No, the benefit of Christianity to be in communion with God and thus spend eternity with Him. Becoming a 'better person,' isn't the goal; aligning one's life to the will of God is. While there is overlap, one thing to understand, and it's important here, is that we as Christians are not to allow the corruption of the Word. When we allow such things then we permit the distortion of the word and then people cannot align one's life to the will of God.
As a former member, I studied the history of Mormonism (umbrella term) and for a long time they were very content with the idea of separation because according to them there was a great apostasy and Christianity became corrupt and unreformable. This is why the LDS believe in a restoration, or bringing back anew, the faith. The idea is the apostasy is total, and there's nothing to repair only to replace.
In LDS writings Christian churches are referred to as Babylon, full of cunning and wicked imposters. In one the versions of Joseph Smith's first vision God (in some form) said that all Christian creeds are abominations and the professors were all corrupt.Smith said God told him this. God declared it.
John Taylor, another prophet said, "There is no nation now that acknowledges the hand of God; there is not a king, potentate, nor ruler that acknowledges his jurisdiction. We talk about Christianity, but it is a perfect pack of nonsense. Men talk about civilization; but I do not want to say much about that, for I have seen enough of it. Myself and hundreds of the Elders around me have seen its pomp, parade, and glory; and what is it? It is a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol; it is as corrupt as hell; and the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century." https://t.co/uhhyehS4WW
It's all over their history. They divided themselves apart from Christianity. They insulted Christians. They condemned us. They set the tone. They created the doctrines that are foreign to the Bible. And now they want to act like they're the same as us? They are not. By their own words, they are not.
Self-deception is strong in that one.
To be sure, when I was a member, and prior to me doing research into many topics, I thought the same: Of course Mormons are Christians.
But then the history of the followers says otherwise: They believe in a completely different God, they added unsupported and unsupportable writings, they have a multi-tiered heaven, they have a belief in what is effectively infinite gods and that humans can becomes gods themselves.
They say they are restoring 1st or early second century Christianity, but the problem is Mormon-unique teachings were pronounced as heresies during that time (prior to 'The Great Apostasy'). It's nonsensical to claim to be restoring something that those who lived at that time would denounce as heresy and condemn such beliefs.
This is not to say we should hate them. As a former member, I know they want to do right and have love in their hearts, but sincerity is of no saving value when sincerely incorrect.
Also, if they really think we're all Christian, then they'd not proselytize to other Christians. The reality is they do try to convert Christians because they find us living as apostates in false sects.
Wildly they find offense when we claim the same of them - that they are the false sect.
As a former member, I studied the history of Mormonism (umbrella term) and for a long time they were very content with the idea of separation because according to them there was a great apostasy and Christianity became corrupt and unreformable. This is why the LDS believe in a restoration, or bringing back anew, the faith.
The idea is the apostasy is total, and there's nothing to repair only to replace.
In LDS writings Christian churches are referred to as Babylon, full of cunning and wicked imposters. In one the versions of Joseph Smith's first vision God (in some form) said that all Christian creeds are abominations and the professors were all corrupt. Smith said God told him this. God declared it.
John Taylor, another prophet said, "There is no nation now that acknowledges the hand of God; there is not a king, potentate, nor ruler that acknowledges his jurisdiction. We talk about Christianity, but it is a perfect pack of nonsense. Men talk about civilization; but I do not want to say much about that, for I have seen enough of it. Myself and hundreds of the Elders around me have seen its pomp, parade, and glory; and what is it? It is a sounding brass and a tinkling symbol; it is as corrupt as hell; and the Devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century."
https://t.co/uhhyehS4WW
It's all over their history. They divided themselves apart from Christianity. They set the tone. They created the doctrines that are foreign to the Bible. And now they want to act like they're the same as us? They are not. By their own words, they are not.
Horrify me? No. I save being horrified for things that matter and this doesn't matter at all.
Not a 'team player' in what meaningful way? Did he purposefully walk batters when he shouldn't? Did he throw pitches that would allow the opposing team to benefit? Still not horrifying, though worthy of mention and being accused of not being a team player.
Did he try to poison his team mates to kill them? That would be a bit horrifying, I think.
Him not bowing to a specific political agenda? Nothing horrific there, though the idea of destroying people who don't bow the knee to depravity is closing in on horrific I'd say.
Horrify me? No. I save being horrified for things that matter and this doesn't matter at all.
Not a 'team player' in what meaningful way? Did he purposefully walk batters when he shouldn't? Did he throw pitches that would allow the opposing team to benefit? Still not horrifying, though worthy of mention and being accused of not being a team player.
Did he try to poison his team mates to kill them? That would be a bit horrifying, I think.
Him not bowing to a specific political agenda? Nothing horrific there, though the idea of destroying people who don't bow the knee to depravity is closing in on horrific I'd say.
โShould you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament
defines Christianityโ (Brigham Young, July 8, 1863, Journal of Discourses, 10:230).
Your Prophet thought we're not Christians. I'd agree that what you and what I now am are not at all the same.
According to Joseph Smith, God in some form said that all our creeds were an abomination and our professors are corrupt. That was the state of all those Christian denominations.
We're a corrupt abomination so why claim to be part of that? Let your name stand on its own and let us do our own 'corrupt' thing.
Why associate with us when you have the 'restoration.' You should be happy to not be associated with us apostate Christian-types.
Additionally, your second prophet said, "Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity." Advice to California EmigrantsโThe Principles of the Gospel, Etc.
https://t.co/St3UKDUe92
It would seem that one group is not Christian according to your own Prophets. And since we're apostates, it's good you have your own category, no?
@RepMikeKennedy Communist China has the name the People's Republic of China in it, but we won't list them as a Republic or really even representing the people.
Having words in a name doesn't mean much.
@BasedMikeLee If only The People's Republic of China had the idea that they were for the people in their name... Oh wait.
If only The People's Republic of China said they were a republic in their name... Oh wait.
NY Post: Do better. The euphemism for burying your own children means that you don't want to outlive your children. He did outlive his child. I'm sure you pressed him on this point as the fine journalists you claim to be.
He had his child killed by a contract killer of the unborn. His child was torn limb from limb; who knows if those small baby limbs ended up in an incinerator, landfill, or in some laboratory.
He didn't 'bury' his child because he's an evil coward. He ran away from being a parent and he ran away from the dead body and let the contract killer's clean up crew handle the remains.
The picture shows two faces smiling at the evil acts they committed. Your paper is giving them a voice. You should question the wisdom in that decision of yours.
"Stick to your own values..." is the refuge of a coward. Those who value murdering their own unborn child need to be challenged and hopefully someday stopped. It's not a personal decision like what to have for dinner. Abortion slaughters an an innocent life and that kind of action is in full view for society to address, and you support the killing.
"Unless YOU are going to oversee it personally that the child lives a fulfilled life..."
No one can offer to fill that role because they didn't ask; they simply killed an innocent, defenseless human life that needed their protection but was cruelly betrayed and you support destroying innocent and defenseless human life.
Why?
It might cost some money? Understand that, to you, a credit card bill is more of an imperative than protecting unborn children who rely on their mothers to defend them and not to kill them.
Are those positions really positions that you want to embrace and think are ethically and morally sound? Please see the error in your ways and turn your heart to God.
Why should anyone 'stay out?' Is the UK now someplace immune from international questions and criticism? What happened to the country that gave the world inspiration via the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the Habeas Corpus Act and all of Blackstone's Commentaries?
The leftists in the UK happen to be scared of comments on social media? People need prison time for the comments section? What's wrong with you, what happened?
If I were pregnant and informed that my fetus had Down syndrome I would absolutely abort. No amount of social media romanticizing of profound disability would change my mind. Contrary to popular opinion, you need more than love to care for a disabled child.
I never looked at it this way, but it's true: How many churches like the one seen below spend 30 days celebrating Easter so overtly? How about even 30 days for Christmas without commercializing it. Let's even ask if there are 30 days, including commercialization, where these kinds of churches talk about any actual Christian holiday. We know the answer: They do not.
Such behavior would be inappropriate in relation to a neutral holiday in a church let alone something so sinful.
PSA. We've entered the High Holy Holidays of the Mainline Protestant church. Moreso than Christmas or Easter, this is a this season they revere above anything else.
It was a selfish decision that led you contracting your own child's death to a third party. What do we call contracting out the willful and voluntary termination of an innocent human life?
There is no bravery in killing an unborn child; how in the world could there be? The defenseless human requires protection and instead of protecting the innocent life, those two people most capable of protecting the child decide to betray the child and have it killed. There's no bravery; it is only evil.
Not only are the mother and father most capable of protection they are the most responsible for such protection. Unborn babies require protection, you betrayed that natural trust for your own luxury.
No one is surprised by selfish acts of murder of innocent humans and more. But we are still alarmed by it. Don't confuse the two or the general response. We are not desensitized to such evil acts as some others may be.
We are not 'crazies' because we accept the science of when human life begins. We are not crazy to recognize the evil of your choice to kill your own child, we are not crazy to think you advertising your decision is sick and evil and for publicity. Nothing of the sort makes us crazy.
What is crazy is that, regardless of laws, so many people deny the science and rationalize murder of their own children.
I don't wish ill upon you, and it's wrong for others to do so. I know justice will be done, and none of us can afford justice to be done. Repent, turn to Jesus, and find not 'your truth' but real Truth.
It was a selfish decision that led you contracting your own child's death to a third party. What do we call contracting out the willful and voluntary termination of an innocent human life?
There is no bravery in killing an unborn child; how in the world could there be? The defenseless human requires protection and instead of protecting the innocent life, those two people most capable of protecting the child decide to betray the child and have it killed. There's no bravery; it is only evil.
Not only are the mother and father most capable of protection they are the most responsible for such protection. Unborn babies require protection, you betrayed that natural trust for your own luxury.
No one is surprised by selfish acts of murder of innocent humans and more. But we are still alarmed by it. Don't confuse the two or the general response. We are not desensitized to such evil acts as some others may be.
We are not 'crazies' because we accept the science of when human life begins. We are not crazy to recognize the evil of your choice to kill your own child, we are not crazy to think you advertising your decision is sick and evil and for publicity. Nothing of the sort makes us crazy.
What is crazy is that, regardless of laws, so many people deny the science and rationalize murder of their own children.
I don't wish ill upon you, and it's wrong for others to do so. I know justice will be done, and none of us can afford justice to be done. Repent, turn to Jesus, and find not 'your truth' but real Truth.
I get it. As a Christian, I'd add something to it, too:
Japan is not even 1% Christian. While I do believe with all my heart, mind, spirit, and strength in Christianity, Japan is NOT a Christian country, so my ideas, mindset, and philosophy is foreign and I am a guest. I will ACT and BEHAVE like a guest.
I might pray in park with fellow believers, but never in a way to make it see audacious or theatrical, or to oblige others to do anything.
I'd NEVER pray as a way to block access or inconvenience others.
And any specific obligations that I have are obligations on me, not another country to accommodate me. I am the foreigner with foreign ideas and foreign requirements.
That's not to say Japanese are all united in thoughts and actions, but Japanese are still Japanese and... yes... I am the foreigner (see the pattern?).
I can see this, so should others.
If I might offer a perspective:
The distinction in culpability is accurate, but I believe the first category may be understated. Scripture suggests the person of the world doesn't sin in ignorance but in suppression of what is known already. Romans 1 describes active suppression of known truth rather than simple unawareness.
Both categories are knowingly rebellious. The false teacher's sin is greater not because they alone have knowledge but because they bear additional responsibility for what they do with it.