong to a unique branch of Christianity, however. We're not Catholics or Protestants, so naturally we have a few beliefs that are unique. Most of these differences are small. One significant difference relates to the authority to act in God's name. Mormons believe that shortly after the death of Christ and His apostles, the early Christian church was heavily influenced by Greek and Roman philosophies and politics. Despite the efforts of many noble men and women, the true Church of Christ was lost because of these external influences and internal changes realized by the hands of men. Mormons believe that God restored the original Christian Church, together with the authority to act in His name, in 1820 through a man named Joseph Smith.
People often fear groups that are different or that are misunderstood. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to educate people through our missionary program, a lot of people still don't understand Mormonism very well, and that has led to some conflict. There have been anti-Mormons since the very early days of the church. Anti-Mormons are not just people who disagree with Mormon beliefs; they are people who intentionally spread lies or exaggerations about our history and teachings in an attempt to discredit us.
There are basically three kinds of anti-Mormons. Religious anti-Mormons typically don't like us because our theology doesn't always agree with theirs. Secular anti-Mormons don't like us because they see all religion as silly. Finally, anti-Mormon ex-Mormons, people who have left the church, usually for personal reasons, sometimes feel the need to bash their former faith as well.
Back in the nineteenth century, many Mormons were killed by people who disliked us. Fortunately, now anti-Mormonism is not so dangerous. However, there are still many efforts made to denigrate us. This kind of bigotry is obviously very frustrating for us Mormons, and it should be alarming to any fair-minded person.
Given that Mormons are Christians, they believe in many of the same things other Christians believe, including:
Mormons belong to a unique branch of Christianity, however. We're not Catholics or Protestants, so naturally we have a few beliefs that are unique. Most of these differences are small. One significant difference relates to the authority to act in God's name. Mormons believe that shortly after the death of Christ and His apostles, the early Christian church was heavily influenced by Greek and Roman philosophies and politics. Despite the efforts of many noble men and women, the true Church of Christ was lost because of these external influences and internal changes realized by the hands of men. Mormons believe that God restored the original Christian Church, together with the authority to act in His name, in 1820 through a man named Joseph Smith.
People often fear groups that are different or that are misunderstood. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to educate people through our missionary program, a lot of people still don't understand Mormonism very well, and that has led to some conflict. There have been anti-Mormons since the very early days of the church. Anti-Mormons are not just people who disagree with Mormon beliefs; they are people who intentionally spread lies or exaggerations about our history and teachings in an attempt to discredit us.
There are basically three kinds of anti-Mormons. Religious anti-Mormons typically don't like us because our theology doesn't always agree with theirs. Secular anti-Mormons don't like us because they see all religion as silly. Finally, anti-Mormon ex-Mormons, people who have left the church, usually for personal reasons, sometimes feel the need to bash their former faith as well.
Back in the nineteenth century, many Mormons were killed by people who disliked us. Fortunately, now anti-Mormonism is not so dangerous. However, there are still many efforts made to denigrate us. This kind of bigotry is obviously very frustrating for us Mormons, and it should be alarming to any fair-minded person.