Introducing this Section

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by pelagius

Indy, I thought you're DNA link was well within the bounds of the forum (even though it happened before its creation). I think one could surround it with a discussion that was too polemical, but you didn't do that if I recall correctly.

Just to be clear, I didn't try to assert that the study proved anything specifically regarding Native American DNA other than to call into question the absolutist assertion others have made that the current absence of Middle Eastern genetic markers in mitochondrial DNA proves that the Book of Mormon is false.

To be even more succinct, mitochondrial DNA currently can't be relied upon to fully resolve the issue of Native American ancestries one way or the other.

[pelagius]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Just to be clear, I didn't try to assert that the study proved anything specifically regarding Native American DNA other than to call into question the absolutist assertion others have made that the current absence of Middle Eastern genetic markers in mitochondrial DNA proves that the Book of Mormon is false.

To be even more succinct, mitochondrial DNA currently can't be relied upon to fully resolve the issue of Native American ancestries one way or the other.

100% agree with your conclusion. I think it is an important point and I think it typifies the kind of discussion that Arch is hoping to foster in this forum.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

I would like to officially lodge my protest of this new category. I think splitting the religion category like this is a BAD idea. I think both categories will be worse than the original religion category.

Time will tell if this little experiment works. I'm frankly still fuzzy on what belongs where. In all likelihood, I'll probably just be replying to posts until I get a sense of what section a certain post belongs to.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by All-American

Time will tell if this little experiment works. I'm frankly still fuzzy on what belongs where. In all likelihood, I'll probably just be replying to posts until I get a sense of what section a certain post belongs to.

My guess is that both forums will look virtually identical in a very short period of time.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

My guess is that both forums will look virtually identical in a very short period of time.

The idea, I believe, is to foster a more favorable atmosphere to sharing religious/spiritual experiences in the Religion forum and reduce pissing matches in either forum. Again, time will tell.

[ChinoCoug]

what if you read an academic work and you want to talk about it in a devotional manner? it strengthened your testimony?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

My guess is that both forums will look virtually identical in a very short period of time.

The experiment might not work, but who knows. We can always combine the two categories again. It is hoped we can engender a little bit of civility through this division and Lebowski's objection is duly noted.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

I would like to officially lodge my protest of this new category. I think splitting the religion category like this is a BAD idea. I think both categories will be worse than the original religion category.

What might be lost, so we can try to lessen or avoid the losses in your opinion?

Our hope was to allow sacred type experiences in the other forum, or apologia, and an intellectual or academic discussion here, to lessen acrimonious debates.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by Archaea

What might be lost, so we can try to lessen or avoid the losses in your opinion?

Our hope was to allow sacred type experiences in the other forum, or apologia, and an intellectual or academic discussion here, to lessen acrimonious debates.

So if Nibley wrote it, it should go in this forum; if Packer wrote it, it should go in the other. More or less. Right?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by All-American

So if Nibley wrote it, it should go in this forum; if Packer wrote it, it should go in the other. More or less. Right?

You be the judge. Nibley wrote a lot of apologia, and Packer would generally be considered a preacher, not a professor. Preaching and apologetics seem more appropriate in the other forum.