hehe about the singles stuff...yeah. lol

Thanks for you insight about Mormons. I know that they interprete the Bible differently than I do, which makes it quite hard to witness to them. The hardest part about witnessing to them is because most of them have a very strong faith in God...sometimes they are the best examples of how we should treat others. So, when telling them that they are wrong, they look at their lives and say, well, what's wrong with treating others with a Christlike attitude. Sometimes it's hard not to think about becoming one, especially when one is friends with lots of them. (I went to prom with 2 Mormon couples, 1 Catholic couple, and my boyfriend and I~and we're Christian) lol, It seems as if they do know a lot about the Bible, and I always remember when we discuss religion that they interprete it a different way. The main thought I keep in my head when discussing our differences is the verse John 1:1-2. It helps me remember that in the Bible it specifically says that the "Word WAS God" not seperate or a part of...but was and is God! Yeah, if any of you have any tips on witnessing to Mormons...i'm all ears...lol, or is it eyes?

Now, Christian Science is hard to understand. They do have another addtional book (like the Mormons) that was written by Mary Baker Eddy. I did some studying of the book, and it discusses diseases, creation, and coming towards perfection. I had the opprotunity to ask my dad (the first time I had ever deeply discussed religion with him...i was so happy!) about his beliefs. He gave me his version of Christian Scientists in a nutshell.

They believe that spiritually we are asleep. They refer to the creation of woman as the reason. When God put Adam to sleep to create woman, they say that it never says in the Bible that Adam ever woke up. It does say that he lived, but they believe that his spirit was still asleep. They believe that there is some sort of afterlife, like being on this earth is just part of your whole life. Kind of like reincarnation, but you don't come back to earth. On this earth and in the afterlife, they believe in taking steps towards perfection. Perfection being "one with God." Once you find perfection, your spirit is awakened, and you go to be with God. My dad said that most of them do not believe in a hell for people (kind of like the Mormons again). They do not believe in levels in heaven, just an afterlife that proceeds the one on earth. They believe this because they do no understand, if God is so merciful why do so many people go to hell. Like, why do Buddhists go to hell if they never had heard of God? (i wonder about that, too...but, i think everbody else here has, too!)

One main thing that seperates Christian Scientists from a lot of people is their reasons of why we get sick. They think that if we are sick, it is because it is punishment from God. You did something wrong, so, you get sick or hurt. Some even believe in not going to the doctors' office. They pray about their sickness, ask for forgiveness, and there are accounts for them being healed. So, that's what I gathered from my dad.

Christian Science is an interesting denomination...but, I personally do not believe in it. I hope that helped some of you understand it a little more. God bless y'all!!

Thanks for the info!!

I think I mixed it up a bit, is the "Church of Scientology" the same as Christian Scientists? I don't think it is. The stuff I wrote was about scientology. L. Ron Hubbard, John Travolta etc.

Scientology is another thing altogether. Most of your Hollywood typeds are usually part of the Church of Scientology.

Ok, hee are the few things I know about the Mormans.

I had the privledge of working on staff at a Boy Scout camp this summer. After I got there, I found out that alot of the fellow staff members were Morman. Well, one night, one of the Morman staffers and I were talking about his religion because I said I didn't understand it and he was more than happy to explain it.

He said that the Book of Morman was a continuation of the Bile over here in North America. Meaning roughly, Jesus died in Jerusilum and came over here to teach this part of the world. So all of the books in there were named after people who helped interpret what happened over here.

Then he was telling me about the "Levels of Holiness" and said that they belived in Hell, just not the fire and brimstone hell that we believe in. They belive in a place where we are punished for our sins and stuff and are eventually promoted to the "Next Level" if we accept that we were wrong and profess what is right. He went to say that you could live your life as holy as possible and have your sins forgivin by the elders and you could jump a couple of levels when you die.

But, as I found out not all Mormans belive that way. I was told straight up one day by a Morman, and I quote, "...I belive that you all are going to Hell because you are not Morman, but that's my opinion." No not all mormans belive that, but there are people in every religion that think that. He was just the first person to come out and say it, not only to my face, but to a whole group of people.

That's really all I know about Mormans

Thanks for your input!!!

I just remembered one more thing I've learned about Mormons, Christian Scientists, etc.

First off, a Mormon once chewed me out for calling him a Mormon. He said that Morman was either an angel or just a very holy person (I forget which, it has been awhile ) that had a major part in creating the Book of Mormon and setting the guidelines for the religion, there for they were just Latter-Day Saints.

Second, I once ran across a book that my grandfather has called "The Four Major Cults". Now, I don't like bashing other religions, because I get it alot as well, but two of the religions they mentioned were the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormans) and Church of Scientology. I tryed reading the book, but it was a little to advanced and in depth for me at the time. I can try to read the book and quote some things from it when I get back from my grandparents house next week.

Those are helpful. I wish we could get representatives of the mormon and christian scientists to speak here and answer our questions. faith is so personal that i would feel better personally if someone were here to defend their faith in part.

ya know what i mean ??

Well, I just got back from my grandparents house and I read that book (the 4 major cults) and I found out that Joseph Smith, the founder, was raised Presbyterian, but was unsure about which church to join because he didn't know what to belive. So he prayed in the woods behind his house every day and he claimed angels of the Lord appeared and said not to join any of them- because they were all wrong. God didn't like the way the religons contradicted each other or something. Later, after the religon was founded and the golden seals were translated, God said again that those who were not in this church were damned for eternity.

sorry, i just wanted to put him on here

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by embie:
Mormons deny the Diety of Christ</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I had a blessed chance to talk to a Mormon friend of mine. He read this Mormon section and had only one thing to say. lol Embie, here's what he said,

"ok. um.. i'm not trying to be like a jerk or anything, but on the second page when Embie says "mormons deny the Diety of Christ", that's not true. we believe in CHrist and in God. the full name of the church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" "

So, don't take any offence, Embie. You don't seem like you would, though. So, I'm not worried.

hehe...and after spelling it wrong myself, John pointed out that Diety is spelled Deity. hehe...

offense...geez...i need to spell check everything i say! hehe

Hi Sarah,

By that the Mormons deny His Godhood, that means from birth. The official Mormon contention is that he was born simply a man and through piety and works was elevated to Godhood. They beleive also that you and I can do that very same thing.

I went to that chruch when I was younger. If you want someone who hangs on like a dog with a bone go for it if not stay clear away. I would Never Ever go back for any reason unless God sent me, and I don't think he would knowing what I went through there. Sorry if I hurt anyone feelings but when you have been burned lets say so many times to lose count you stay clear away. To this very day, I'm still being affected by that chruch. Lets just say it was a hard lesson learned. I thank God that he gave me the strength to break away and be free to choose were I am now.

I have had the chance to talk to many Mormans the past couple of years. But every Morman I talk to, I get a completely different story on how the religion works. I haven't had a chance to go back and re-read my other post on this subject, but I wouldn't be surprised if everything I put contrdicted the other. So, I try to stay of the subject of religion around Mormans. That doesn't stop me from hanging around them though. Most Mormans you meet are very nice people. When you talk to them as a friend, you kinda forget the fact that they believe differently than you do.

man, it's been a long time since i've seen this topic, but i've been holding in some questions.

lately, my friend has really expressed to me that she is trying to convert me to Mormonism. i am comfortable with the way God has made me...as a Chrsitian. i went over to her house the other day, and when i got there, i realized i was the only non-Mormon there. it's happened before, but this time, they picked out a movie based on Mormon beliefs.

should i have walked out? i know i can't change what has happened, and i didn't get really offended by the movie. in all acuatuality, i found the movie really funny, but that's another story. but in future events like the above, should i take a stand? you see...i don't want to offend them...hmph

however, i was a little offended by my friend doing that to me. i know it wasn't her intention to make me a little ticked, nor does she know that i was.
because i am comfortable and passionate where I am with Christ, i want to know what you guys think.

how do i tell her to stop without losing my chance to witness to her?

Well, you can actually use this situation to witness to her. There had to be parts of the movie that didn't line up with your beliefs, otherwise there would be no division between the faiths. Take what you believe to be true and talk to her about the differences. You don't have to quote Scriptures, but as long as you understand what those Scriptures say you can be a light to her.

My mom is always wanting me to go with her to the Catholic church. Afterwards I always ask her what she thought of this and that and then give her my understanding. It always leads to further questions on her part, and then I know I am planting seeds.

Good answer Embie.

Sarah, keep in mind that the motus operandi of all "active" Mormons is to convert everyone they come across to "their faith." It will not be the last you hear on that score.

(Same for the Jehova's Witness crowd)

Tha's very true Steve. Watch out Sarah. However I've found a way around the Witnesses. When I saw who it was at the door. Took off my shirt and pants grabbed a beer ans said " hey come onin, have a beer and we'll talk abou it." They don't come to my door anymore.

Someone tell me that if the mormons arent christian, then why is there a "church of christ of latter day saints" ?

By definition, no they are not. They have added another book in addition to the Bible in direct conflict to </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Revelations 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Also as stated above they do not believe that Jesus was always God. In the root of their belief system it says that He was a man, who through piety and personal holiness was elevated to Godhood. There are many differences that are in their published doctrines that they do not even teach their own, except a few.

The Jehova's Witnesses teach a works salvation.......

Here's a little (lot) more information regarding this:

http://www.saintsalive.com/mormonism/templetour.htm

I have more, but am looking for a better way to present it