so naturally if another book comes along and disregards the bible then that is against mainstream christianity, because it goes against the laws in the bible
The groups that you've mentioned (LDS & JW, am I correct?) don't disregard the bible AT ALL. They simply approach and interpret parts of the Word differently.
and as a mainstream non denominational christian These kind of cultish offshoots of christianity frustrate me because people that dont know about the differance between mainstream christianity and offshoot churches get them confused.
I don't view these so called "offshoot" churches as being any less in relevance than my own religious denomination. We simply interpret parts of the The Word differently and view Christ a bit differently. If you're speaking of JW and LDS...we're all worshipping the very SAME God. Our interpretation of the Word differs and thus our religious practices and traditions differ.
I often get these like this from atheists
"oh your a christian? yeah your the people that came to my house harrassing me and trying to brainwash me."
If you're talking about Jehovah Witnesses...some of their biblical and religious views differ from the typical Protestant Christian but you know what...I realize now that these people are getting out there and they're doing what they feel the Bible instructs them to do...the Great Comission is to get out there and spread the Gospel...to Spread the Good News of Christ. I may not agree with their interpretation of what that entails... but I don't exactly see people from
my church getting out there on the streets and trying to reach people like they do.
I no longer look down upon that at all...I realize that my church should be getting out there and spreading the gospel. We are the hands and feet of Christ, after all. Though my views may differ from LDS and Jehovah Witnesses...
we're all children of the very same Father. And if the underlying motive is to bring people to Christ...then we're really not all THAT different, are we?
They're intent isn't to brainwash people...it's to get out and get the Word to the people. Our views may not reconcile 100% but I think our motivation is coming from the same source...God Almighty. I can obsess over the differences or I can choose to love people and rejoice in the common ground. I've learned during my time here...that I can be edified by doing the latter.
Normal christians also do not appreciate the fact that some of the far fetched ideas of offshoot churches spreads the ideal that christians are just illogical ignorantpeople who will believe anything, even if it goes against historical, physical, and archeological evidence.
Who is a "normal" Christian? When you're comparing different religious groups...each INDIVIDUAL can only stand firm on what THEIR own interpretation of the gospel is.
And each INDIVIDUAL has the right to either accept or reject the ideas that others present to them.
I don't have to agree with another Christian's logic and understanding of the Bible but how on earth am I doing as Christ would have me do...if I belittle them or hate them or go out of my way to cause further dissention between our religions?
The unseemly and often wrong prophets of offshoot churches also cast a shadow on the true biblical prophets of old
Maybe. Maybe not. If we all
GET John 3:16...that embracing Christ is the ONLY way to be reconciled with the Father...then you'll find that "normal" and "offshoot" Christians have MUCH more in COMMON than not.
You can stand firm in your own belief system and even disagree with the belief systems of others but STILL cherish the common ground that you share...CHRIST JESUS. And Christ would have you love and respect that individual.
You don't have to love and accept the viewpoints of others but if you focus on and rejoice in what you have in common...TOGETHER as children of God...part of that SINGULAR Body of Christ...when you think of what could be achieved together...as far as bringing people to Christ...it's amazing!