Close Topic Options

Radical Mormonism - Page 3

Interstellar, I would love to discuss this topic with you but there is already a very long thread about it at the link I provided in my last message discussing exactly what you asked me. I would be glad to continue discussing the issue on that thread.

Now going back to the topic, I was wondering if some of you think the Mountain Meadows Massacre is a form of radical Mormonism since top Church leaders were involved?

Mormonism Radical

Intersteller,
I think we have a different meaning of the word radical. Radical is a breaking away of tradition. What you are referring to as "Radical Islam" Is fundamental Islam. They would say that they are preserving Islam, not changing it. They would claim that they are built on tradition. Radical Islam would be breaking form that tradition and would be more secular and westernized. And Yes many moderate and radical by the true since of the word reject fundamental Islam.
Radical Mormonism would be those who break away from traditional beliefs. Some breaking away from traditional beliefs can cause your membership to be taken away and other not. For example believing in other ways that the BOM is translated per say from golden plates is a radical idea. It breaks away from the traditional belief of the actual translation of the golden plates. An example of the belief of woman holding priesthood is radical, because it breaks away from the current tradition of the church. depending on how such radical views are taken can make people from loosing there membership.

I was not referring to the church here. You stated earlier that God does not put up with radical ideas. I just responded that I did not think God rejected the radical idea of abolishing slavery in the 1800's. I said nothing about the church stance on this. I guess by saying that the church would not abolish slavery you are rejecting your original statement that God does not like radicalism.

Yes the church does not put of with much radical ideas. Most institutions do not. They are what keeps the mainstream body moving. I do not expect them to push radical ideas. It takes years for such large institutions to move. Example blacks in priesthood. It took the church almost to the 1980's to change after much pressure form the outside world and pressure from its member's collective conscious. There were many in the 70's and the twelve that wanted the change years earlier, but because the stances of a few that was not done. For a good read into this read the Newest David O./ McKay biography. A great read on this whole issue.

Do I think that god and the church are working in step? Yes as good as any mortal institution can. But like all of us they struggle with Revelation and God's will. Just because a church can exercise god's authority does not mean that they are always right or not struggle with that will. Your statement that if I believe that the church is true, then by default you would believe the same of God.... " Yes but this does not mean that the church operates in a perfect understanding or will of God. That would be the false doctrine of infallibility. I have to agree with Lowell Bennion that I do not think the church is true per say. Simply because No institution is true. You do not say the government is true, or do your say that the republican party or the military is true. That idea really makes no since However I do say that the church is divine and good. It is the divine church of god on this earth with his authority, but it does struggle and error from time to time, just like I do an imperfect mortal.

Radical Mormonism Studies Doctrine Mormon

Isiah53 said:

A definition of the word radical is in order. Semantics is such a vital part of arriving at the truth. Dictionary.com sums up the definition of "radical" nicely as follows:

The first definition, interestingly enough, is:

So, radical can mean basic, original. Or it can mean excessive, even violent. The antomym is significant, showing that "radical" means the opposite of 'superficial."

So, mainly, a "radical mormon" is someone who may view many members as superficial, and who sees himself as holding to the true, vital core of mormonism.

Many members view those who enjoy discussing 'the Last Days" as radicals. Certainly many look askance at members who have more than a year of food storage, especially if they have a store of camping and survival equipment. These are the 'tentites" or tent city believers, for instance. They believe that the righteous are about to be called out from the rest of the members, an LDS version of 'the rapture." I believe this to be a form of "radical" mormonism. Yet, they have many quotes, old and new from General Authorities (remember, they never claimed to be specific authorities) to back them up. They are active in the church, and include Stake Presidents, and those who hold many other positions.

Page 3 Mormonism Radical

Merrium Webster Dictionary:

I think this is the definition that we are looking for as regarding Radicalism in the religious and political sphere. The above definition was very confusing and not concise in my opinion.
I believe that your fist definition of radical is dealing with growing from the original or root of a plant. Also radicals in mathematics.

Yes radicalism is an extreme. On the political spectrum it it as far left as you can go while fundamentalism is the far right that one can go.
The political spectrum goes as follows:
Anarchy, radicalism, socialism, Liberalism, conservativism, facesim, fundamentalism.
(This may be not accurate, I am going off the top of my head, but it gets the point across)

As you can see Fundamentalism Islam is way over on the right, Radical Islam would be next to socialism which tends to be less God centered.

These people would not be radicals. They are not breaking from a traditional view. They would be more fundemental. They are basing there ideas upon words of former prophets, and traditions. There is a LDS tradition to support this. the fact that you say that they have general authority quotes is saying that they use tradition to support there beliefs. Radicalism would depart from tradition, and say that such quotes and ideas are wrong, and we need something completely new. Is that extreme for most LDS it would be. But fundementalist can be extreme as well as radicals. They are extreme on the other end. They as well would see typical mainstream LDS as superficial. I think what is confusing is the idea of extreme. Radicals are not the only extreme position. Fundamentals are also extreme. Fundamental Islam is extreme. FLD are extreme They belive that they are heirs to the traditions and doctrines of the church, and that we LDS have broken from tradition. Just like osama Bin Laudin feels that he has kept the Islamic faith and the moderate Muslims have broken tradition.