Something on MST from JPL

[Daniel Peterson]

For various reasons, I find today's entry on "Mormon Scholars Testify" exceptionally fun and provocative:

http://mormonscholarstestify.org/

It seems, by the way, that the people at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (which sits not terribly far from where I grew up; the bishop who sent me on my mission worked there, too) may not yet have received the memo from 44foxtrot about the scientific need to discriminate against theists in general and Mormons in particular.

[blackstrap]

I am reminded of the last couple of episodes of "Battlestar Galactica " original series wherein Starbuck(I think) encounters the Lord's spaceship .

[Libs]

That was an amazing piece of writing...to say the least.

[ebeddoulos]

That was an amazing piece of writing...to say the least.

That is so true. I especially liked the last bit of humor that A. Scott Howe added:

I know there are skeptics, but strange how the skeptics have lots of time to talk and make wind but never seem to produce any real novelty.

I have often said that "It is the outhouse, not the church house, from wherein anti's receive the brain flatulence they mistake for inspiration." Br. Howe states it a wee bit nicer.

[Libs]

I think my favorite part was his description of faith as, "not a belief system, but a process for gaining knowledge"..

I hadn't really thought of faith in that way (even when I was LDS). I always thought of faith as synonymous with "trust" (primarily)...and I think it is about trust, but seeing it as a "process for gaining knowledge" is very perceptive, I think, because if we trust someone or something, we are open to it, which makes us "teachable", as they say.

I really liked the orderly way he presented his beliefs.

I also liked his explanation about spirit=energy=intelligence=truth=light.

"the light that is discussed in the scriptures is the same light that is defined by physics.

[Jaybear]

That was bizzare. Fascinating, but bizarre nonetheless.

When we overcome aging and figure out how to rebuild bodies of those who have passed on, each of us will have all the time we need to work these things out.

Is this how Mormons believe eternal life, resurrection and perfection will come about? As an athiest, I whole heartily agree.

The most creative of my colleagues experience it, even if they can

[Libs]

As far as I am aware, the only "knowlege" that can be derived from faith, and faith alone, is the knowledge of facts which can't be tested.

Faith involves putting your trust in something, at least, enough to test it. Without faith, there are some things you may not even try to test...like reading the Bible or prayer. Right? Anyone can "test" those things, but if you don't have at least the smallest grain of faith that you might learn or benefit from those activities, you probably won't, and you may not even try.