PHIL 3310. Exploring the philosophical, ethical, spiritual, existential, social, and personal implications of a godless universe, and supporting their study at Middle Tennessee State University & beyond.
I just re-read Hitch on Joe Smith. To call the whole crazy Mormon story absurd is a deep understatement.
>In March 1826 a court in Bainbridge, New York, convicted a twenty-one- year-old man of being “a disorderly person and an impostor.” That ought to have been all we ever heard of Joseph Smith, who at trial admitted to defrauding citizens by organizing mad gold-digging expeditions and also to claiming to possess dark or “necromantic” powers."< But no. Four years later he discovered" the Book of Mormon, and now we're all supposed to respect the ensuing faith tradition. I wish I could just laugh about it, but the credulity of our species is simply stunning.
I convered a few myself. This is hilarious and downright just. I like the exception of Holocaust victims :) Prof. Oliver is right; we should tack Lamanites on there. "Aww shucks, now I'm a Native American, too? But those guys are the most evil people evar!" Silly claims from silly people.
All I can say is that I have met few mean Mormons. It makes it really difficult for me to be that angry at some of the nicest people I've ever met...thoughtless, but nice nonetheless. I wish I could be the worst bitch ever and ignore the baked goods, pastel clothes, and overly enthusiastic smiles in order to shake those people into some sense. One can't help but think of Scientology...and its SCIENCE FICTION writer as the founder. Convicted fraud? Yeah, totally ligit, guys. Whassat? He's making people believe that Native Americans are evil and that people traveled to America by boat before there were boats capable of that kind of journey? Well...do they believe in Jesus?
And obviously I'm not referring to Hubbard when I say those last few statements...>-< Man, I'm not good at collecting thoughts this morning. See you all in class later lol
Not to be the voice of reason here. I get that this is hilarious (I lol'd over it), but I'm not sure "What you're doing is morally problematic at best, grotesquely insensitive at worst... so we're going to do it too" is the best response to any given offense.
My guess is that the main reason your average person on the street doesn't find the Mormon faith ridiculous is that they simply aren't familiar with the particulars. Exposing specific beliefs to criticism does wonders.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Let a Mormon explain why their ridiculous behavior is any more valid than this ridiculous behavior. Showing a Christian why they shouldn't be endorsing prayer in schools by asking why they're not advocating prayer to Allah too is an excellent example of what is going on here.
Yes, it's offensive. But the act of identifying it as such should also implicate the Mormon practice. Being offensive has it's place, and I think this is a good one.
The takeaway point is this: nothing is actually happening in either case. Mormons are being silly, and somebody is being silly in return. No actual dead people were harmed in either case. Just a few ruffled feathers, and nobody would have cared if religion wasn't involved.
I think it's insensitive for mormons to posthumously convert victims of genocide, but don't see why it is so offensive to Hasidic Jews that don't believe that the church of later day saints is a valid faith in the first place. Its not offensive unless you think a conversion is ACTUALLY HAPPENING. To me this shows the bad faith of the faith based. There is a deep insecurity lurking behind the protest here. It just makes the crazy baptizing Mormons think that it must be working if the Jewish community is so against it.
Better yet, Baptize them as gay Lamanites.
ReplyDeleteI just re-read Hitch on Joe Smith. To call the whole crazy Mormon story absurd is a deep understatement.
>In March 1826 a court in Bainbridge, New York, convicted a twenty-one- year-old man of being “a disorderly person and an impostor.” That ought to have been all we ever heard of Joseph Smith, who at trial admitted to defrauding citizens by organizing mad gold-digging expeditions and also to claiming to possess dark or “necromantic” powers."< But no. Four years later he discovered" the Book of Mormon, and now we're all supposed to respect the ensuing faith tradition. I wish I could just laugh about it, but the credulity of our species is simply stunning.
Ssimply sstunning.
ReplyDeleteRyan Bell and Margaret Davis...you're both welcome.
DeleteI convered a few myself. This is hilarious and downright just. I like the exception of Holocaust victims :) Prof. Oliver is right; we should tack Lamanites on there. "Aww shucks, now I'm a Native American, too? But those guys are the most evil people evar!" Silly claims from silly people.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that I have met few mean Mormons. It makes it really difficult for me to be that angry at some of the nicest people I've ever met...thoughtless, but nice nonetheless. I wish I could be the worst bitch ever and ignore the baked goods, pastel clothes, and overly enthusiastic smiles in order to shake those people into some sense. One can't help but think of Scientology...and its SCIENCE FICTION writer as the founder. Convicted fraud? Yeah, totally ligit, guys. Whassat? He's making people believe that Native Americans are evil and that people traveled to America by boat before there were boats capable of that kind of journey? Well...do they believe in Jesus?
Sanity....Where hath thou gone?
Converted*** -cough I suck at spelling cough-
DeleteAnd obviously I'm not referring to Hubbard when I say those last few statements...>-< Man, I'm not good at collecting thoughts this morning. See you all in class later lol
DeleteNot to be the voice of reason here. I get that this is hilarious (I lol'd over it), but I'm not sure "What you're doing is morally problematic at best, grotesquely insensitive at worst... so we're going to do it too" is the best response to any given offense.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that the main reason your average person on the street doesn't find the Mormon faith ridiculous is that they simply aren't familiar with the particulars. Exposing specific beliefs to criticism does wonders.
DeleteWhat's good for the goose is good for the gander. Let a Mormon explain why their ridiculous behavior is any more valid than this ridiculous behavior. Showing a Christian why they shouldn't be endorsing prayer in schools by asking why they're not advocating prayer to Allah too is an excellent example of what is going on here.
Yes, it's offensive. But the act of identifying it as such should also implicate the Mormon practice. Being offensive has it's place, and I think this is a good one.
The takeaway point is this: nothing is actually happening in either case. Mormons are being silly, and somebody is being silly in return. No actual dead people were harmed in either case. Just a few ruffled feathers, and nobody would have cared if religion wasn't involved.
DeleteI think it's insensitive for mormons to posthumously convert victims of genocide, but don't see why it is so offensive to Hasidic Jews that don't believe that the church of later day saints is a valid faith in the first place. Its not offensive unless you think a conversion is ACTUALLY HAPPENING. To me this shows the bad faith of the faith based. There is a deep insecurity lurking behind the protest here. It just makes the crazy baptizing Mormons think that it must be working if the Jewish community is so against it.
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ReplyDelete