Is Mormonism a "cult", or just the great American religion?

Mark Twain described the Book of Mormon as "chloroform in print”. Could a Mormon, namely Mitt Romney, be elected President of the USA in 2012?

Mormons believe that their first prophet, Joseph Smith, discovered golden plates in upstate New York in the 1820s, and that he translated them with the help of magic stones, discovering them to contain an alternative Bible. They also believe that Jesus visited America after the crucifixion in order to take his message to the descendants of ancient Israelite tribes who had lived there for centuries, forgotten by history and unknown to modern archaeology. How has this strange offshoot of Christianity survived for nearly 200 years?

Nelson Jones offers us an explanation:-

“The religion's strength comes from its quintessentially American nature. It is almost the theological expression of America itself - as baseball is its sporting expression, or Coca Cola its liquid one. Its history, first of all, is the story of the frontier and of settlement. Just as the United States is a country of immigrants, many of whom came fleeing persecution in their own country, so the early Mormons were chased from town to ever remoter town until, under the leadership of Brigham Young, they established their own mini-America in Utah. In Salt Lake City, they recreated the ideals of the Pilgrim Fathers, establishing a new and godly community far from the corruption of the world. It was an achievement that called for all the great American virtues of self-reliance, ruggedness, family values, courage and fortitude.”

For the full article:-
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/star-spangled-staggers/2011/10/american-religion-mormonism

Well, first of all ... all organized religion is comprised of cults. Methodists, evangelicals, Lutherans, Catholics, and Mormons are just as much cults as Jimmy Jones' congregation was. The size of membership does not necessarily determine whether something is a cult, and calling them "denominations" is a massive euphemism. The only real delineation between one cult and another is the degree of fanaticism.

As for whether a Mormon could ever be elected president, sure, it's possible. Before 2009, no one thought a black man could be elected president, and before 1961, no one thought a Catholic could be elected. However, I very much doubt a proclaimed atheist will ever be elected in this country.

And right now, Romney is about the only person the GOP has resembling a candidate that has a chance of winning the election ... and even that isn't saying a lot right now. I do think Romney's Mormonism will cost him some votes but probably not enough to hamstring his chances.

I also disagree with Nelson's explanation since he seems to have left out the zany beliefs like magic protective underwear and that God, Brigham Young, and Joseph Smith are all hanging out on the planet Kolob (even though modern Mormons are trying to distance themselves from that).

I'm also certain that building a harem filled with subservient wives appealed to a lot of young males.

Like the formation of any cult or new religion, it appealed to the disenfranchised, the disconnected, the social pariahs, and those living on the outer fringes of society. Often times, the tenants of the faith mean far less to the joiners than the sense of belonging one receives from being a part of it all. This is why cults professing even the most idiotic or stupid beliefs still manage to gain a following. Just look at Heaven's Gate.

Many American settlers, by virtue of being here, were disenfranchised and disconnected. That's why they came to America in the first place - to escape the persecution and exile of believing in something different than the mainstream.

Ivan,

I'd like to know if you see and hear what I see and hear.
 

"I also disagree with Nelson's explanation since he seems to have left out the zany beliefs like magic protective underwear and that God, Brigham Young, and Joseph Smith are all hanging out on the planet Kolob (even though modern Mormons are trying to distance themselves from that)."

Shirina. To be fair to Nelson Jones, he did say a lot more, but I only used a short extract of his article to avoid falling foul of any copyright laws. Here is another paragraph from it:-

Or one could mention the direct influence of Freemasonry on the rituals that Smith created for his temple; or the planet Kolob which plays a minor part in Mormon theology; or practices that seem strange to outsiders - baptism of the dead, sacred underwear, in former times (and still in some dissident groups today), polygamy. Atheist blogger Greta Christina described her visit to the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City earlier this year as "a rollercoaster ride of hilarity and horror”. The effect, she writes, "was to make me think, even more strongly than I had before, this religion is batshit crazy”.

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/star-spangled-staggers/2011/10/american-religion-mormonism

Rock. What do I see in that video? Mainly hypocrisy – Romney’s father walked out of the 1964 Republican Convention because of perceived racism, yet was a member of a church which until 1978 did not allow full participation by black males (what about females?). It was also unnecessary, but significant, for Romney to single out black people for special mention, as he did at the end of that video clip. After all, he didn’t need to refer to Hispanics or Asians, or anyone else. If race isn’t an issue, why make reference to any group?

Ivan,
 
That's what I see and hear. Mitt Romney is doing more tap dancing than the Four Step Brothers.
 

 
 
1964 letter to Governor George Romney from Delbert L. Stapley, Mormon Apostle from October 5, 1950 to August 19, 1978, actual text (PDF file).
http://www.boston.com/news/daily/24/delbert_stapley.pdf
 
Commentary
http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_delbertlstapley.html

I believe Mormonism to be of a "cultish" nature. It seems to fit the hallmarks of a cult quite well. I would lump it in with Scientology.

No doubt...a cult.

"Sometimes I can believe at least six impossible things before breakfast."
The Red Queen, Alice through the Looking Glass

I always assumed mormonism to be a cult, but as I view all religions fairly dimly perhaps thats just me.

Yes I would say that mormonism is a religion just like any other. They have a bible, and follow a god.

What, exactly, is the difference between a "religion" and a "cult" other than the size of the congregation?

That is a very good point shirina.

Okay, well this cult has a bible and a god. They also probably have a leader and a set of 'rules.'

Please explain how this cult is different from a religion?

It's really the Church of the Latter Day Saints, a branch of protestants, a bit like a cult though.
I have been pondering on how they become to be called Mormons, then i had a sudden flash of inspiration, in there little sect, men were outnumbered by women by four to one. As you know, one wife could be tiring for a man, so the men prayed for more men, hence the name Mormon, it was the accent.

That is full of useful information, thanks jack.

Glad we cleared that up.

Uh... okay...

Imagine we were all teachers in the same class room arguing over what is right? We could really confuse some people!

Apart from Mormons, is anyone else affected by this type of discussion?

All relgions are a cult and anyone with half a brain knows that...

Religions and 'Gods' change over time and history proves this, so it will keep on happening with new religions/cults taking over from the established ones we have today

Hello, Rock.

I'm not sure why you quoted yourself then quoted your quotes a second time, but I deleted your last two posts since it was resembling the phenomenon you get when looking into the reflection of two opposite mirrors. Since you had three identical posts without any other responses in between, I deleted the last two as being duplicates.

The Quote and edit keys are side by side. That should have been two edits in the post prior to yours, which I have now done. My bad. Thank you for cleaning it up.

LOL! I've almost done the same thing a few times. Plus I keep wanting to hit the edit button thinking it's the post reply button, then I can't find the latter because it's down off my screen.

Rock....I have no idea whether God...or a God/Gods exists and neither do you. You can believe there is one, but no one really knows....anyway....I thought the thread was about religions and cults?
For arguments sake lets just say there is a God (even though I doubt there is) Religions and versions of God/Gods change over time, because they are man made...and humans are very fickle. One minute it one religion and the next its something else. So God may not change, but man made religions do and that's why they are all Cults

Just wanted to ask...was this God around for the billions of years the Earth has been here prior to Moses having his little rant? Or do you believe like a certain other cult that the earth is only 13 thousand years old?

Didnt think you would answer the question, which ironically answers it perfectly

Is any point of discussion you cant or wont answer just erroneous or intentionally insulting? I guess that's your get out clause

I beleive many Org. religion seems cult-like. Being spiritual is much different I think than organized religion. Being a Morman means no more or less to me than being a Catholic does. Your choice. I have known many people who are very spiritual but are not members of any church.

Why do Mormons always seem to carry smarter-looking Bibles than everyone else?