Questions I'd like to see Peterson "actually answer (and not

[_Joey]

1. Why do you spend so time here if, as you have stated too many times to count, you beleieve the levels of intellect, objectivity civility etc.... Is so lacking?

2.In all real seriousness, if Clark and Sorenson are as well respected as you want all to beleieve (accepting your claim here), why is their works on Book of Mormon archaeology/historicity are totally ignored by their professional peers and the "history" academic community at large???

3. Is atheism a lack of knoledge or lack of belief? If lack of belief, where do you beieve it would start or why?

My quid-pro-quo to you is that I will answer any questions you pose to me in the same level you answer mine, but probably in a higher level!

Go Provo, go!!!

[_Joey]

Sorry about the typos in last post. On a boat in Gulf off Mexico..
Looking for silt from Sidon!!!

[_Daniel Peterson]

1. Why do you spend so time here if, as you have stated too many times to count, you beleieve the levels of intellect, objectivity civility etc.... Is so lacking?

I find the place psychologically and sociologically intriguing.

But I don't spend that much time here. It only takes a few seconds to dash off a post here. I write rapidly.

Believe me, I get a lot of things done each day. And, over the past month and a half or so, I've led tour groups to Israel and Egypt, participated in a conference in California, sent a book off to press, attended a family wedding and spoken at a fireside in Arizona, vacationed on Maui and O'ahu, finalized plans for a conference in Kuwait and a speech in Jordan, edited an issue of the FARMS Review, edited a volume in the Islamic Translation Series, begun the study of the philosopher John McTaggart, commenced an article on "Muhammad and the Jahiliyya," etc., etc. If you really imagine that my life revolves around this board, let alone around waiting for your latest "only in Provo" nonsense, you're deluding yourself.

2.In all real seriousness, if Clark and Sorenson are as well respected as you want all to beleieve (accepting your claim here), why is their works on Book of Mormon archaeology/historicity are totally ignored by their professional peers and the "history" academic community at large???

I can assure you that Clark, in particular, is highly regarded among Mesoamericanists. And I don't know that his very limited work on the Book of Mormon has been "totally ignored." But he's a powerful figure in his field, and, so far as I can tell, well liked, and I doubt that too many people in his small academic area really want to go out of their way to insult his faith. (Why should they? They're normal people with real names, not anonymous denizens of anti-Mormon message boards.) Furthermore, and much more importantly, I think you misconstrue the nature of what he's tried to do with his writing on the Book of Mormon. (I've repeatedly attempted to explain what I see as your fundamental misapprehension on this score, but have only received jeering and incomprehension in return, so have no great interest in making any further attempts on that issue.)

3. Is atheism a lack of knoledge or lack of belief? If lack of belief, where do you beieve it would start or why?

"A lack of knowledge or lack of belief" is typically described as agnosticism. Atheism refers to a stronger claim.

Where does it start? There are as many roads to disbelief as to belief.

My quid-pro-quo to you is that I will answer any questions you pose to me in the same level you answer mine, but probably in a higher level!

I have no questions for you.

Go Provo, go!!!

And, as a friendly gesture, I wish Dogpatch all the best, too.

[_Roger]

Dan:

Impressive list. I mean that sincerely.

Can you answer a question of mine?

Feel free to start another thread so as not to derail this one if you so desire.

I know the Spalding-Rigdon theory is not respected by you, but I wonder if you could give me your take on why there are so many similarities between Joseph Smith's account of finding golden plates and Spalding's account in his Roman story?

see here: http://solomonspalding.com/SRP/SRPpap04.htm

I would appreciate any explanation you have for this. Thanks.

[_Gadianton Plumber]

Believe me, I get a lot of things done each day. And, over the past month and a half or so, I've led tour groups to Israel and Egypt, participated in a conference in California, sent a book off to press, attended a family wedding and spoken at a fireside in Arizona, vacationed on Maui and O'ahu, finalized plans for a conference in Kuwait and a speech in Jordan, edited an issue of the FARMS Review, edited a volume in the Islamic Translation Series, begun the study of the philosopher John McTaggart, commenced an article on "Muhammad and the Jahiliyya," etc., etc. If you really imagine that my life revolves around this board, let alone around waiting for your latest "only in Provo" nonsense, you're deluding yourself.

Question 4. Can you go a single day without rattling off a list of places that make you feel important?

[_Some Schmo]

Question 4. Can you go a single day without rattling off a list of places that make you feel important?

Actually, no, I don’t think he can. His self-esteem depends on it.

It seems rather obvious that Dan’s sense of self-worth comes from what he perceives are his accomplishments. He doesn’t appear to really value himself just for being Dan, which would explain a number of things: his highly defensive nature and the lashing out at those he perceives as “enemies,” his inability to admit he’s wrong, the constant reminders of his credentials, and, let’s face it, his eating disorder (unless he’s one of the very small percentage of obese people who have a genuine thyroid problem). Wrapping himself in fat is just another defense against the big bad world.

It’s too bad he’s so insecure. He might be far more widely respected (which, it seems to me, is the thing he really wants most). It’s hard to garner respect or love from others, however, when you don’t love or respect yourself.

[_Mary]

Oh for Pete's sake.... Joey asks DCP some questions and he answers them in good faith and with context....the man can't win.

[_Some Schmo]

Oh for Pete's sake.... Joey asks DCP some questions and he answers them in good faith and with context....the man can't win.

Win what? Is this a game? I thought people were just exchanging thoughts here.

[_Dr. Shades]

It seems rather obvious that Dan’s sense of self-worth comes from what he perceives are his accomplishments.

With all due respect, aren't most or all of us the same way?

[_Some Schmo]

It seems rather obvious that Dan’s sense of self-worth comes from what he perceives are his accomplishments.

With all due respect, aren't most or all of us the same way?

No.

Certainly, it's reasonable to assume that a person can feel pride in what they've accomplished, but to base your core sense of self-worth on your accomplishments looks like compensation for a lack of the intrinsic feeling that you're valuable simply for who you are.

Most people feel pride for their accomplishments, but not everyone feels the need to keep repeating them over and over publicly. Doing so smacks of flimsy self-validation.