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Anti-Mormon DVD Being Distributed Nationwide
Evangelical Christians are distributing
a new anti-Mormon DVD to thousands of homes across the United States.
The video asks viewers to compare Joseph Smith with Jesus Christ
and Christianity with Mormonism. The video has excellent production
values but, unfortunately, its contents are not of a similar quality.
Scott Gordon, president of The Foundation
for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR), has announced
that the contents of the DVD are not what they appear.
“Though it purports to be an
objective Christian evaluation of the teachings, history, and beliefs
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” he wrote,
the DVD “contains much that is inaccurate and very little
that is balanced. Rather than focus on what they believe, the video's
producers have taken it upon themselves to describe and interpret
LDS beliefs and teachings, often in ways that would be objectionable
or unrecognizable to Latter-day Saints.
"Although they profess love in
the DVD, the letter that accompanied pre-release copies of the video,
given to select non-Mormons, speaks volumes. It says, in part:
CAUTION: This video is to be viewed
by CHRISTIANS ONLY until AFTER the nation-wide distribution which
is scheduled for March 25, 2007. In-other-words, do not allow
any Mormon people to view the video or learn of our intended evangelistic
outreach until after March 25, 2007.
Why such extreme caution? If the
leadership of the Mormon cult learns of our plans, they will publicly
instruct their people not to watch the video and many Mormons
will blindly obey.
"This DVD contains many of the
same anti-Mormon claims that misguided critics have been repeating
for years. The issues raised have been repeatedly addressed by faithful
Latter-day Saints, but the video does not address or take those
responses into account.
"Though the critics have tried
to keep the production and distribution of this video a secret,
FAIR was able to obtain a copy about a week before the release date.
FAIR volunteers watched the DVD and have prepared a point-by-point
response to the claims it makes. The response can be read by clicking
here."
Gordon says that this page is a work
in progress, and that refinements to these responses will continue
to be made.
He wrote, “In one way, we are
grateful to the producers of the DVD as it has motivated us to address,
yet again, the oft-repeated criticisms from this small but vocal
countercult group. Our response to the DVD
provides an easy reference guide for Latter-day Saints and other
interested parties who wish to investigate the DVD's claims.”
To view the responses to this DVD,
and to see the work of FAIR volunteers on this project, go to this
URL: http://www.JosephSmithDVD.org.
Feel free to forward this special FAIR Journal on to other individuals,
mailing lists, Blogs, or message boards.
If you are not currently on the
FAIR mailing list but would like to join, click
here
© 2007 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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