Mormons
So there are some Mormons around doing their missionary thing, and as a Religious Studies scholar, I was interested in learning what makes them different from other "Christian" groups. I must say they are really persistent and committed to their point of view. the biggest problem I have with them is their claim of the exclusive authority of God for being. They are fairly normal when it comes to the basics of Christianity. (normal as defined by the majority). They believe Jesus is the savior, similar view of heaven/hell/afterlife, similar basic sacraments (baptism, communion), etc.
The problem is that they think that since Christ's original apostles that there was no Church with authority until he told Joseph Smith to build one. And then God has chosen a prophet to lead his new "church." Oh wait the Catholics already tried this one and the only church with authority, but too bad they're both wrong (see Bible).
The mormon claim to another testament of Christ is only mildly amusingly unnecessary/untrue. It is written in high middle/late English, presumably to imitate the King James Version of the Bible (which is the only version they use). It has all sorts of extra descriptives and flowery speech.
When they wanted me to read a passage from the Bible to support their claim I prefer the NRSV (dry and as close a translation as possible [opposite of KJV]) and they were at first worried that it wasn't going to be similar. I wonder if that's because they think other versions have other messages and meanings.
Which brings me to another rant. The mormons seem to be under the impression that the diversity of denominations means that they are in disagreement. This may have been true to a degree in Joseph Smith's time but in the late twentieth century they all began to realize they believe the same thing on all the important issues and is more of a matter of organizational preferences. Even the Catholics and Lutherans are coming into agreement on some things.
It is amusing that they believe the church was an apostasy yet the Bible that they use was arranged a couple centuries into it being not God's church but corrupted by people. It is not logical to think that the church was teaching the wrong thing while accepting a Bible that was decided on during that same time. Then you're shooting yourself in the foot. But will probably come up with some sort of justification. They always do so with everything else.
In summary, argh mormons. The ways you claim to be better/true is the same as many others out there. You aren't really any truer or better off. And your extra book doesn't add or clarify anything more. On the contrary due to its writing style it is more likely to do the opposite (especially where it differs from the Bible).
The problem is that they think that since Christ's original apostles that there was no Church with authority until he told Joseph Smith to build one. And then God has chosen a prophet to lead his new "church." Oh wait the Catholics already tried this one and the only church with authority, but too bad they're both wrong (see Bible).
The mormon claim to another testament of Christ is only mildly amusingly unnecessary/untrue. It is written in high middle/late English, presumably to imitate the King James Version of the Bible (which is the only version they use). It has all sorts of extra descriptives and flowery speech.
When they wanted me to read a passage from the Bible to support their claim I prefer the NRSV (dry and as close a translation as possible [opposite of KJV]) and they were at first worried that it wasn't going to be similar. I wonder if that's because they think other versions have other messages and meanings.
Which brings me to another rant. The mormons seem to be under the impression that the diversity of denominations means that they are in disagreement. This may have been true to a degree in Joseph Smith's time but in the late twentieth century they all began to realize they believe the same thing on all the important issues and is more of a matter of organizational preferences. Even the Catholics and Lutherans are coming into agreement on some things.
It is amusing that they believe the church was an apostasy yet the Bible that they use was arranged a couple centuries into it being not God's church but corrupted by people. It is not logical to think that the church was teaching the wrong thing while accepting a Bible that was decided on during that same time. Then you're shooting yourself in the foot. But will probably come up with some sort of justification. They always do so with everything else.
In summary, argh mormons. The ways you claim to be better/true is the same as many others out there. You aren't really any truer or better off. And your extra book doesn't add or clarify anything more. On the contrary due to its writing style it is more likely to do the opposite (especially where it differs from the Bible).