And the same question arises that has been raised several times: how ought I address the evidence from which many Orthodox Jews conclude that Moses was the last true Prophet of YHWH? From which many Muslims conclude that Mahomet was the last true Prophet of YHWH? From which many Christians conclude that Jesus was the last true Prophet of YHWH? From which millions of followers of non-Abrahamic religions conclude that YHWH is not the most important God out there in the first place?
Is it not reasonable to address the evidence from which Mormons conclude that Lehi, or Kumenohni, or Smith, or Monson, were/are Prophets of YHWH the same way, regardless of what tradition I was raised in?
If skepticism about religious claims is not justified, then it seems to follow naturally that skepticism about religious claims is not justified.
It’s important to note that in fact, most Muslims and many Christians (I don’t know Judaism as well) believe that Moses, Mohammed, and Jesus were all true prophets. They differ in a few details, but the general message is the same.
I think it is definitely reasonable to address all of this evidence. One of Thomas Monson’s predecessors expressly stated that he believed God truly did appear to Mohammed.
I never said I was necessarily skeptical of claims by Jews or Muslims. Some of them must have been brain glitches, just as some claims by Mormons probably are too. But I have no problem accepting that Jews, Muslims, and Christians (maybe even atheists) can all receive divine revelation.
As I said before, it’s impractical to try to stretch this logic to argue in favor of any one religion. I’m talking about the existence of God in general.
FWIW, the form of Judaism I was raised in entails the assertion that Jesus Christ was not the Messiah, so is logically incompatible with most forms of Christianity.
That aside, though, I’m content to restrict our discussion to non-sectarian claims; thanks for clarifying that. I’ve tried to formalize this a little more in a different thread; probably best to let this thread drop here.
You’re right, silly me, I honestly should have remembered that. Judaism seems less...open...in that way. But I still think that details of the nature of God aside, the general message of each of these religions, namely “la ilaha ila allah,” is the same. (“There is no God but God,” that is. It’s much more elegant in Arabic.)
This whole mess is certainly in need of some threads being dropped or relocated. Good idea—where is it?
And the same question arises that has been raised several times: how ought I address the evidence from which many Orthodox Jews conclude that Moses was the last true Prophet of YHWH?
From which many Muslims conclude that Mahomet was the last true Prophet of YHWH?
From which many Christians conclude that Jesus was the last true Prophet of YHWH?
From which millions of followers of non-Abrahamic religions conclude that YHWH is not the most important God out there in the first place?
Is it not reasonable to address the evidence from which Mormons conclude that Lehi, or Kumenohni, or Smith, or Monson, were/are Prophets of YHWH the same way, regardless of what tradition I was raised in?
If skepticism about religious claims is not justified, then it seems to follow naturally that skepticism about religious claims is not justified.
It’s important to note that in fact, most Muslims and many Christians (I don’t know Judaism as well) believe that Moses, Mohammed, and Jesus were all true prophets. They differ in a few details, but the general message is the same.
I think it is definitely reasonable to address all of this evidence. One of Thomas Monson’s predecessors expressly stated that he believed God truly did appear to Mohammed.
I never said I was necessarily skeptical of claims by Jews or Muslims. Some of them must have been brain glitches, just as some claims by Mormons probably are too. But I have no problem accepting that Jews, Muslims, and Christians (maybe even atheists) can all receive divine revelation.
As I said before, it’s impractical to try to stretch this logic to argue in favor of any one religion. I’m talking about the existence of God in general.
FWIW, the form of Judaism I was raised in entails the assertion that Jesus Christ was not the Messiah, so is logically incompatible with most forms of Christianity.
That aside, though, I’m content to restrict our discussion to non-sectarian claims; thanks for clarifying that. I’ve tried to formalize this a little more in a different thread; probably best to let this thread drop here.
You’re right, silly me, I honestly should have remembered that. Judaism seems less...open...in that way. But I still think that details of the nature of God aside, the general message of each of these religions, namely “la ilaha ila allah,” is the same. (“There is no God but God,” that is. It’s much more elegant in Arabic.)
This whole mess is certainly in need of some threads being dropped or relocated. Good idea—where is it?
I refer to this thread.
Oh yes, it’s wonderful thank you.