At Laurie's blog, The Critical Thinker's Speakeasy. 'Course, I don't think this actually happened. My own Mormon stories are much more restrained. After 20 minutes of arguing, in which I quoted the Bible at some Mormon missionaries, one said "But the Bible is not accurate. You need the Book of Mormon. Unfortunately I gave mine away." "No worries," I said. "I'll just go get mine." They left shortly afterwards...
- Log in to post comments
More like this
August Berkshire of Minnesota Atheists gave a talk at Northwestern College, one of our regional evangelical Christian colleges, and the Star Tribune has a story about it. He gave the students a list of very poor religious rationalizations—it's a strange and interesting story, and a little sad,…
Lately I've been reading the 19th and early 20th century traveler's accounts of what is now known as the Western Rift Valley and the Ituri Forest, Congo. Some are written by the famous 'explorers' such as H.M. Stanley, others written by scientists on expeditions in the area, and still others by…
Lately I've been reading the 19th and early 20th century traveler's accounts of what is now known as the Western Rift Valley and the Ituri Forest, Congo. Some are written by the famous 'explorers' such as H.M. Stanley, others written by scientists on expeditions in the area, and still others by…
One of the first things that happens when you get a faculty mailbox in a philosophy department is that unsolicited items start appearing in it. There are the late student papers, the book catalogs, the religious tracts -- and occasionally, actual books that, it is hoped, you will like well enough…
It is good to have Real Books. I also have a Book of Mormon on hand should it be needed in order to ward off evil.
I tried reading the Book of Mormon once. I got about 70 pages in before I wanted to tear my hair out. If I had read the phrase "And it came to pass..." one more time, I probably would have exploded on the spot.
It's kind of funny that the Mormons said the bible isn't accurate, but their own holy book was reportedly given to Joseph Smith by an angel. Their religion isn't exactly on firm ground in terms of plausability either. I'm not picking on anyone's religion, but when it comes to Fairy Tales, I pick "neither of the above".
The Book of Mormon was written (or - ahem - translated if you are faithful) in a time when American protestants were starting to rediscover that the Bible was produced from a variety of manuscripts not in agreement, handed down by fallible humans, and filled with unsure translations.
The idea was that religious truth in the Bible was lost to this process. But the Book of Mormon, on the other hand, was handed to Smith with by an angel and translated directly from the original with the power of God. So it wouldn't suffer the same problems.
Hence the comment.
Oddly, that's what the Muslims say, too...
And then there are the Christians who claim that their version is infallible and is the inspired word of God.
And each of these thinks hers is the only correct one and all the many others are wrong.
The Book of Mormn is a tough read first time through, there's no doubt about it.
But if you get a synopsis so you know the plan of the book, then read the chapters you think are of interest to you, there is a lot you can learn.
There was a great warmth and clarity of mind that came to me when I prayed for help to understand it before I started that wasn't there when I didn't.
I can recommend that approach. God hears and answers the prayers of his children as they search for truth.