AggressiveProgressiv

I just found a great plagarism checker that compares documents: http://www.plagiarism.phys.virginia.edu/Wsoftware.html

I entered in the official King James Version of the Bible (from the gutenberg project), and the Book of Mormon (from lds.org)

You wont believe all the stuff I have found. I will put this up on my website asap, so if any of you are interested in seeing the plagarism... stay tuned

Autonemesis

Skeptic's Annotated Book of Mormon: http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/BOM/index.htm

Here's a catalog of archaelogical gaffes, and other clashes with biology, geology, and reality in general from the Book of Mormon : http://www.lds-mormon.com/bomquest.shtml

Here's a real good one from that last link to ask your friend: "When the Nephites landed in the Americas there were already millions of inhabitants in the land with large cities and infrastructure. Why are these people not mentioned?"

And another: "Why does the Book of Mormon mention the following animals: Ass, Bull, Calf, Cattle, Cow, domestic Goat (the Nephites claimed to have found the domestic goat!), Horse (the horse plays a major role in the Nephite and Lamanite societies), Ox, domestic Sheep, Sow, Swine, & Elephants?"

None of these animals existed in the Americas during Book of Mormon times.

Evacuate

My advice (Being that I was raised Mormon and I am very familiar with the religion):

Let him join, if he is a rational thinker it wont be long before he realizes the inconsistencies, problems, etc. It is very easy to point out the problems and contoroveries with Mormonism itself such as Joe Smith, Golden Plates, etc. The problem comes when the person has developed a so called "testimony" of the "truthfulness" of the church. Just as in Christianity, all logic and reason goes out the window when someone bases all their decisions and beliefs on religious faith.

Also, here is another good website: linky

I am also interested in the plagiarism, keep us posted

RunsWithScissors

I am an exMormon. I left the Church sixteen years ago.

I would suggest your roommate read Simon Southerton's book, Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church Link: http://www.signaturebooks.com/Losing.htm

The fact is that the entire basis for the Mormon Church's validity rests on the shoulders of Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon claims to be the record of Israelites who came and populated the New World. Southerton's book shows that the DNA findings in current Native American populations negates this claim. Rather than lost Israelites, Native Americans are of Asian origin. If your friend is as interested in science as you said, he may find this more interesting than obscure aspects of Mormon history or Biblical contradictions.

Also, Simon Southerton, the book's author, was a Mormon, and a Bishop at that. He was recently excommunicated.

Hope that helps.

Revenge of Montezuma

Hello AP,

I think the Bible usually manages to wait a chapter or two before contradicting itself. The BOM manages to do it in two verses:

2 Nephi 5:15
And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.

2 Nephi 5:16
And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land....


Still, such logical nit-picking is not likely to be of much use once your friend has convinced himself that he's experienced "the burning in the bosom" - as someone above has wisely pointed out.

While there's still time, you might both try reading a good, objective biography of Joseph Smith. The classic one is "No Man Knows My History" by Fawn Brodie, who came from a Mormon family. This certainly demolishes any idea that Joe Smith was a God-inspired prophet, but the account does not totally denigrate Mormonism, nor JS himself. A fascinating read.

(By the way, Brodie wrote a cracking biography of the 19th century explorer Richard Francis Burton, and Burton at least made no pretence of holiness! Burton himself visited Salt Lake City in the early days and wrote an account of its doings - "City of the Saints")

AggressiveProgressiv

You guys wont believe the results of my plagarism scan. It shows that major sections of the Book of Mormon are IDENTICAL and VERBATIM the same. Almost all of the Third Book of Nephi is plagarized right from the Bible. Not just that book, but in every book in the book of mormon, there are entire verses and chapters lifted verbatim from the King James Bible.

I am amazed how much I found, and even more amazed that nobody has found this before.

My roomate has now said he is agnostic!! I am so pleased!

I should win money or something

I just signed up for a free website at freewebsites.com but it doesnt seem like it is working very well. Does anyone else know of any other free website companies that give you 50MB or more?

Autonemesis

Nobody saw this before? Nobody at all? You sure about that?

:thumbs:

AggressiveProgressiv

you are correct, I bow to you... your skeptic's annotated book of mormon has all the plagarism that I caught.... and some very funny commentary

I THINK I AM GOING TO ENJOY READING THE BIBLE!!! w00t

unicornianist

Have you tried debunking the "burning in the bosom" itself with your friend? There is no testimony w/out that good ol' "burning' in the bosom". That's one thing that tripped me up the last years I spent as a believing Mormon. I'd experience that same feeling while doing things that went against church policies. I couldn't understand why I could feel that "witness of the Holy Ghost" when doing things that the church frowned upon and while I was not very active in the church.

Why is it that across all religious lines, people experience the same feelings that manifest the truth of their particular religion? The same physiological, psychological, and emotional reaction that is experienced by Mormons who attribute it to the Holy Ghost, is the same reaction experienced by others of varying faiths. How can they have the one true church when the Holy Ghost witnesses to others that their church is true also?

Here's a Bulletin board of exmormons that are very well versed in ALL the issues of Mormonism. Check it out and feel free to ask questions. You don't have to register or anything. There is a wealth of knowledge there.

http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-ago...xmobb_recovery

Viti

This is probably an emotional choice for him, the Mormon's are promising him something he wants. Try to find out what it is.