Book of Mormon geography

[_MCB]

You'll find I have a hard time believing the idea that the Smithsonian covered up all evidence of the Nephite civilizations in New York. I just don't buy conspiracy theories. And you have a slight problem here too. Joseph Smith thought it might have occurred in the MesoAmerica too.

That was later, after he had come in contact with literature about Meso-America, and the argument I present above.

[_Tobin]

You'll find I have a hard time believing the idea that the Smithsonian covered up all evidence of the Nephite civilizations in New York. I just don't buy conspiracy theories. And you have a slight problem here too. Joseph Smith thought it might have occurred in the MesoAmerica too.

That was later, after he had come in contact with literature about Meso-America, and the argument I present above.

Perhaps it was part of the Smithsonian conspiracy.

[_MCB]

Perhaps it was part of the Smithsonian conspiracy.

LOL No. The Smithsonian is not into conspiracies, other than debunking the Mormon one.

[_Quasimodo]

You are under a few mistaken impressions I believe.
1) The Jaredite civilization was not Jewish so there is no reason to suspect their remains would reflect Jewish culture in any way.
2) The Nephite civilization was built on the remains of that civilization. It was also geographically distinct from the Jewish culture.
3) The idea that we would find a Jewish culture much in the vein of that developed around Jerusalem is ridiculous. The fact is the Israelites were highly likely to degenerate into worshipping other Gods and idols and were highly adaptable. Much of the idea here is centered around what the Jewish culture was as portrayed in the Bible and mostly having to do with the Jewish temple culture of Jerusalem. There is little reason to assume that a similar culture developed here and no reason to believe the Lamanites would develop that culture at all.

I don't think so, my friend Tobin.

1. Regardless of whatever religion you ascribe to the Jeredites, they would have been Semitic (if there were Jeredites). Semitic culture and language goes way back before that time.

2. Pure speculation. There is no evidence of such a culture anywhere.

3. What is ridiculous is to believe that anything in the Book of Mormon is factual. No artifacts, no linguistics and no DNA. There is no reason to assume that any of Joseph Smith's (a confessed con-man) writings were true.

I respect the fact that you would like to believe, but there is no rational reason to believe.

[_DWhitmer]

You'll find I have a hard time believing the idea that the Smithsonian covered up all evidence of the Nephite civilizations in New York. I just don't buy conspiracy theories. And you have a slight problem here too. Joseph Smith thought it might have occurred in the MesoAmerica too.

That was later, after he had come in contact with literature about Meso-America, and the argument I present above.

Perhaps it was part of the Smithsonian conspiracy.[/quote]

I'm speechless. See Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed - for starters, man. :(

[_DWhitmer]

You are under a few mistaken impressions I believe.
1) The Jaredite civilization was not Jewish so there is no reason to suspect their remains would reflect Jewish culture in any way.
2) The Nephite civilization was built on the remains of that civilization. It was also geographically distinct from the Jewish culture.
3) The idea that we would find a Jewish culture much in the vein of that developed around Jerusalem is ridiculous. The fact is the Israelites were highly likely to degenerate into worshipping other Gods and idols and were highly adaptable. Much of the idea here is centered around what the Jewish culture was as portrayed in the Bible and mostly having to do with the Jewish temple culture of Jerusalem. There is little reason to assume that a similar culture developed here and no reason to believe the Lamanites would develop that culture at all.

Very impressed Tobin!!

3. What is ridiculous is to believe that anything in the Book of Mormon is factual. No artifacts, no linguistics and no DNA. There is no reason to assume that any of Joseph Smith's (a confessed con-man) writings were true.

Not his writings after the Holy Book of Mormon, that's right, good view!

I respect the fact that you would like to believe, but there is no rational reason to believe.

Are you inflicated with the Unable to Suspend Disbelief Syndrome? The rational mind is a horrible master, but a great servant if you teach it to obey the soul!

[_MCB]

I'm speechless. See Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed - for starters, man. :(

Theistic evolution. Science and faith are not mutually exclusive. One can have both. I work very well with agnostics, thank you. Most of them are pretty decent people, maybe even better than most fundamentalists.

[Guest]

The fact is there is little evidence of large populations in New York during the time period in question and so there is little reason to believe the Book of Mormon took place there. The reason many believe it took place in MesoAmerica is precisely because of the remains of large civilizations and the populations necessary, in close proximity to one another, to sustain such a story.

No Northeastern Woodland Culture, no Hopewells eh, Tobin?

[_Quasimodo]

Are you inflicated with the Unable to Suspend Disbelief Syndrome? The rational mind is a horrible master, but a great servant if you teach it to obey the soul!

I can, at times, suspend disbelief when watching a very good sci fi movie (the suspension disappears when the movie is over). Never when discussing history. I have a love of the truth.

[_lulu]

I don't believe that every Native American requires direct DNA ancestry. Just my belief. JMS

Right, some of them are the product of spontaneous generation. Just my belief. lulu