I'm a Mormon, not a Christian.

[Donuthole]

In this recent Times Op-Ed piece, David Mason expresses very eloquently what I, and I believe many other Mormons, have felt for some time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/op...&smid=fb-share

[Moliere]

In this recent Times Op-Ed piece, David Mason expresses very eloquently what I, and I believe many other Mormons, have felt for some time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/op...&smid=fb-share

I liked that article. I do, however, call myself a Mormon Christian as I think it adequately portrays how I live, but I'm okay with also being a non-Christian Mormon.

[Commando]

Loved it, too. However, some people in the comments are disparaging his characterization of the Nicene Creed. I'm not sure they know what they're talking about.

[venkman]

I'm consider myself both. I refer to myself as a Mormon, not a Christian; however, I definitely think of myself as a Christian generally, as in a follower of Christ. I also resent that others do not consider Mormonism a strand, yes, a very different strand, of Christianity.

[smokymountainrain]

You say potato...

[Omaha 680]

I try my best to follow Christ, but fail in many areas. I'm also a Mormon. What does this make me?

[Blueintheface]

I try my best to follow Christ, but fail in many areas. I'm also a Mormon. What does this make me?

Following His tenets was not the criteria for the author's inclusion in Christianity. If you agree with the article it makes you Mormon, not Christian.

[oxcoug]

Why isn't there a CUF wank-icon?

Come on, Mason - (a) to be a "Christian" simply means to follow Jesus Christ and embrace him as an exemplar, a teacher and a savior - to take upon oneself the name of Christ, something the LDS do every damn Sunday - if you do those things you are a Christian whether or not you think otherwise; (b) I find his glib reduction of what it means to be Christian - "so often involves such boorish and meanspirited behavior that I marvel that any of my Mormon colleagues are so eager to join the fold" - to be a bit stupid. There are hundreds of millions of Christians in the world, but our boy Mason wants to reduce them, their spiritual lives and the good they do to the actions and attitudes of a fraction of the loudest.

And finally - I don't get anyone wanting to concede the definition of "Christian" to the jackass Evangelicals who make so much noise.

[oxcoug]

All that said - can't wait to read his book “Theatre and Religion on Krishna’s Stage: Performing in Vrindavan” - sounds great!

[Donuthole]

Why isn't there a CUF wank-icon?

Come on, Mason - (a) to be a "Christian" simply means to follow Jesus Christ and embrace him as an exemplar, a teacher and a savior - to take upon oneself the name of Christ, something the LDS do every damn Sunday - if you do those things you are a Christian whether or not you think otherwise; (b) I find his glib reduction of what it means to be Christian - "so often involves such boorish and meanspirited behavior that I marvel that any of my Mormon colleagues are so eager to join the fold" - to be a bit stupid. There are hundreds of millions of Christians in the world, but our boy Mason wants to reduce them, their spiritual lives and the good they do to the actions and attitudes of a fraction of the loudest.

And finally - I don't get anyone wanting to concede the definition of "Christian" to the jackass Evangelicals who make so much noise.

Don't worry. He made it clear he's not speaking for you and the others who pander for the acceptance of the religious right.

I think you're missing (or looking directly past, rather) his point: he doesn't care whether or not a Christian accepts him as a Christian; he knows he is a follower of Christ and is unaffected by whether he fits within a definition.

I find it curious that the same logic so often applied in supporting a constitutional amendment to define marriage-- "why do you care so much about Prop 8. Marriage is just a word and doesn't define who you are. It doesn't prohibit you from living together, loving, etc"-- is the same logic ignored in declaring a right to the definition of the word Christian.

[MarkGrace]

I've never understood why Mormons are so desperate to be considered "Christians." Who gives a shit?