Carter opposes calling Mormons cult
November 20, 1997
Associated Press reported in its religious briefs for November 20 that
Jimmy Carter, in opposition to Southern Baptist leaders, said Mormons should be considered part of the Christian community rather than a cult.
The Deseret News reported that the former president, speaking in a teleconference with religion writers, said Southern Baptist leaders were wrong to imply The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a non-Christian cult.
He said they ``are trying to act as the Pharisees did, who were condemned by Christ, in trying to define who can and who cannot be considered an acceptable person in the eyes of God.
``In other words, they're making judgments on behalf of God. I think that's wrong,'' Carter said.
Some fundamentalist Protestant denominations criticize Mormon acceptance of additional scriptures - the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price - and their temple worship as departures from traditional Christianity.
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