Mormon Life - Other Religions tag

FAIR changes Mormon defenders website name

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:01:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

"The Mormon Defense League" is out. "MormonVoices" is in.

That change became official Monday, when the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research announced a name change for its website aimed at defending the teachings and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

FAIR is a non-profit organization that, according to a press release, is operated by "self-motivated Mormons who seek to improve the public understanding about the church" through conferences, workshops and scholarly articles posted on the organization's websites. While it is dedicated to "providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, beliefs and practices" of the LDS Church, it is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with the church.

Jews view Mormons favorably; what it means for Mitt Romney

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:12:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Should Mitt Romney win the Republican presidential nomination, it is unlikely his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be as big an issue in the general election as it has been in the Republican primary campaign.

That's the opinion of authors and researchers David E. Campbell and Robert D. Putnam, who wrote in the Wall Street Journal that a survey they have conducted about the feelings of Americans toward different religious groups suggests that "a Mormon politician like Mitt Romney may not face an impenetrable stained-glass ceiling after all."

Campbell, an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, and Putnam, a professor of public policy at Harvard, co-authored "American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us." They explained in the Journal that although Latter-day Saints generally scored low on their survey, "Mormons aren't viewed negatively by everyone, and the religious group that gives them the highest rating of all may come as a surprise: Jews."

A Mormon's guide to surviving the presidential election

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:03:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: This is well known blogger C. Jane's response to the publicity and talk surrounding Church members right now. This week I watched as Mormons flocked to their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to throw down at the comments left by Pastor Robert Jeffress.

The reaction was everywhere.

"I AM A MORMON AND THIS IS NOT A CULT!" the tweets screamed.

Facebook was on fire with embedded links to Anderson Cooper's interview with the pastor.

"I AM A MORMON AND A CHRISTIAN!" the comments claimed.

I get it.

We're the world's most misunderstood religion, right? We are so tired of terms like "cults," "non-Christian" and "brain washing." It hurts to hear the missiles directed at what we hold true, doesn't it?

But here's the deal: We've got to calm down.

Responding with love to the 'Mormons aren't Christians' debate

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:54:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: This has lots of good talking points. Another great resource is Michael Otterson's recent column in the Washington Post, "How do Mormons answer 'not Christian' claims?" Given the current political climate, members of The Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are seeing an increase in the "Mormons aren’t Christians" debate. These tips may help members of the LDS Church soften the rhetoric and respond with the spirit of love.

'Mormons aren’t Christians'

The common refrain of "Mormons aren’t Christians" sings one of two discordant notes: We either aren’t Christians at all, or our "brand" of Christianity is cultish and unacceptable. To this shrill song, a soft answer can turn discord into harmony.

'Fitting in' as a non-Mormon in Utah

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:48:00 -0600

source: stgnews.com

Mormon Life says: It's interesting to read this; while some people have similar experiences, I know others who have vastly different experiences. Outside of Utah, the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – the Mormons – is in the minority. Inside of the state that trend is reversed. Newcomers to Utah suddenly find themselves in the minority if they are not a part of the dominant religion and its accompanying culture.

To members of the LDS church, religious and cultural intolerance is nothing new. A quick run-through of the church’s early history in the American East and Midwest is full of tales of persecution and forced expulsion.

However, this is not a story about grevious offenses committed over a century ago. Instead, the magnifying glass examines how one of Utah’s minorities, namely those not of the Mormon faith, perceive the dominant culture and relate how they have been received by it.

Christians Are Better

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:29:00 -0600

source: slate.com

Mormon Life says: This goes beyond the surface of the Rev. Jeffress debacle and looks more deeply at what he said: Americans should vote for a Chrisitan over a non-Christian, even if that person is moral. What do you think? In Tuesday’s Republican presidential debate, Rick Perry was asked whether he would repudiate the anti-Mormon comments of Robert Jeffress, the Baptist pastor who introduced Perry at the Oct. 7 Values Voter Summit. “I have said I didn't agree with that individual's statement,” said Perry. But Mitt Romney pressed the point:

With regards to the disparaging comments about my faith, I've heard worse, so I'm not going to lose sleep over that. What I actually found was most troubling in what the reverend said in the introduction was [that] he said in choosing our nominee we should inspect his religion, and [that] someone who is a good, moral person is not someone who we should select; instead, we should choose someone who subscribes to our religious belief. … And it was that principle, Governor, that I wanted you to [answer], “No, that's wrong, Reverend Jeffress.” Instead of saying, as you did, "Boy, that introduction knocked the ball out of the park," I'd have said, "Reverend Jeffress, you got that wrong. We should select people not based upon their faith.

Romney is right. The problem with Jeffress isn’t what he said about Mormonism. It’s what he said about religion as a voting issue. That statement was made onstage at the Values Voter Summit right before Perry spoke. And Perry has never clearly addressed it.

Politics obscure Mormon doctrine, church differences

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:29:00 -0600

source: therepublic.com

Mormon Life says: Two LDS scholars talk about what most non-LDS people mean when they say "Christian." When the pastor of a Dallas megachurch called the Mormon faith a "cult" and a "false religion" at a recent political rally in reference to the faith of two Republican presidential candidates, he sparked a media firestorm.

But while the Rev. Robert Jeffress used inflammatory language when he endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry for the nomination, his words highlight real differences between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches.

"To a Mormon, the claim that they aren't Christian is baffling and hurtful. They will say that we have the name of Jesus Christ in our church. How can we be perceived as anything other than Christian?" said David Campbell, a Mormon and an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. He's a leading researcher on faith in American life.

What do Americans think about Mormons?

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:23:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Mormon Life says: Deeper analysis of a survey taken back in July. Many Utahns may have been surprised to learn that only four in 10 Americans correctly identified Mitt Romney as a Mormon in the July Public Religion Research Institute/Religion New Service Religion News Survey.

But perhaps that's not so surprising, given the percentage of Americans who say they don't know much about Mormons in general.

Only 29 percent of Americans say they speak with Mormons at least occasionally, 27 percent say their interactions with Mormons are seldom, and 41 percent say they never interact with Mormons, according to an institute survey conducted in August.

It's time for Americans to put Mitt Romney's religion aside

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:28:00 -0600

source: kansascity.com

Mormon Life says: The writer is not LDS, but is very impressed with the Christian ideals of Mormons and argues that Mitt Romney is more fit for president because of his beliefs. Mainstream Mormonism is no cult, and Mitt Romney is more fit to be president for his work in the church.

Growing up in New York, my family and best friend, John, visited the Mormon Pavilion at the World's Fair in 1965. My mother and John filled out a card to learn more, and before long, missionaries - classically attired in white shirt and tie - arrived at our door steps. My mother and I did not have much interest, but John soon began a journey completed by becoming a Mormon at the age of 17.

Impressed by his sincere faith, I made it my business, while attending a secular college, to learn about Mormonism - not from a missionary looking to score a convert - but through courses about religion in society and research papers.

Mormonism is not something I could accept as a faith - you will never get the Catholic out of me, even if I attend an Episcopal Church in Georgetown.

On Mitt Romney Mormon Insult, Republicans Miss Mark

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:09:00 -0600

source: deathandtaxesmag.com

Mormon Life says: Another piece on last night's debate question about faith. According to this writer "only Romney had the right answer." A handful of Republican candidates were asked during last night presidential debate about Rick Perry backer Reverend Robert Jeffress‘ recent comments that Mormonism, Mitt Romney’s faith, is a cult.

“Should voters pay attention to a candidate’s religion?” asked debate host Anderson Cooper.

Rick Santorum was asked to reply first, and the candidate — a former Pennsylvania Senator who flogs “traditional” values and homophobia like a dead horse — responded that voters should pay attention to “what the [candidate's] faith teaches with respect to morals and values that are reflected in that person’s belief structure.”

CNN debate Tuesday night broaches Mormonism

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:58:00 -0600

source: asoftanswer.com

Mormon Life says: Includes a transcript of the debaters' answers to a question about whether a candidate's faith should shape the debate; interesting to read the direction they each take it. THe GOP debate last night in Las Vegas brought up the issue of whether it is fair to consider a candidate’s religion. I liked Sen. Santorum’s and Gov. Romney’s answers the best. I would say faith matters but only as it translates into values that may affect policy. Debating theology is a horrible way to select a president.

From the transcript, here’s the relevant part:

COOPER: And welcome back to the CNN GOP debate live from the Venetian in Las Vegas. Let’s continue. We’ve got an e-mail question that was left at cnnpolitics.com. This is from a Mike Richards who says: “With the controversy surrounding Robert Jeffress, is it acceptable to let the issue of a candidate’s faith shape the debate?”

[Click link to see rest of transcript excerpt . . .]

Perry Camp's Anti-Mormon Message

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:53:00 -0600

source: thedailybeast.com

Mormon Life says: The saga continues: it now appears that e-mails from David Lane, a "linchpin" in the Perry outreach to evangelicals, indicate appreciation to Rev. Jeffress for his comments about Mormonism. Texas Gov. Rick Perry has publicly distanced himself from the anti-Mormon rhetoric of a prominent Baptist minister who has endorsed his presidential campaign. But new evidence suggests that Perry’s team may be quietly advancing the notion that Mitt Romney’s faith should disqualify him from the White House.

The Daily Beast has obtained a series of emails that show an influential evangelical activist with close ties to the Perry campaign stressing the political importance of “juxtaposing traditional Christianity to the false God of Mormonism,” and calling for a “clarion call to Evangelical pastors and pews” that will be “the key to the primary” for Perry.

The activist in question is David Lane, a conservative Christian power broker who directed fundraising for Perry’s August prayer rally and was reportedly among the leading voices in the evangelical community lobbying for the Texas governor to jump into the 2012 race. The email thread—which took place over the past two weeks and includes discussion of both campaign strategy and Christian theology—was between Lane and Dick Bott, who heads Bott Radio Network, a self-described “leader in the development of Christian talk radio.”

Mormons, Christians, Mitt and the Trinity

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:59:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: This is more about a poll on belief than it is about LDS political candidates. If there is any dealbreaker that prevents some people from considering members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Christian, it is the Mormon view on the Trinity. The differences may seem intractable — Mormons talk about the separate nature of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit while traditional Christians talk about the three divine persons as one indivisible God.

This theological difference causes Mormons to be excluded from Christian gatherings and organizations — and impacts the willingness of people to vote for presidential candidates Mitt Romney or Jon Hunstman, who both belong to the LDS Church.

But a new survey by political pollster Gary C. Lawrence has found some unexpected common ground between one way Mormons describe God's unity and how many Christians describe God's oneness.

Mormon Church applauds media 'watchdogs'

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:12:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

A few media sources around the country are beginning to exert their "watchdog" role over "the Mormon moment" — and LDS Church officials are applauding their efforts.

In a story in the Los Angeles Times, reporter Robin Abcarian wrote about the discomfort some evangelical Christians are feeling in voting for a Mormon presidential candidate.

Abcarian told of one South Carolina voter, a Baptist preacher, who said he was uncomfortable with the idea of a woman president. But given his choice between Michele Bachmann and Mitt Romney (a Mormon), he said: "I would probably cast my vote for Michele."

A surge in virtue: Religious participation, giving briefly increased after Sept. 11 tragedy

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:52:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

In 2001, Pastor Sean Quinlan was shepherding his blue-collar congregation in Queens when two planes struck the World Trade Center towers. Like many Americans, he can remember almost everything that happened that day.

"It was a national, if not global, catastrophe which had a deep emotional impact on people," said Quinlan. "After a tragedy like that people tend to look upward. Our congregation in Queens saw a significant jump in attendance. We went from our average of about 175 people to around 225. That lasted for about four ... weeks after 9/11."

Quinlan wasn't the only pastor to see a spike in attendance.

Immediately after the attacks, attendance at religious services across the country increased 25 percent, according to a Barna Group report.

Christian killed every 5 minutes

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:47:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: This is surprising. (I also can't help wondering what this number is like for other religions.) It happens every five minutes.

On average, a Christian is martyred every five minutes — killed because of their faith.

Zenit.org and CatholicCulture.org reported on a presentation by Massimo Introvigne of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe that he gave in this summer at the "International Conference on Inter-religious dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims."

Introvigne told the conference gathered near Budapest the number of Christians killed every year for their faith is about 105,000. And these are only those who were put to death because they were Christians. It does not include those killed as victims of war.

Theology a hot issue in 2012 GOP campaign

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:18:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Rick Perry dived right in.

The Texas governor, now a Republican presidential candidate, held a prayer rally for tens of thousands, read from the Bible, invoked Christ and broadcast the whole event on the Web.

There was no symbolic nod to other American faiths. No rabbi or Roman Catholic priest was among the evangelical speakers. It was a rare, full-on embrace of one religious tradition in the glare of a presidential contest.

Looks like another raucous season for religion and politics.

Irene cancels LDS, Catholic, Baptist services

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:42:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

n the face of dangerous conditions associated with Hurricane Irene's fierce winds and driving rain, many churches in the eastern United States had to close their doors and urge members of their respective congregations to stay home.

LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said worship services were canceled by a number of congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — known as wards and branches — in the area yesterday.

"Opportunities to serve others, power outages, unsafe travel conditions and requests from local emergency managers for residents to stay put were all factors considered by local leaders in making the decision to cancel Sunday meetings," Trotter said.

Serving their common man: LDS members help Provo community church that helped during tabernacle fire

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:39:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: We've heard stories about LDS churches helping other churches in the midst of difficulty, but here's a great example when we received help from another church. It wasn't their church, but on this Saturday, members of the LDS Church's Lakeside 7th Ward and Lakeside 10th Ward treated it as if it were. It was about serving their common man and being good neighbors.

It was also about turning a tragic event into a bonding experience between LDS faithful and members of the Provo Community United Church of Christ.

When flames destroyed the Provo Tabernacle last December, it looked as if events planned for the National Day of Prayer would not happen. "When the tabernacle burned down, we offered to help open our facilities," said the Rev. Daniel Haas.

NYT: Tougher Religious Questions for the Candidates

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:04:00 -0600

source: nytimes.com

Mormon Life says: Insightful questions about religion for all presidential candidates. In my latest column, I wrote about asking our presidential candidates more questions regarding their religious beliefs. Here’s the general questionnaire I sent to the candidates:

1. Is it fair to question presidential candidates about details of their faith? 2. Is it fair to question candidates about controversial remarks made by their pastors, mentors, close associates or thinkers whose books they recommend?

3. (a) Do you agree with those religious leaders who say that America is a “Christian nation” or “Judeo-Christian nation?” (b) What does that mean in practice?

4. If you encounter a conflict between your faith and the Constitution and laws of the United States, how would you resolve it? Has that happened, in your experience?