tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post3616939082984776126..comments2024-03-28T10:44:30.518-06:00Comments on American Creation: The Prodigal Son ReturnsBrad Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669677047039491864noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-71159634351626727032013-10-08T14:32:12.025-06:002013-10-08T14:32:12.025-06:00Brad - I wasn't arguing that the LDS "vie...Brad - I wasn't arguing that the LDS "viewpoint" should not be "studied." I was merely stating that any person's or group's assertion of "American exceptionalism" does not make America exceptional.<br /><br />I am no expert on Mormonism. I was merely citing some recent scholarship which concludes that: <br /><br />"The LDS Church could end the controversy by making an official statement regarding the lineage of the Lamanites; however, this seems unlikely. In an attempt to calm the concerns of its membership, the church has published several articles on the DNA issue on the official LDS Church Web site. The Web site is clear to point out, however, that the articles “are not official Church positions or statements.” Until the church decides either to defend or denounce comments from its leaders, members who try to be as intellectually consistent as possible in their faith will continue to face the dilemma of believing either science or “latter-day revelation.”<br /><br />— Bill McKeever<br /><br />http://www.equip.org/articles/dna-science-challenges-lds-history/JMSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-1567007756328154012013-10-07T16:09:27.912-06:002013-10-07T16:09:27.912-06:00JMS:
It matters because, like it or not, Mormonis...JMS:<br /><br />It matters because, like it or not, Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in America. With 15 million strong, their viewpoint (whether valid or not) deserves to be studied. <br /><br />As for your assertions about Native American DNA proving the Book of Mormon false, I don't think this is the forum for such a discussion. But, for the record, such an assertion on your part reveals just how little you truly understand Mormonism and the Book of Mormon in particular. This is not a black and white issue.<br /><br />Brad Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17669677047039491864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-78426466836753691632013-10-07T15:29:18.165-06:002013-10-07T15:29:18.165-06:00Dear BH: What you say about the LDS church’s asser...Dear BH: What you say about the LDS church’s assertion of “American exceptionalism” may be true, but why does it matter, especially if neither the claim nor the prophecy is supported by the facts? <br /><br />As someone who studies and teaches a bit of American Indian history, I am bemused by the LDS leaders and apologists who still will not accept the fact that to date DNA research lends no support to traditional Mormon beliefs about the lost tribe of Israel origins of Native Americans, and applaud other Mormon scholars who disagree with their church leaders, teachings and the Book of Mormon.<br /><br />Since Ronald Reagan’s “morning in America” antidote to Jimmy Carter’s “crisis of confidence malaise, “American exceptionalism” has become a prophylactic for right-wing politicians to boast about the supposed superiority of the U.S. as a way of deflecting criticisms of domestic or foreign policy, while asserting America’s greatness (we’re #1; we’re #1), whatever the facts. <br /><br />In addition to promoting religious diversity (e.g., the LDS church), at least the Second Great Awakening helped unleash some very positive social and political reform movements (e.g., anti-slavery, pro-women’s suffrage, anti-Indian removal) that the Mormons seemed to eschew. <br />JMSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-87614337163321102732013-10-07T14:03:55.141-06:002013-10-07T14:03:55.141-06:00Great to see you, BH. "Providential history&...Great to see you, BH. "Providential history" is an interesting albeit contentious field. Tom Van Dykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121072404143877596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-28661636102840346122013-10-07T12:37:44.326-06:002013-10-07T12:37:44.326-06:00Hi Brad, good to see you back in these parts.Hi Brad, good to see you back in these parts.jimmiraybobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1237087217187172116.post-54328960404982404922013-10-07T05:46:59.214-06:002013-10-07T05:46:59.214-06:00Brad,
Great to see you back. And I like the new f...Brad,<br /><br />Great to see you back. And I like the new format. (Never really cared for the now old one.)Jonathan Rowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04079637406589278386noreply@blogger.com