Salt Lake City: Not very Bible Minded!

[_The Erotic Apologist]

I do like the two boyfriend analogy, but with a twist…

I’ve always used a Scientology model to explain the relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The Bible, for example, would be Dianetics, because Dianetics explains how to reach a state of “clear”. The Book of Mormon, on the other hand, is like Battlefield Earth; you may not be able to reach “clear” by reading Battlefield Earth, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a vital part of Scientology.



Battlefield Earth, if memory serves, is one of Mitt Romney's favorite novels.

[_zeezrom]

Stak!

I realized why the Book of Mormon can't complement the Bible very well. I discovered this in my hen post (don't go there; it isn't interesting). The Book of Mormon is trying to copy the Bible and that's why I get the 2 boyfriend feeling. There is a sense of competition.

Zee.

[_EAllusion]

The JW’s probably also inflate their numbers, for similar reasons.

Nope. The JWs only count and report their active membership, and I think they even take it a step further and define "active membership" as "people who actively proselyte."

Yep. JW's are hyper-conservative about counting membership. They are the antithesis of LDS in this regard.

When you think about it, a key aspect of JW theology is the members being a few, chosen elite. LDS, on the other hand, have a manifest destiny attitude towards Mormon baptism. It's really no surprise they veer off in different directions when counting members.

[_Darth J]

As BCSpace said, the early brethren prophecied Salt Lake would be the most wicked city in the world before the second coming. Well, they may not have said precisely that, but something close. The same logic that makes earth, the planet Jesus came to out of all the planets he died for, the most wicked planet would also make Salt Lake the most wicked city in TBM logic.

How ironic, then, that this is the city where the moneychangers drove Jesus out of the temple.

"Bring these things forth; make my Father's house an house of merchandise." --John 2:16 (JST)

[_moksha]

How did Provo rank? Then you'll have a useful stat.

It ranked as 451 on the Fahrenheit book scale.

[_The Erotic Apologist]

Okay, so why is it important to be "Bible minded"?

I've spent the past few days skimming the link in the OP for an explanation of why Barna thinks it's important to be Bible minded. Barna's explaination seems to be as follows:

The economic well-being of a nation rests largely on the health of its cities. Likewise, the spiritual vitality of the U.S. is deeply connected to the faith of the people living in its largest cities.

Seriously? Economic well-being? That's the reason why we need to be Bible minded as opposed to, say, Koran minded? Or Bhagavad Gita minded? Or Dianetics minded?

(Note: I've omitted the Book of Mormon because there's no shortage of Bible enthusiasts willing to proclaim the superiority of the Bible over the Book of Mormon.)

But seriously, I can't seem to find where these Barna guys explain how Bible mindedness necessarily leads to economic prosperity. Maybe somebody can help me out.

[_honorentheos]

Do they expand on what they mean by "health of its cities"? Do they mean health as in wellness? Or do they mean the vitality of the City itself?

There are proponents of both positions who tie economics to city dweller well-being as well as a diverse, energetic City-life.

Richard Florida is one example of the latter: Richard Florida

I think the second statement is wide-open. Spiritual vitality tied to faith? In so far as as one includes a lot of room to accomodate a wide cross-section of possible beliefs or value-systems, I might even agree.

[_The Erotic Apologist]

Do they expand on what they mean by "health of its cities"? Do they mean health as in wellness? Or do they mean the vitality of the City itself?

They don't seem to, or if they do I missed it entirely. Yeah, the quote is conveniently vague, but the context seems to draw a definite link between traditional spirituality and wealth. This is what set off my alarm, because it smacks of the so-called "prosperity gospel" that remains popular in certain Christian circles.

[_bcspace]

It's no surprise. Salt Lake City is very left wing which means a significant percentage of Mormons there are apostates.

What is your definition of "left wing"?

Any and all Democrats, any and all to the left of them.

I don't thing that you can paint people with such a broad brush

It's not a matter of painting, it's simply a matter of comparison. For example, Democrats who claim to be conservative, yet still vote organizationally for Democrats and benefit from their support run afoul of the "have pleasure in them that do" principle in Romans 1:32