Controversial remarks by the pastor of a Dallas church stole the spotlight from several Republican White House contenders Friday during the first day of the Values Voter Summit, an annual gathering of evangelicals and other social conservatives. After introducing Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, told reporters that Republicans shouldn't vote for White House hopeful Mitt Romney because he's a Mormon and described the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a "cult." Speaking live on CNN's "The Situation Room," Jeffress told CNN Political Correspondent Jim Acosta, "I think Mitt Romney's a good, moral man, but I think those of us who are born-again followers of Christ should always prefer a competent Christian to a competent non-Christian like Mitt Romney. So that's why I'm enthusiastic about Rick Perry." In the same exchange, Jeffress told Acosta that the Southern Baptist Convention "has officially labeled Mormonism as a cult." In fact, a website maintained by the Southern Baptist Convention lists the Mormon faith under its "New Religions and Cults" section, which also includes Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Scientology. Contacted by CNN, the Romney campaign had no comment on Jeffress' remarks. Michael Purdy, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, declined to comment on a statement "made at a political event." "But those who want to understand the centrality of Christ to our faith can learn more about us and what we believe by going to mormon.org," Purdy said in a statement. The Perry campaign told CNN via email that it did not ask Jeffress to introduce the Texas governor at Friday's event. Asked personally about Jeffress' remarks after a campaign event in Iowa Friday night, Perry told reporters that he did not think Mormonism is a cult, a view Perry spokesman Mark Miner had expressed earlier on Perry's behalf. Speaking Friday evening on CNN's "John King, USA," Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and an organizer of the two-day event, said the Perry campaign was informed two weeks ago about event organizers' plan to have Jeffress introduce Perry and the Perry camp, in Perkins' words, "signed off on" that plan. Perkins also told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King that event organizers did not know what Jeffress was going to say in introducing Perry nor did the Texas governor's campaign. http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-08/...ormonism-perry-supporter-cults?_s=PM:POLITICS
I was wondering when this would come along. I also wonder to what extent Obama's people will use it in the general election. It's classless, but it is an election afterall.
Shouldn't we vote for someone based on their political views, not religion? Obama's church was creepy though. Damn what a loser.
if he believed that the invisible relefrast in my cockhole rule the galaxy as kind and generous gods, but have been usurped in their power by shoozlesnog, the omnipresent ass virus of the ppppokrednag, i wouldnt care much but middle america sure would
And so is Christianity. Only difference, the Mormon cult is only 150 years old. And Born-Agains critisizing other religions? Gees. Jesus is literally the son of god who died for our sins and was resurected. The Earth was created by god in 7 days. And all the other crazy shit they believe to be true? And they have the balls to diss other folks similar, but slightly different fantasy stories? I have no respect for those church leaders and the followers who enable them.
I kind of like this definition, below. And, in its context, I suppose Jeffress is correct in what he had said: http://cultdefinition.com/
It's pretty simple, actually. The Mormon church teaches from a book that is not the Bible. Joseph Smith is a false Idol. Believing in Christ is about faith, and if that is the road you choose, you are taught not to worship false Idols.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) does not worship Joseph Smith any more than they worship Moses, Abraham, Peter, or any other prophet. Joseph Smith holds a special place in the theology as a dispensation head like Adam, Enoch, Noah, etc., a prophet who had an important role in a pivotal part of Earth's history. You can think what you want about that, but at least get the doctrine and teachings correct. If you want to call him anything negative, call him a false prophet. At least then I could respect a differing opinion instead a misinformed statement. Additionally, I'm curious, with respect to ABM's quoted section, how "the Mormon Church rejects, changes or adds to the essential doctrines of the Christian faith to such an extend that Mormonism must be regarded as having separated itself from the faith it claims to represent." What are the essential doctrines of the Christian faith? Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and it's only through his atoning sacrifice that we can return to live with God? Mormons whole-heartedly believe this. Is there anything more essential to Christianity than this? And, yes, this is D-Rock commenting on another thread dealing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As I've said before, I have no problem with people believing what they want. I'm fine with Masbee and whoever calling Mormonism a cult (even though I obviously disagree with the negative connotations the word has), but I can at least correct incorrect statements and misinformation. As to the comments by Jeffress and it's connection to Perry, it seems pretty hard to believe that Perry had no idea what was going to be said. Seems like it was intentional. Religion should have nothing to do with politics, but I doubt that will ever be the case; at least not in the Republican party.
And similarly, baptists teach from a book that is not the book of Mormon. Does anyone doubt that, were it not for accidents of geography and tv coverage, we might be, say, Hawks fans instead of Blazer fans? From a distance, there is no difference between one cultist and another. Except, of course, Laker fans. Those people are EVIL. barfo
To be clear, Mormons teach from the Bible. In fact, my family is having a discussion on the New Testament as I type this. Honest question, can any Catholic explain to me what part does the Apocrypha plays in the Catholic doctrine and teachings? Are the writings considered doctrine? Is it considered part of the Bible?
I always enjoy your posts D-Rock and hope you continue to represent your religion in future discussions.
Well, for sure, there are differences: http://carm.org/comparison-between-christian-doctrine-and-mormon-doctrine As mentioned, above, I can agree that the term "cult" can be relative. In this context, Jeffress appears to have labeled Mormonism a cult, apart from Christianity.
Isn't that like saying "I make up my own definitions"? That's also like Herman Cain's comments earlier, where he said "Now, I don't have facts to back this up..but...."
