Mormons VS Christians

While both Mormonism and traditional Christianity share some common ground, there are several key theological and doctrinal differences that distinguish them: 

1. Nature of God

• Traditional Christianity (Nicene Christianity): Teaches the doctrine of the Trinity – one God eternally existing in three co-equal and co-eternal persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit, sharing the same divine nature and essence.
• Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - LDS Church): Believes in a Godhead of three distinct and separate beings: God the Father (Elohim), His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. While united in love and purpose, they are considered separate beings, Mormons believe that God the Father once lived as a man and progressed to godhood, and that humans too can progress to become gods. 

2. Jesus Christ

• Traditional Christianity: Believes Jesus is fully God and fully human, the eternal Son of God, who has always been divine.
• Mormonism: Believes Jesus was the firstborn spirit child of God the Father and a heavenly mother, and later born of Mary. He is considered the Savior and Redeemer, but with a "derivative divinity," meaning his divinity was inherited or attained through progression, rather than being inherently divine and co-equal with God the Father from eternity.

3. Scripture

• Traditional Christianity: Considers the Bible (Old and New Testaments) as the inspired and authoritative Word of God.
• Mormonism: Views the Bible as the word of God "as far as it is translated correctly", but also considers other scriptures as divinely inspired and authoritative, including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. 

4. Salvation

• Traditional Christianity: Teaches that salvation is a gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works, however true followers of Christ will change and have good works because of their faith in Christ.
• Mormonism: Believes that grace is necessary for salvation, but it also emphasizes the importance of good works, obedience to commandments, and participation in various ordinances for obtaining exaltation (the highest degree of salvation and eternal life with God). 

5. View of history and revelation

• Traditional Christianity: Believes that Christian history has a continuous line of apostolic succession.
• Mormonism: Believes in a "Great Apostasy" that occurred after the death of the apostles, where true doctrines and authority were lost, necessitating a restoration through Joseph Smith in the 19th century. They believe in continuing revelation through prophets, seers, and revelators. 

6. Ordinances and rituals

• Traditional Christianity: Practices sacraments like baptism (generally valid across denominations, except for the LDS Church), communion/Lord's Supper (using wine or grape juice), and in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, other sacraments.
• Mormonism: Practices ordinances including baptism (by immersion and specific priesthood authority, often not recognizing non-Mormon baptisms), communion (using water), temple ordinances (including endowments and sealings, including sealings for marriage), and baptism for the dead (vicarious ordinances performed for deceased ancestors). 

In conclusion, while Mormons and Christians both believe in Jesus Christ and share some ethical values, their understanding of the nature of God, Jesus, salvation, scripture, and other key doctrines are significantly different.

Jehovah's Witness

1. The Trinity:

• Christians:

• Jehovah's Witnesses:

  Reject the Trinity doctrine, believing that God is one being, Jehovah, and that Jesus is a created being, Michael the Archangel, distinct from God. They view the Holy Spirit as God's active force, not a separate person. 

   

2. Jesus Christ:

• Christians:

• Jehovah's Witnesses:

  Believe Jesus was God's first creation, a created spirit being, who became a man, and that he is not equal to God. They also believe Jesus' pre-human existence was as Michael the Archangel. 

   

3. Salvation:

• Christians:

• Jehovah's Witnesses:

  Believe salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus, but also through obedience to God's commandments and participation in their specific religious practices, including door-to-door ministry. They believe only 144,000 will go to heaven to rule with Jesus, while others will live on a paradise earth. 

   

4. Afterlife:

• Christians:

• Jehovah's Witnesses:

  Believe in a resurrection for the faithful, with a select group going to heaven and others living on a paradise earth. They don't believe in hell as a place of eternal torment, but rather a state of non-existence or unconsciousness. 

   

5. Practices and Beliefs:

• Jehovah's Witnesses:

       Have unique practices like door-to-door witnessing, refusal to celebrate holidays or birthdays (which they see as pagan in origin), and strict rules               against blood transfusions, even in medical emergencies. They also maintain political neutrality, refusing to participate in political activities or                     salute national flags. 

• Christians:

  Have diverse practices depending on their specific denomination, but generally engage in activities like attending church services, prayer, studying the Bible, and participating in community outreach. 

Christian Science

1. Nature of Reality:

• Christianity:

• Christian Science:

  Views the material world as an illusion, believing God's spiritual realm is the only true reality. 

   

2. Healing:

• Christianity:

• Christian Science:

  Prioritizes spiritual healing through prayer and the understanding of God's law, often rejecting or minimizing the use of conventional medicine

   

• Christianity:

4. Other Key Differences:

• Trinity:

• After Life:

  Christian Science views Heaven and Hell as states of mind rather than physical locations.

   
• Sin and Evil:

  Christian Science often views sin and evil as errors in thought, not inherent qualities of human nature.

   

Unitarian Universalist

1. The Nature of God:

• Christians:

• Unitarian Universalists:

  Generally reject the Trinity, emphasizing God's oneness or unity. Some UUs may also believe in multiple conceptions of God, including a non-personal force or a principle that unites all things. Many UUs also incorporate humanist or other non-theistic beliefs into their worldview. 

   

2. The Divinity of Jesus:

• Christians:

• Unitarian Universalists:

  Often view Jesus as a prophet, teacher, or moral example, but not necessarily divine or the son of God. Some may see him as a powerful spiritual leader, but not as God. 

   

3. Salvation:

• Christians:

• Unitarian Universalists:

  Often reject the concept of salvation as a one-size-fits-all idea, believing that salvation can be achieved through various paths, including personal growth, social action, and acts of love and compassion. Some UUs may also embrace the concept of universal salvation, believing that all people will eventually be saved. 

   

4. Authority and Doctrine:

• Christians:

• Unitarian Universalists:

  Value individual experience, reason, and conscience as sources of authority. They do not adhere to a single creed or doctrine, but rather a covenant, which is a shared commitment to principles of love, justice, and community. 

   

5. Inclusivity and Diversity:

• Christians:

• Unitarian Universalists:

  Embrace a wide range of beliefs and practices, welcoming people from diverse religious and philosophical backgrounds. They are known for their commitment to religious pluralism and social justice.