I started out reading the thread but quickly lost interest.
1) The thread was never a real demonstration of whether Mormons are Christians. It is a demonstration of characteristics of the psychology that assuming that assumes another point of view is invalid.
The O.P. asks a simple question and then morphs quickly into irrelevance and complaints that have nothing to do with belief in Jesus the OP wonders about. It simply devolves into another rant of one Christian against another type of Christianity that becomes irrelevant to the question of the OP.
2) Multiple readers tried to inject rationale and logic and reason into the thread.
For examples :
Early on,
Terrywoodenpic said : “
However they are also more Christian, than those that deny them.”
Nietzsche pointed out : "
No, no. Your personal Christianity is radically different from Mormonism. You do not and cannot speak for all other Christians, so stop pretending like you do” #388
Kirran observed : "
...I don't think any Christian has the right to tell someone else they're not Christian when they understand themselves to be so.” #15
The characteristic pattern of rant and complaint by
sonny and other anti-christian Christians (Christians who inappropriately criticize other Christians) still continues and multiple readers are
still trying to inject reason and logic and relevance into the thread.
Orontes said : “
Your position rests on a category mistake. It is also boorish as your many posts fail to distinguish between what is doctrinal and what is not. “ #423
Metis pointed out regarding simplicity of belief : “
It actually is: John 3:16”
Mestemia pointed out : “
See, the problem here, the one you seem unable to understand, is that you are showing nothing more than how Mormon beliefs differ from your beliefs.
Of course, you are also flat out lying about them, but that aside, you have not shown how they are wrong. You have merely gone on and on about how their beliefs differ from yours.” #429
The problem with the psychology that cannot see that other point of views other that ones own is that it does not respond to rationale and logic and reason. It only sees it's point of view. The thread was never an example of religious phenomenon, it was a psychological discussion demonstrating a psychological phenomenon.
3) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) are Christians.
When I was a young child, I was a Methodist and I believed in the existence of a God and I believed in Jesus as my savior and I wanted to do what Jesus wanted me to do.
I was a Christian.
When I was a teenager, friends brought me into Baptist theology I still believed in the existence of a God and I believed in Jesus as my savior and I wanted to do what Jesus wanted me to do.
I was a Christian.
I did not give up being a Christian in becoming a Baptist.
As I became an adult, I came to discover and believe in Restorational Theology and I still believed in the existence of a God and I believe in Jesus as my savior and I want to do what Jesus wants me to do.
I am still a Christian. I did not give up being a Christian in discovering christian history in restorational theology.
The belief in early historical Christian theology simply meant that
I have even more reasons to honor Jesus for what he did and is doing. Historical knowledge does not negate belief in Jesus, but instead,
it deepens it.
An example of how historical awareness depends appreciation in Jesus can be shown by discussing a restoration of early beliefs. Whether this knowledge is restored through historical study or by restorational theology doesn't matter, it is the increase in knowledge that I am speaking to.
Take the single ancient Judeo-Christian doctrine of pre-existence.
Though I have, as long as I can remember, believed Jesus was my savior in some way, I did not always have an understanding nor a deep appreciation of all what Jesus did for us before the world was even created. In ancient Judeo-Christianity, he volunteered and was chosen to be the redeemer for mankind. Once I became aware of these historical beliefs of early Christianity, it added new dimensions and depth to my knowledge and beliefs and appreciation and honor for Jesus and what Jesus did for mankind.
Before becoming historically aware of early Christian worldviews, I did not know the role Jesus played in the war in heaven and in overcoming Lucifer and his colleagues. After historical awareness, I am able to be grateful and honor him for what I believe he did in this regards.
With greater historical awareness I became aware of what it meant for him to be chosen as the greatest servant of his Father and to be given authority and to possess the characteristics that allow him to wield authority and judgment righteously.
With greater historical awareness I have come to appreciate his role as “the word” of God and his great cosmic role of morally educating mankind so as to prepare them to ultimately live in a social heaven in harmony and joy forever.
The specific role he plays as a redeemer in the superlative atonement he wrought by his great sacrifice of his time and talents throughout his life which culminated in his giving up of his life for us was always a central belief and focus I possessed. Though it was the great, central accomplishment, it was only one aspect of what Jesus accomplished.
Gaining the historical knowledge of Jesus’ descent into Hades to free the patriarchs and others who had died from hades and bringing them forth into the resurrection with him and this great fulfillment of the hope of the religious through all prior generations was a superlative accomplishment.
The historical concept that Jesus becomes the heir of a glorious kingdom to which all mankind may belong and awareness of characteristics which justify his worthiness to become the rightful heir of such a kingdom bestows it’s own degree of honor upon Jesus in my eyes.
These historical discoveries of restorational theology did not disqualify me from being a Christian. If anything, knowledge of Historical Christianity provides data and logic and rationale behind my beliefs in Jesus and justification for the deep honor and profound love and gratitude I feel forJesus. I am a Christian, through and through. I've always been a Christian. I am also a mormon.
Clear
δρτωτωσεω
