Search found 1500 matches

by _Symmachus
Sat Aug 29, 2020 3:10 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Transcendent Nephites
Replies: 31
Views: 3907

Re: Transcendent Nephites

As a first approximation, if an inadequate one, your grappling with the second problem strikes me as similar to Nietzsche's search for symbiosis and balance between the Apollonian and the Dionysian. Also in your statement: "I think of religious institutions like the Ecto-Containment system in Ghost...
by _Symmachus
Fri Aug 28, 2020 9:32 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Steve Smoot is a Cruise Lady Tour Guide?
Replies: 47
Views: 7577

Re: Steve Smoot is a Cruise Lady Tour Guide?

What is interesting (or entertaining?) in the midst of all of this is that the Mopologists have a long track record of leveling charges of priestcraft at a whole range of fellow religionists--everything from the EV "old cash nexus" (per Midgley) to the more recent attacks on Rodney Meldrum and the ...
by _Symmachus
Fri Aug 28, 2020 9:01 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Did Allen Wyatt Get 'Demoted' at Interpreter?
Replies: 108
Views: 19109

Re: Did Allen Wyatt Get 'Demoted' at Interpreter?

I see Matthew Bowen has published yet another article where he decides the Book of Mormon's English text reflects a Hebrew word whose various shades of meaning he then uses to argue how nuanced the English text is—how could Joseph Smith have known that?
by _Symmachus
Fri Aug 28, 2020 3:26 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Transcendent Nephites
Replies: 31
Views: 3907

Re: Transcendent Nephites

Following his FairMormon 2020 conference presentation last week, Elder Kim B. Clark took questions. The very first audience question was this (at the 22:40 minute mark): How important is a literal belief in the historicity of the Book of Mormon, as opposed to reverencing it as an allegorical text? ...
by _Symmachus
Thu Aug 27, 2020 3:01 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Transcendent Nephites
Replies: 31
Views: 3907

Transcendent Nephites

One of the gems in the crown of Cassius, the noble Reverend Kishkumen, has raised some difficult points about historicity and scripture. As these are present on different threads, I decide to post a response on a new thread and thereby invite your devastating critiques so that, in having my disagree...
by _Symmachus
Thu Aug 27, 2020 2:55 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Steve Smoot is a Cruise Lady Tour Guide?
Replies: 47
Views: 7577

Re: Steve Smoot is a Cruise Lady Tour Guide?

Leveraging a masters in Egyptology to make money as a professional tour guide is fine. But leveraging work as a religious educator and prestigious church callings to make money by giving first-class religion to the elite? The word "priestcraft" comes to mind. I personally have no problem with relig...
by _Symmachus
Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:21 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Steve Smoot is a Cruise Lady Tour Guide?
Replies: 47
Views: 7577

Re: Steve Smoot is a Cruise Lady Tour Guide?

Meh. What is he supposed to do with an Egyptology degree but no PhD? It is mostly confined to elite and flagship public schools, but indeed there are academics who do this kind of stuff : Join Egyptologist Dr. Robert K. Ritner on a magnificent tour of Egypt, featuring the Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, ...
by _Symmachus
Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:19 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Connecting Some Apologetic Dots
Replies: 35
Views: 4687

Re: Connecting Some Apologetic Dots

I'll bet that's why Smoot quit working on his Egyptological degree.....I'll bet his advisor pulled him aside and said, hey look kid, you're nice and all, but uh the Mormon thing and Egyptology thing don't work. Quit now and cut your losses...... If he didn't come to his senses, then this is what a ...
by _Symmachus
Tue Aug 25, 2020 12:15 am
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Connecting Some Apologetic Dots
Replies: 35
Views: 4687

Re: Connecting Some Apologetic Dots

Thank you for correcting my characterization of the Dialogue / JNES piece, Reverend. I haven't read it in more than ten years or so, and was only untutored undergraduate when I did. I don't remember it having a personal quality too it's rebuttal to Gee, though I can see how someone like Gee, who is ...
by _Symmachus
Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:46 pm
Forum: Terrestrial Forum
Topic: Connecting Some Apologetic Dots
Replies: 35
Views: 4687

Re: Connecting Some Apologetic Dots

Let me state for the record, I am not an Egyptologist. I am someone, however, who has been around academics for three decades of my life. I think I know what flies and what flops. This flops. And hard. Yes, none of the insinuations or rumors by the apologetic wing make any sense, nor does Gee's sit...