Mike Parker at least opened the door a crack

As I discussed last week on this blog, I appreciate Mike Parker’s feedback on my comparison chart. I credit Mike Parker with opening the door, however briefly, to a more productive dialog. I’m adapting my various comparison tables accordingly in the next iteration, which I’ll announce later this week. 

Obviously I’d prefer having full participation from the M2C/SITH proponents. With Mike’s input, I can see why they don’t like the term “citation cartel,” so instead I will refer to the M2C/SITH proponents from now on as the Interpreters, which I hope they will find less objectionable. 

I include those affiliated with Book of Mormon Central as Interpreters because of their interlocking participation and because BMC, like the Interpreter Foundation, is an advocacy group instead of a legitimate scholarly organization. 

Related to that, I hope the day will come when those who participate with the Interpreter and BMC will reform their approach. Instead of claiming the role of “interpreters” who enforce and advocate their personal opinions and exclude everyone else, they could and should pursue a humble, curious, and optimistic approach that accommodates multiple faithful perspectives.

My objective all along has been to develop a forum in which everyone interested in the Restoration can participate, regardless of background or belief, so long as they seek mutual understanding. 

Contention arises from seeking a “win.” For too long, apologists and critics have been bashing one another. 

For that reason, I also give credit to Bill Reel for exposing the “Peter Pan” hoax that, hopefully, will lead to a more legitimate, less childish and rancorous form of LDS apologetics. 

In other words, everything is awesome and getting better all the time.

Source: About Central America