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I, along with many others, am looking forward to FAIR Europe 2024, a historic apologetics lecture series touring Europe this summer. What is FAIR Europe 2024? FAIR describes it this way:

FAIR (fairlatterdaysaints.org), is pleased to announce a special lecture series aimed at strengthening faith through the development of critical thinking skills and the discernment of reliable sources. The lecture series will feature speakers from FAIR who will address topics such as the importance of critical thinking in matters of faith, strategies for evaluating and utilizing reliable sources, and how to navigate complex theological questions with confidence and clarity.

“Our aim with this lecture series is to empower individuals to deepen their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ by equipping them with the tools of critical thinking and the ability to discern trustworthy information,” said DeLayna Beck, one of the organizers of the event. “In a world inundated with conflicting voices and information, it’s essential for individuals to develop the skills necessary to navigate these challenges while maintaining a firm foundation in their beliefs.”

FAIR Europe 2024 will open by hitting Rome on June 1. Keith Erekson will give an address titled "Real vs Rumor," Daniel Peterson will deliver a lecture titled "The Logic Tree of Life, or, Why I Can’t Manage to Disbelieve," Ugo Perego will speak on "DNA and Book of Mormon Studies," Jennifer Roach Lees will speak about “Responding to Sexual Abuse Cases in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Norma Salerno will discuss "Atonement, Empathy and Women," and Scott Gordon will close with an address titled "I Learned it on the Internet: Maintaining Faith in Today's Online World." It's not clear whether Brother Erekson and Brother Peterson are repeating their FAIR conference addresses of the same titles. Incidentally, attendees are advised to bring a bag lunch ("Si consiglia di portare il pranzo al sacco"). (The Rome Temple is in an area of Rome not exactly known for the quality of its restaurants, but a KFC is relatively close.)

On June 8, FAIR Europe 2024 will stop in Salzburg. Here's the speaker list: Keith Erekson (same title as the Rome address), Daniel Peterson (same title as the Rome address), Rene Krywult ("Fear is the path to the dark side - Navigating the shallows of misinformation"), Jennifer Roach Lees (same title as the Rome address), Ben Spackman ("Science and Scripture: Friends, Enemies, or Other?"), and Scott Gordon (same title as the Rome address). It's not clear whether Brother Krywult is simply repeating the FAIR conference paper he delivered in 2019.

FAIR Europe will then visit Gothenburg on June 15. Speakers include Keith Erekson (same title as the Rome address), Daniel Peterson (same title as the Rome address), Jeffrey Thayne ("What is Your Greatest Treasure?"), DeLayna Beck ("Stay by the Tree"), Ben Spackman (same title as the Salzburg address), and Scott Gordon (same title as the Rome address).

On June 16, Scott Gordon will give a devotional address in Düsseldorf (same title as the Rome address). He will repeat the devotional in Sofia on July 20. Ben Spackman will give a devotional in Paris on July 13 (same title as the Salzburg address).

I have heard, but cannot confirm, that a generous benefactor picked up the tab for Dr. Peterson to travel to Europe to deliver his three lectures. If that is the case, I assume he won't repeat his FAIR conference address of 2016. Unfortunately, I don't believe that Dr. Peterson was invited to bless the faithful saints in Düsseldorf by describing the "Logic Tree of Life" in his pure Kantian German.

If the lecture series is a success, I hope it will visit other cities around the world next summer.

Posted from Rat's Breath, Utah

Teaching the faithful critical thinking skills. What could possibly go wrong?

Oh no. Some of those titles are just disasters waiting to happen.

This one especially:

Scott Gordon... "I Learned it on the Internet: Maintaining Faith in Today's Online World."


This is no different, these days, than saying "I read it in a book," or "I attended an online lecture by a certified professional about it," or "I took a long distance class on it in university."

Does he really think blaming the medium for the state of the information that is available is the way to go?

Is this sponsored or supported or endorsed by the Church? If not, why not?

What FAIR doesn’t seem to have considered is that most European members aren’t aware of a number of the issues that they intend on talking about. This could backfire spectacularly.

But hey, the people at FAIR love a good trip if someone else is footing the bill.

This is a chance for those at FAIR to practice their deception in Europe and get a free vacation. Those Europeans will be bowled over by the rhetoric. They can return to their hinterland wards and branches with the message, "Just believe harder".

It’s such a backwards framing of the problem. It mischaracterizes all criticism of the church as misinformation (which is wrong) and it assumes the members lack critical thinking skills (which is also wrong.)

I don’t expect that this approach will work well, since it doesn’t represent the reality of the situation, it only represents their delusional fantasy.

The talks would be better titled “how to stop critically thinking and maintain your faith despite the evidence.”

"The cornerstones of both psychotherapy and science are honesty and accuracy." People of the Lie. M. Scott Peck, MD.

After dealing with the defenders of Mormonism and their constant mental gymnastics it's hard to take anything they say seriously. They and Jehovah Witnesses fall from the same tree. Those who support FAIR or those who embrace the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought a big smile and an "oh, no, I can just imagine what they will write or say." Especially if the evolutionary brain has built in algorithms to create illusions.

I wonder if any of the speakers will be tasked with displaying Elder Perry's most holy esoteric briefcase of answers.

drumdude wrote: ↑

Fri May 31, 2024 6:31 am

It’s such a backwards framing of the problem. It mischaracterizes all criticism of the church as misinformation (which is wrong) and it assumes the members lack critical thinking skills (which is also wrong.)

I don’t expect that this approach will work well, since it doesn’t represent the reality of the situation, it only represents their delusional fantasy.

The talks would be better titled “how to stop critically thinking and maintain your faith despite the evidence.”

Whether the approach works largely depends on the goal, and I suspect the goal here is an expense paid European vacation.

Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑

Fri May 31, 2024 4:33 pm

I wonder if any of the speakers will be tasked with displaying Elder Perry's most holy esoteric briefcase of answers.

Excellent question. I understand that rank-and-file church members have never seen the sacred manuscript that will prove all doubters wrong but are counseled to take it on faith that it exists, that it resides inside Elder Perry's briefcase, and that it will be unveiled according to the Lord's timing. FAIR Europe 2024 may very well be the time when the European saints' faith will be richly rewarded.