If you were not LDS....

[Ahab]

To say that going from the LDS Church to a mainline Christian church is like going from Christianity to Hinduism or Buddhism is ridiculous.

Not really. Going from true Christianity to any apostate religion is pretty much the same kind of thing regardless of which apostate religion it is.

[blueadept]

This thread has shown the truth of what many LDS feel towards other Christians and their churches.

After reading this thread, I haven't come down to this conclusion...

While Ahab (and a few others) may reflect your thoughts, I don't believe it properly represents the members of the LDS church as they believe that other Christian churches have 'some truths.'

IMO, you have to throw out the zealots to get a better understanding...

[Ahab]

After reading this thread, I haven't come down to this conclusion...

After reading this thread, I too have seen how many LDS feel towards other Christians and their churches.

While Ahab's (and a few others) may reflect your thoughts, I don't believe it properly represents the members of the LDS church as they believe that other Christian churches have 'some truths.'

I can also see that other churches, other than the true Church of Jesus Christ, also have "some truths", or what I would refer to as some aspects of truth.

They just don't have as much as we have, which is not surprising because if they did we would all be in the same Church.

IMO, you have to throw out the zealots to get a better understanding...

I would rather that we throw out the slackers. We who are zealous, aka "valiant", are as we should be.

[SilverKnight]

Jesus Christ is not a church organization, He is the Sovereign Lord and God. To say that going from the LDS Church to a mainline Christian church is like going from Christianity to Hinduism or Buddhism is ridiculous. So much for the LDS claims that they don't look down on other churches, and that other churches are good and have some truth to cherish. This thread has shown the truth of what many LDS feel towards other Christians and their churches.

If you came to the undeniable conclusion that Christianity was false, what would you do?

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Not really. Going from true Christianity to any apostate religion is pretty much the same kind of thing regardless of which apostate religion it is.

While I appreciate you Zoramite like faith. The Book of Mormon teaches me this...

Mormon 8:36

And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.

2 Nephi 28:14

They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

Both of those verses are speaking of the last days, not the apostasy. So for you to have some elitist claim on all truth, and to look down on other Christian churches as akin to the polytheistic pagan religions is utter nonsense and ill-placed pride. Your church isn't as perfect as you believe it is.

[Ahab]

If you came to the undeniable conclusion that Christianity was false, what would you do?

Define "Christianity".

[ELF1024]

This thread has shown the truth of what many LDS feel towards other Christians and their churches.

Most people who claim to be Christian are as far from it as humanly possible. Most of the people I've met who wear "Christian" on their foreheads are some of the most judgmental, inhuman, cruel, and un-Christ-like hypocrites I've ever had the unfortunate displeasure of meeting.

Many of the churches are just dodges or scams to get money from the stupid and lazy; or from those who like to be coddled to sleep at night to the sound of "Forgiven"; sleeping blissfully with visions of sugarplums in their heads so they can go off and abuse their children, and commit other heinous sins while believing they are saved.

After all, teaching responsibility for actions and enduring to the end is so... out of style.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

If you came to the undeniable conclusion that Christianity was false, what would you do?

I'll play along, knowing that the truth of Jesus Christ will never be proven false...

Christianity as a whole? I would probably choose Odinism, because I like the viking imagery and Odin did sacrifice an eye for wisdom

[Ahab]

Your church isn't as perfect as you believe it is.

"My" Church, as you call it, is actually the true Church of Jesus Christ, and yes it is perfect even though not all of the members in it are, yet.

... and FYI, it is Jesus Christ, and our Father in heaven, who make us (those of his Church who remain faithful to them) perfect.

[SilverKnight]

I'll play along, knowing that the truth of Jesus Christ will never be proven false...

Sounds like you're bracing yourself to preemptively reject any evidence that might challenge your beliefs.

What are you afraid of?

Christianity as a whole? I would probably choose Odinism, because I like the viking imagery and Odin did sacrifice an eye for wisdom

Well I have Odinist leanings myself, so I wholeheartedly approve.

I also note that you didn't seriously answer the question.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

"My" Church, as you call it, is actually the true Church of Jesus Christ, and yes it is perfect even though not all of the members in it are, yet.

... and FYI, it is Jesus Christ, and our Father in heaven, who make us (those of his Church who remain faithful to them) perfect.

Not so much. Let me repost those scriptures for you...

Mormon 8:36

And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.

2 Nephi 28:14

They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

Just like ALL the rest, your church is polluted and you are taught by the precepts of men.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Sounds like you're bracing yourself to preemptively reject any evidence that might challenge your beliefs.

What are you afraid of?

Well I have Odinist leanings myself, so I wholeheartedly approve.

I also note that you didn't seriously answer the question.

That was my answer and for the exact reasons I mentioned. If religion is just a "man-made invention" why not choose a cool one with awesome music ( see: Amon Amarth) ?

[Ahab]

Not so much. Let me repost those scriptures for you...

Mormon 8:36

And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.

Mormon was speaking to a specific audience when he said that, none of whom were members of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 28:14

They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

Same as above.

Just like ALL the rest, your church is polluted and you are taught by the precepts of men.

Nope. I'm taught the precepts of God by men and also by God, himself, and all of the precepts God teaches are true.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Mormon was speaking to a specific audience when he said that, none of whom were members of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Same as above.

Nope. I'm taught the precepts of God by men and also by God, himself, and all of the precepts God teaches are true.

BOTH scriptures are speaking of the last days... read them in context. Man's precepts have caused your church to go into error also, no one has escaped it. Only when the Lord gathers the pure in heart to New Jerusalem will those erroneous teachings, practices, and traditions be rooted out of the body of Christ.

[Ceeboo]

If I was not LDS I would certainly not believe in anything at all!

LDS Church first and most important above everything!

No LDS Church then clearly no God for me (agnostic at best, atheist almost a certainty)

Peace,

Ceeboo

[SilverKnight]

That was my answer and for the exact reasons I mentioned. If religion is just a "man-made invention" why not choose a cool one with awesome music ( see: Amon Amarth) ?

No, the hypothetical stated that only Christianity is a man-made invention.

The jury is still out on the rest.

Amon Amarth is one of my favorites.

Also, I would recommend not getting into it with Ahab if you value your brain cells.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

No, the hypothetical stated that only Christianity is a man-made invention.

The jury is still out on the rest.

Amon Amarth is one of my favorites.

Also, I would recommend not getting into it with Ahab if you value your brain cells.

I have dealt with plenty a TBTM in the course of my "apostasy" from the "only true church". I'll just sleep it off.

Guess I would have to figure out which set of God's to believe in, but since they all seem to come from the same original source, I guess a would just be a polytheist who chooses the Norse pantheon as the particular representation of the God's I choose to pay reverence to.

[SilverKnight]

If I was not LDS I would certainly not believe in anything at all!

LDS Church first and most important above everything!

No LDS Church then clearly no God for me (agnostic at best, atheist almost a certainty)

Peace,

Ceeboo

I don't know why these answers are rankling you guys.

Remember most of us here are 'Internet Mormons' after all.

Most of us have studied comparative religion a bit.

The fact that we would gravitate towards agnosticism, and not hop right on over to slurp up our favorite flavor of Christianity, is not tremendously surprising.

[Ahab]

BOTH scriptures are speaking of the last days... read them in context.

I've already addressed your point and I see no good reason to get into an argument with you.

Let's just leave it at this: We don't agree, and I won't ever agree with you unless you agree with both me and God.

Man's precepts have caused your church to go into error also, no one has escaped it.

Our Church didn't ever go into apostasy, even during the Great Apostasy, and it never will.

An apostate Church is by default another Church than the true Church of Christ when it goes into Apostasy.

Only when the Lord gathers the pure in heart to New Jerusalem will those erroneous teachings, practices, and traditions be rooted out of the body of Christ.

Erroneous teachings, practices, and traditions are not, never were, and never will be any part of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Try convincing someone else who is a little more gullible, and who knows, you may win a convert or two for your church.

[Ceeboo]

I don't know why these answers are rankling you guys.

The fact that we would gravitate towards agnosticism, and not hop right on over to slurp up our favorite flavor of Christianity, is not tremendously surprising.

Hi Silver,

"Rankling"? No Sir, not rankled at all (Sad would be more accurate).

IMHO, the order/priority seems most bizarre and honestly strikes me as largely "clubish"

Peace,

Ceeboo

[BookofMormonLuvr]

I've already addressed your point and I see no good reason to get into an argument with you.

Let's just leave it at this: We don't agree, and I won't ever agree with you unless you agree with both me and God.

Our Church didn't ever go into apostasy, even during the Great Apostasy, and it never will.

An apostate Church is by default another Church than the true Church of Christ when it goes into Apostasy.

Erroneous teachings, practices, and traditions are not, never were, and never will be any part of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Try convincing someone else who is a little more gullible, and who knows, you may win a convert or two for your church.

"My church"? And what exactly is "my church"?

I have posted the verses, anyone can go and read them in context and know I am speaking the truth. ALL churches are in error, some have more errors than others. But thank God for the promise of New Jerusalem when the humble followers of Jesus Christ can worship Him in Spirit and truth without all the man-made mumbo jumbo.

[TAO]

Jesus Christ is not a church organization, He is the Sovereign Lord and God.

However, the Spirit teaches things which no other church teaches. If the Book of Mormon didn't exist, I wouldn't have believed in God. And if the church didn't exist, I wouldn't be a member of any church - for their precepts are not the fullness of the gospel.

To say that going from the LDS Church to a mainline Christian church is like going from Christianity to Hinduism or Buddhism is ridiculous.

No, actually it's not - though LDS are Christian, what we know is significantly different than the other Christian churches. Most have a few philosophies which differ them, we have an extensive many. Too many to just 'transfer'. To be quite honest, I'd say it's similar from going Christian to going Buddhist perhaps most likely as an analogy. Hinduism doesn't quite grab the right comparison in this case.

So much for the LDS claims that they don't look down on other churches, and that other churches are good and have some truth to cherish. This thread has shown the truth of what many LDS feel towards other Christians and their churches.

I don't look down at other churches - I just would not be able to get myself to join any of them if they don't match what the spirit says. That's the fact of the matter - it's not that I despise them - there are many good members of other churches, but their path would not be for me. I am Autistic - and I live in a black and white world. There is simply correct and incorrect in terms of 'does it match the spirit or not'. Gray is not for me; it is chaos. Living in the gray zones is simply something I cannot do.

[bluebell]

Jesus Christ is not a church organization, He is the Sovereign Lord and God. To say that going from the LDS Church to a mainline Christian church is like going from Christianity to Hinduism or Buddhism is ridiculous.

Just because you don't understand or don't agree, doesn't make it ridiculous. No one is suggesting that Jesus is an organization. They are saying that they believe an organization (the LDS church) is part of Christ and that if that organization did not exist, they wouldn't know how to worship Christ through another organization.

So much for the LDS claims that they don't look down on other churches, and that other churches are good and have some truth to cherish.

Actually, those claims are still true and valid. It's sad that you can't see that.

This thread has shown the truth of what many LDS feel towards other Christians and their churches.

I think you're too emotional at the responses to be able to actually understand what LDS are saying.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Even though I disagree with some LDS teachings I never thought I would be disturbed by LDS thought process, but this is disturbing to me. The "LDS or nothing" attitude and the arrogant manner in which it has been pronounced by some, is troubling. Would you really reject God and the Savior if you couldn't have the LDS Church? Really?

[bluebell]

Hi Silver,

"Rankling"? No Sir, not rankled at all (Sad would be more accurate).

IMHO, the order/priority seems most bizarre and honestly strikes me as largely "clubish"

Peace,

Ceeboo

I think that most LDS who say they would be agnostic are simply acknowleging that they believe secular reasonings against God are stronger than Catholic/protestant/pagan explanations for His existence and/or plan for human life.

If they received (or keep) a testimony of the existence of God through their membership in the LDS church, then it makes sense for them to believe that if the church didn't exist, they would never have come to (or been able to keep) that testimony.