From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: WANTED: Former LDS, now Born Again Christian for Thesis Project
Date: 30 Sep 92 15:39:25 GMT
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <Sep.23.04.10.56.1992.3815@athos.rutgers.edu> hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu (Charles Hedrick) writes:

>Mormons are somewhat of a special case, because even reasonably
>disinterested scholars saw them moving in a direction that would make
>them a separate religion.  It's my impression that there was really
>justification for this, but that LDS views have developed in a way
>that is backing away from this.  Some people claim that this is just a

>hard to see as simply ploys.  They really have been pulling back from
>condemnations of other Christians as tools of the devil, and are
>interpreting many of the stranger LDS beliefs as private speculations.
>(It's possible that I'm wrong in regarding these as changes, but the
>evidence I've seen so far seems to suggest it.)  I'm not yet sure

One thing that confuses people.  In the Mormon Church, like the Catholics,
there is a hierarchical structure.  This leads people to believe that
Mormon doctrine is monolithic and uniform.  Like the case of the
Catholics, the Pope may have his views, but that doesn't mean every
Catholic shares them.  There is a similar broad diverse doctrinal
variation in what Mormons believe.  Even doctrines held by the
president of the Church are not necessarily "official" or required.
And those who know me know I have differences of opinion
with many of those in the hierachy on a variety of issues.
These men, despite the position, are not considered infallible
(nor is anything man has anything to do with, including the Bible).
(the Pope, since the 19th century, is in some circumstances, I suppose).
Mormons are indeed becoming more orthodox in many ways.  The Church
is less radical than a century ago.  In some ways, it is a pity,
since a lot of the uniqueness could be lost if it continues.

But even in those days, when the rhetoric flew fast and furious,
(don't forget that the Mormons were persecuted and that doesn't
exactly breed tolerance for the views of those that have burned
you out of your last house), one can find expressions of tolerance
of other religions and cultures (not just Christian ones) in the
writings of the Mormon leaders.  For example, Joseph Smith remarked
that Muhammed may well have been inspired by God to deliver his
revelations lifting his people out of the darkness that preceded
him.  He made the remark that all religions had good in them and
Mormons should study them and try to take the good things out of
each one.  The concept of people in other religions going to hell
is not a Mormon one, despite some rhetoric.  Outer Darkness for
Joseph Smith was reserved only for those who committed the 
unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost.  It is argued by some that only
a Mormon of high rank could do that.

In any event, the Church makes a great effort now not to
criticise other religions.  True, the old 19th century
writings are still there, but they are played down.  And even
in the 19th century, the emphasis was on presenting what
Mormonism had to offer rather than excoriating other churches.
If you go into a Mormon bookstore, you will find no books on
what is wrong with Baptists, Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses,
or any other group.  I wish I could say the same about "Christian"
bookstores.  I find nothing wrong with the evangelicals promoting
what they feel is correct doctrine and practice and exhorting
people to join with them in their beliefs.  I don't see why
it has to be done by trying to belittle the beliefs of others
and with "attack" literature targeted at other groups.



-- 
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Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
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