Anti-Mormonism: 'the prejudice of our age'

Bushman said that the definition Jeffress is using defines the word as "a religion that is founded on a man, rather than a religion founded on Jesus Christ."

"Of course, he is referring to Joseph Smith," Bushman said. "But for Mormons that doesn't quite make sense. That would be like saying that evangelical Christianity is founded on Paul because he preached the Christian gospel on behalf of Jesus Christ. Mormons look upon Joseph Smith in exactly the same way that evangelical Christians look upon Paul, as a spokesman for the Christian gospel."

What you are seeing now, Bushman said, is "Americans trying to decide if Mormonism is in the realm of acceptable religions."

Although America is a tolerant nation, "there's always been a margin, and if you were beyond that edge then you were not accepted within the general consensus," Bushman said. "Little by little, groups have worked their way into the range of acceptable religions. Catholics and Jews have worked their way into that realm. Mormons and Muslims are still at the edge, and Mormons are working their way in. So I think this little dust-up we've had is just one of the skirmishes along that border."

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