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DarkJedi wrote:
I agree with this, but I think it’s important to point out in relation to this that for may of us here our beliefs have changed on the subject. Pre-faith crisis/transition I full believed the whole thing about the BoM, it’s origins and what it was. I did not doubt the Lamanites were Native Americans. My belief is much, much different now and that is in large party based on evidence.
It’s true, most all of us have arrived at a different conclusion to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, than we once had. But that makes us, in a way, more resistant to change. If we were right to begin with, and wrong in our latter judgements, it’d be even harder to revert back than it was to change our minds in the first place.
Not that I disagree with you. But for myself, I realize sometimes it’s difficult to come up with an honest, unbiased assessment.
dande48 wrote:
nibbler wrote:
It’s true, people can receive what appears to be the same input and walk away with very different conclusions. I think one struggle is that sometimes we fall into the trap of assuming that other people aren’t working with the right set of data, and that if they would just accept the right data then they would reach the same conclusions as we have reached. Then it becomes an argument over which data is correct. It’s essentially the same phenomenon but with the focus moved away from belief/conclusion and onto what is or is not a “valid” data set.
I think the root of this is, people automatically interpret evidence to support what they already believe. They rarely ever change what they believe to support the evidence.
I think it depends on the switching cost. For me, changing that belief was incredibly painful on its own. I didn’t know what the switching costs would be, I count myself very lucky. I know others that have lost marriages, relationships with family and friends, etc. It takes a lot to get to a place where you’re even willing to consider that you might have been wrong when even the perceived cost of switching may be high.
dande48 wrote:
DarkJedi wrote:
I agree with this, but I think it’s important to point out in relation to this that for may of us here our beliefs have changed on the subject. Pre-faith crisis/transition I full believed the whole thing about the BoM, it’s origins and what it was. I did not doubt the Lamanites were Native Americans. My belief is much, much different now and that is in large party based on evidence.
It’s true, most all of us have arrived at a different conclusion to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, than we once had. But that makes us, in a way, more resistant to change. If we were right to begin with, and wrong in our latter judgements, it’d be even harder to revert back than it was to change our minds in the first place.
Not that I disagree with you. But for myself, I realize sometimes it’s difficult to come up with an honest, unbiased assessment.
Oh, yeah, I’m definitely biased. I was also biased in my old beliefs. I don;t currently believe there were really gold plates and eve if there were I don’t buy any of the stuff about the Lamanites/Native Americans. Nobody can figure out the modern geography because it’s fiction. Etc. But the BoM is a good book that can and does bring people closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
DarkJedi wrote:
Oh, yeah, I’m definitely biased. I was also biased in my old beliefs. I don;t currently believe there were really gold plates and eve if there were I don’t buy any of the stuff about the Lamanites/Native Americans. Nobody can figure out the modern geography because it’s fiction. Etc. But the BoM is a good book that can and does bring people closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
This is where I’m at too, but I’m one step further. The Book of Mormon can and does bring people closer to God and Jesus Christ, both of whom I am not convinced exist. I think these relationships only exist in our minds, but that doesn’t mean there’s not value to seeking to have those relationships. There’s clearly tangible benefits people get from pursuing them, and who’s to say I’m not the one who is mistaken about all of this.
DoubtingTom wrote:
This is where I’m at too, but I’m one step further. The Book of Mormon can and does bring people closer to God and Jesus Christ, both of whom I am not convinced exist. I think these relationships only exist in our minds, but that doesn’t mean there’s not value to seeking to have those relationships. There’s clearly tangible benefits people get from pursuing them, and who’s to say I’m not the one who is mistaken about all of this.
I wish we could get past the need for objective religious truth. Taking this back to the analogy with Santa Claus, is Santa Claus (meaning the 1700+ year old man in a red suit who lives at the North Pole) objectively real? Of course not. But does that really matter? I don’t think so. Is he real, in a symbolic “in our hearts” sense? You bet. Does Santa (as a symbol) do a lot of good this time of year? Of course!
But is Santa also heavily exploited, in a way which negatively impacts society? Sadly, yes. Should we be proclaiming that Santa Claus is objectively real, and disdaining all who believe otherwise? Definitely not.
That pretty much sums up how I feel about the Book of Mormon, the Church, and religion in general. It’s absolutely wonderful! But if you’re going to exploit the believers, bully the non-believers, or make unsubstantiated claims to objective truth, I really struggle. If the BOM is good, it’s good whether or not its historical. It’s historical accuracy and authenticity should not matter. The fact that it DOES matter, rubs me the wrong way.
On Own Now wrote:
JFK? Killed by the CIA. 9/11? US Gov’t. In that vein, let me say that our religious assertions are a lot like conspiracy theories. If you are one who believes, you can’t see why others don’t interpret the data the same way you do? I mean… come on… the magic bullet, right? If you are an anti-conspiracy person, then everything has an explanation. Two people look at the same thing and see things much differently. I simply learned not to talk to my friend about the JFK assassination and we remained friendly.
It cuts both ways. A lot of people don’t wish to believe that their worldview could be challenged, or that people that they trust could be up to no good.
Take flat earth theory – that go-to for the anti-conspiracy-theory – why do most people believe we live on a globe? Not because of the ample evidence, much of which can be observed by ordinary people, but because someone else told them so! The magic bullet for them is being told by someone in authority. Anyone who challenges that is beyond the pale.
dande48 wrote:
If the BOM is good, it’s good whether or not its historical. It’s historical accuracy and authenticity should not matter. The fact that it DOES matter, rubs me the wrong way.
I feel you. I actually said in church once that I don’t care if the BoM is historical. My testimony of the BoM is not based on its historicity but on the Spirit. I feel the Spirit when I read it. But I also have felt the Spirit when reading Harry Potter, didn’t mean Harry Potter was historical. So, I said, even though I absolutely believe that BoM is a historical thing*, I decided that ulimately it didn’t matter if I was right or wrong. The fruit was good. It taught truths that helped me in my life. So it doesn’t matter either. It doesn’t effect my testimony of the spiritual truths in the BoM.
I got some thoughtful looks and a few who looked at me like I grew devil’s horns. *shrug*
*(I believe the Nephites and Lamanites etc were the Hopewell People, the Mound Builders, and I believe this after learning about them in a history class taught by an archeaologist who wasn’t Mormon. I had expected to connect the dots with the Mayans, but that didn’t happen.)
The historicity is of little importance to me. That said, Harry Potter doesn’t make me feel the Spirit. I’m interested in the BoM as a text. It is our scripture and somehow I find it a cut above the POGP and D&C. i believe as a work of literature, it is deceptively simple and has more complexity than a cursory glance will find.
dande48 wrote:
If the BOM is good, it’s good whether or not its historical. It’s historical accuracy and authenticity should not matter. The fact that it DOES matter, rubs me the wrong way.
I think the church tries to have it both ways by saying that we should not necessarily look for proofs that the BoM is historical because the biggest evidence is the witness of the spirit. The feelings of goodness that one can have regarding experiences with the book are to be taken as the most sure evidence of its historicity.
I am also aware that many feel that if something is not literally true then it is meaningless. One of the strategies that helps me to stayLDS is to look for truths and purpose amongst the symbolism.
SamBee wrote:
The historicity is of little importance to me. That said, Harry Potter doesn’t make me feel the Spirit.I’m interested in the BoM as a text. It is our scripture and somehow I find it a cut above the POGP and D&C. i believe as a work of literature, it is deceptively simple and has more complexity than a cursory glance will find.
Lemme clarify. Not ALL of Harry Potter made me feel the Spirit, just certain parts of it where some good ol’ truth is right there.
Roy wrote:
dande48 wrote:
If the BOM is good, it’s good whether or not its historical. It’s historical accuracy and authenticity should not matter. The fact that it DOES matter, rubs me the wrong way.
I think the church tries to have it both ways by saying that we should not necessarily look for proofs that the BoM is historical because the biggest evidence is the witness of the spirit. The feelings of goodness that one can have regarding experiences with the book are to be taken as the most sure evidence of its historicity.
I am also aware that many feel that if something is not literally true then it is meaningless. One of the strategies that helps me to stayLDS is to look for truths and purpose amongst the symbolism.
IIRC the Church has spent a lot of money on the idea that the Nephites were the Mayans. Which does not at all track with what Joseph Smith said.
I would have to see that. I am not aware of that claim from the Church. Nah, HP doesn’t do it for me . There is *some* wisdom in there and I enjoy them*, but as a spiritual guide? No. I know some people have said the same about Star Wars, but personally the commercial aspect of the films undermines that for me – and yes, I’m meaning the films not just the merchandising. * You’ll be glad to know I have the complete set of books and films. I didn’t see the latest Fantastic Beasts film but that’s a different series, right?
LadyofRadiantJoy wrote:
Lemme clarify. Not ALL of Harry Potter made me feel the Spirit, just certain parts of it where some good ol’ truth is right there.
The moment in LOTR when Merry and Pippen draw the attacking orks away from Frodo, even though it will almost certainly lead to their own deaths.
Quote:Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Old Timer wrote:
I would have to see that. I am not aware of that claim from the Church.
There are tons of articles and books by LDS folk and by FARM talking about the connection.
Roy wrote:
LadyofRadiantJoy wrote:
Lemme clarify. Not ALL of Harry Potter made me feel the Spirit, just certain parts of it where some good ol’ truth is right there.
The moment in LOTR when Merry and Pippen draw the attacking orks away from Frodo, even though it will almost certainly lead to their own deaths.
Quote:Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Amen!
SamBee wrote:
Nah, HP doesn’t do it for me . There is *some* wisdom in there and I enjoy them*, but as a spiritual guide? No. I know some people have said the same about Star Wars, but personally the commercial aspect of the films undermines that for me – and yes, I’m meaning the films not just the merchandising.* You’ll be glad to know I have the complete set of books and films. I didn’t see the latest Fantastic Beasts film but that’s a different series, right?
I wasn’t “looking” for it. I just felt it. Same with some Star Wars stuff. Universal truths are universal truths and will resonant no matter what packaging they are in.
IIRC Fantastic Beasts has our favorite trio as adults. I haven’t seen it either. I have heard horrible things about the latest one about Dumbledore and Grimmauld (or whatever his name is).
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