“Mormonism is a Cult!” Why do Some People Say That?

If I had a dime for every time another Christian told me that my church was a cult I’d be a wealthy man. Cliché, I know, but true. Why would one Christian deny another Christian her Christianity? This post is intended to answer this question at a very basic level.

To get quickly to the point, it is likely that the primary reason is theological. As a movement, Mormonism does not explore theology in mainstream pursuits. We just don’t. So theological considerations within Mormonism are a bit opaque to say the least. Therefore, when the appellation “cult” is applied to us we frequently gasp, point out the name of the Church with a verbal emphasis on “Jesus Christ” and communicate a posture of “Nuf said!” Well, that response does not address the theological underpinnings of the seemingly uncivil accusation.

Here’s the deal. Mormons focus on praxis (what we do, what we practice) more than we focus on theology. Our Christianity is confirmed through out actions. In general Christianity it is more complicated. Theological positions have been considered, reconsidered and established over centuries and centuries of time. For example, questions about the Godhead have been explored deeply and at great length throughout those centuries. For Mormons to refuse those creedal decisions made under inspiration (an inspiration that Mormons are very prone to deny) is not only repugnant, it is heresy and may be reasonably attached to cult religious movements. At a baseline level, it is just that simple. It is a theological claim—not a description of Mormon praxis (actions such as feeding the poor and assisting victims of hurricanes, earthquakes or tsunamis).

Perhaps the most familiar creed to Mormons is the Nicene Creed established by the ecumenical council held in 325 AD in Nicaea (modern Iznik, Turkey). Christianity was growing in fantastic ways and there was a need to resolve pressing issues that emerged in distant and local congregations of the church relative to the Godhead, church structure, and so forth. Therefore an ecumenical council was called to resolve those issues. Perhaps the most significant outgrowth of the council was an agreed upon description of the early Christian church. It was to be “one, holy, apostolic, and catholic.” Now, Mormons generally believe that by 325 AD Christianity had fallen off table—apostasy had set in. The real church had fled into the wilderness. I get that. But what is so troubling about Christianity, that was on the brink of becoming the official religion of the Holy Roman Empire, determining that they should be one (Christ is the only true God), holy (set apart for sacred purposes), apostolic (linked to the authority of Christ) and catholic (universal–all mankind must acknowledge Jesus as Savior and King)?

Here is the direct language from that part of the creed: “And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.” This creedal statement served to unify early Christianity. So far as I can tell, there is not much in this part of the creed that should set a Mormon on edge. Agree with it entirely? No. Appreciate it as a document crafted by earnest believers? Yes.

Additional creeds followed the Nicene. For example, the Westminster Confession is the creedal declaration that God is a God “without body, parts or passions.” It is likely this creed that God the Father and Jesus Christ refer to in their declaration to Joseph Smith that the creeds of Christianity are an abomination. Even so, general Christianity accepts these creedal statements and when Mormons reject them (which we should do in the specifics about the Godhead at least) we may be identified as a cult. It is a title couched in theological reasoning.

May I modestly propose that Mormons should be aware of these distinctions? Otherwise, dialogue with our Christian brothers and sisters is significantly hampered. And it does not need to be terminally hindered at creedal junctions on either side. There is too much to learn from one another and too many people to serve together to exit the discussion there.

I hope this thumbnail sketch is helpful. And I emphasize thumbnail. But keep in mind that if I had a dime for every time a Mormon disrespected Christians through Mormon misunderstanding of the Nicene Creed, I’d be rich! A generation of missionaries that went into the field with this baseline understanding would make a significant difference in the world of Mormonism and how we interactt with Christianity in general. Adjust accordingly as you see fit.