Richard J. Mouw: This evangelical says Mormonism isn’t a cult

My Take: This evangelical says Mormonism isn’t a cult While I am not prepared to reclassify Mormonism as possessing undeniably Christian theology, I do accept many of my Mormon friends as genuine followers of the Jesus whom I worship as the divine Savior.

Discussion

I think we may have the same issue with the word “cult” that we do with the word “fundamentalist”.
[QUOTE=dictionary.com] 1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols. [/QUOTE] Obviously, this word has lost its historic meaning, and is no longer useful IN POPULAR CULTURE except as an pejorative.[/QUOTE] If the above definition is true, then I am a cultist. 1. I observe the sacraments. 2. I venerate Jesus Christ, indeed, I worship Him. 3. Applying the word “cult” to Jesus comes too close to blasphemy for my liking, but you see how it could apply. 4. I am a member of a church. 5. I do have some sacred ideology, and I participate in the sacraments.

An argument about whether or not LDS are cultists is not useful in the political context. It only puts up a brick wall. Let it suffice to say that they (our LDS neighbors) preach “another gospel” than we do.

But I would disagree with Dr. Short on this statement:

“Well, Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religious groups in the United States … “

We all keep hearing this, but is it really true?

For instance, in the last five years, what are the growth numbers of people in America going to a Calvary Chapel versus going to an LDS chapel?

I don’t know the answer, but I would like to find out.

The comments below the linked stories are good examples of why the word “cult” isn’t useful in popular culture today.

not a cult. But, neither is Hinduism or Buddhism and they still aren’t “Christian”.

Hoping to shed more light than heat..