Critic takes on the Backyard Professor

[_Maxrep]

I'm glad I took a look at this video. Maybe a month or so ago I watched Kerry Shirts you tube presentation without the commentary, and I was left with this disbelief. I could not fathom how a horse could be decapitated by a club with obsidian stones embedded in it. The video with critical commentary does a great job of citing these exaggerations for the bunk that they are.

I'm begginning to wonder if it was really a sword that the angel approached Joseph with, rather than a loan shifted flaming maquahuitl?

[_Paul Osborne]

Surely Kerry’s video is for entertainment purposes only. It certainly doesn’t bode well with what is said of swords in the Book of Mormon. I’ll bet money that this wacky apologetic nonsense will not change Joseph Smith's mind of a Book of Mormon sword. Neither will the Church change the translation to a wooden sword that can get rusty over time.

Albeit, I think the show might be OK with popcorn or maybe a hotdog.

Paul O

[_Ray A]

It will be interesting to see whether he can continue in this vein. Wright had more of an edge in his approach, I think. Still, Bokovoy's position runs directly contrary in some crucial ways to the predominant apologetic approach to the antiquity of Restoration scripture.

I've been following David's posts on this subject for quite a long time, and this isn't new. He has, mostly tactfully and indirectly, sustained his currently expressed view for a long time.

The immediate question here is, one which was originally raised by David Wright, is whether the Book of Mormon is "inspired but not history". That, at present, seems to be DB's position. Wright has unfortunately been ostracised to the point where he will no longer publicly address this (as far as I am aware).

The antiquity of Restoration scripture is crucial to Mormon claims, and to "rationalise" or diminish this is to play with fire. The "inspired but not history" position is also one that would generate, and need considerable thought to resolve. As Dan Vogel has often pointed out, it is also clear that Joseph had a "progressive theology". For example contrast the Book of Mormon teachings on "eternal punishment" with D&C 19. And I might also point out the obvious differences with Jacob 2 and D&C 132. The latter reflects Joseph's "progressive theology". So it's apparent that the Book of Mormon isn't a watertight view of "the mind of God".

But at least in discussing the pros and cons of such views is working towards a better understanding, and a welcome relief from the straightjacket views of apologists like Droops and BC. My understanding is that Will's "dual views" arise out of inner personal conflict. He's smart enough to see the obvious, but to concede the obvious (here) would disarm him of his most effective apologetic weapon against "apostates who should be hanged in the public square". It's sort of like taking a lollipop off a kid. His views/expressions may even be motivated by an intense dislike of "apostates", and not at all based on reason. He's willing to admit to DB some more "refined views" (read: convoluted), but to do so here would rob him of forum fun. Nothing would offend him more than to have to acquiesce to "Trailer Park Trash".

[_TAK]

It appears that Kerry is trying to get this taken down.

http://www.youtube.com/user/AntiCitizenX

Gee what a surprise..

[_Phaedrus Ut]

I don't think it's Kerry but rather a guy that goes by "MormonAnswerman" and posts apologetic videos on youtube. This guy had criticized answer man's video titled "Absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence" much in the same way he did Kerry.


Phaedrus

[_TAK]

I don't think it's Kerry but rather a guy that goes by "MormonAnswerman" and posts apologetic videos on youtube. This guy had criticized answer man's video titled "Absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence" much in the same way he did Kerry.


Phaedrus

I think you are right.. thanks!

[_truth dancer]

You can't know Kerry and not love him!

He really is a whole lot of fun! (Not to mention an incredible woodworking artist... I mean truly outstanding)!


~td~

[_Jersey Girl]

It appears that Kerry is trying to get this taken down.

http://www.youtube.com/user/AntiCitizenX

Gee what a surprise..

Excuse me, TAK, but where do you see anything there that suggests Kerry is trying to "get this taken down"?

Edit: Woops! You figured it out! That'll teach me not to reply to the posts until I've read further what's taken place!

[_Jersey Girl]

I came across this yesterday and thought others here would enjoy it. It's a critic on YouTube taking about The Backyard Professor (a.k.a. Kerry Shirts) and one of his apologetic videos.

Mormon Apologetics at its Finest

Phaedrus

Yeah, so I watched the video. In most cases, I don't agree with the connections that Kerry makes when attempting apologetics on behalf of his chosen faith. I'm here to tell you though, I have never seen Kerry produce a video for the sole purpose of degrading another person in all the years I've known him.

I can't say the same for Anti.

Kerry's site is open for discussion to whomever wishes to tackle a topic with him. I've only seen him censor those who engage in prolific profanity. The only reason that I can think of for one to produce such a video response as Anti produced is for the purpose of arrogance, vanity and a sick sense of superiority.

None of which, Kerry displays toward other human beings. So take that as you will.

[_John Larsen]

My take is that Kerry is a nice guy and AntiCitizenX just comes off looking like a douche.