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 Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal.
February 15th, 2012
04:21 PM ET
Mormons apologize for posthumous baptisms of Wiesenthal's parentsBy Moni Basu, CNN (CNN) - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has apologized for "a serious breach of protocol" in which the parents of the late Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal were posthumously baptized as Mormons. The church also acknowledged that three relatives of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel were entered into the genealogy database, though not referred for baptism. Asher Wiesenthal and Rosa Rapp were baptised in proxy ceremonies in temples in Utah and Arizona, according to the database records discovered by researcher Helen Radkey in Salt Lake City. The Wiesenthal baptisms violated a 1995 pact in which the church agreed to stop baptizing Jewish Holocaust victims. "We sincerely regret that the actions of an individual member of the church led to the inappropriate submission of these names," said church spokesman Michael Purdy. "These submissions were clearly against the policy of the church. We consider this a serious breach of our protocol and we have suspended indefinitely this person's ability to access our genealogy records." Mormons believe that they may be baptized by proxy for deceased ancestors who never had that opportunity. Church members, however, are supposed to request such baptisms only for their own relatives, Purdy said. The agreement over Holocaust victims came about after it was discovered that hundreds and thousands of names had been entered into Mormon records. Jewish leaders said it was sacrilegious for Mormons to suggest Jews on their own were not worthy enough to receive God's eternal blessing. Radkey, who has been tracking Mormon genealogy records for a while for people who ought not to be there, said she inadvertently stumbled upon the Wiesenthal name a few weeks ago. Among others people she discovered had been baptized by proxy is President Barack Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham. The Simon Wiesenthal Center denounced the baptisms. Wiesenthal's father died in combat in World War I. His mother perished at the Belzec concentration camp in 1942. Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal died in 2005 after spending years hunting down Nazis. "We are outraged that such insensitive actions continue in the Mormon Temples," said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, who participated in many of the high-level meetings between Jews and Mormon officials. "Such actions make a mockery of the many meetings with the top leadership of the Mormon Church dating back to 1995 that focused on the unwanted and unwarranted posthumous baptisms of Jewish Victims of the Nazi Holocaust," he said in a written statement. He expressed gratitude to Radkey for "exposing the latest outrage." Radkey also found the names of relatives of Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, author and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. "In this case, the Wiesel family names were not submitted for baptisms but simply entered into a genealogical database," Purdy said. "Our system would have rejected those names had they been submitted." Purdy said it was "distressing" that church members had violated policy and regretted that "an offering based on love and respect becomes a source of contention." Radkey said the church makes such breaches possible because any member can submit a name not connected to their own family. "There are way too many entries slipping through the cracks, including Jewish Holocaust victims," she said. "It's (the Mormons') belief to save the dead that is causing the problem." Wiesel, meanwhile, told the Huffington Post that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who is Mormon, should speak to his own church and tell them to stop the practice of proxy baptisms on Jews. soundoff (2,053 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Hi
How does one check ( confirm ) to see if any one of his/her family tree ancestors, both Irish and English members, ARE NOT YET ALREADY on the Mormon's posthumous baptismal lists ( by proxy or whatever system ) ??? .....
David Fox
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Wow. Its disapointing to me that CNN has to throw this out there just to get a stab at Romney. Lame CNN. I don't care if Romney is mormon or believed in Santa. He is the best candidate because he is experienced and knows how to make this country better. THIS COUNRY NEEDS HELP. Obama is ruining us. *ONE NATION UNDER GOD*
Hey MILLT, Romney is one cold bastard. People should know what he did to his dog.
http://www.dogsagainstromney.com/
Mormons have their massive database in place. Can they automate this baptism business? Kind of a fire-and-forget system for salvation?
Would make their lives easier if they just took the US Consensus and went off that, let the computer do it automatically.
... As a former Mormon, excommunicated for "being Gay" after 15-yrs. membership, I'd like to hear Willard Romney defend giving-MILLIONS-to a "church," which-STILL-endorses "electric-shock" treatment for LGBTQ members!
Oh man! They didn't do that to you did they?
I was just trying to look at it from another's point of view, and I was thinking that if another religion decided to have a proxy baptism for one of my Mormon family members, I wouldn't be offended at all. I understand that the dead get to accept it or reject it in Heaven. So what's the big deal? Sheesh. It's not that big a deal. And we have apologized. It was a mistake. We admit that. Sorry. Now, go out and vote for the best candidate for President . . . Mitt Romney. 🙂
Leroy,
Since you can put yourself in someone of another religions shoes, cout you contemplate why your religion might not be the correct one?
I was another religion. And I couldn't find a Church that made more sense then The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Yeah, people say we believe weird stuff . . . but nothing we believe in is any weirder then Noah's Ark, water from a stone, dividing the Red Sea, Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt, a donkey talking, etc. So, all our fellow Christians who call us weird should take a closer look into their mirrors and perhaps give things more thought (and prayer and reading of The Book of Mormon). 🙂
Great, now exchange your Book of Mormon for the Torah to further theological understanding. And can you please ask your people to keep to the side of the road when they are riding their bikes in my neighborhood. Thank you.
So you already acknowledge the absurdity of all other religions, including yours. Why look for any religion at all? Join some secularist ethical society instead. You wont have to check your rationality at the door.
Hahahaha. cutedog2, I've been to Synagogue. You should have seen one of the old woman's face when I was introduced as a Mormon. 🙂 And I've read from the Koran when I was in Iraq during both tours. They both have great things in them. But please don't run other the missionaries. One might be one of my children. 🙂
Bff, you've obviously never had Heavenly Father clearly answer one of your prayers and allow you to experience miracles first hand. If you had, you wouldn't want to live life without having that available to you at a moment's notice. It's better then life insurance, driving around in an MRAP, or anything else earthly. Try it, you'll like it. 🙂
Mitt Romney is a lot of things: wealthy, privileged, cruel to his dog – he is best written off and forgotten.
http://www.dogsagainstromney.com/
Leroy,
If God's never answere any of my prayers, whose fault is that? If god has never shown any objective evidence of his existance, whose fault is that?
I could be made to be a believer in an instant if god wanted that. Apparently he doesn't, or maybe more probably, he doesn't exist.
Bff, there is evidense of His existance everywhere. For example, if you look at how light is transferred threw the eye, onto the retina, through the optic disc and nerve, and into the brain . . . and how we are able to make sense of that energy, well, in my mind, we weren't trail and error creaters that evolved from the mud. That is just one of many billions of miracles just in the human body. But I am confident, The Lord will speak to you if you give Him a try long enough and do your part . . . the things the scriptures tell us we need to do. He has made us that promise. Another miracle is that I graduated with a graduate degree with my terrible spelling. 🙂 See, they are everywhere. 🙂
Leroy,
All of the proofs you are mentioning have much better, and far more reasonable scientific answers. The information is out there for you, my friend. You just need to open your eyes to a different possibility.
And as for giving god a longer try... I haven't gone anywhere. I'm still here and have been waiting my whole life. As I said before, don't blame me.
Leeroy,
In super computer simulations, it takes about 16 generations for cells to evolve the capacity to become sensitive to light. You know how many millions of years the optic system had to evolve ? Why can't you Intelligent Design people take a course in Evolutionary Biology, and stop "marveling" about things that are perfectly explainable ?
Baptizing dead people is one of the more moderately whacky behaviors of these people.
you had me at "Morons are sorry.'
Unite the world under one true Christian banner, execute all the non-believers and heathens. True peace can be achieved that way, through fear or religious zeal. Atheists can be burned at the stake, if you do not believe in the same religion, you are utterly worthless and God sees this, he knows. Live in fear Atheists, confessing the love of the Lord on your deathbed will not save you.
It is a good thing Christianity is dying with the younger generation. Then again Christians are balancing it out by making the younger generations crazier. I can't wait till america is more like europe, full of non-secular goodness and actually using science not make believe sky monsters. I guess until we actually start educating the South we will continue to run into crazy zealots that think for some reason converting through force will not result in a revolt.
That must be some fancy asylum, that it has internet access. . .
Thank you for your post. My jewish brothers and sister think the christians will take care of them. Maybe now they'll see what they are up against before it is too late.
Foolish response, it can be achieved through force. The disgusting liberals are the atheists in the country, foul. They do not believe in guns either, seems like a one sided battle. Another crusade to purge the land, battle against our neighbors turned enemies, glorious. You will see, one banner will reign supreme.
I call troll on zeal.
Epica – Regardless of your belief of Christianity, Christianity and Mormonism are two different beasts. To state that they are cut from the same mold is like saying that Spanish and Mexicans are the same...nope, there are similarities, but that is it.
Zeal, you and Epitah sound so much a like. Just different versions of the same dream.
Anyone who is an extremist like zeal is already lost to reason. Forget trying.
Followers of Christ and Mormons are not the same thing. Mormon theology is very far from the Bible. I am a young believer and Jesus has made me a better person – more caring, patient, concerned for the world, more tolerant, careful to watch what I say, giving, more into learning and researching the facts... I don't think you understand the whole picture regarding Mormonism, the Bible and true followers of Jesus.
If you believe in Christianity more power to you if it has helped make you a better person. I just run into too many insane people that believe Religion through force. If you are moderate and it does good things for your life good on you, but it is just not my cup of tea and I rather see the USA move towards a more secular society that uses reason not fear mongering.
Canada
How did Jesus single you out specifically and do all these great things for you?
Why are you attributing all of your own accomplishments to someone else? And why not give me some credit too?
Anyone notice how much CNN loves Muslims and is always criticizing Mormons since Romney's assension?
Thanks for dumbing down the conversation!
I think I saw them loving on Muslims last month when they reported about the Muslim dad who slaughter his ex-wife and 2 daughters for being too Americanized.
You don't have to criticize mormons to make them look like idiots.
Actually they had a lovely story about a Mormon woman last week who left the church and then rejoined because of her convictions. You only see what you want to see.
Oh, convictions should DEFINITELY be in the mix.
Can this nation seriously be consdiering electing a follower of this twisted theology to the White House?
I find it quite offensive and a lack of respect for a person religion of choice that they can be baptized after their dead. My gret grandfather was an orthodox rabbi and I can see how any religion can baptize him just because one of my cousins decides to convert.
The Jewish are not the only ones horribly affronted by this common Mormon practice. Please do not blame the rest of us Christians for what they do.....we are also their victims. They do not baptize the dead so much in the interest of the saving of souls.......it doesn't matter if they are already bible believing Christians... that is not the issue. it is done solely for the purpose of getting them (the Mormons) into the highest level of heaven!! They believe that the only way to this highest level is that the entire family must have the purity of being Mormon believers. It also helps to have American Indian in your lineage....that is supposed to be like extra credit. These people are nice, they are decent.....but they are whacked. This is SO invasive!!!
It is strange that you'd be bothered by proxy baptism by this marginal cult. Would it bother you if some voodoo practitioner was working on some spell against you?
It's too bad you find it so easy to criticize something that your comments demonstrate you do not understand in the slightest.
Jews are ALWAYS whining about something......5,000 years of suffering and all that. It just doesn't stop even after they are dead.
We know who our eternal enemies are.
Whining? It takes one to know one.
After much reflection I've decided that I don't care if I am baptized posthumously. I can't imagine why anyone would. What's important is what we leave behind us. Preferably something offensive and visible from orbit.
Ha! Robosigning meets the Church of Latter Day Saints. That's funny. I don't think Jews really care what Mormons enter in their books.
God is good, God is great! Amen!
God has nothing to do with this, and it's not appropriate to blame Him for it. It's all the idiocy of a group of well-meaning people who are doing something stupid.
Early this morning on KFI 640am in California, Steve Handle talking about this on his show this morning, ""WHAT a HOOT"",
My first thought was, OK the Mormons did it again! and got caught dunking dead peole with out their PERMISSION..!. I wonder since Whitney H is now dead, will a young MORMON teenager female proxy be bapitzed on behalf of W.Houston.?. This could happen to you.
Simon Wiesenthal should be going after the jews who killed the Savyor Jesus Christ !!!!! What the nazi's did the jews is a small cry compared to the horrable things the jews did to Jesus Christ... ..... Simon Wiesenthal your a disgrace to all Jews around the world. !
YOU'RE AN IDIOT.
^ You're the idiot.
Got to me some NATZIS scalps
@Kenneth
Haven't seen a post as stupid as yours in a very long time.
Please tell me you are joking that the treatment of the Jewish people in WW2 is nothing compared to what happened to Jesus. Only the most delusional person would believe that what happened to the Jews is nothing compared to what happened to your almighty Jesus. Seriously it was the Romans and Jesus was a Jew, Christianity did not start until after he died (If he ever existed) by his disciples. I really hope you aren't this idiotic...but sadly I have a feeling my first impression is the correct one.
AN ABSOLUTE CRETIN
Kenneth, I agree, your post is completely ridiculous.............. really stupid on a number of levels. Clearly there is something wrong with you.
The Jews didn't kill Jesus; the Romans did. No matter how loud the Jewish people yelled, the romans didn't have to say, "Yes". Actually, if you want to know the truth, He died for us, so we killed Him ourselves. Don't make stupid statements like you did, Kenneth; it frequently reflects badly on the rest of us.
Learn some history. The Jews convicted Jesus of blasphemy punishable by death. Jews were not allowed to kill him under Jewish law. He died a Roman death at the request of the Sanhedron.
Jeebus died cuz his jerk father held a grudge, and couldn't bring himself to say "I forgive you".
Based on the last sentence, this is entirely political and nothing more. One member of our church makes an unfortunate, incensitive and regretable mistake and Romney is supposed to contact the Church leadership . . . even though the Church has already apologized? That's like asking Santorum to contact the Pope because a Catholic he doesn't know took the sacrament without making confession.
Im looking for a a "report abuse" button that applies to the mormon church. damn, dont see one. Thats the creepiest of mormon activites. not as wierd as magic underwear or thinking that the frst americans were a lost tribe of israel or that joseph smith could decipher golden tablets, even after he lost them, but its diffinately abuseive of others rights. talk about taking advantage of those who arent around to represent themselves!
that is the most ignorant statement I have ever read. You shouldn't try to make fun of something you totally don't understand. Maybe if you actually did some unbiased studying of the mormon faith and really knew some mormons then you could actually qualify to say something about them.
only a reterd would believe such rubbish.