What are your NON-NEGOTIABLES?

[Blackmarch]

"It's more important what you do with your faith than what the content of it is." This, and similar thoughts--it's your fruit that counts--are common place enough. And certainly, I'd agree that a person can be 100% right in their beliefs, and yet a miserable failure at follow through.

So, let us say that, in the spirit of cooperation, we wanted to create an LDS-evangelical cooperative fellowship. Not so much a new church or denomination, but rather a parachurch organization, not officially, but encouraged by both sides' officials.

Every good group needs a statement of accepted truths. So, what particular teachings would you demand be included before you could join such a group? Some examples often cited by evangelicals might be the Trinity (a non-starter, obviously), or reliance on the Bible as God's message to humanity. Are there any doctrines you would insist be included. Are there particular ones that would keep you from joining?

As a start, I'd demand that the Bible be asteemed as a Scripture common to us, one that is taken as primarily literal, and as a worthy representation of God's message to us. I would reject the organization if it dwelled to heavily and the past failures of either side to engage in civil dialogue. A brief recognition might be appropriate, but such a focus would surely result finger-pointing, and likely run counter to the very purpose of such a group.

THe only things set to me in cement are:

1. God exists

2. His Son exists.

3. Their love exists.

4. Joseph Smith is their servant, and that they chose him.

5. They brought about the Book of Mormon.

About everything else revolves around those, to various degrees.

[Traveler]

Loudmouth, I enjoyed that very much. Personally, I've probably gained my most in depth experience on this site. Interfaith gatherings are tense affairs. I'm torn between being proud of my own tradition, and wanting to extol the virtues of our distinctives, while at the same time wanting to learn and be respectful of others, and yet again, not wanting to compromise my faith, or give in to a vacuous ecumenism that profers respect for all, but commitment to none. IMHO, the Apostle Paul probably offers one of the best models for this type of work. He took time to learn about others beliefs and practices, but when the time came to present the Gospel, he did not hesitate, and spoke with passion and conviction.

An interfaith forum ran much like this forum would be most interesting. I would be interested - A note to prisonchaplin = many times I have asked you very "hard" questions. Not so much to see your answer but to observe the manner in which you answered. Many times I have not agreed with you answer but seldom have I ever disagreed with the manner in which you have answered - which is why I would like to keep such communications open or perhaps even expanded.

Perhaps someday we may meet and exchange ideas on more "common" ground.

The Traveler

Edited June 15, 2010 by Traveler

[prisonchaplain]

Traveler, all we need is someplace midway between Springfield, MO and SLC, UT that serves both white chocolate cinnamon dolce breve lattes (with 6-shots of espresso) AND lime Jello with shredded carrots for desert. Maybe Mormonmusic can join us, and provide the background serenade? :-)

[zippy_do46]

Thanks Prisonchaplain,

I would suggest that the Golden Rule would be a good start after Love for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

""A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; As I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

(John 13:34-35)

If we stop and think how we want to be treated before we say or do something I believe this would make a strong group even with our diffrences in belief. :)

[Carl62]

If this new parachurch didn't contain any and all of the 13 Articles of Faith as the foundation, then it would be a dealbreaker for me.

[Dravin]

Refreshments.

If this new parachurch didn't contain any and all of the 13 Articles of Faith as the foundation, then it would be a dealbreaker for me.

I'd think you've have a good case for 1, 7, half of 8, 11, probably 12, and 13.

PC, what do you think about getting 2, and 9 (though I recognize it wouldn't be with the same understanding as we give it) included? And does 3 have a chance? Or does the reference to ordinances make it untenable?