Funding for apologetics

[_harmony]

Who pays for studies surrounding Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, church history, or other church related topics?

Daniel says it's not the church:

Today, 05:01 PM Post #191


Krispy Kreme King


Group: Pundit
Posts: 6267
Joined: 1-April 04
Member No.: 407



QUOTE(mormonstories @ Dec 28 2007, 04:58 PM)
there is relatively little reputable scholarship (that isn't on the church payroll) that would stick their necks out for Book of Mormon historicity.

Just for the record, there is essentially no scholarship advocating the Book of Mormon that is paid for by the Church.

here's the link: http://www.mormonapologetics.org/index. ... 168&st=180 (yes, Juliann. I can read MAD. I can also post, but I won't tell you which puppet I'm wearing)

I don't think Daniel answered the question mormonstories asked though. He's trying to sidetrack the discussion about scholarship, with a rabbit trail to a discussion about funding. So I'm asking for clarification:

1. What is "reputable", in conjunction with Book of Mormon historicity?

2. Who, outside of members of the church, owuld stick their neck out for Book of Mormon historicity?

3. the church's payroll includes a lot of people, from the janitors at BYU to the prophet. Is mormonstudies referring to FARMS/Maxwell? or BYU professors in general? Or GA's? Is there a book out there somewhere written by a GA that is actually a scholarly look at Book of Mormon historicity?

4. What exactly is meant by "paid for by the church"? Did they put out a RFP? Fund a research grant? Or does that mean the church doesn't provide space, computers, time, administrative support, or publication support for FARMS' writers? (because that would be considerable support, in my opinion)

[_Gadianton]

I wonder if he's ever heard of money laundering, or if he just thinks that none of the critics have.

[_richardMdBorn]

Just for the record, there is essentially no scholarship advocating the Book of Mormon that is paid for by the Church.

Why did he use the weasel word essentially?

[_harmony]

Just for the record, there is essentially no scholarship advocating the Book of Mormon that is paid for by the Church.

Why did he use the weasel word essentially?

I think because he doesn't think office space, staff time, administrative support, computers, lights and heat, publishing support, and all those other perks of being FARMS/Maxwell count.

[_moksha]

Just for the record, there is essentially no scholarship advocating the Book of Mormon that is paid for by the Church.

Perhaps he is saying they would only undertake it as a labor of love.
Or perhaps that this labor of love does not really constitute scholarship in its strictest sense.
Or that, because there are no open books, no one knows where the money is coming from.

[_charity]

Who pays for studies surrounding Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, church history, or other church related topics?


3. the church's payroll includes a lot of people, from the janitors at BYU to the prophet. Is mormonstudies referring to FARMS/Maxwell? or BYU professors in general? Or GA's? Is there a book out there somewhere written by a GA that is actually a scholarly look at Book of Mormon historicity?

When was the last time you read a scholarly treatiste written by a janitor?

[_harmony]

Who pays for studies surrounding Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, church history, or other church related topics?


3. the church's payroll includes a lot of people, from the janitors at BYU to the prophet. Is mormonstudies referring to FARMS/Maxwell? or BYU professors in general? Or GA's? Is there a book out there somewhere written by a GA that is actually a scholarly look at Book of Mormon historicity?

When was the last time you read a scholarly treatiste written by a janitor?

I haven't read one written by the prophet either, but that doesn't mean he's not paid.

What's your point, charity?

[_charity]

I just thought it was funny that you included janitors in your list.

[_Gadianton]

In the 1990s, FARMS enjoyed rapid growth, fueled by donations that considerably increased its yearly operating budget. During the mid-1990s, the BYU administration became interested in the prospect of incorporating FARMS into the university. As FARMS took on important projects that depended more and more on BYU resources, the relationship between the two became increasingly complex. Something needed to be done to clarify their mutual relationship. On 10 September 1997, President Hinckley proposed that FARMS be invited into the university.

In extending the invitation, President Hinckley said: "FARMS represents the efforts of sincere and dedicated scholars. It has grown to provide strong support and defense of the Church on a professional basis. . . . I see a bright future for this effort now through the university."

It's really simple. The church finances BYU. FARMS depends on BYU resources. Thus, the church plays a part in financing FARMS. The contrary suggestion would be a brazen lie. But then again, people of the church are still convinced they don't have a paid ministry, that the GA's receive no compensation for their service.

[_ludwigm]

... people of the church are still convinced they don't have a paid ministry, that the GA's receive no compensation for their service.

as far as I know, the emeritus status is available for the 15's, too.

Did ever anybody take advantage of it?