tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005490685220949062.post5883620233869743544..comments2023-10-18T10:32:30.713-05:00Comments on American Testament: The Book of Mormon: Some Final Thoughts and ConclusionsAmericanTestament.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04127465919258708936noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005490685220949062.post-67930083936140500562014-04-28T01:46:09.250-05:002014-04-28T01:46:09.250-05:00If Mormons are deceptive, then Evangelicals are mo...If Mormons are deceptive, then Evangelicals are more deceptive than Mormons. <br />The majority of the people who have sites and books the LDS (and some are Preachers in their own churches) have lousy credentials, have lied about their credentials, have gotten their credentials from schools that are not accredited, have gotten their credentials through mail order, and on and on.<br />Some even call themselves "Dr." and they do not have a MD nor a PhD.<br />Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Evangelicals are masters of hypocrisy and double standards, and evidently lying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005490685220949062.post-52261931267849642722009-02-12T23:00:00.000-06:002009-02-12T23:00:00.000-06:00My own final thoughts/comments.Whether Slick was t...My own final thoughts/comments.<BR/><BR/>Whether Slick was totally off base or not, the case against the Book of Mormon is overwhelming. When this fact is pointed out to Mormons, they may retreat to their personal testimonies. But to isolate the Book of Mormon from all possible criticism ('it is spiritual, not rational') is a mistake. If it can be weighed in the balances, and if it is thus found wanting, no matter how much we hate to admit it, it simply is not authentic. One may continue going through the motions in order to avoid social pressures or disfellowshipping but, if one is honest, one cannot, in the privacy of their own heart, continue as a true believer once they are made aware of the facts.<BR/><BR/>I for one, am not closed to the possibility that the Book of Mormon is authentic. Let's be perfectly clear about this. If a plausible case could be made for it, I would consider accepting it. I read it, "anti-Mormon propaganda" against it, and apologetic defences of it. Yet the more I learn, the less credible it becomes.<BR/><BR/>So I think there is really really strong reason to reject it. Is there any good reason, on the other side of the debate, to accept it? Almost the only reason given for anyone to accept it, even by Steve and Rob, is the so-called burning in the bossom. It seems that we KNOW that it is not true, but are asked to ignore what we know, and go with only what we FEEL. In all cases outside of religion, such behavior would immediately be classified as insane. For all the objections Mormons raise to this characterisation, I have yet to see (and I have searched high and low) any good reason why this is not precisely what we are being asked to do.<BR/><BR/>What if you are investigating the Book of Mormon for yourself? By all means, check out what "americantestament.blogspot.com" and FAIR have to say about it. But you need to reflect critically on what they say. One must read critically what everyone says (including my own writings). I try to give an accurate portrayel of what I believe to be the truth. While Steve and Rob are presumably not intentionally lying to you, I do not think they are really painting an accurate picture for you. But, again, I don't want you to blindly swallow what I am saying either.<BR/><BR/>To get an unsympathetic perspective of Mormonism (but not Mormons as persons) there are many available resources. I find the CARM site (hosted by Matt Slick) to be a generally reliable source of information on Mormonism and other religious groups, contrary to what Mr. Smoot would tell you. utlm.org is a very good site hosted by a woman who was a Mormon but left the faith after examining suppressed (by the LDS Church) sympathetic (to the LDS Church) documents. Be warned, Mormons are normally too quick to blow off Sandra Tanner but she really is a good-and reasonably unbiased-source of information. The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin has a good chapter on Mormonism. He, like Tanner, is very comprehensive. He is way too quickly blown off by Mormons as well, and without justification. Finally, my own blog deals frequently with Mormonism. evangelicalapologist.blogspot.com is the address. Steve Smoot has been kind enough to pay me a visit there (sorry for not getting back to you yet Steve). While there is a lot of bad "anti-Mormon literature" the sources I just mentioned are all quit good. And by all means, look at the pro-side as well.<BR/><BR/>I went through an awful lot of trouble, and time, to write thoughtful and, I hope, friendly critiques of this series of posts and other posts at this site. Enough has been said so far that I do not think I need to say any more. If you believe what I've told you so far (after reflection and fact checking) then you have enough to get you started. If you don't believe what I've said so far, you are not going to believe me if I continue to say it. So then, I have enjoyed my time here and the dialogue with Steve and Rob, but, I think, I am not going to do any more posts here. If you'd really like to hear more from me, please visit my blog. My email adress is available through there. I'd be happy to continue the discussion in that way.<BR/><BR/>With respect to the Book of Mormon we are not just talking about a few minor details lacking independant attestation (like horses in pre-Columbus America). Of course, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Rather, we are talking about a butt-load of positive evidence against Mormonism. We have sufficient evidence to show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mormonism is not true.<BR/><BR/>I do not say that to win an argument or make anyone uncomfortable. And I fully realise how radical it is to blatantly tell a million people, "your religion is a lie." It is very hard for somebody to leave their faith even if they are overwhelmingly justified in doing so. So why bother saying all this? Because eternity is on the line. It is not just a matter of a lack of evidence of barley and one messing up one's life. It is a matter of an abundance of positive evidence against Mormonism and one messing up eternity. If it is even possible that I am correct in my belief that Mormons are, quite frankly, going to Hell, then it would only make sense, for a devout Mormon, to do some serious reflecting on the case against Mormonism. If I am wrong-and you Mormons know that I am-what harm could it do?<BR/><BR/>Finally, my deep and sincere thanks go out to both Steve Smoot and Rob Watson for their eminently kind responses to my very unsympathetic words. Though we shall probably never meet face to face, I really do count you both as friends. Even if we never see eye to eye on faith matters-I am praying, but you both have agency-I do hope there are no hard feelings to-meward. Thank you all, and goodbye!evangelicalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15601612681687950025noreply@blogger.com