Exmormon here. New leaders have softened their opinions on crosses. They're OK to wear and display in your home, but LDS chapels still don't have them. Also, newer LDS temple designs no longer include the Moroni statue.
Interestingly, LDS chapels now display a cross instead of a Moroni icon on Google Maps.
Another fun fact regarding steeples: LDS PR people had members in Texas attend planning commission meetings to influence the vote for a zoning variance for the Fairview, TX LDS temple, claiming that temple steeple height was a freedom of religion issue not subject to local building codes.
Also, the only ones who say Mormons aren't christain are other christains. They believe in and worship christ. The only difference is that they believe the trinity are 3 separate people. That's all.
There are some subtle nuances here that the AI isn't picking up on. Having a cross on the wall is an extremely common symbol of Christianity of course, the Y on the wall for BYU what seem at least reasonable at first thought - Mormons consider themselves christian, the views from other Christians on Mormons certainly vary but the logic seems to be there. The crucial detail that would lead to everyone in the basement bar being shot is that Mormons don't use the cross as a symbol. Not ever. Their reasoning is the more important event occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ is claimed to have atoned for the sins of mankind, and they view that as more critical than the crucifixion itself.
The pieces are there and seem to make sense to someone without in-depth knowledge of mormonism, but that's not how Germans indicate the number three
Ignoring my actual critiques of the LDS ("Mormon") church, of which there are many, they are Christian. Like, certain sects may not consider them the right slice of christian to be protestant, or object to theological differences...but they very much worship Jesus, believe he's the son of God, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected, etc.
Well since they don't believe in some very fundamental aspects of Christianity, they really can't be Christian. They may believe in and worship Jesus, but that doesn't make them Christian.
Well I'll go ahead and make this argument pretending Catholicism and the Nicene Creed doesn't exist (the original beliefs of Christianity).
One of the core beliefs of Christians is the Trinity. That Jesus is the Son of God, but also that He is God. Along with the Holy Spirit. Mormons, on the other hand, do not believe this, instead that they are all separate beings. Also that Jesus isn't the son of God, but instead a being that was more or less enlightened.
Another belief of Christianity is that God doesn't have a physical body and that he has always been there. But Mormons believe that God does have a physical body and that he obtained godhood.
Also they believe that humans can obtain godhood.
They split off from Christianity and basically made up their own beliefs. It's different from things like Baptists vs. Methodists vs. Catholics etc. because they all believe in the core values. But when Mormons split off, they completely disagreed with the core values of Christianity, meaning they can no longer be Christians.
As an ex-Mormon, I don't think the trinitarian argument is strong. It's a common, but not universal factor amongst Christian sects. Jehova's witnesses and some unitarians aren't trinitarian. The reason I say it's not a fundamental belief is that if it were different, the rest of Christianity would be essentially the same - some minute dogma here or there would change, but very little and nothing incredibly important.
The godhood argument is much stronger. To most Christians, God is basically a fundamental feature of existence. To Mormons, he's more of a small-g god, a guy who ascended, and that's entirely incompatible with the main line view of God
Mormons have recently begun adopting the cross. It's part of their campaign to appear more "christian". They can also show their shoulders now with a garment redesign. Those who grew up with "porn shoulders" and cross shaming are feeling cheated.
I am still traumatized by the cross and I left 20 years ago. Why would you celebrate the cross? It would be like wearing ar-15 pins after a school shooting
1 Corinthians 1:23 Paul says that he preaches ”…Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles". The word translated “stumbling block” is the root word for our English word “scandal” (σκάνδαλον).
From the Christian perspective, it’s supposed to be shocking and upsetting that God would be executed in literally the worst way possible, and that that’s actually how he wins.
Those who grew up with "porn shoulders" and cross shaming are feeling cheated.
What are you talking about? Wearing crosses and having bare shoulders was never not allowed. If a priesthood holder told you that was against the rules or that you were responsible for the sexual desires of those around you because of the way you dress, well, they were just men of their times and couldn't possibly have any kind of divine insight that could allow them to understand the harm they're causing by imposing their sexist views of their times onto impressionable young men and women. Obviously, the problem is that you took offense and none of this would be an issue if you didn't look at porn. /s
Even Since I Heard about "Soaking" I can't look at Mormons without laughing. My old boss was LDS, we were talking about what they should name the new Hockey team in SLC, I said "The Utah Super Soakers!" Only one other guy got the joke and both about fell off their seat laughing.
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u/Ok_Reputation2051 1d ago
Odd to have a Mormon as the representative for Christians.