Witnesses: The Reverend’s Review

[Paloma]

Knowing your review would be exceptionally thoughtful and objective, I've been waiting for it eagerly.

I'm so glad you started a new thread for it, as your review is most interesting and enlightening, and the replies along with your further assessments and reflections are very worthwhile reading!

[Kishkumen]

Knowing your review would be exceptionally thoughtful and objective, I've been waiting for it eagerly.

I'm so glad you started a new thread for it, as your review is most interesting and enlightening, and the replies along with your further assessments and reflections are very worthwhile reading!

Thank you, Paloma. I want to do the film justice. As reactions to it are often either extreme or underwhelming, I have thus far felt unsatisfied with other things I have read about it. I figured that only by seeing it myself could I start to get a handle on the film. It is a flawed film, but it is not a bad film. I enjoyed watching it, and it did spark a lot of thought.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Were any of the characters intended to represent Doctor Scratch?

The only way I could see Dr. Scratch being involved in this film would be if the idea for entire film was actually an inception created by Dr. Scratch where he convinced DCP’s subconscious to try to create the Citizen Kane of Mormon cinema and to spend over a million dollars in donations, thereby crippling the Interpreter financially for years to come.

Wait…was this what really happened?

[Kishkumen]

I like to think of the film as DCP’s swan song in apologetics, even though I know he has a lot more work in front of him.

[Philo Sofee]

I like to think of the film as DCP’s swan song in apologetics, even though I know he has a lot more work in front of him.

Yes, I have indirectly challenged him by supposing that he is now going to sit back, relax, and rest on his laurels. I figured that would dig him, so now he has even more reasons to "prove" me wrong... He is energetic without question. Now it's time for him to give us all the real good stuff and quit fartin around with innocuous pap-n-pablum. Give us something to truly sink our teeth into, "a target to tilt at" to quote Hugh Nibley. Come on, make it hard on us already Dan. You are now free to truly outdo the General Authorities without any repercussions - let er rip man!

[Sledge]

Yes, I have indirectly challenged him by supposing that he is now going to sit back, relax, and rest on his laurels. I figured that would dig him, so now he has even more reasons to "prove" me wrong... He is energetic without question. Now it's time for him to give us all the real good stuff and quit fartin around with innocuous pap-n-pablum. Give us something to truly sink our teeth into, "a target to tilt at" to quote Hugh Nibley. Come on, make it hard on us already Dan. You are now free to truly outdo the General Authorities without any repercussions - let er rip man!

Sorry, my darling, I doubt he thinks of you at all.

[Kishkumen]

It will be interesting to see, Philo. I feel like he has either wanted us to think he is holding back until he can lay it all out convincingly but he has nothing more to add, or he really will finally give us the goods. Time will tell. I think there is more that could be done, but the question is whether it can be done within the strictures the Brethren have set in place.

[Philo Sofee]

Yes, I have indirectly challenged him by supposing that he is now going to sit back, relax, and rest on his laurels. I figured that would dig him, so now he has even more reasons to "prove" me wrong... He is energetic without question. Now it's time for him to give us all the real good stuff and quit fartin around with innocuous pap-n-pablum. Give us something to truly sink our teeth into, "a target to tilt at" to quote Hugh Nibley. Come on, make it hard on us already Dan. You are now free to truly outdo the General Authorities without any repercussions - let er rip man!

Sorry, my darling, I doubt he thinks of you at all.

[Philo Sofee]

It will be interesting to see, Philo. I feel like he has either wanted us to think he is holding back until he can lay it all out convincingly but he has nothing more to add, or he really will finally give us the goods. Time will tell. I think there is more that could be done, but the question is whether it can be done within the strictures the Brethren have set in place.

Yes, I am truly hoping he now will begin getting into some more profound analysis and exegesis instead of all this willy nilly silly he posts. Now that he is no longer under BYU's thumb, I am hoping he can begin to demonstrate his actual analysis and working with historical examples and philosophical materials including the scriptures. Surely, I can't imagine he doesn't have more. I have been suspicious for some time that they clamped down on him and he has been forbidden to stretch his wings. His posts in his post-FARMS days are nothing like he used to do. I still think his very best piece was the Asherah in the Book of Mormon, and I am more than happy to give him kudos (which I have done) and credit where credit is due.

[Kishkumen]

I still think his very best piece was the Asherah in the Book of Mormon, and I am more than happy to give him kudos (which I have done) and credit where credit is due.

I agree, Philo. The very best work he has done. Let’s see Act II, the post-BYU years. I want to be blown away. I want to see him take on atheism with both barrels.