tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post6419747718834753974..comments2009-05-18T18:44:22.612-06:00Comments on Spherical Chickens: Science and Traditions: A Nibleyesque MusingLiz Busbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08505062751148555335noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post-41345543490407486692007-04-07T08:56:00.000-06:002007-04-07T08:56:00.000-06:00Aaron: Thanks, glad you like the blog. Flatland ...Aaron: Thanks, glad you like the blog. <I>Flatland</I> is an amazing book. I need to finish it . . . . Plato's <I>Allegory of the Cave</I> is also a good one for the same idea. :DLiz Busbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08505062751148555335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post-46502969778864255972007-04-06T19:05:00.000-06:002007-04-06T19:05:00.000-06:00Sam B,I agree with everything you said. So, yeah, ...Sam B,<BR/><BR/>I agree with everything you said. So, yeah, well said.Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06261411264695719660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post-53614882129071837492007-04-06T18:44:00.000-06:002007-04-06T18:44:00.000-06:00First of all, I really enjoy your style of writing...First of all, I really enjoy your style of writing and am happy to have discovered your blog. . .<BR/>I really like your "everything and nothing" approach in general, and it fits well to this topic of evolution. <BR/><BR/>Science is not a way of knowing truth per se, it is simply a method of observing. Revelation is the only way to know truth. This is not say that you may stumble upon a truth in some other way besides revelation (science, authority, etc.). <BR/><BR/>I don't see a conflict with evolution and mormonism. But my reasons might be different than others. I see evolution as a theory--a model that can help us understand our observations. I don't see evolution as an answer to the question of the man's origin. Mormon doctrine teaches me about my divine nature--and I am clear as the truth of that matter through personal revelation. I simply don't take it further than that. <BR/><BR/>Nibley is rather nebulous on the subject as well. He makes observations, scattering a bunch of new dots onto the landscape, but does little to connect them. I don't see a great need to connect all the dots at this point. <BR/><BR/>I often come back to Flatlands, a short book on dimensions (great read). Beings living in a 2D world cannot comprehend those living in a 3D world (unless, as the prophets were, they are lifted up, taught, tutored, and given revelations). For any scientist to pretend to understand the beginning of the world is silly. It would be like an ant living in my backyard trying to comprehend China's economic relationship with Great Britain. <BR/><BR/>It is fun to explore, and I'm not saying people can't try to connect the dots. I just think there are a million more dots to come, so I am going to wait before I get started.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15567302987586127101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post-15877421939904578632007-04-06T18:09:00.000-06:002007-04-06T18:09:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06261411264695719660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post-37390166438647712482007-04-06T11:09:00.000-06:002007-04-06T11:09:00.000-06:00steve,While I agree that we aren't Bible inerranti...steve,<BR/>While I agree that we aren't Bible inerrantists or literalists, I think two things get into some Mormons' way when evolution comes up. The big monkey in the room is that we're leader inerrantists. Not really, technically, but many, if not most, church members believe literally in every word that comes out of a prophet's/apostle's (and, for some, even bishop's) mouth. And, frankly, you don't have to look much further than McConkie and Joseph Fielding Smith for some very strong animus toward evolution. (Which, of course, means selectively ignoring Talmage and BH Roberts, among others, but play the JFS was prophet card, and it's a pretty good trump.)<BR/><BR/>The other is, we come from a Protestant tradition, and are good at incorporating Protestant ideas, whether or not we look to their provenance.<BR/><BR/>But, of course, evolution (macro, not just micro) happened, and continues to happen, and nonetheless we're children of a loving God.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post-36467870101119111602007-04-06T10:24:00.000-06:002007-04-06T10:24:00.000-06:00I mean, 170-odd years is really not that long for ...<I>I mean, 170-odd years is really not that long for the existence of a religion, and though we of course claim that we are a restoration of ancient things, the very modern feeling of the Church has always made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I sometimes find myself wishing we had that long line of tradition in the same way as the Catholic Church or even better Judaism.</I><BR/><BR/>I agree that the Church has a very "modern" feel to it. It's a very young Church, especially relative to other world religions.<BR/><BR/>However, Latter-day Saints have a kind of "adopted" history. Joseph Smith had a real fascination with anything and everything ancient, and he regularly sought to incorporate ancient religion into his theology. Joseph's claims of restoration allow Mormons to tap into ancient religious traditions, effectually giving them a history that extends back to the beginning of time, predating every other religious tradition.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I've never understood the problem with believing in evolution. I mean, Latter-day Saints don't even believe that the Bible is inerrant or that it should be read 100% literally, right? Believing that human history began just six thousand years ago isn't an informed or defensible position, in my opinion.Steve M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06261411264695719660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23560503.post-69304613261512900712007-04-06T09:22:00.000-06:002007-04-06T09:22:00.000-06:00Yes, Liz, I totally agree. I often think about the...Yes, Liz, I totally agree. I often think about the modernity of the church and it is a little odd to me. I often wish we had more of the traditions of Judaism or something. But you're right, the church still has those traditions, even if they seem new. Granted, they aren't the same, but I suppose it's all right in the end. <BR/>And yes, I don't see what all the evolution conflict is about. Can't we all just get along? :)Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02141270011785790129noreply@blogger.com