03-12-2008, 04:01 PM | #1 |
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LDS Apologia - More Harm Than Good?
Recent posts here regarding LDS history, interpretations of Clement, etc. have been thought provoking. In an effort to gain an objective viewpoint, I have been reading a great deal of FARMS, FAIR and other LDS apologia. I find myself at a crossroads and experiencing a crisis of faith.
Yesterday AA used the phrase "agenda based scholarship" which in my mind perfectly captures the essence of the LDS apologists. Their works commence with a predetermined objective to criticize the content, source materials and author's scholarship/worthiness in regards to any and all written works not in compliance with the whitewashed version of church history. In the past week I have read FARMS articles highly critical of Todd Compton, Quinn, the BoM DNA findings, etc. I was surprised to find Compton the target of such vitriolic criticism for his findings on the polygamous escapades of JS. The apologists' dogmatic and at times emotional approach is unconvincing and in my mind causes more problems than they attempt to resolve. The balance of credibility weighs heavily in favor of the independent historians. |
03-12-2008, 04:11 PM | #2 |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Why is this causing a crisis of faith? You are free to ignore the apologists.
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03-12-2008, 04:12 PM | #3 |
Recruiting Coordinator/Bosom Inspector
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Requiem is exposed as Elder Packer in drag?
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She had a psychiatrist who said because I didn't trust the water system, the school system, the government, I was paranoid," he said. "I had a psychiatrist who said her psychiatrist was stupid." |
03-12-2008, 04:13 PM | #4 |
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Many apologists are sophists, yes.
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"Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; " 1 Thess. 5:21 (NRSV) We all trust our own unorthodoxies. |
03-12-2008, 04:15 PM | #5 |
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What's the problem with apologetics? You get more viewpoints of the same subject matter and you can weigh the different viewpoints and arguments and decide for yourself.
Some apologists are better than others, but the same could be easily said about "neutral" (as if such a thing existed) scholars. |
03-12-2008, 04:15 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
That isn't necessarily all bad, either. |
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03-12-2008, 04:54 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
In some respects it is a source of anger and frustration to consider that there was and is a certain of degree of brainwashing of LDS youth. With the plethora of new information available, it is a certainty there are many like myself who are troubled to find the truth is intentionally withheld. Contrary to Nicholson's famous line, we can handle the truth. And should have received it in the beginning. The crisis comes in attempting to reconcile the multiple discrepancies and determine what is factual - if that is even feasible. Alot of wisdom in your advice (which I am certain was the intent). |
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03-12-2008, 04:58 PM | #8 | |
Charon
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo)
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Quote:
One of the best faith-promoting lies I ever heard was that story about the black choir director. It was awesome.
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"... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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03-14-2008, 01:04 AM | #9 | |
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For example, I'm not really angry at our school system for not teaching me about Sally what's-her-last-name when we were discussing Jefferson. I'm still not sure it's entirely important, as we respect him more for his intellectual ideas. But I think if I had known this as a youth, it might have cast a shadow over his legacy. Another example--MLK. I had a seminary teacher tell me as a freshman about his philandering. For years, this stuck with me, and I overlooked the amazing contributions he made, because of this simple weakness. What bothers me is when the Church acts like we still can't handle the truth as adults--but I'm not sure I have a better solution in handling things. As an organization, I don't think it's wise to flaunt your worst aspects. |
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03-14-2008, 01:58 AM | #10 |
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SU and Arch....your imitations of the female version of yourself are both desperate and obvious.
But entertaining I'm sure.
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Masquerading as Cougarguards very own genius dumbass since 05'. |
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