Ruth

This is not intended to be offensive, so please don't read it that way. I'm just curious about perspectives.

I've read many answers by Christian people who claim to be "non-denominational", or they say they don't belong to any church. Mostly this terminology comes from people who believe in Jesus Christ and his teachings. Isn't this just a sign of an unwillingness to commit to any particular code or standard of living?

Why not go all the way? Why not dive in head first and completely immerse yourself in a belief system?

In Revelations 3:15-16 it says:

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

What do you think?

I spent 5 points asking this question, so please - only sincere answers, ok? Thanks!

The concept of the "rapture" is foreign to me. It isn't part of my religious doctrine.

As I understand it, it is when Jesus Christ will come and take all his believers away from all the tribulation brought about by Satan.

I think I would rather stay and fight for the cause of righteousness. I've never been one to run from a fight, spiritually speaking. Sometimes, I think, you've just got to stand and be counted among those who stand for something.

Yeah, I would choose to stay and join the battle. I wouldn't want one inch yielded to evil.

What do you think? What would you choose?

Hello . . .?

Is there anyone there?

This question waas asked by Spanner.

I wish I could help you with that one, honestly. Unfortunately I have no idea what you're referring to. Truthfully I can say that I have never heard the term "special baptism", unless, of course maybe someone said something like "Gee, that sure was a special baptism!", or something like that. There is nothing in church doctrine pertaining to any baptism other than the ordinary every day kind.

We believe in baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. Prior to baptism, faith and repentance are required. It's as simple as that.

Why does everyone else have to ask the questions? Why don't you start some discussions of your own?

It's like you're at a beach party and you're bugged by all the sand.

This is a religious question section. People generally ask questions that pertain to things they are concerned with. Why don't you?

This question was posted by ldyrhiannon. "I wondered why on the Mormon Tabernacle in Utah the tops are decorated with pentacles and the baphomet."

Deeply rooted in the theology of LDS doctrine are the symbols of the sun, the moon and the stars. It's a shame you didn't get a chance to ask this question to one of the many missionaries on the temple grounds around the historic LDS Salt Lake temple. They would have pointed out that those symbols are ornately carved all over the exterior of the temple. They refer symbolically to the degrees of glory one can attain by righteous living. It's a simple matter. I'm sure you just missed the other symbols. At one place there's a nice carving of the big dipper too. As far as the figure you have seen on top of the temple, I can only assume you are referring to a golden statue representing the angel Moroni, who we believe to be the angel in the book of Revelations who will herald in the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for asking!

This question was posted by bluuenikki. She asked, specifically, "Mormons use the Mormon Bible, correct? If so, was the Mormon Bible translated from another version? What is it about the Mormon bible that is different from the other versions?

These are all great questions. This is a little more difficult to answer, though, because it could be two different things you're asking about, and I'm not sure which. I'll cover both, and give you the link to last night's Q/A, ok?

First, we use the King James version of the bible. There's more about this in my answer from last night. Also, we believe in a book called The Book of Mormon. It is totally separate from the Bible. There's also quite a bit more about that in last night's stuff. Here's the link: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ao4vX...

I gave a really lengthy explanation to frankyglitz, and I think it will answer your questions.

This question was asked by straydog. I answered alot of this last night - here's the link: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ao4vX...

Check this out, and if I've missed anything you want to know, ask it here, ok?

I have to say that I get so weary of all the ridiculous things that people say about the "Mormon" church - polygamy, magic underwear, they aren't Christians, they don't believe in the bible, they changed the bible, they are a cult, they have secret things they do . . . blah, blah, blah!

I am more than happy to answer your questions. I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints my entire life. We don't try to hide the truth or the facts or anything about the church. Please feel free to ask - I will answer.

I did this last night too, and it did seem helpful, so I'll do it again tonight. If you ask a question I answered last night I'll refer you to that question/answer, so I don't have to do it again, but I'll give you a link. Otherwise, look for your question posted by me, with credit to you, with my answer, under open questions, ok?

Ready?

GO!

I'm a Mormon. I have been all my life.

I promise you all, from the absolute bottom of my heart, that Mormons do not practice polygamy.

They did for a short time, when men in the church had been killed by angry mobs in the 1800s, and women had no one to provide for their families.

In 1890, over 100 years ago, there was an official declaration issued by the church stating that polygamy was no longer a practice of the church, and it would not be supported in any way by the church.

Isn't that great??? It is to me! I am the only wife of my only husband, and we have only 3 kids!

There are some splinter groups that practice polygamy who claim to be members of the church. They are not. Whenever you hear about polygamy, rest assured they are not Mormons!

Does anyone else have any other questions about things they've heard about the Mormon church? I would be happy to answer them for you. Look for your answers in the additional information section of the question.

What is the reason people think there was no way Jesus might have been married? I'm not saying I believe one way or the other, but truthfully, the idea doesn't bother me.

Why not, do you think?

I mean, I have such a really great relationship with my husband, and we're best friends. I kind of like to think of Jesus having someone like that to love him. It makes me feel like he would have felt less alone through all the pain.

Why wouldn't he?

I'm so sick of this! Does anyone want to discuss anything about actual religion?

Maybe those of us who do should go over to beauty & style/hair to hold our discussions. What do you think?

It would be great if we could actually have religious dialogue here without being assaulted by people claiming that there is no God, that we are stupid sheep, that we are brainwashed, and a myriad of other less-than-choice phrases. I'm not here to try to make you believe. Why do you come here to try to make others not believe, and to be as unkind to them as possible in your efforts?

How about a truce? We'll stay out of your atheistic business, and you stay out of our religious business. Deal?

I asked a question awhile ago about defining Christianity. Very few of the definitions included anything about trying to behave in a Christlike manner. To me, this is paramount in Christianity. While I think no one can never claim to be completely Christlike, there must be a concerted effort made in order to claim the name of Christ (ie. "I am a Christian"), or to be a follower of Christ. So here's where my question comes in -

Can one who claims that they are Christian, or a disciple of Christ and his teachings really be so when they are continually trying to tell other people that they are not Christians because they don't meet up to THEIR standards of Christianity?

Is it true Christianity if one is continually judging others and proclaiming them as inadequate in Christ's eyes? Doesn't Christ teach to "Judge not that ye be not judged . . ."? Do these people actually not believe him when he says his grace is sufficient for all? Please help me understand.

Do you think other people could have written records of what happened in their corner of the world, like the records that were compiled to create the Bible?

We know that the Dead Sea Scrolls are real. There are records in them that are copies of parts of the Bible, and other records of the Essenes, and other cultural and religious groups.

What about early American Indians? Do you think they could have kept records like this? Why or why not?

Please give your best definition of Christianity. What makes a person a Christian?

Also, after you state your definition, please state your religion. I would like to consider your responses in correlation with the doctrine of the religion which you consider yourself a part.

Please be specific in identifying your religion. To me Christianity is not a religion in and of itself. It simply implies a belief in Jesus Christ. Generally, a person's chosen religion defines the dogma associated with their religious organization.

Thank you for your answers. Some of the questions and answers I've seen here have made me really curious about this. I'll write more about my observations after I've seen several responses.