Mormonisim Conference at Princeton and a Course at Harvard

[Guest]

the Princeton University CRS (Center for Religious Studies) held a 2 day academic conference. The complete web broadcast is available online. The conference was organized by Melissa Proctor, who will teach a spring course at the Harvard Divinity School. I have really enjoyed the pieces I have watched so far.. available here:

http://www.princeton.edu/~csrelig/Mormonism&politics.html


Spring 2008 Harvard Divinity School
Course - Mormonism and the American Experience
Instructor - Melissa Proctor
Description
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now the fourth-largest religious body in the United States and continues to be one of the fastest growing. Who are the Saints and what is the appeal of this homegrown religion? Latter-day Saints, or Mormons as they are sometimes called, have been variously characterized as politically dangerous vipers on the hearth, sexually deviant cult members, and the model religious minority with a reputation for wholesome living and an emphasis on traditional family life. This course explores the reasons for and sources of these competing portraits of Mormonism. Beginning with a historical overview, we will place Mormonism in its nineteenth century context and then move to a topical discussion of religious beliefs and practices teasing out the reasons why some of them have erupted in political and cultural conflict for the Latter-day Saints. We will discuss the ways in which these controversies have influenced national culture, political consciousness, and even the U.S. legal system. Throughout the seminar we will pay particular attention to the role that mass media plays in reflecting and shaping the popular American imagination of Mormonism

[_moksha]

politically dangerous vipers on the hearth

Must be from old writings or a conservative think tank, since no one talks like that anymore.

[_dartagnan]

It will be interesting to see how the talking heads at BYU will try to make sure these kinds of programs don't turn into a clone of Sunstone.

Academic programs on Mormonism, not connected to BYU?

This can only be bad for the church. This means the restrictions have been lifted and scholars can criticize what they wish and talk about the things the Church would otherwise have us ignore.

Let's see where this goes in the next ten years.

[_Mister Scratch]

It will be interesting to see how the talking heads at BYU will try to make sure these kinds of programs don't turn into a clone of Sunstone.

Academic programs on Mormonism, not connected to BYU?

This can only be bad for the church. This means the restrictions have been lifted and scholars can criticize what they wish and talk about the things the Church would otherwise have us ignore.

Let's see where this goes in the next ten years.

Good point. However, we have seen in the past that BYU and DCP and whomever else can sometimes pull strings in order to manipulate what goes on at these conferences. Case in point: Mike Quinn's demotion from the Yale conference a couple of years ago. He was blocked by the "powers that be" from presenting a paper, and merely got to introduce a paper instead.

[_dartagnan]

Yea, these guys seem to have their own connections working for them at Yale, which makes me wonder what kind of strings were being pulled in order to get John Gee through his doctorate quicker.

[_harmony]

Surely the shadow doesn't extend all the way to Princeton and Harvard?

[_Mister Scratch]

Surely the shadow doesn't extend all the way to Princeton and Harvard?

I think that the Church's power resembles something like an octopus's tentacles---they have got their hands in so many sectors of American life that it is relatively easy for them to "make things happen." There is quite a stunning section in the 2nd book of The Mormon Hierarchy where Quinn shows how a young LDS couple on their honeymoon can have virtually every single aspect of their trip somehow associated with the Church and its holdings.

[_Dr. Shades]

I think that the Church's power resembles something like an octopus's tentacles---they have got their hands in so many sectors of American life that it is relatively easy for them to "make things happen."

Let's not forget that about 20 years ago the church successfully squashed the planned TV movie about Mark Hofmann.

There is quite a stunning section in the 2nd book of The Mormon Hierarchy where Quinn shows how a young LDS couple on their honeymoon can have virtually every single aspect of their trip somehow associated with the Church and its holdings.

If I remember correctly, I think it was a little different: I believe he described how an LDS family back in the late 1800s could have virtually every single aspect of its economic life somehow associated with the church and its holdings. In other words, everything a person in Utah could possibly need could, and was expected to be, bought through a church company.

[_dartagnan]

I read an article yesterday online (can't find it now) which gave a detailed summary of Quinn's plight as a Mormon scholar. Apparently he can't get work because the powers that be in Utah have pretty much blackened his name. It said he lives on a couch now in his mother's basement and can't afford health insurance.

Jesus.

And Dan Peterson tried making us feel sorry for him because he might possibly be sued by Robert Ritner because he and Gee had been lying about him over the years?

Remember that rant? He went on and on about how he could lose all the money he had saved up for his children.

Quinn can't even afford to have kids, and his only crime was to stick to his beliefs and not back down to Church pressure. Dan's crime was much more serious. He had been spreading false rumors about a world renowned Egyptologist, for the sole purpose of apologetics.

[_Mister Scratch]

I read an article yesterday online (can't find it now) which gave a detailed summary of Quinn's plight as a Mormon scholar. Apparently he can't get work because the powers that be in Utah have pretty much blackened his name. It said he lives on a couch now in his mother's basement and can't afford health insurance.

Yes, this is absolutely right, and it probably goes some ways towards explaining why DCP has flown off the handle at critics' pointing out his gossiping on this matter. Part of the "blackening" of Quinn's name has taken place in the pages of FARMS Review, and over on FAIR/MAD, in the form of stuff like, "I don't trust Quinn." People often say that they are "tired" of the Quinn stuff, or whatever else, but I think that many just don't realize the gravity of what happened.

And Dan Peterson tried making us feel sorry for him because he might possibly be sued by Robert Ritner because he and Gee had been lying about him over the years?

Remember that rant? He went on and on about how he could lose all the money he had saved up for his children.

Wha...? I don't remember that at all! Do you have a link, or have the "rant" saved, perhaps?