What nerve! Jewish groups don’t want Mormons baptizing them posthumously
I guess this is another example of Christian Churches not being self-righteous.
A coalition of Jews is expected to gather in New York City Monday to denounce the Mormon church for its practice of posthumously baptizing victims of World War II concentration camps.
In a prepared statement Ernest Michel, the honorary chairman of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors, says 14 years of negotiations with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the issue have failed.
Michel and others are scheduled to hold a news conference Monday at the Center for Jewish History in New York City.
Posthumous baptism is a sacred rite practiced in Mormon temples to offer church membership to the deceased. Mormons are encouraged to conduct family genealogy research and forward the names of ancestors for baptism by proxy.
And folks wonder why Mormons get a bad rap? Folks also wonder why Jewish groups might get upset at this.
January 3rd, 2009 10:50
Seems to me, were I to be so “invited” to be a member of their group by virtue of an arcane blood relationship, I might at least be flattered… followed by a polite “Thanks, but no thanks.” As so many have already done.
Some of the commenters at the other sites you link also have very good arguments on this issue. (BTW — your last linky for “upset at this” appears to be broken.)
The trouble is, the Mormons mean well. They want to assure their members that *all* worthy folk, regardless of their upbringing, get into heaven. But I guess it is true what they say about good intentions and a certain highway.