PBS Special on Mormon Church

[Gatorubet]

Anyone seen it? The second half is tonight. Many Mormons are offended at its treatment of Prophet Joseph Smith, while the so-called anti-Mormons are unhappy that the LDS Church is not called on its many glaring inconsistencies (given the unique status with a modern Founder with contemporary fact checking) using a harder edged tone.

 

[methomps]

Both sides are unhappy? Solid indication that it struck the right balance.

 

[afgolfer]

Like ive said in the past -- If you want to know more about the mormons, ask them directly what they believe -- People who are against the church really arent the best sources for accurate beliefs --Its funny that some still think we practice polygamy.

 

[afgolfer]

I know you were trying to make the poll funny, but in reality, I dont find it to be so -- then again, Im not mocking your faith.

 

[Gatorubet]

Like ive said in the past -- If you want to know more about the mormons, ask them directly what they believe -- People who are against the church really arent the best sources for accurate beliefs --Its funny that some still think we practice polygamy.

I have many relatives - and many of my direct ancestors from 1840 on - who are and were LDS. No offense, but I find that many of them are not readily familiar with the writings of their own Prophet, or the history of the prophets who followed Joseph Smith. The theological doctrines that are emphasized today in the LDS Church are not exactly the same as those emphasized in past years. So asking "what they believe" is perhaps not as valuable as inquiring "what does the Church Of Jesus Christ of LDS believe?" There can be a distinction.

I think the show made it repetitively clear than the official LDS policy has abandoned polygamy. (My g,g,grandfather was convicted of polygamy)

 

[Gatorubet]

I know you were trying to make the poll funny, but in reality, I dont find it to be so -- then again, Im not mocking your faith.

My apology.

 

[afgolfer]

Well for me -- if I am unsure i go to the church doctrine (looking at a book written by a church memebr isnt always the best way either -- as sometimes personal beliefs can find thier way in)

Ive just notice that in the past some of these "documentaries" have focused way to much on Polygamy than they have the oveall history of the church. Another thing I find interesting is that many of the the people they interview are no longer members of the church -- most of the time you leave a church it is not because you agree with the church -- rather they normally were offended or are adamently against the church.

I didnt get the chance to see it, but ive heard conflictive veiws, some good, so bad. I have no problems with them makng shows about the church, provided they dont claim it to be 100% accurate/ relavent to current times as often people will believe what they see as fact. -- I do like that it sturs interest and will generate peope asking questions (provided they dont just go to the local baptist preacher/or any other denomination to get their info) I had a friend who left another church because thier main sermons were anti mormon and werent faith promoting -- IMO you should preach what yu believe, and not condemn another religion

 

[afgolfer]

That ones even better

 

[Gatorubet]

Well for me -- if I am unsure i go to the church doctrine (looking at a book written by a church memebr isnt always the best way either -- as sometimes personal beliefs can find thier way in)

Ive just notice that in the past some of these "documentaries" have focused way to much on Polygamy than they have the oveall history of the church. Another thing I find interesting is that many of the the people they interview are no longer members of the church -- most of the time you leave a church it is not because you agree with the church -- rather they normally were offended or are adamently against the church.

I didnt get the chance to see it, but ive heard conflictive veiws, some good, so bad. I have no problems with them makng shows about the church, provided they dont claim it to be 100% accurate/ relavent to current times as often people will believe what they see as fact. -- I do like that it sturs interest and will generate peope asking questions (provided they dont just go to the local baptist preacher/or any other denomination to get their info) I had a friend who left another church because thier main sermons were anti mormon and werent faith promoting -- IMO you should preach what yu believe, and not condemn another religion

Well, "condemn" is in the eye of the beholder. I mean, every one of the many religions who claim that it is the only true religion condemns by implication any rival religion that says "no....we are the only true religion"

By claiming to be the head of the one true church, the curret Pope and LDS Prophet condemn the other guy as a heretic simply by stating their own claim to that status.

I respect other's right to a religions opinion.....but that does not mean that I respect the other opinions. When the smallpox vaccine was introduced into India, there were followers of the Smallpox Goddess who strenuously objected that the planned elimination of smallpox was offensive and an affront to the Goddess. So while I respect a Hindu's right to that view, I sure as hell do not respect the opinion.

My own denomination, Presbyterian (PCUSA), holds that the LDS church is not a "Christian Church", a view held by the Catholics, Methodists, and Southern Baptist churchs. I can see why that would offend you, just as I might be offended if your church made such a pronouncement about Presbyterians, "God's Frozen People". Religion is a touchy subject. But really, rather than agree to disagree, it is hard to even talk about another religion without condemning it, unless you agree than their way is right.

 

[AKAK]

"God's Frozen People".

Damn.... I thought that was the Eskimos... err.. sorry... the Inuit.

 

[FCollinsBuckeye]

Have they discussed the Mountain Meadow Massacre in the PBS documentary?

 

[stxbuck]

I have heard that Mormons believe God has a wife....I have no idea if that is actually a tenet of the church or not, just what I have heard.....
Coming from a Catholic school, I say "If nuns are the "brides of Christ" (as some orders call themselves), I feel sorry for Jesus!"

 

[tibor75]

Joseph Smith was basically a fool who practiced black magic...and got enough people to believe him as a prophet.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

1) The Mormon church only gave up polygamy (very reluctantly) as a condition of Utah gaining statehood.

2) The Mormon church until the mid-seventies considered anybody of "dark skin" to be sub-human. This was official church doctrine.

As far as the thought that "if you want to know about Mormonism, ask one." Well, no need to go searching because one of the fucks is bound to knock on your door pretty soon.

 

[tibor75]

Polygamy is actually one of the core tenants of Mormanism as outlined by Joseph Smith. But low and behold, the Church leadership said it wasn't necessary later on...by coincidence, the US government said the same thing. Amazing!