Christianity is faith alone in the saving work of Jesus Christ's substitutionary death upon the cross. Anybody who differs from that truth is not orthodox and comes under scrutiny of the bible!

perhaps its not so much an "us vs. them" approach, but a Scripture vs. teachings approach...

If you are not born again, then you are not a Christian. I know that I am a Christian because I am born again and saved by the grace of God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, apart from works(Eph. 2:8-9). Those that are Christians (meaning "followers of Christ" or "belonging to Christ") are born again and those who are not born again are not Christians. It is that simple, really. -In the service of the Master. Thank you and God bless you!

As a Catholic, the only distinction I can directly make between the Mormons and Christians is the belief in the Holy Trinity. If as a Mormon you can say you believe in the Holy Trinity as one God then you believe in the Holy Trinity in scripture, if not, then technically you are not Christian.

Christian churches in general have certain beliefs that are common ground, and mormon teachings don't go along with the general Christian beliefs. Anybody/group can consider themselves a Christian, if they truly are or not is another story - even Hitler thought he was.. Does that make him Christian, even if his beliefs went against what mainstream Christianity teaches? (I'm not comparing mormons to Hitler, but I am trying to make a point.) In my opinion, any person/group that can be disproven based on the scriptures cannot be aligned with them.

Same thing that gives mormons the right to speak similar beliefs, freedom. "Orthodox Christian views of God are pagan rather than Christian" (Mormon Doctrine of Deity, B. H. Roberts [General Authority], 116). . [Under the heading, "Church of the Devil," Apostle Bruce R. McConkie lists:] "The Roman Catholic Church specifically—singled out, set apart, described, and designated as being ‘most abominable above all other churches’ (I Ne. 13:5)" (Mormon Doctrine, 1958, 129) "The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Protestant church, is the great corrupt, ecclesiastical power, represented by great Babylon" (Orson Pratt, Writings of an Apostle, Orson Pratt, n. 6, 84). I'm not saying either side is right, but I AM saying that as long as religions exists, people will continue to tell others they are wrong, and have a right in doing so.

The Bible is the Word of God. In the Book of Hebrews, chapter 1, it sets forth the revelations God has given of Himself. 1) the natural 2) the prophets of the Old Testament 3)Jesus Jesus is described as the final say of God. He will return, according to the Bible, but not in AMerica. Instead all eyes will see Him. This rules out any other revelation including Mormonism and Islam. It is strange that both these religious systems, which claim to be a further revelation of God fit into the prophecy found in the Scriptures "14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:14 and we are expressly warned against such revelations in Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! And you have to be honest, what is taught in Mormonism is not what is taught in the Bible concerning the nature of God, the purpose of Jesus, His sacrifice and His second coming. I don't want to be horrible to you and shoot you down in flames honey. But I would be less than kind if I let you go towards a broken bridge with no warning, wouldn't I?

Because the simple fact of the matter is is that you are not Christian...you're Mormon. There is a big difference! You cannot call yourself a Christian when you have beliefs that go against all that Christianity stands for! Who in the HECK decided that Christianity was just a diluted term for anyone who has a religious belief?

okay so here's my thing, i don't like the word christian i like to say i love jesus or i'm nondenominational. but i've had mormons tell me that i'm wrong and that the things that i believe are either "incomplete" or "lies from satin", in what seems like a genuine and kind way, but i have never told them that what they believe is wrong and i'm right because GOD is the only one who can judge, so i don't understand what gives them the right to tell me that i'm not going to able t live with GOD for FOREVER?

The same thing that gives them the right to use the proof in the bible to say that Muslims or Pagans aren't christian because their beliefs are different too.

Your answer is in your question. Their beliefs are different. You see Christians don't get on JW, or JEWS or anyone else and say they are not JEWS or JW or what every. The reason is LDS say they are Christians and they are not, they believe different. If LDS just said they are LDS and believe what they believe Christians wouldn't say anything more then we don't believe what you do.

Journal of Discourses says: Christians are heathens as to knowledge of salvation vol. 8 p. 181 Christians are ignorant vol. 8 p. 199 Christianity is a pack of nonsense vol. 5 p. 167 Christians are as ignorant as brute beasts vol. 6 p. 25 IF you really want to take the time to check it out here is a site: http://bibleprobe.com/mormons.htm

Proud2b4family, I apologize to you for my confusion. Since I have been reading the BoM and other books, I was looking over some of the speeches in the JoD online. I was certain I saw a quote from Brigham Young about the JoD and that is what my display of "ignorance" was all about in your previous response. I thought the quote was factual but maybe it is not regarded by the LDS anymore. I finally found it again in the JoD volume 11 preface: "The Journal of Discourses is a vehicle of doctrine, counsel, and instruction to ALL people, but especially to the Saints." — Brigham Young The end of the preface states that no Saint can afford to do without these precious percepts. Now, being ignorant of the facts,I need to ask a question. If the JoD is considered "second-hand witness statements taken by dictation from the memories of various individuals" how did the transcription of the BoM differ in it's accuracy? Was it that the JoD is records of individuals' memory and the BoM was recallings from Joseph Smith's memory?

That is a perfect answer. I don't really care what Mormons believe. That is between them and there god. What is offensive to me is when they call them selves christian. They are as far away from Christianitty as they could possibly be. I have several friends who are JW's, they do not call them selves Christians. On AB there are as many comments pro and con for JW's I don't bother to remark either way with them. Again because they do not call them selves Christians. Buddist scientologist you name it, they have the right to believe wht ever they want, as soon as they start calling them selves Christians, then I will take offense to it.

It is not really an option for the Christian. It was the will of Jesus that all be one John 17:20-23 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.” Division is evidence to the athiest there is no truth The early church did not start off divided Acts 2:42-44 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; But divisions set in in spite of the apostles efforts and Jesus' prayer that they a;; "be one". 1 Cor 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. The bible stresses unity I Cor 4:17 "just as I teach everywhere in every church." I Cor 7:17 "and so I direct in all the churches." I Cor 14:33 "as in all the churches of the saints." Because these commandmens come from God, not man I Cor 14:36-37 "Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment." There is one common source of truth John 17:17-18 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. If we all appeal to the word of God only, there would be no division. There are consequences. Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Matt 15:13 Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. John 8:31 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." 2 John 1:9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son Eph 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Even though people would turn away from the truth, the truth must be defended: 2 John 1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 Tim 1:5 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear 2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Col 2:8-10 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. If a Christian truly loves, he will try to save an erring Christian. James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death A long answer, but not one filled with human philosophy and conjecture. Just letting the word of God Speak for itself. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

I only tell them that if they show up on my porch trying to CONVERT me. (I don't seek them out nor do I meddle in other's spiritual affairs) The problem for them though, is that my family came from the early pioneers, they actually knew and were good friends with both Joseph Smith and even one lived with B. Young. Open a book of "Prominent Mormon Men" and my family is right there, generation after generation in positions of power. The problem is my family history is aware of many things, that the "church" history will not mention. It certainly wouldn't be believed by those in the church NOW. So, when confronted with 2 young men who KNOCKED ON MY DOOR, I will bring out the lemonaide and show them the difference between scripture and yes, tell them, "the core beliefs of MY bible do not support your teachings. Therefore, I respectfully decline your invitation to join your church...now may I tell you about mine, I've got plenty of lemonaide to keep your thirst at bay."

There is so much information on the internet, it can't all be people who have left the LDS or hate the LDS. Even the Smithsonian institute says there history is a complete fabrication and there is not one single piece of anything to verify any of it. Is Mormonism Christian? © Institute for Religious Research, 1340 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, Mi. 49505 Posted with permission. Updated March, 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is Mormonism Christian? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesn’t it follow that Mormonism is Christian? To fairly and accurately resolve this question we need to carefully compare the basic doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical Christianity. To represent the Mormon position we have relied on the following well-known Mormon doctrinal books, the first three of which are published by the Mormon Church: Gospel Principles (1997), Achieving a Celestial Marriage (1976), and A Study of the Articles of Faith (1979) by Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage, as well as Doctrines of Salvation (3 vols.) by the tenth Mormon President and prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1979) by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. 1. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that there is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302). 2. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God — all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon Doctrine, p. 577). 3. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Jesus is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father (John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 2:9). While never less than God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17:4,5; Philippians 2:6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished through being conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:34-35). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through intercourse between Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary (Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 129; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547; 742). Mormon doctrine affirms that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers (Gospel Principles, pp. 17-18; Mormon Doctrine, p. 192). 4. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost are not separate Gods or separate beings, but are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father are separately identified as and act as God (Son: Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28; Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God (see point 1). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577), and that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a celestial wife (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 2, p. 649). 5. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the disobedience of our first parents Adam and Eve was a great evil. Through their fall sin entered the world, bringing all human beings under condemnation and death. Thus we are born with a sinful nature, and will be judged for the sins we commit as individuals. (Ezekiel 18:1-20; Romans 5:12-21). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Adam’s sin was "a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us" (Gospel Principles, p. 33; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 2:25; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 114-115). 6. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,5) and are powerless to save ourselves. By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy to live in His presence (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). Our part is only to cling to Christ in heartfelt faith. (However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of changed conduct, a person’s testimony of faith in Christ must be questioned; salvation by grace alone through faith, does not mean we can live as we please – Romans 6:1-4). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God (which it terms "exaltation in the celestial kingdom") must be earned through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the "celestial kingdom") — Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price — Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 339, 671; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 25:23). 7. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the purpose of the atoning work of Christ on the cross was to provide the complete solution for humankind’s sin problem. However, those who reject God’s grace in this life will have no part in this salvation but are under the judgment of God for eternity (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 5:11-12). By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the purpose of the atonement was to bring resurrection and immortality to all people, regardless of whether they receive Christ by faith. Christ’s atonement is only a partial basis for worthiness and eternal life, which also requires obedience to all the commands of the Mormon church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals (Gospel Principles, pp. 74-75; Mormon Doctrine, p. 669). 8. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.* By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon — 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 190-191). 9. The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the true Church was divinely established by Jesus and could never and will never disappear from the earth (Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; 17:11). Christians acknowledge that there have been times of corruption and apostasy within the Church, but believe there has always been a remnant that held fast to the biblical essentials. By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there was a great and total apostasy of the Church as established by Jesus Christ; this state of apostasy "still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" of the Mormon Church (Gospel Principles, pp. 105-106; Mormon Doctrine, p. 44). Conclusion: The above points in italics constitute the common gospel believed by all orthodox Christians through the ages regardless of denominational labels. On the other hand, some new religions such as Mormonism claim to be Christian, but accept as Scripture writings outside of the Bible, teach doctrines that contradict the Bible, and hold to beliefs completely foreign to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles. Mormons share with orthodox Christians some important moral precepts from the Bible. However, the above points are examples of the many fundamental and irreconcilable differences between historic, biblical Christianity and Mormonism. While these differences do not keep us from being friendly with Mormons, we cannot consider them brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible specifically warns of false prophets who will teach "another gospel" centered around "another Jesus," and witnessed to by "another spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15; Galatians 1:6-9). Based on the evidence presented above, we believe Mormonism represents just such a counterfeit gospel. It has been pointed out that if one claimed to be a Mormon but denied all the basic tenets of Mormonism ¾ that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true and divinely inspired, that god was once a man who progressed to godhood through keeping the laws and ordinances of the Mormon Church, and that the Mormon Church was divinely established ¾ the Mormon Church would reject such a person’s claim to being a Latter-day Saint. One cannot fairly call oneself a Mormon is one does not believe the fundamental doctrines taught by the Mormon Church. By the same token, if the Mormon Church does not hold to even the basic biblical truths believed by the greater Christian community down through the ages, how can Christians reasonably be expected to accept Mormonism as authentic Christianity? If the Mormon Church believes it is the only true Christian Church, it should not attempt to publicly present itself as a part of a broader Christian community. Instead it should tell the world openly that those who claim to be orthodox Christians are not really Christians at all, and that the Mormon Church is the only true Christian Church. This in fact is what it teaches privately, but not publicly. *Documentation and further information available free or on loan from: Gospel Truth Ministries 1340 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Mi. 49505 Sorry italics did not show up http://www.biblebelievers.net/Cults/Mormonism/kjcmorm1.htm

There are two reasons why people say Mormons are not Christians. - 1) They feel threatened. If they can convince themselves that that is true, then they never have to deal with fears that the Mormons may be right. - 2) If they can convince others that that is true then they can prevent them from even considering what Mormons believe or have to say. - Once people accept such a statement as true it becomes exceedingly difficult to get them to look at the facts.

As has been covered, they do have the right to freedom of speech. They do not, however, have the right to define Christian. Different sects of Christianity have been fighting over which are the "real" Christians since Christianity began. They will continue to do so. There is also a tendency to be myopic. Mormon beliefs are not very different from the beliefs of other Christians when both are viewed externally. They both worship the same Deities, follow Jesus Christ, have good/evil dualism, beliefs in afterlife and judgment, and read and study the Bible. The Mormons add one extra book, which is no more or less probable than the Old and New Testaments.

Well, when the Protestant Orthodox Christians make up the rules for who is Christian and who is not, I guess they have the right to say who can join their club and who can't. However the truth is, if they are Christian, we do not qualify, and that is ok. Because the Bible tells us we are actually the only people today who can qualify as Christians. It is the Protestants and Catholics who do not qualify as Bible Christians. We just say let them claim to be Christian if they want, it will not change our status one little bit. It is unfortunate that some get a little excited about us "Mormons." Whew4

The same reason Mormons are told their church is the only true church and all the other churches belong to the devil. On the question Mormon president in a interview said our God is not the God of the bible, then what God is he?

Anyone will act to defend beliefs he holds dear when confronted with beliefs which conflict with his. I believe the reason is a niggling fear in the back of the mind that the other guy just might be right. This is intolerable, and we react in defense of our precious beliefs. - Our (Mormons) beliefs seem to arouse that fear more strongly, and in more people than do those of any other Christian denomination. Denying that we are Christians is actually an attempt to convince themselves that our beliefs cannot be correct and are no threat to theirs. - The depth and power of this fear is manifest in the volume and ferocity of the attacks made against us. - It is, in fact, the same motivation that drove Saul of Tarsus to kill as many Christians as he could catch, right up to the moment when he was confronted by Jesus himself on the road to Damascus.

Before I feel like I can answer the question I feel like I must ask: Questioner, how do you define "Christian"? AND how do you define "Mormon"?

You know they tell their membership that there the only true church and everyone else belongs to the devil. My favorite saying. On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning of the world to this day, have been quarreling, fighting, burning and torturing one another, for abstractions unintelligible to themselves and to all others, and absolutely beyond the comprehension of the human mind. -- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Archibald Carey, 1816

The logic is simple, and goes like this: I am a Christian. His beliefs are Very different from mine. Therefore he must be something else, not a Christian. - Most people get at least a little defensive, and even judgmental when their beliefs are challenged. Mormons, incidentally, are no exception to this rule. - Once upon a time the shovel and the rake got in an argument. Each claimed to be a tool. But the Shovel said: I am a tool. You are Very different from me. You don't even have a blade! Therefore you are not a tool. - Passers by shook their heads in wonder to see these two tools dispute so about a matter that, despite their differences, was so obvious to anyone else.

Christians have often been and probably will continue to be under fierce attack by it's opponents. If Christians were to accept just any definition of what a Christian is, their religion would fall due to these attacks, which is why some of them claim that even other Christians aren't Christians. It's necessary to keep their religion afloat. Christians aren't judged the same way everyone else is judged. When you become an athiest you can rape a baby or stop a nuclear holocaust, but these events won't "discredit" your worldview if you are an athiest. Stop a nuclear holocaust, great you have propaganda for the "we can do it without God" argument in society. Rape a baby as an athiest and no one remembers that you were an athiest, just that you were "bad". No one would ever connect your worldview with your act, though such thinking is obviously nonsense and hypocritical. These events are handled differently when you are using the label "Christian". Someone who self-identifies as a Christian who rapes a baby, their whole viewpoint automatically gets blamed for the act, and causes others to dismiss it as untrue and "untrustworthy". Stop a nuclear holocaust as a Christian and your view rarely gets the credit, more likely you are "dismissed" as a saint and put in a book somewhere, and your view is rarely given credit for the work like the athiest's viewpoint often gets. Who is and isn't a Christian becomes very important in this toxic environment. "Mormons" come with baggage and problems that have to be intellectually dealt with, and it's not really their responsibility to either defend your faith or lend it creditibility it may or may not have in the eyes of others when you use the same word. Those are my views on it anyway. I'm not sure why this matters, just for keeping the peace sake, what's wrong with a different word?

SHORT ANSWER: Because LDS leaders have declared themselves not Christian throughout history and have aggressively attempted to distance themselves from Mainstream Christianity. LONG ANSWER: This attempt to identity with Mainstream Christianity is a fairly recent phenomenon. Unfortunately most LDS don't seem to know Church history beyond recent years thus they take offense when this is pointed out to them. If they had done the research and read quotes like these they wouldn't be asking the question: "This is not just another Church. This is not just one of a family of Christian churches. This is the Church and kingdom of God, the only true Church upon the face of the earth..." - Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.164-165 "In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints 'do not believe in the traditional Christ.' 'No, I don't. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. He together with His Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the year 1820, and when Joseph left the grove that day, he knew more of the nature of God than all the learned ministers of the gospel of the ages.'" - Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS Church News, June 20, 1998, p.7 "My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join." "I was answered by God that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” He again forbade me to join with any of them;..." - Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith History 1:18-20 "What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world" - Prophet Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.270 "...all the priests who adhere to the sectarian religions of the day with all their followers, without one exception, receive their portion with the devil and his angels." - Prophet Joseph Smith , The Elders Journal, Joseph Smith Jr., editor, vol.1, no.4, p.60 "For centuries men gathered and argued concerning the nature of Deity. Constantine assembled scholars of various factions at Nicaea in the year 325. After two months of bitter debate, they compromised on a definition which for generations has been the doctrinal statement among Christians concerning the Godhead." "I invite you to read that definition and compare it with the statement of the boy Joseph. He simply says that God stood before him and spoke to him. Joseph could see Him and could hear Him. He was in form like a man, a being of substance. Beside Him was the resurrected Lord, a separate being, whom He introduced as His Beloved Son and with whom Joseph also spoke." "I submit that in the short time of that remarkable vision Joseph learned more concerning Deity than all of the scholars and clerics of the past." "This knowledge of Deity, hidden from the world for centuries, was the first and great thing which God revealed to His chosen servant. And upon the reality and truth of this vision rests the validity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." - Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Great Things Which God Has Revealed" Spring Church Confernece 2005 "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" - Apostle Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 255 "And the angel of God said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people." - Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 14:10-11 "After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon. The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christendom, though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common origin. They all belong to Babylon" - Apostle George Q. Cannon said, Gospel Truth, p.324 "When the light came to me I saw that all the so-called Christian world was grovelling in darkness." - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 5:73 "With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world." - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:199 "The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 8:171 "Brother Taylor has just said that the religions of the day were hatched in hell. The eggs were laid in hell, hatched on its borders, and then kicked on to the earth." - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 6:176 "Christians—those poor, miserable priests brother Brigham was speaking about—some of them are the biggest whoremasters there are on the earth, and at the same time preaching righteousness to the children of men. The poor devils, they could not get up here and preach an oral discourse, to save themselves from hell; they are preaching their fathers' sermons —preaching sermons that were written a hundred years before they were born. ...You may get a Methodist priest to pour water on you, or sprinkle it on you, and baptize you face foremost, or lay you down the other way, and whatever mode you please, and you will be damned with your priest." - Apostle Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 5:89 "The Gospel of modern Christendom shuts up the Lord, and stops all communication with Him. I want nothing to do with such a Gospel, I would rather prefer the Gospel of the dark ages, so called" - Prophet Wilford Woodruff, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p.196 "But as there has been no Christian Church on the earth for a great many centuries past, until the present century, the people have lost sight of the pattern that God has given according to which the Christian Church should be established, and they have denominated a great variety of Christian Churches ... But there has been a long apostasy, during which the nations have been cursed with apostate churches in great abundance" - Apostle Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 18:172 "Christianity...is a perfect pack of nonsense...the devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century." - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p.167 "Where shall we look for the true order or authority of God? It cannot be found in any nation of Christendom." - Prophet John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 10:127 "What! Are Christians ignorant? Yes, as ignorant of the things of God as the brute beast." - Prophet John Taylor, Journal of Discourses 13:225 "What does the Christian world know about God? Nothing... Why so far as the things of God are concerned, they are the veriest fools; they know neither God nor the things of God." - Prophet John Taylor, Journal of Discourses 13:225 "Doctrines were corrupted, authority lost, and a false order of religion took the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it had been the case in former dispensations, and the people were left in spiritual darkness." (p. 266). "For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness, until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the place of salvation ...Joseph Smith declared that in the year 1820 the Lord revealed to him that all the 'Christian' churches were in error, teaching for commandments the doctrines of men." - Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, p.282 "Instead of having apostles, prophets, and other inspired men in the church now, receiving visions, dreams, revelations, ministry of angels and prophesies for the calling of officers, and for the government of the church - they have a wicked, corrupt, uninspired pope, or uninspired archbishops, bishops, clergymen, etc., who have a great variety of corrupt forms of godliness, but utterly deny the gift of revelation, and every other miraculous power which always characterized Christ's Church." "These manmade, powerless, hypocritical, false teachers, make merchandise of the people, by preaching for large salaries, amounting in many instances to tens of thousands of dollars annually. They and their deluded followers are reprobate, denouncing the faith once delivered to the Saints." - Apostle Orson Pratt, "Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon," page 20 "...the Book of Mormon remains secure, unchanged and unchangeable, ...But with the Bible it was not and is not so....it was once in the sole and exclusive care and custody of an abominable organization (Christianity), founded by the devil himself, likened prophetically unto a great whore, whose great aim and purpose was to destroy the souls of men in the name of religion. In these hands it ceased to be the book it once was." - Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, The Joseph Smith Translation, pp. 12, 13 "Must we, under the broad folds of the American Constitution, be compelled to bow down to the narrow contracted notions of Apostate Christianity? Must we shut up our consciences in a nut shell, and be compelled to submit to the bigoted notions, and whims, and customs of the dark ages of popery, transferred to us through the superstitious of our fathers? Must we be slaves to custom and render homage to the soul-destroying, sickening influences of modern Christianity? No!" - Apostle Orson Pratt, The Seer, Vol.1, No.7, p.111 "And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foudation of this (Mormon) church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth..." - Supposedly Jesus Christ Himself, Doctrine and Covenants 1:30 "If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by the Prophet Joseph Smith; if we enter our glory, it will be through the authority he has received. We cannot get around him. " - 1988 Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, p. 142, Apostle George Q. Cannon quoted "Our entire case as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rests on the validity of this glorious First Vision. ... Nothing on which we base our doctrine, nothing we teach, nothing we live by is of greater importance than this initial declaration. I submit that if Joseph Smith talked with God the Father and His Beloved Son, then all else of which he spoke is true. This is the hinge on which turns the gate that leads to the path of salvation and eternal life." - Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign Mag., Nov. 1998, pp.70-71 [There is] "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God" - Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p.190 "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith...every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are... [Joseph Smith] reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will exclaim—"Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!" But it is true." - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p.289-91 "He that confesseth not that Jesus has come in the flesh and sent Joseph Smith with the fullness of the Gospel to this generation, is not of God, but is anti-christ" - Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, p.312 "I tell you, Joseph holds the keys, and none of us can get into the celestial kingdom without passing by him. We have not got rid of him, but he stands there as the sentinel, holding the keys of the kingdom of God; and there are many of them beside him. I tell you, if we get past those who have mingled with us, and know us best, and have a right to know us best, probably we can pass all other sentinels as far as it is necessary, or as far as we may desire. But I tell you, the pinch will be with those that have mingled with us, stood next to us, weighed our spirits, tried us, and proven us: there will be a pinch, in my view, to get past them. The others, perhaps, will say, If brother Joseph is satisfied with you, you may pass. If it is all right with him, it is all right with me. Then if Joseph shall say to a man, or if brother Brigham say to a man, I forgive you your sins, "Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them;" if you who have suffered and felt the weight of transgression—if you have generosity enough to forgive the sinner, I will forgive him: you cannot have more generosity than I have. I have given you power to forgive sins, and when the Lord gives a gift, he does not take it back again." - Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p.154-155 "It is to be feared that in course of a century, some gifted man like Paul, some splendid orator, who will be able by his eloquence to attract crowds of the thousands who are ever ready to hear, and be carried away by, the sounding brass and tinkling cymbal of sparkling oratory, may command a hearing, may succeed in breathing a new life into this modern Mahometanism, and make the name of the martyred Joseph ring as loud, and stir the souls of men as much, as the mighty name of Christ itself. Sharon, Palmyra, Manchester, Kirtland, Far West, Adam-ondi-Ahman, Ramus. Nauvoo, and the Carthage Jail, may become holy and venerable names, places of classic interest, in another age; like Jerusalem, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, and Mount Calvary to the Christian, and Mecca and Medina to the Turk." - Prophet Brigham Young, History of the Church, Vol. 7, p.40-41 "The Greek and Roman Churches, which have been called Christian, and which take the name of Christians as a cloak, have worshipped innumerable idols. On this account, on the simple subject of the Deity and His worship, if nothing more, I should rather incline, of the two, after all my early traditions, education, and prejudices, to the side of Mahomet, for on this point he is on the side of truth, and the Christian world on the side of idolatry and heathenism." - Apostle Parley P. Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p.38 "..instead of saying that Mahometanism prevailed against Christianity, and that Christianity was in danger of being done away by its prevalence, we would rather say, that where Mahometanism prevailed, it taught and established one truth at least, viz., the true and living God, and so far as this went, it did preserve people from worshipping idols. And had the crescent waved on the tower of London, or on the church of St. Paul, instead of the cross, and had the Mahometan religion been enforced instead of the Roman religion that was enforced for a series of generations, and had tradition riveted what the sword enforced, then that nation and the surrounding nations would have been worshippers of one true God instead of idols; they would have recognized it in theory at least, whether they would have worshipped Him in spirit and in truth or not. But now [Christians] do not recognize Him in theory, for they acknowledge as their god an imaginary being without body, parts, or passions." - Apostle Parley P. Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p.39 "Now, if we take Mahometanism during those dark ages, and the corruptions that are so universally prevalent over the earth, and the idolatrous systems of religion, falsely called Christianity, and weigh them in a balance; with all my education in favor of Christian nations and Christian powers, and Christian institutions, so called, with all my prejudices of early youth, and habits of thought and reading, my rational faculties would compel me to admit that the Mahometan history and Mahometan doctrine was a standard raised against the most corrupt and abominable idolatry that over perverted our earth, found in the creeds and worship of Christians, falsely so named." - Apostle Parley P. Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p.40 "Though Mahometan institutions are corrupt enough, and need reforming by the Gospel, I am inclined to think, upon the whole, leaving out the corruptions of men in high places among them, that they have better morals and better institutions than many Christian nations; and in many localities there have been high standards of morals. So far as that one point is concerned, of worshipping the one true God under the name of Mahometanism, together with many moral precepts, and in war only acting on the defensive, I think they have exceeded in righteousness and truthfulness of religion, the idolatrous and corrupt church that has borne the name of Christianity." - Apostle Parley P. Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p.41

LONG ANSWER: For the same reason that Mormons have the right to call others "Apostates", "Gentiles", "Anti-Mormons", or "Persecutors." This sword cuts both ways - for example, you used the words, "so called christians" in your question which implies that YOU don't consider such people "Christians." So couldn't someone turn the question around and ask you: "It is one thing to not agree with another church's beliefs but why do so many so called Mormons think they have a right to tell Evangelicals, Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox groups that they're Apostate just because their beliefs are different from their own?" See how it works? LONGER ANSWER: Each group has the right to make and police their own definitions and labels. They also have the right to determine who's "in the group" and who "isn't." After all this is a country with free speak - right? For example, and to turn the tables a bit, what if I said that I'm a Mormon but . . . 1) I don't believe that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. 2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is NOT the only true Church. 3) The Book of Mormon is NOT true, God-given, or from divine origins. . . . would the LDS Church agree with me? Would you agree with me? Would Evangelicals agree with me? Would Catholics? Would Orthodox? Then what if I said, "Well I'm in the Community of Christ (formerly the RLDS Church)" Same answer? Ditto if I said, "Strangite", "Bickertonite", or "Kingston Clan member"? Next example: Some in the FLDS consider the LDS Church "apostate" as of 1890 due to Official Declaration-1. So according to those Latter Day Saints you're not a Mormon either because you're in a fallen, apostate Church just like the "Gentiles." See how this dynamic works? So I suppose that one should first ask, "What qualities determine if someone is a 'Christian' or not?" And THAT is the question that I'm going to post after I get this answer up.

Do you really know that so many christians do what yu are accusing them of doing. how many have you actually heard do this? Or you going by hear say.