TBM's: Killer blow to the Book of Mormon?

[_guy sajer]

I repeat, Charity, you are delusional.

Say that three more times, click your heels together, and maybe you can go home.

Charity, you have no comparative advantage for witty reparte. In this case, given the absurdity of your argument, you appear even more silly, as if that were possible.

Here's the thing, also. You've set up a system by which you've insultated yourself from ALL counterevidence.

To begin with, you demand that critics prove a negative.

Next, you assert that it is impossible to prove a negative.

Next, when critics DO present credible evidence on specific testable hypotheses (including evidence supported by the entire weight of scientific scholarship and consensus), you dismiss it.

Next, you assert that evidence will eventually be forthcoming, even if it takes a long, long, long time.

Finally, when really pressed, you play the "the spirit told" me card.

You've, in essense, constructed a system of belief that is totally invulnerable to any criticism.

There is literally nothing that can penetrate it.

Charity, you ARE delusional.

[_charity]

Here's the thing, also. You've set up a system by which you've insultated yourself from ALL counterevidence.

To begin with, you demand that critics prove a negative.

I make no such demand. You are the ones who are constantly trying to do so. I will let you in on a little secret. EVen apologists don't make demands. We simply take the shots that are aimed at the Church, its doctrine and leaders, and expose them for the puffballs they are. We don't invite the shots.

Next, you assert that it is impossible to prove a negative.

Which is true, and why I wonder how come some fairly intelligent people keep trying to do it.

Next, when critics DO present credible evidence on specific testable hypotheses (including evidence supported by the entire weight of scientific scholarship and consensus), you dismiss it.

Proving a negative? There is no such credible testable hypotheses, and as such, there can be no evidence supported by the entire weight of scienfitif scholarship and consensus. No credible scientist will state that they know all there is to know about MesoAmerican archeology, anthropology and there absolutely were never any group of 30 Israelites that landed on a cost in the New World.

Next, you assert that evidence will eventually be forthcoming, even if it takes a long, long, long time.

Yep. I follow Schleimann's example.

Finally, when really pressed, you play the "the spirit told" me card. You've, in essense, constructed a system of belief that is totally invulnerable to any criticism. There is literally nothing that can penetrate it.

I didn't construct it. It is an eternal law. I just chose to obey it.

Charity, you ARE delusional.

"Only if I am wrong," charity says cheerfully.

[_The Nehor]

I repeat, Charity, you are delusional.

Say that three more times, click your heels together, and maybe you can go home.

Charity, you have no comparative advantage for witty reparte. In this case, given the absurdity of your argument, you appear even more silly, as if that were possible.

Here's the thing, also. You've set up a system by which you've insultated yourself from ALL counterevidence.

To begin with, you demand that critics prove a negative.

Next, you assert that it is impossible to prove a negative.

Next, when critics DO present credible evidence on specific testable hypotheses (including evidence supported by the entire weight of scientific scholarship and consensus), you dismiss it.

Next, you assert that evidence will eventually be forthcoming, even if it takes a long, long, long time.

Finally, when really pressed, you play the "the spirit told" me card.

You've, in essense, constructed a system of belief that is totally invulnerable to any criticism.

There is literally nothing that can penetrate it.

Charity, you ARE delusional.

By your standard, I am also delusional.

[_guy sajer]

I repeat, Charity, you are delusional.

Say that three more times, click your heels together, and maybe you can go home.

Charity, you have no comparative advantage for witty reparte. In this case, given the absurdity of your argument, you appear even more silly, as if that were possible.

Here's the thing, also. You've set up a system by which you've insultated yourself from ALL counterevidence.

To begin with, you demand that critics prove a negative.

Next, you assert that it is impossible to prove a negative.

Next, when critics DO present credible evidence on specific testable hypotheses (including evidence supported by the entire weight of scientific scholarship and consensus), you dismiss it.

Next, you assert that evidence will eventually be forthcoming, even if it takes a long, long, long time.

Finally, when really pressed, you play the "the spirit told" me card.

You've, in essense, constructed a system of belief that is totally invulnerable to any criticism.

There is literally nothing that can penetrate it.

Charity, you ARE delusional.

By your standard, I am also delusional.

No, you're delusional because you think that God visits and talks to you.

You're still a nice guy, though.

[_beastie]

Proving a negative? There is no such credible testable hypotheses, and as such, there can be no evidence supported by the entire weight of scienfitif scholarship and consensus. No credible scientist will state that they know all there is to know about MesoAmerican archeology, anthropology and there absolutely were never any group of 30 Israelites that landed on a cost in the New World.

One may not be able to "prove" a negative, but it is certainly possible to reduce the likelihood of X to the point where, practically and theoretically speaking, it has been disproven. You cannot disprove there is teapot floating out in the universe somewhere, or that the invisible spaghetti monster holds the world in its tentacles. Atheists use these extreme examples to prove a point. No one can "prove" that these things do not exist, but the likelihood of their existence is so negligible that it is logical and reasonable to act as if they have been disproven.

Now, in regards to your Book of Mormon assertion in particular - if the story ended with the arrival of 30 Israelites, you would be correct. However, the story does not end there. Those 30 Israelites went on to be the leaders of the most powerful polities of the time period (in fact, more powerful than any that actually existed, but let's ignore that for now). By their own statements, they taught their people handicrafts that were specific to the Old World, such as metallurgy. So we're not talking about 30 Israelites that had zero influence on the larger culture - they had TREMENDOUS influence on the larger culture. And THAT would definitely be detectable. Similar events (although not with the Old World, but rather other areas in the New World) HAVE been detected, such as the Teotihucuan influence.

[_The Nehor]

I repeat, Charity, you are delusional.

Say that three more times, click your heels together, and maybe you can go home.

Charity, you have no comparative advantage for witty reparte. In this case, given the absurdity of your argument, you appear even more silly, as if that were possible.

Here's the thing, also. You've set up a system by which you've insultated yourself from ALL counterevidence.

To begin with, you demand that critics prove a negative.

Next, you assert that it is impossible to prove a negative.

Next, when critics DO present credible evidence on specific testable hypotheses (including evidence supported by the entire weight of scientific scholarship and consensus), you dismiss it.

Next, you assert that evidence will eventually be forthcoming, even if it takes a long, long, long time.

Finally, when really pressed, you play the "the spirit told" me card.

You've, in essense, constructed a system of belief that is totally invulnerable to any criticism.

There is literally nothing that can penetrate it.

Charity, you ARE delusional.

By your standard, I am also delusional.

No, you're delusional because you think that God visits and talks to you.

You're still a nice guy, though.

Well then I'm delusional for multiple reasons.

[_beastie]

Well then I'm delusional for multiple reasons.

:::coughs awkwardly:::: ;)

[_The Nehor]

Well then I'm delusional for multiple reasons.

:::coughs awkwardly:::: ;)

I wonder if everyone will still think I'm delusional in the next life if I'm ruling the cosmos. Probably ;)

[_Mercury]

Well then I'm delusional for multiple reasons.

:::coughs awkwardly:::: ;)

I wonder if everyone will still think I'm delusional in the next life if I'm ruling the cosmos. Probably ;)

We think you are delusional because you think you will be ruling the cosmos.

Self reinforcing delusions of grandeur in order to compensate for a lack of control in your own life. Just keep telling yourself that and i'm sure your life will be just fine. Make sure to keep paying your tithing though even there is no way to reverse your decision after discovering you are screwed in the afterlife and the Mormons have been lying to you the whole time.

[_solomarineris]

charity

Show me thousands of horse carcasses in Central Asia from the Huns. Then lets talk about horse bones.
Don't forget hippopatamusses. Hippopotami?

So, you have a Masters thesis prepared for graduation in the past?

How can you act so gullible when anything entails your faith in Book of Mormon but act perfectly normal, think rationally in other subjects?
I can't say that I admire your courage standing up here and taking all these punches.
At least here nobody has the fear of cesorship. It is a great thing being able to express your mind.