What do you classify Mormonism as?

It's a very dangerous cult.

Quit using "cult" as a derogatory term... :x

Since Mormonism is a very large community of people, it can only be defined as a "religion." A cult is a small, sectarian "off-shoot" of a mainstream (or "orthodox") religious tradition, usually with a charismatic leader. One that may or may not establish itself into a larger tradition (see: Gnosticism, Manichaeism, Mazdakism, etc.).

Mormonism, despite being based on Christian theology and teachings, cannot be considered "orthodox" Christianity. Joseph Smith received a new revelation from God, one that added new things to the tradition that differed from traditional Christian ideas. So it started as a "cult" of Christianity, and became a new religion. Honestly, I would also say the same thing about Lutheranism/Protestantism. There is a significant amount of things in which it differs from the original Catholic and early Christianity (of which there were several sects with all their own ideas about how Jesus lived and died), but they are all still based on the same thing.

I would go so far as to say all religions that we know of, are in some way, cults of older religions. Someone comes along with a new idea, integrates it into the old tradition (either drops old ideas, or brings in other ones, or both) and forms a new community. Christianity was at one point a cult of Judaism... and honestly, I'd go as far to say that Judaism was a cult of Zoroastrianism (most of the Old Testament was written during or after their exile in Persia under Cyrus and Darius, both Zoroastrians). And so on and so forth throughout history (Zoroastrianism was a cult of Indo-Iranian religions, etc.). But I digress.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

Let's see, when Abraham said that god spoke to him, it's believable.

When Moses said that god spoke to him, it's believable.

When Jesus claimed to be the son of god and claimed the father spoke to him, it's believable.

When Muhammed claimed that god spoke to him, it's believable.

When Joeseph Smith claimed that god spoke to him, now suddenly he's starting a cult.

mrbojangles25

well, people have come a long way in the past 1500+ years. Back then, they'd believe anything because, hey, life was crap and they would take anything they could get.

now life is good, people can work and obtain what they want...religion is not a necessity like it was, so yeah...not believable nowadays nor for the past 200 years.

That's kinda my point, is that people have been doing what Joseph Smith did for thousands of years, but it's only when someone does it in a time when our understanding of the world is enhanced due to scientific progress that people start calling it a cult.

It's a religion. I know that because I'm a Mormon. And technically the official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Since Mormonism is a branch of Christianity, it's part of a religion.

gamerguru100

Since we seem to be talking about religious cults, I don't think you can make a clear dichotomy between "religion" and "religious cult". Regardless of what criteria you are applying to define a "cult", "religion" as a term is inclusive of groups that fit that definition and groups that do not fit that definition.

lol NO. Mormonism is not a branch of Christianity at all. While the branches of Christianity do differ, they all affirm certain truth about Christ, such as those stated in the Nicean Creed that Jesus is fully man and fully God, of one essence and being one with God. Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox all agree on that. Mormons do not. Mormonism affirms the gospels, but does not accept the orthodox interpretations of them, and then the Mormons go on to affirm their own Book of Mormon, which has no Christian basis. Mormons and Christians are far too different theologically to ever be lumped under one faith and most Christians will take offense at any such attempts.Acemaster27

This is also subject to debate, frankly. Although it's been the practice du jour ever since the Council of Nicea to exclude anyone who hasn't agreed with it 100%, it was no more authoritative than any other body calling itself Christian coming up with rules. It was a Government endeavor at its heart. It isn't conclusive, nor is it a logical basis for excluding a group as Christian.

Now if your definition hinges on the Nicean Creed, then fine. I think "in your opinion", it doesn't fit the definition of Christianity, but it certainly isn't some cosmic document handed down by God Himself as a rubber stamp for showing groups that don't agree with it the holy door.

The irony to me of pointing to the Council of Nicea or documents that eventually resulted from its judgements as behavior that would exclude a group from Christian and possibly deem it as a cult is that the behavior of those who enforced the judgements of that Council justified some pretty terrible practices and policies in terms of how they treated Christian groups that found themselves on the edges of it. One might even call those practicies and policies... well... a bit cult-like.

Well, my late grandfather was a Minister with the LDS Church and I have read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, along with the Bible and from my experience Mormonism is unquestionably a cult in the guise of a religion...67gt500

I consider it a religion. But more of a "how-can-you-actually-believe-this" religion. bobaban

And what exactly makes other religions so believable?

[QUOTE="bobaban"]I consider it a religion. But more of a "how-can-you-actually-believe-this" religion. theone86

And what exactly makes other religions so believable?

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]I consider it a religion. But more of a "how-can-you-actually-believe-this" religion. sSubZerOo

And what exactly makes other religions so believable?

At least we know he was a real person, there's no record of Abraham or Moses even existing aside from the accounts given in the Bible.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]I consider it a religion. But more of a "how-can-you-actually-believe-this" religion. sSubZerOo

And what exactly makes other religions so believable?

He was convicted of fraud because he said he saw God...

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"][QUOTE="theone86"]

And what exactly makes other religions so believable?

theone86

At least we know he was a real person, there's no record of Abraham or Moses even existing aside from the accounts given in the Bible.