Poll: Three in four pastors say Mormons are not Christians

Most pastors feel strongly that Mormons are not Christians, according to a survey by LifeWay Research.

LifeWay Research says

The survey polled 1,000 American Protestant pastors and asked them to respond to the statement: “I personally consider Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) to be Christians.”

Three-quarters (75 percent) disagree with the statement, including 60 percent who strongly disagree and 15 percent who somewhat disagree. Just 11 percent somewhat agree, 6 percent strongly agree and 9 percent do not know.

“Though pastors believe overwhelmingly that Mormonism is not Christianity, their opinions should not be confused with personal scorn for Mormons,” said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research. “A person can respect a religious group and even appreciate their commitment to traditional moral values without equating their beliefs with Christian orthodoxy.” […]

In the LifeWay Research survey, pastors’ self-identification as either Mainline or Evangelical was a predictor of their opinions regarding Mormons. While two-thirds (67 percent) of Evangelicals strongly disagree that Mormons are Christians, just 48 percent of Mainline pastors feel the same way. […]

“Individuals holding to the Mormon faith are in the news in politics, entertainment and sports,” Stetzer said. “It is inevitable that pastors will be approached with questions from their parishioners regarding the Mormon belief system. All ministers would do well to learn about Mormonism and have an answer ready for their congregations.”

Religion News Blog’s view on this issue
Research resources on Mormonism

Statements of 5 Christian Denominations on Mormonism

The Institute for Religious Research says, “In recent years, several Christian denominations have made studies of Mormon teaching and come to the conclusion that there are irreconcilable differences between LDS doctrine and Christian beliefs based on the Bible.”

Statement of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
Statement of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Statement of the Roman Catholic Church
Statement of the Southern Baptist Convention
Statement of the United Methodist Church

Source

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Religion News Blog posted this on Tuesday October 11, 2011.
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