2 of 2

While Mormons may not be evangelizing, a few articles have focused on who is. The Associated Press reports that some evangelicals are on the Olympic grounds to point out the errors in Mormon teachings. One group is even handing out anti-Mormon information disguised as guidebooks to Temple Square.

As the article points out, not all Christian groups in the city are preaching an anti-Mormon message. Thousands of members of the Southern Baptist Convention, United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, Bibles for America, and Youth With a Mission are active at the games, running free refreshment centers, information centers, and Internet cafés.

Meanwhile, the Falun Gong has led public meditations and candlelight vigils while distributing information on the persecution leveled against the group in China. Scientologists are also active in Salt Lake City, operating an exhibit about their founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

While evangelism and religion are not new to the Olympics, the games are about athletic competition. Beliefnet.com has found a way to combine the two with a look at why athletes in Protestant countries win more medals. The site's "Spirit of the Games" page also has profiles of athletes including Christian speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan.

Todd Hertz is assistant online editor of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today's 2002 Winter Olympics page has more articles related to the games.

See continuing Olympics coverage from our Sports Spectrum site.

Previous Christianity Today coverage of the Mormon church includes:

Weblog: The Church of Jesus Christ? | Mormons: Don't call us Mormons. (Feb. 20, 2001)

Mormon Makeover | An effective evangelical witness hinges on understanding the new face of Latter-day Saints. (March 6, 2000)

The Mormon-Evangelical Divide |Beliefs that set Mormons apart, and evangelicals' response. (Feb. 9, 2000)

A Peacemaker in Provo | How one Pentecostal pastor taught his congregation to love Mormons. (Feb. 9, 2000)

Mere Mormonism | Journalist Richard Ostling explores LDS culture, theology, and fans of 'crypto-Mormon' C.S. Lewis. (Feb. 9, 2000)

Mormons, Evangelicals Tangle Over Web Site | A publishing unit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue a copyright lawsuit against an evangelical ministry that counters Mormon teaching and history. (Feb. 9, 2000)

Mormons on the Rise | Southern Baptists Take Up the Mormon Challenge. (June 15, 1998)

Francis J. Beckwith, coauthor of The Mormon Concept of God: A Philosophical Analysis, reviewed How Wide the Divide? for Christianity Today. The review, "With a Grain of Salt," appeared in the November 17, 1997 of our print issue.

A review of Richard Ostlings' book, Mormon America: The Power and the Promise, was published in Christianity Today sister publication Books & Culture. The review was written by two practicing Mormons.

Ostling's cover story on Mormonism, "Kingdom Come," from the August 4, 1997 of Time magazine, is available online.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

February (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46