My Experience With Daniel Peterson

[_MCB]

Don't trouble yourself about these things, MCB. Have a nice weekend.

No airhead here.

[_Doctor Scratch]

I don't think DrW.'s remarks fit all that well with the "True Scotsman" fallacy. DrW is basically just reiterating things that have been said not just by critics (e.g., Kevin Graham), but are also alluded to by the quote from Dr. Peterson---i.e., that if you rationally consider all the evidence for or against the truth claims of Mormonism, you're going to encounter some extremely difficult problems.

Simon and his ilk typically respond with an appeal to authority: "Hey, look at Mormon scholars testify! There are people with PhDs who believe in the Church!", though I think the real answer is that most of it just has to be taken on the basis of faith. But I think Dr.W. is basically right. For most people, the claims of the Church seem completely absurd.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

At first it appeared that there was going to be a big ol' group hug with Daniel.

But it has turned into the usual pissing match.

I was hoping we could talk about the location of the Goddamned stone box.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Hello Mr. Porter,

It's on Kolob.

V/R
Dr. Cameron

[_why me]

At first it appeared that there was going to be a big ol' group hug with Daniel.

But it has turned into the usual pissing match.

I was hoping we could talk about the location of the Goddamned stone box.

Are you surprised? Poor dan is not much loved by a couple of posters who wish to find any excuse to bash the poor guy. However, you could have stood up for your thread and put the bashers to order. But...you were silent as a lamb.

[_Yahoo Bot]

At first it appeared that there was going to be a big ol' group hug with Daniel.

But it has turned into the usual pissing match.

I was hoping we could talk about the location of the Goddamned stone box.

You raise this question repeatedly over the years, my good friend. The answer is always the same. There were several eyewitnesses to the box, including one who tried to pry it open. Later, David Whitmer as a degenerate apostate such as yourself said he saw pieces of it at the bottom of the hill.

[_lostindc]

Are you surprised? Poor dan is not much loved by a couple of posters who wish to find any excuse to bash the poor guy. However, you could have stood up for your thread and put the bashers to order. But...you were silent as a lamb.

Dr. Peterson appears to be a perfect punching bag for those who continue to remain anonymous and at the same time slander. Apparently, DCP is blamed for pretty much anything that goes wrong in the lives of some of these posters (e.g. DrW and Infymus). If these same types really believed in what they were spewing they would reveal themselves and offer a more even playing field to continue discourse with DCP. Instead they continue to be internet toughguys.

[Guest]

Are you surprised? Poor dan is not much loved by a couple of posters who wish to find any excuse to bash the poor guy. However, you could have stood up for your thread and put the bashers to order. But...you were silent as a lamb.

Dr. Peterson appears to be a perfect punching bag for those who continue to remain anonymous and at the same time slander. Apparently, DCP is blamed for pretty much anything that goes wrong in the lives of some of these posters (e.g. DrW and Infymus). If these same types really believed in what they were spewing they would reveal themselves and offer a more even playing field to continue discourse with DCP. Instead they continue to be internet toughguys.

You are projecting again. I have never, ever, attributed anything in my life, good or bad, to DCP. As I stated in my first post on this thread, I am sure that he is a likable fellow in person.

Occasionally I do use his writings as an example of MormonThink for others. This is quite convenient because his writings are ubiquitous and always readily available on cell phone or computer. And they seldom, if ever, disappoint with regard to the intended purpose.

I often start with the quote in my signature line. Most people to whom I show this quote think it is a joke. It normally serves as an effective segue to talking about the absurdities of Mormon beliefs and the role of Mormon apologetics in trying to keep the uncurious faithful content in their unfounded belief.

So, all in all, I see Dr. Peterson as making a real contribution in the world. In my world here in South Florida, in Beirut, in Dubai, in Abu Dhabi, in Seattle, in New York, and especially in Atlanta and the hyper-religious deep South, I often rely on the writings of the good Doctor to explain my position when the subject of Mormonism comes up. And you might be surprised how often that happens outside of Utah nowadays.

Last week in Beirut, for example, my ex-mormon business associates and I were answering questions about Mormonism from the Armenian Christian wife of our local partner. Her response was pretty typical of those from other countries who talk with Mormons (or ex-Mormons) for the first time about the Mormon Church.

Not to put too fine a point on it, and because she knew that she would not offend us, her response was to ask how it is that some Americans, who like to portray themselves as smart and educated in the world, can be so foolish as to actually believe this stuff. For that, my associates and I had no good answer.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

At first it appeared that there was going to be a big ol' group hug with Daniel.

But it has turned into the usual pissing match.

I was hoping we could talk about the location of the Goddamned stone box.

You raise this question repeatedly over the years, my good friend. The answer is always the same. There were several eyewitnesses to the box, including one who tried to pry it open. Later, David Whitmer as a degenerate apostate such as yourself said he saw pieces of it at the bottom of the hill.

A stone box engineered to last 1400 years and within a few short years of being opened it falls to pieces? Such SMALL pieces in fact that they wash down a hill?

I fully understand the position that you are in and why you must accept this as fact. I on the other hand do not have any need to believe any of the claims of Joseph Smith and am therefore able to examine this objectively.

Joseph got sloppy as his stories unwound. He should have said the earth opened up and presented the plates. liahona, sword, UT, etc and then closed up.

But instead he claimed that all of these items were stored in a stone box but failed to do away with the stone box.

Ask yourself how this heavy stone box which had not moved an inch since Moroni supposedly placed it in the ground 1400 year earlier, how did it unearth itself in the first place?

You sound like you have very critical analysis thinking skills, but like many Mormons you have no choice but to abandon those talents when approaching something that is critical of your church.

[_cafe crema]

I thought the first five minutes of this interview with Dan might give some of the "newbies" insight.

FAIR Conference Daniel C. Peterson Interview.



Have a good weekend.

That was interesting.