Linda’s Reviews > The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin > Status Update

The weirdness of the denial of evil (I.e. the only reality is that the unreality of sin, sickness, and death seem real) is heightened by Eddy’s replacement explanation of Malicious Animal Magnetism.

Interesting, the contrast of absolute idealism (denial of existence of matter) versus the inevitable “calculating materialist…thoroughly enjoy(ing) all the material comforts derived from denying their existence.”

My favorite parts about Christian Science thus far: (1) “there’s no warrant in common law and no permission in the gospel” for plagiarism, except when you’re recasting ideas from the sainted Dr Quimby, and (2) the death of third husband Asa from “arsenic poisoning mentally administered”. No surprise the autopsy expert/Dean of Bellevue Medical College had no real credentials.

Like the explanation of Mormonism as a masquerade of Christian principles “complete with an exclusive message, infallible prophets, and higher revelations” leading to a “polytheistic nightmare of garbled doctrines”. This “spiritual maze” has drawn away many intro a great deal of pain and trauma.

After using Scripture to combat the Mormon position on universal salvation, ‘free grace’ ending in earned perseverance of the saints, the triple-layered heaven, and celestial marriage…Kimball’s puzzlement over “how anyone could question our being Christians” rings hollow.

After a thundering good defense of how the Mormon ‘priesthood’ is invalidated by the person of Jesus Christ (He is the fulfillment and there is no successor), this applies to other cults. “Christianity is not merely a system of doctrinal pronouncements…It is a living, vital experience with the God of the Bible as He was incarnate in the Man from Nazareth.” More than ethics - a changed life.

I like the reversal of accusation. “Joseph Smith …declared theological war on Christianity when he ascribed to God the statement that branded all Christian sects as ‘corrupt’…The onus of hostility rests upon the Mormons” for lobbing the abusive accusations gleaned from Smith, plus polygamy.

One revision of the Book of Mormon (history of alleged Semitic refugees from Jerusalem around 600 BC) is in 1920, one in 1981 (over 100 verses revised without reference to the missing golden plates). Illustrates the church’s preference to “sacrifice truth for the sake of public relations.”

The Mountain Meadows Massacre of 100+ immigrants underlines both Brigham Young’s ruthlessness and the fact that Mormons were not always helpless recipients of persecution.

Also fascinating that the early years and character of Joseph Smith Jr, like that of Charles Taze Russell for the JWs, is glossed over by future spiritual descendants. The founder provides inspiration (“its initial thrust”) but the first successor adds momentum, building toward an organized religion.