Those Mormons over in Lake Wales used to walk around in the neighborhood singing hymns in the evening..

nice folks, but I hear they are a cult. Regardless, I'd rather hear Granny's off key alto, than the crap that booms that neighborhood now.

Travis and Jonathan should stick to the grassroots
'redneck schtick', vs. the Rubin/Ethel stuff..but that one was funny.

Hey, everybody! It's the obligatory Mormon-rushing-to-the-defense-of-his-religion! Hooray!

So here's my two cents: Mormonism is not a cult, if by cult you mean a group that uses brainwashing, etc., and makes it impossible for you to leave. Of course, when you say cult, you might just mean a group whose religious beliefs are different from yours.

So I guess it all depends on your definition of cult, but as a Mormon I'll say that I think we're not much weirder than most other folks. Anyway, you can see for yourself if you're curious: look us up in your phone book and come to church some time.

Two words: green jello.

:D

There are thoughtful and godly people that belong to the Mormon Church. Jehovah's Witnesses as well, however,
A cult is a religion that has another authority, other than the scriptures, a central figure that is reverenced, (formaly or informaly) other than God, has changed the scriptures (added to or taken away), or denies the diety of the one, true, living God.
There's a few more, but this will be suffient.
The Angel M. gave John Smith additional, "divine" words (The book of Mormon) which is used as scripture, just as the Old and New Testiment.
There's cult evidence right there.

Nancy,

Thank you for acknowledging that there are "thoughtful and godly people" in my church. Your Mormon friends would be happy to hear you say that, I am sure.

On the other hand, I think your definition of cult could use some work. For one thing, it includes every religious group that uses anything besides the Bible. You are right that we use the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible, but I don't think that makes us a cult.

Let's consider the Jews, who do not use the New Testament, but do use the Talmud, which is not in your Bible. Is Judaism a cult? Obviously, Jews are not Christian. But when most people talk about cults and cult members, I am pretty sure they're not thinking about Albert Einstein, Anne Frank, or Jerry Seinfeld.

You also seem to think that Mormons have a "central figure that is reverenced, (formally or informally) other than God." Since you don't know the name of the founder of our church (Joseph, not John, Smith), I think you don't know enough to judge whether we revere him or not.

So come find out. Look us up in the phone book, and stop by on Sunday for church services. Check out the pictures on the wall, listen to the hymns, listen to what people are saying. I think you'll figure out pretty fast that we are not worshipping Joseph Smith.

I think when you say that Mormons belong to a cult, what you really mean is that you think we are not Christian. And I think you're wrong there. Yes, we have some beliefs and practices that are different from yours. But that doesn't make my church a cult any more than it makes your church a cult. Let's learn from each other's differences, instead of condemning them. :) (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

(Sorry for hijacking the comments section for a religious debate, everyone. Nancy, if you want to continue this conversation, maybe you should just click on my name and email me. Thanks.)

excuse me, Joseph, I knew that.