They say perfection is the enemy of good enough. Are you suggesting we don't try to get the best politicians possible?

forcing people (politicians) to say what they really think and believe. My dad was in local politics. i knew many politicians up close and personal. Forcing them to tell what they really believed! It would be easier to force a camel through the eye of a needle. JMHO

I wasn't talking to you or anyone in particular on this board. It's a common belief of many people to think being "in the middle" or "moderate" or "non-judgemental" is a good thing. I don't agree with that idea in the least, especially during an election year when the tricksters running for office will be blowing as much smoke as possible. Now's the time to try to force people to say what they think or believe. Then we can decide who's best qualified to hold office.

If your message was directed towards me. I am so very sorry, I work every day to monitor my thoughts and actions and I do not feel in any way superior to anyone else. There is, I believe, Karma and that word doesn't mean retribution in that people in this life get what they give out. I mean it in a spiritual way. (that word is used incorrectly a lot on this board) JMHO. But you did mention the way language works I guess if we use it that way enough it will mean something different than the original meaning. I am sorry we do not know each other in real life. Words just don't get the real message across very well.
I did say that people have a right to define their own group and others can think about it and make up their own minds-not just nod and swallow it whole.
If Bill Gates said he was poor, I would think about who he spent his social life with, maybe they have so much more money he could feel poor, or maybe he was talking about his personal or spiritual life instead of money, or maybe he is just wrong-who knows.
I do not try to worry about what people label me, nor do I try to be concerned about being seen as open minded, nice or fair, stupid or evil. A lot of people I spend time with are the same. It is called detachment.
Just adding this because tigertown enjoyed learning a little more about other peoples religious beliefs.

I agree this has been a very thought provoking and civilized thread. I agree with Opal when she says...

Yes, you have the RIGHT to be prejudiced, and to express your prejudice through your vote, but I hope you understand that that is what you are doing. You also have the RIGHT to refuse to vote for someone because of the color of their skin, but it would be the wrong thing to do. (Not an Obama reference; just a general example.)

(I don't know how you put those little blue boxes for the above)

Anyone who votes is making a choice for or against someone so we must all have some sort of prejudice that leads us to pick one person over the over in any election.
When I say that Obama is not the right one for the job, it is not because of the color of his skin, it is because I don't like what he stands for.
I was actually kind of bummed that Herman Cain pulled out because I liked what he stood for a lot.

This thread is the first time I have ever even been to this board. I had no idea that people were this emotional over the threads.
Thank you to each and every person who took the time to help me understand someone else's religion a little bit better.

"I did not have sex with that woman."

Followed by decades of people's comparing their definition of what "sex" is.

A lot of people think they are being "nice", "civil", "fair" or "open-minded" or some other positive thing when they claim only the members of a group can define the members of a group. That's not how language works. If Bill Gates tells you he's poor, you'll probably would decide that self-assesment isn't always the best way to define terms. If you're uncomfortable with the messy business of making hard decisions, I'm okay with that. Please don't claim moral superiority over the rest of us who are willing to dig a little deeper before we make decisions. This has been a great thread. I thank the OP for making me think a bit during primary season.

Yikes! I think this whole discussion has gone off in a ditch because some people who are not Mormons are telling others whether or not Mormons are Christians.

This always sets off miscommunications whether the discussion is about religion, politics-what makes a republican or right wing, what makes someone African American, etc. I think we need the answer to all or any of this type questions about groups from people who actually belong to the group. I hate it when others define a group I identify with without being part of that group. It almost always states some very profound misunderstandings. I do like to discuss different belief systems with people who actually practice that faith, not from people of my faith telling me about it. JMHO
If members of the group answer we can all decide whether we agree or disagree in our own mind but who are any of us to claim to fully know what other belief system is.

Sometimes I don't even know exactly what I believe because life is so complex and new knowledge and information is available all the time. The opportunity to grow and change and be flexible with our beliefs is always out there. Great example is that Pluto is not a planet, I was told years ago that is was, and I wholeheartedly believed that. If you read history, over time religions have modified what they emphasize and have made some perhaps small but changes none the less to their rituals.

Can't we just let people identify themselves and respect that? After all I am petite, under 5 feet tall, if someone else thinks they are petite and are 5'6" I don't have to point out the differences and declare they are not. Just go with it! Who does it hurt? If Mormons believe they are Christians, just go with it. Who does it hurt?

Okay, since we are talking about religion and others have printed their belief, let me end by putting my firm belief out there-concentrate on doing right, not being right. Please don't call another religion a cult to try to be right. It is just insulting and it isn't doing the right thing. Be compassionate, please, accept all points of view. No one has the monopoly on truth, we each have a little part.

from post #34

And yes, I too am "a self-proclaimed Christian."

Okay, trying again. Only God knows someone's heart. Obama claims to be a Christian, so I'll take his word on it. If the presidential race ends up between Obama (who is a Christian like me) and Romney (a Mormon which I am not), I'd vote for Romney over Obama because I agree with Romney's politics more.

There, is that better? My original words did not convey what I meant...

I am not voting for president based on his religion.

Instead I'll vote for someone whom I agree with more with regards to political issues...

I have been trying to add to this discussion in a non-political context as I believe others including AliciaG have done. Yet there are some who continually are drawing the conversation back to today's political race. I'm not interested in exploring this topic in regards to the candidates seeking nomination for the presidential election. So, I will discontinue the discussion.


AliciaG says

"a self-proclaimed mainline Christian" is in and of itself insulting.

Isn't everyone on this board who claims to be Christian a "self-proclaimed mainline Christian."

I just wish Christ would reappear and set people straight on what it was he was talking about, cause I don't think most people get it.

this quote of yours really shows how much you dislike Obama. What exactly has he done or not done that is worse then not being a Christian?

>>> Yes, I know, it says in the Bible. But again, why is your interpretation of the Bible more valid than someone else's? Because you believe it is? Well, so does that other person, about their own interpretation! <<<

Is this aimed at me?

Without denying who I am or what I believe in, I've tried to simply present facts about what mainline denominations believe and what Mormons believe. I did not conclude that either the mainline "who is Jesus" is right or wrong or that the Mormon "who is Jesus" is right or wrong. The reader can draw his or her own conclusions. So, if you believe Jesus is Satan's spirit brother, that Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother live on Kolob with their spiritual children, that men can become gods and that God was once a man (as well as many other beliefs), then Mormonism is the faith for you. If you believe that Jesus IS God, the second person of the Trinity, that his sacrifice on the cross is sufficent and necessary for the atonement of sin, that Jesus has always existed (as well as many other things...), then your beliefs line up with most mainline denominations.

I really tried to leave what I believe in out of this conversation besides simply stating what side of this fence I am on.

Let the facts speak for themselves.

Actually, I've seen this question come up in very non-political contexts. You know, a new coworker announces she is Mormon and you get curious, your brother converts from Mormonism to Methodism, two "elders" (it's hard to call someone less than half my age an "elder" -- if they are elders, what does it make me?) show up at the door, you hear a radio preacher and wonder if he's right or wrong.

It's a perennial topic, not just an election year topic. Maybe the current races focus some minds on it, but I would like to think people are looking beyond that to character and political stances on important topics (of course "important" varies person to person). Being a conservative, I'd much rather vote for Romney, a Mormon who does not share my faith, than Obama, a self-proclaimed mainline Christian.

events, I don't see how we could pretend that the discussion about whether Mormons are Christian could possibly NOT be connected to the Romney-Gingrich debacle.

I think the OP is addressing 2 topics. I think this has been a very interesting and civil discussion of two connected topics. I also think it is possible to discuss the two topics in one thread.

Can you use 2 blue quote boxes to back that up? Cuz I am not seeing it.

This was originally posted in the teacher's lounge, and the question was one of curiousity - not necessarily religious or political although she admitted this was a current topic in both arenas.

I stated, more than once, that I was taking the question at face value. Iifi you reread the first 4 responses to the original question you will see they were also responding to the literal question. It wasn't until the 5th post belonging to Clarity that jumped on the politics.

I am not even thinking of Mitt Romney as I write. Like I said, I had a very similar conversation with a friend regarding members of the Unity church considering themselves Christian. Just a religious conversation...not political.

Wow. We just can't move this conversation away from Mitt Romney or the upcoming election, can we?

I think the group itself defines and sets parameters. Many of the essentials are stated in the creed spoken by many different Christian churches. Same creed when I attended the Catholic church that I recited in the Evangelical Presbyterian church. Lots of differences between those two Christian churches but a set of common core beliefs.

What if Mitt Romney attended the Mormon church but claimed himself to be atheist? Wouldn't you use a set of parameters to wrap your mind around that?

I thought we were talking about the religious beliefs of potential presidential candidates?!?!

Why would tigertown bring it up right now otherwise?

since tigertown brought up this thought provoking topic......

we need a leader that represents the majority of the US citizens not the 1% of ultra rich corporations that are running our government right now.

Their religious beliefs, in my opinion, are the very least of our concerns.

Most politicians in the US hide behind their Christianity to please the masses and then do whatever the lobbyists and special interests tell (pay them) to do.

Let's not focus on religion here...that is exactly what opiates the masses! Karl Marx

The original question had nothing to do with voting, but I guess that is how most of you are reading it. I do realize what is going politically, but like I said I took this question at face value. It is not about holding Christians in "high esteem" or making them sound superior.

Christianity is a religious belief system. Aren't there parameters or characteristics that define it? Couldn't we then use those parameters to decide whether a group falls into that category or not???

For example, what if Mormons said they were Hindus, Atheists, Moonies? Wouldn't we use the definitions of those groups to understand? Granted, it is not our right to question what a person or group calls itself, but does that mean they fit the criterion seen as the norm for that group? I mean, I could say that I was African-American and you may look at my blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin and the fact that none of my relatives/ancestors has ever been to Africa and you may question that!

Let's move the topic away from Mormonism for a minute since that seems to be too quickly linked to today's political topics for people to think any different. I actually had this conversation with a young friend not that long ago. She was talking about the Unity Church and called them Christians. She said they call themselves Christians, therefore they are. Well, again, I can't debate that, but do they fit the definition of a Christian? I don''t believe that the Unity church (at least not when I went) teaches that Jesus is the only way to bridge the gap between sinful man and God. Or that Jesus is God's son or that Jesus was born of a virgin birth or that Jesus is part of a divine trinity. Do they believe Jesus died on a cross and rose again to life three days later? Jesus (to Christians) is more than a good man who's life we should emulate?

As AliciaG pointed out Christianity (like Hinduism, Atheism, etc..) is a BELIEF system not an ACTION system. Christianity is more than just "following Christ" or acting "Christlike" there is a set system of beliefs that are essential to Christianity. Such as those stated in the Apostles or Nicene Creed that many Christian churches recite as part of their service.

Christians are NOT the only group that does good deeds and make an effort to show love and kindess to others. So, I am not trying to elevate Christianity to anything other than a set of belief systems. I just feel that there is a CORE or essential set of beliefs common to all who are part of the Christian faith...whether they are Baptist, Methodist or Catholic.

That was my original point, but it didn't go over well.

I'm sure if you had asked the Jews back in the time of Christ, they would have told you that this new fad, Christianity, was a Cult! And Christ the biggest cult leader ever.

Cult comes from culture.....

It is all the religious ceremonies, images, shrines, songs/chants, ritual behaviors, churches....you name it.

Christianity is a cult just like all the other religions in the world.

Who cares if Mormons are Christian?

Why should we base our voting decisions on religion, ethnicity, color of skin, or sexual orientation?

Under mainstream Christianity thousands of cultures who never heard about Jesus will spend eternity in hell.

In the LDS faith there is a method provided to help them earn their way to heaven by hearing the gospel in the Spirit world and accepting Christ as their Savior. then we the living are baptised on behalf of the dead so that they have the option of being lifted up to heaven.

That tenet alone makes them worthy of the title Christian. Anyone who is educated about the faith knows they are christian. Then there are people who Think they know about our faith who by their very words prove themselves fools.

I broke with the church because of their interference in politics I believe in the separation of church and state and that American refers to all Americans not just the Christian right.

The church violated the tenets of my conscience and that is "the still small voice" of God so I did what they preach we should do I listened to the stil small voice and left the church.

Still, I know they are Christians

I started this post because I had always been taught that Mormon's were a cult, not christians. When having a conversation with some friends one of them said that mormon's fall under the christianity umbrella. So, I just wanted to be educated on what was true.

With that being said I do feel like I have the RIGHT as an American citizen, voter, and Christian to vote for someone who prays to the same God I do, if that is what I choose..
Do I think that Newt is the man for the job, I don't know.
Do I think that Romney is the man for the job, I don't know.
Do I think that Obama is the man for the job, NO.

The quote function has always acted goofy on my laptop

AA said: "What if there really is only one Jesus Christ, one man who is the living God and he loves the Mormons just as much as he love the Baptists?"

I say, of course there is only one Jesus Christ and of course he loves the Mormons just as much as he love [sic] the Baptists! He also loves the Hindus, the atheists, the Moonies...

>>> Do we define "christian" by what we BELIEVE about Jesus or what we DO about Jesus? <<<

I see Christianity as a belief system not an action system (otherwise everyone who does lots of "good" things would be labelled Christian -- what if they were really Muslim or atheist?). However, when someone is following Christ fully, their life will "bear fruit" as they are made more Christ-like day by day. Someone who is new to the faith or not "walking in Christ" might show little or no "fruit."

It depends how you define "Christian". ;-)

people are caught up in voting AGAINST someone because of his or her religion. That whole issue is being brought up because so many right-wing Christians are trying to destroy Romney's chances to run for president. The bigotry is astonishing.

How dare anyone decide what the teachings of another religion are or are not? How dare anyone decide that their version of the Christ story or Christ's teachings are more true than someone else's. If people get this upset over whether Mitt Romney believes in the same Christ as they do, what would happen if someone who followed a religion that didn't even take Christ into account ran for President?

The sad part is that people are still so parochial and narrow-minded about other people's beliefs that they would let it get in the way of electing someone who might be a good president. I'm not necessarily in favor of a Republican victory at this point, mainly because they are all scaring me, but I find it appalling that Newt Gingrich is leading the pack today, apparently because he has been deemed the best "Christian." It's almost as if the people of South Carolina are so frightened of their own fantasy of what Mormons are or do that they would rather vote for an unethical adulterer, as long as he calls himself a Christian.

Clarity, when I read your posts I feel like you are commenting on another thread! I don't find anything sad about this discussion (for the most part). I think people have been stating what "they" believe, not what is "right" or "wrong". I know this is connected to the politics that are happening now, but I took the question literally and tried to respond to it. If I came off sounding superior or judgemental, I did not mean to!

It has been good for me to read some different viewpoints than mine as well as perspective from some Mormon commenters. It has challenged my thinking, is all I can say. And sometimes by pointing out how we are different, we all find some commonalities.

There was an article in our church newspaper by Chuck Colson. This is NOT the article, but in it he does make many of the same statements. (Colson's statements are the only ones I care about in this link)

http://www.christianpost.com/news/ch...rmonism-58555/

tomorrow! He would quickly separate the wheat from the chaff when it came to who was really a Christian, i.e., someone who behaves like the mythical Christ figure.

Most people who hold themselves in such high esteem for being Christians and believing a certain way, and who feel compelled to brag about it and proselytize, are usually not very Christlike.

It's like what Newt's second wife said about him when he was simultaneously trying to impeach Clinton while having an affair of his own, i.e., Newt told her, "It's not what I DO that matters, it's what I SAY!"

What if there really is only one Jesus Christ, one man who is the living God and he loves the Mormons just as much as he love the Baptists?

Do we define "christian" by what we BELIEVE about Jesus or what we DO about Jesus?

a topic of discussion in connection with the presidential candidates.

It's kind of like that saying by L. Ron Hubbard:

We promote freedom of religion in this country, but only if you are Christian.

How would a Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, or Atheist feel reading this debate? People are entitled to their own religious beliefs, but they should have nothing at all to do with choosing a President.

Yes, I know this topic wasn't introduced in connection with politics, but we all know that is why it is under discussion on this and other forums.

I don't think there's judgmentalism in pointing out differences between belief systems and practices. It's sort of like saying a pine has pointy needles that don't all shed in the fall and oaks have broad leaves that shed in the fall.

Mormons and mainline Christian denominations differ hugely in who they say Christ is.

If you have a friend that is 5'5", outgoing, nearsighted, chubby, with fair skin and freckles and her name is Madeline Morris and you ask your friend, "Do you know Madeline Morris?" And your friend answers, "Yes, I am a friend of Madeline Morris. She's 5'1", shy, olive skinned, farsighted, and a bit on the skinny side," you then would say, "Oh we both are friends of a Madeline Morris -- but we are friends of different Madeline Morrises."

Same name, different friend. I have a friend named Jesus and my friend Jennifer has a friend named Jesus. We both follow our friends named Jesus. We are both Jesus-followers... Just different Jesuses.

I'm not viewing this question in the light that its obviously "superior" to be a Christian. I don't think it is wrong to ask and I did not mean any judgement in my response. I'm very glad Private Eyes chose to respond and I learned from that response.

I was raised Catholic and as an adult I have attended several different denominations: Lutheran, Episcopalean, Evangelical Presbyterian to name a few. Even though those churches praised and worshipped God differently, with differing views on some things, they all fell under the "Christian" umbrella (in my mind) because their essential beliefs were the same.

I like the words of Augustine "In essentials Unity, In non-essentials, Liberty, in all things Charity."

I know that Mormons consider themselves Christian and so do Jehovah Witness. It is interesting to me to find out what constitutes Christianity in their minds vs. what constitutes Christianity in my mind. I'm not a theologian by any means. And again, I am not trying to be judgemental. I think we can learn more about each other just by talking sensibly.

I think the word "Christian" only appears in English language scripture about three or four times. Maybe we would all do better to follow that example and not throw it around so readily. I imagine it's a more exclusive club than a lot of us would like to admit. Now "forgiven" people is a different story, IMO.

Mormons DO belief differently than mainstream denominations, though.

Some basic differences about Jesus between mainstream denominations (I'll call MD for short) and Mormons:

Mormons believe that Jesus is a literal son (aka "spirit child") of a god named Elohim and his wife. MDs believe that Jesus is eternal and therefore there was never a time he didn't exist.

MD's believe that Jesus is God -- the second person of the Trinity or Godhead; Mormons do not (they think he is "a god" or something like that -- I never could get a logical answer from the nice Mormon "elders" that visited us).

Mormons believe that Jesus was a polygamous Jewish male while MD's believe he was an unmarried rabbi (teacher).

Mormons believe that Jesus only atoned for Adam's sin by sweating blood in Gethsemene. MD's believe that Jesus atoned for everyone's sins (if only they accept this free gift) by being crucified.

MDs believe Jesus is not related to Satan, a mere angel; Mormons believe that Jesus and Lucifer are literal "spirit brothers."

Mormons believe that Jesus' sacrificial death is not able to cleanse some people of their sins. MD's believe that Jesus' sacrificial death is able to cleans every person of all their sins.

Mormons believe there is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as prophet of God. MDs believe that Jesus aone is the way, the truth, and the life and that there is no prophet we must acknowledge or follow to gain salvation.

So, if Christianity is "following Jesus" then ... well, I guess both MDs and Mormons (I am not "up" on Catholic beliefs ... or Eastern Orthodox) are "Christians" but they each follow a different Jesus. He's the same in name only and is not the same in who he is, who he is related to, what he can do, and who he saves. So, yes, PrivateEyes IS a Christian -- she just follows a different Christ than I do!

Mormons also are different from MD in a few other ways:

Mormon adults wear special "temple garments" under their clothes but MDs usually wear off the shelf underwear. Mormons have a "secret" handshake but MDs don't. Mormon elders are young adults that often struggle with acne where as MD elders might struggle with hair loss. Mormons believe that Elohim (aka Heavenly Father) and Heavenly Mother had lots of spirit children and they all lived for a while on Planet Kolob. Adam and Eve are children of this couple. MDs just don't believe that. Mormons believe in an "eternal progression" where men can become gods of their own universes and that God was once a man before he became a God. MDs do not believe that God was ever a man nor do they believe that people can become gods of their own domain. Symbols on Mormon temples are not all rooted in the stories of the Bible. MD's allow non-members to worship with them and come inside their special buildings, but Mormons do not allow non-members into all their sacred buildings.

They also have changed over the years (for the better IMO). They used to practice polygamy (some splinter groups still do) until they abolished it to attain Utah statehood. And they used to not allow blacks in the priesthood and their prophets had derogatory things to say about blacks. Thankfully, it appears that has changed.

There are a lot more differences than this. Mormons that I know tell me that they are just another denomination but there are differences in the definition of terms like Christ, God, salvation, etc.

I guess the answer is "Mormons see themselves as Christians because they follow Christ but their Christ is different than the Christ of mainline denominations."

So, I guess they are!

If that's true, then some Mormons are, and some are not. Just as some Baptists, some Methodists, some Catholics, and some Presbyterians, etc. are, and some are not. Nobody has the market cornered on Jesus.

Private eyes, I wouldn't worry too much about what other people believe you believe. It sounds like you don't anyway. Isn't it wonderful that there's only one opinion that matters?

...but plainly very stupid, because we have no idea what we believe.

After spending something like 51 years learning about and trying to live my religion, I still am continuously told what I believe and don't believe by people who KNOW better than me. It's very discouraging and could be offensive if I were the type to take offense easily.

It's been my experience that if I defend my religion publicly, someone will come along with a bunch of out-of-context quotes that will PROVE that my religion is not as worthy of respect as theirs. So, usually, I just keep quiet, not because I can't debate it, but because I won't debate it. It hurts my heart.

I will say this: If, as Maestra believes,

Yes, Mormon people can be some of the nicest people you'll ever know. They have good family values. But, I believe most of them do not understand one of the core beliefs of their religion--that Jesus is not God.

I have to say that I don't know enough about Mormon beliefs about Christ and God to have an opinion about if they are or are not Christian, but I will say that I have had numerous Mormon students over the years (and this year too) and that I have found them to be the sweetest, kindest, brightest, and best behaved students that I have ever had. They aren't ever the ones bullying, involved in disputes, name calling, using bad language, or being unfriendly. All I can say is that my Mormon parents are wonderful people and they sure are raising fine children with good values and kind hearts.

If you take the time to learn a little bit about Mormons, you will see that they are very different from what most people define as christians. They are smart enough to understand how important labels are. They keep calling themselves christians because they understand that the christian label will alllow them to function in this country with less conflict. They have said it enough times that a large percentage of people agree without ever having done any fact checking. It reminds me very much of the gay privilege crowd. They were clever enough to get many people to refer to their movement as gay "rights" and instantly garnered a nice chunk of popular support.

I have to agree with KatieViolet, and I'll stop there. It's a touchy subject.

The mormon system is not christian - but I won't judge the individuals. Some may be Christians who have been and are being duped by a cult.

They are a cult, however, I've known several Mormons who have Christian type values. The missionary work they do is very dedicated.

From a nonmormon who lives in mormon country, they consider themselves Christians.

I believe Mormonism is a cult.

To me, CHRISTians are those who believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God who was sent to earth as our savior and redeemer. That is an essential belief, in my mind. There are religious sects who call themselves Christians but believe that Jesus was merely a man or a prophet. I would not agree with them.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are Christians.

The Christian right now has to choose between an adulterer and a Mormon. I just love politics.

As to whether the Mormons are Christian: at this point, I can't think of ANY religious group that calls itself Christian really practices what Christ preaches. And the fact that they spend all their time squabbling like middle schoolers about whose God is the real God or which Church represents God or who God really speaks to just makes me wonder about all of them.

If Christ came down today, I doubt he would feel comfortable in any Christian sect.

Mormons think they are Christians, but they do not believe that Jesus is God. If Jesus is not God to them, I don't know how they can call themselves CHRISTians. I think they need to think of another term to call their religion.
Reading over this to myself, it sounded kind of harsh, but my first sentence is absolutely true.

Certainly they have some different beliefs from this traditional Methodist girl, but they consider themselves Christian.

By the way, I've had conservative evangelical students tell me that Roman Catholics aren't Christian either. They claim their preacher and parents told them that. That would certainly surprise a lot of people, wouldn't it?

According to what the Bible states, no, I don't think they are. Most would probably consider themselves Christian, but when you consider everything the Mormon church teaches, including their other religious texts, it doesn't match what the Bible says.

I believe that being a Christian means accepting God's gift of grace as payment for our sins--Jesus died on the cross to do that. I will never be good enough on my own to go to heaven, even if I am a "good" person. Mormons believe they also have to do good works to be accepted into the "third heaven", which is the highest level they believe in.

Plus, the god of Mormonism doesn't match the God of the Bible. There are many things that Mormons teach about God, such as that he hasn't always been God and was originally a man who obtained god-ship. The Bible teaches differently. So to me, they believe in a different "god". I could go on, and I know others may disagree, but take it for what's it's worth!

Yes, they are.

I am not trying to step on any religious toes with this question--jusy curious-and yes this does have a political ring to it.
Are Mormon's christians?