Ask An Eastern Orthodox Christian: Having Mormon Friends

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How should an Orthodox Christian relate with a Mormon; working alongside, working for, and being close friends?

Attending about eight Bible studies a week I have often experienced attitudes of hostility toward other practicing faiths.  Why should diversity of beliefs separate or discourage any meaningful relationship with one another?

If I am comfortable in my faith and belief, there is no need for a Bible-beating, scriptural shootout, or any need to impose what I believe to be true on others.  Yes, we can share what we believe with one another, ask questions, and discuss our faiths, but we have to respect each individual’s personal beliefs. There is this idea that we all have to go out and save everyone from eternal damnation. Few realize this can be a distraction from the work one needs to do to save themselves.

Regardless of what a person believes (Mormon, Buddhist, atheist, etc), Eastern Orthodox Christians recognize and believe that God has created each and every one of us in His image (love), His likeness (holiness) (Gen 1:26), and with the ability of knowing like God(Gen 3:22).

Orthodox Christians perceive that within every one of us is the presence of Christ regardless of what that person might believe or disbelieve.

1 Cor 3:16:  Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Our relationships with one another are based on whether we can love one another, yes that means even those that may persecute you.  Christ came to save all of us, not just some of us.  We should embrace one another as if Christ is the person you are embracing. The way to Christ is through your fellow man which ultimately frees us from our prison of self-centeredness.

Matt 25:40:  And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Matt 22:39:  And the second (great commandment) is like (the first great commandment Matt 22:37): ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  (and boy do we love ourselves).

2 Cor 3:18:  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.