Originally Posted by ideologyhunter

The fact that Smith grew up in the 'burnt-over district' shows only how opportune the time & place was for a con artist to set up shop. Easier to find loons like Martin Harris to front you money and easier to assemble a group of followers. Again, if the historical/archaeological record of central America shows no evidence of the Hebrew civilization claimed in the BOM, not an inscription, not a coin, not a Jewish temple; if the Book of Abraham has no connection to the hierogyphics in the Joseph Smith Papyri -- then what we have in J. Smith is exactly what the Bainbridge, New York, court found him to be -- a charlatan, a con man. He simply improved his act and put a religious gloss on it, as his next creation.
Another fascinating story about Smith and deception is the saga of the Kinderhook Plates. It's not as damaging to Mormonism as the Book of Abraham, because Mormons canonized the latter book. But they put a credulous account of the Kinderhook Plates in their History of the Church, so it tells a lot about Smith and his ability to hoodwink his brethren. He was an incredibly successful con man until his ego got the better of him.

Originally Posted by Toto

There are references to the Jewish Scriptures throughout Paul and the gospels.

If you are going to make such a sweeping statement, at least back it up. None of your modern scholarship agrees with this statement.

Originally Posted by steve_bnk

Chrtianity arose out of Judaism by the same cultural process that gave rise to Mormonism and Scientolgy.

To begin with human nature, people want and may even need to believe in something. Religion has been a constant throughout human history.

There are number of syntheses that have arisen and are still around. Rosicurcians, Theosophy among others. Uniterianism. Est. The process never ends. Chsitainity is one data point and was/is mot unique. Islam synthesized out of Judaism and includes Christ.

The revelation to the Sikh foiunder echoes the revelaltion to Mohammed.

Studying modern relgious forms is a window into Chrtianity and its formation.

Basic historical analysis by comparison to what we can document and human obervation....bud.

Originally Posted by Duvduv

I know this is a little off-topic, but can anyone shed some meaningful light onto the reasons why the media chooses to stay hands-off examining, exploring, discussing, the ritual and theology of Mormonism in relation to Romney as compared with those of Judaism when Joe Lieberman was was running for vice-president?
I have my own theories about this. Even at the Republican convention there was little said about the actual religion of Mormonism itself beyond references to his "church," and all the great things he did for people.

Originally Posted by Toto

Romney himself has been reticent about his religion, unlike Lieberman, and a lot of reporting these days is just transcribing what politicians say. Other than that, this is way off topic.

Originally Posted by Duvduv

I know this is a little off-topic, but can anyone shed some meaningful light onto the reasons why the media chooses to stay hands-off examining, exploring, discussing, the ritual and theology of Mormonism in relation to Romney as compared with those of Judaism when Joe Lieberman was was running for vice-president?
I have my own theories about this. Even at the Republican convention there was little said about the actual religion of Mormonism itself beyond references to his "church," and all the great things he did for people.

Originally Posted by steve_bnk

Actaually there has been. Not directly with Romney but dscussion on modern Mormonism with Mormons.

Hardcore evangelicals reject Mormonisn.

Originally Posted by Duvduv

Isn't it likely that if the media discussed the actual beliefs and practices of Mormonism for the benefit of the public many mainstream Christians would become reluctant to elect someone who they believed belonged to a cult?