Exclusivity of Christ Still Controversial Today

hthalljr »

Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:04 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

I cannot, for the life of me, figure out what was "threatening, abusive, spam, offensive, illegal, racist, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent, or libelous" about my post at Jan 21, 2008 12:12 p.m. (The list includes every offense I could find on the Christian Post web site).

My post supported the Biblical, Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is the only name given under heaven whereby man may be saved, and it offered a marvelous solution to the difficult question posed by the Jewish participant: that some Christian religions teach that the Jewish victims of the Holocaust will go to hell.

I respectfully invite the person who flagged my post, as well as the editors who enforced the flag, to clarify my "offense."

Assuming that this response survives flagging, I also invite the reader to look for the offense himself in my comments, which I have posted to my own web site at http://hthalljr.googlepages.com/flagged.html.

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Candidates Asked to Reject Divisive Religious Talk

hthalljr »

Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:02 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Anthony Mendoza "amendoza" wrote on Wed Jan 16, 2008, at 7:05 pm:

>I was making a distinction between the Jesus of the Bible and the Jesus of Mormonism. Also . . . was simply stating a fact although I admit it may have been a little too sarcastic and for that I apologize but do not take away the truth from that statement.

Apology accepted, and thank you.

As for the "truth" of your statement, I affirm that I DO worship the Jesus of the Bible, and I invite, again, both you and "tgender" to respond to my question about whether any of the passages I quoted from the Book of Mormon contradict the Bible in any way. In my humble opinion, these, and many others, strongly reinforce the Bible.

What really separates us are differences of interpretation. Latter-day Saints believe that the creeds of the 4th-century state church of Rome run counter to Bible teachings; you do not. The Book of Mormon settles all those disputes without countering the Bible in any way.

However, in the spirit of the article that started this thread, let us put aside our theological differences and work together for the values that we share.

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Candidates Asked to Reject Divisive Religious Talk

hthalljr »

Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:47 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

"tgender" wrote on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:08 pm,

>You said in part of your response to my post: "Puzzled, he asked a Mormon friend what he actually believed, and he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

>Well, I merely asked you some simple questions about what you actually believe, without one shred of commentary on my part, and you refused to answer them. Why?

Because you are not at all puzzled, and because you are not at all sincere. Your "questions," which are anti-Mormon stock in trade, are in themselves commentary, of the disingenuous "innocent" Huckabee sort. We've had enough Mormon-baiting in this campaign. The point of this article is to put an end to this kind of religious warfare in the political arena.

>You're not even following your own advice.

If you have sincere questions about Mormonism, peruse the official and unofficial Latter-day Saint sources that I gave you. But I will not rise to your bait.

"Please consider answering my questions. If Mormons do not believe these things, I sincerely would like to know."

If you are truly sincere, read the Book of Mormon. Then write to me with any questions you have from it, and I will gladly answer them to the best of my ability.

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Candidates Asked to Reject Divisive Religious Talk

hthalljr »

Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:47 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

"tgender," on Wed Jan 16, 2008, at 6:48 pm, asked whether or not I believed a shop-worn and long-refuted list of what anti-Mormons say Mormons believe. I choose not favor to favor this straw man with an incendiary response. The sincere seeker can find out for himself what Latter-day Saints believe at lds.org and mormon.org. For unofficial responses from individual Latter-day Saints to stuff like this list, try FairLDS.org, Farms.BYU.edu, and http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/index.html.

However, I do have three simple questions for "tgender," with no intent to entrap or embarrass:

1. Did you find anything false, offensive, or contrary to Biblical teachings in the excerpts from the Book of Mormon which I quoted?
2. Have you read the Book of Mormon?
3. If not, will you read the Book of Mormon?

I would be glad to correspond with any reader, in private, as you delve into this marvelous testament of Jesus Christ. Its purpose has been clearly stated on its title page since 1830, "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL God, manifesting himself unto all nations."

As for the present topic of "Divisive Religious Talk," I invite readers to an experiment: A Tale of Two Web Sites.

1. Try a search for [mormon] at the official web site of the Southern Baptist Convention, sbc.net. The first hit speaks worlds about the “brotherly love” that the the SBC has for Mormons: “The TRUTH about MORMONISM (What you have NOT been told.)” (SHOUTING in the original).

2. Now try a search at lds.org for [baptist]. Oops! Just dozens of references to John the Baptist. Now try [”southern baptist”]. Ah! The first hit, “When thou art converted,” tells the story of an LDS convert who wrote of his childhood, “One privilege I was allowed was to attend a local Baptist church where I gained an independence of thought and action.” Oh-oh! Harsh anti-Baptist rhetoric!

He goes on to tell how while in the military during the Vietnam War he attended a Southern Baptist convention in Japan. “The seminar’s purpose was to discuss the anti-Christ ideologies. The first religion they attacked was not communism or some other godless ideology, but Mormonism.”

Puzzled, he asked a Mormon friend what he actually believed, and he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But remember, dear reader: thirteen million Mormons don’t really know what they believe -- better ask truth squad at the SBC -- or perhaps an expert on Mormonism like "tgender."

You will not find any anti-Baptist polemic on any official Latter-day Saint web site. How I wish the Southern Baptist Convention would return the favor!

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Candidates Asked to Reject Divisive Religious Talk

hthalljr »

Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:40 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

"amendoza" wrote, on Wed Jan 16, 2008, at 10:46 am:
"What the 'Christian' leaders forgot it the fact that Jesus Christ (of the Bible, not the pseudo-Jesus of Mormonism) said he is the way, the truth, and the life.

Whereby amendoza slings his own scoop of anti-Mormon mud!

As a matter of fact, Latter-day Saints fully accept John 14:6. You see, we happen to believe in the Bible. Mitt Romney has already promised, should he be elected, to take his oath of office upon the Bible.

I suspect from the comment about "pseudo Jesus" that amendoza has never read the Book of Mormon. Accordingly, I offer the following brief excerpts, typical of so many therein:

"And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness." (Alma 38:9) http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/38/9#9

"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
(2 Nephi 31:21) http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/31/21#21

"And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:17) http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mosiah/3/17#17

"And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives." (Mosiah 5:8) http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mosiah/5/8#8

"I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell." (2 Nephi 33:6) http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/33/6#6

You see, the Book of Mormon fully agrees with the Bible. It truly is Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and studying it will bring any sincere seeker closer to the living Christ -- the Christ of the Bible AND of the Book of Mormon.

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Candidates Asked to Reject Divisive Religious Talk

hthalljr »

Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:22 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Ethan Cole writes, "[Gov. Romney] has been criticized for not explaining his Mormon faith and the influence it will have on his presidency," but Cole does not comment on whether or not the charge is true.

The charge that Romney has not explained his religion is true. Wisely, he refers such questions to leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Such information is available at lds.org and mormon.org.

However, Gov. Romney has made absolutely clear, in his speech "Faith in America," that his church will not dictate to him as president.
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Speeches/Faith_In_America

"Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin.

"As Governor, I tried to do the right as best I knew it, serving the law and answering to the Constitution. I did not confuse the particular teachings of my church with the obligations of the office and of the Constitution – and of course, I would not do so as President. I will put no doctrine of any church above the plain duties of the office and the sovereign authority of the law."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has itself a strict policy of political neutrality:
http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/political-neutrality

Every candidate should adopt a position like Romney, and very church should adopt a position like that of his church.

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

CP Year in Review: Top 10 Christian News of 2007

hthalljr »

Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:13 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

With respect to crossfire's first link:
http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Brochures/What_is_Mormon_Doctrine.pdf

As for the second link: it proves my point. Why read the debate, when the Christian Post will provide a Reader's Digest version and declare the winner? Again, decide for yourself at http://blog.beliefnet.com/blogalogue/mormondebate/

Finally, another excerpt from the Book of Mormon: words which the resurrected Jesus Christ said to about 2,500 men, women and children, as he appeared somewhere in this continent after his ascension:

"Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world."
(3 Nephi 11:14 http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/11/14#14 )

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

CP Year in Review: Top 10 Christian News of 2007

hthalljr »

Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:58 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 8

Why am I not surprised that The Christian Post quotes Mohleer's "conclusions" alone and fails even to name his opponent, Orson Scott Card? For those who want to think for themselves and read both sides of the debate, here's the link:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/blogalogue/mormondebate/

As for myself, the words of Nephi in the Book of Mormon, epitomize my faith in Jesus Christ:
"I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell."
(2 Nephi 33:6 http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/33/6#6 )

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Huck Finned by USA Today

hthalljr »

Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:28 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 2

Huckabee's "innocent" sound-bite trial balloon about the devil and Jesus did not come from ignorance: that's a shop-worn anti-Mormon distortion. And he doubled the free press exposure with his "apology" to Romney.

It is no coincidence that at almost the same moment, the Baptist Press, the official organ of the Southern Baptist Convention, began an "informative" series of articles on the "false cult" of Mormonism.

So out of my own ignorance I must ask, "Are Mike Huckabee and Richard Land brothers?"

I am appalled at the overt involvement of the SBC and other evangelical organizations in the Huckabee campaign, whether they are offering Huckabee the pulpit and the church mailing list or whether they are attacking Romney via the old blood sport of anti-Mormonism.

I urge the IRS to take a close look at the 501(c)(3) exemptions of these organizations.

Meanwhile, Newsweek and the New York times have pointed out the highly profitable "ministry" of the Right Reverend Huckabee on behalf of the tobacco industry while he was underemployed as lieutenant governor of Arkansas.

So I guess I also need to ask, "Are Mike Huckabee and R. J. Reynolds brothers?"

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Mormon Issue Mattering More in Iowa

hthalljr »

Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:52 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posts its official policy of political neutrality on its web site for all to examine. Go to lds.org, click "news and events," "newsroom," and on the left side of that page, under "public issues," "political neutrality."

The Church takes its neutrality seriously -- I hear this statement read over the pulpit before every election.

Not only does the LDS Church not support any candidate, whether or not he belongs to the Church, but it does not seek to influence or control elected officials who are members. Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D) and senator Orrin Hatch (R), both believing, observant Latter-day Saints, are dramatic proof of that policy.

I only wish other churches would practice equivalent political neutrality. Religious partisanship is the actual "Mormon problem" that Romney has: those who would undermine the Constitution and turn our nation into a theocracy know that Romney has always been his own man and will not be controlled by any pressure group.

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Survey: White Evangelicals Have Least Positive View of Mormons

hthalljr »

Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:31 pm Agree: 12   Disagree: 5

No doubt the negative view of many Evangelicals toward Latter-day Saints is attributable to the lucrative anti-Mormon publishing industry that thrives among them. Very rarely will you meet an Evangelical who has learned anything about Mormonism from LDS sources. Instead, they rely on the false representations of such demi-gods as the serial polygamist Walter Martin, who got his "doctor of divinity" from a diploma mill. How far they have wandered from the authority of "sola scriptura!"

With its denial of the moral agency of man, Calvinism logically demands hostility toward other religions. It is not enough that God has elected the Calvinist to salvation -- it is equally important that he has damned all others. This cultivates the almost irresistible temptation for the Calvinist to join with Islam in stoning the devil -- and waging war on his followers.

Latter-day Saints do not believe that the atonement of Jesus Christ was stingily pre-calculated just to save the elect. We believe that the atonement of Christ is infinite and eternal. Moreover, rather than gloating over the damnation of others, we earnestly seek to save everyone who has ever lived on earth, holding out a strong hope that the vast majority of people will accept at least some portion of the wonderful gift that God so freely offers them. Of course that is seen as a threat to the Calvinist world view!

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Mormon Massacre Flick May Hurt Romney's Image

hthalljr »

Wed Aug 29, 2007 2:24 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 2

Ethan Cole and the other anti-Mormons who have pushed their views in this thread follow the ethics typical of all anti-Mormon: the end justifies the means. "Since Mormonism is evil, it is OK to say or do anything that hurts Mormonism."

Those who succumb to this argument come under the influence of the father of all lies and dull their sensitivity to the truth in all aspects of their lives. Such ethics lead down the same path that took anti-Semitism to its logical conclusion -- the Holocaust.

It is hardly surprising the most strident anti-Mormons are Protestants, because the founder of Protestantism, Martin Luther, was also the founder of German anti-Semitism.

Google: ["Martin Luther" "on the Jews and their Lies"]

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

Faith Playing Big Role in Presidential Race Amid Evangelical Shift

hthalljr »

Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:14 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

The Christian Post, which claims to have a "pan demoninational" perspective with respect to Christianity, has not been helpful on this issue. By taking the position that "Mormons aren't Christians," it has effectively taken a political position with respect to the candidacy of Governor Romney.

Baptist Seminary Head Highlights Mormons' Self-Contradictory Church Claims

hthalljr »

Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:35 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 8

"Mormons [seek] recognition as a legitimate member of the Christian church" is an incredible falsehood. Since the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ first told fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith that "all their creeds were an abomination in his sight," we have never aspired to be part of orthodox creedal Christianity. We have, however, sought to live in peace with people of all religions -- a wish that was denied by the "good Christian" mobs, led by "good Christian" ministers, that drove my ancestors at gunpoint out of Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.

Mohler knowingly turns the fact, which we have never denied, that Latter-day Saints are not *orthodox* Christians into the lie, "Mormons do not believe in Christ."

This has only one purpose -- to steer those less sophisticated than Mohler away from investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its founding document, "The Book of Mormon: Another Witness for Jesus Christ."