Comments on: Chosen People

By: just me

just me — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 02:00:13 +0000

I posted the above comment in the wrong thread, sorry.

By: just me

just me — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:58:37 +0000

Why can’t a Baptist wonder about this doctrine? Sure, not one running for public office–similar that old saw about not discussing religion or politics in polite company. (Which convention Ann Coulter breaks on purpose, as, for example, when she didn’t unequivocate, when discussing the subjuct in a broadcast discussion, to state her personal belief that Christians are perfected Jews, or something like that).

I mean I understand that the LDS are sensitive to sensationalism, still, the doctrine in question clearly is a long held orthodoxy in the Church. (See the June 1986 Ensign’s “I have a Question” column is this statement of Mormon theology by Institute director Jess L. Christensen):

On first hearing, the doctrine that Lucifer and our Lord, Jesus Christ, are brothers may seem surprising to some, especially to those unacquainted with latter-day revelations. But both the scriptures and the prophets affirm that Jesus Christ and Lucifer are indeed offspring of our Heavenly Father and, therefore, spirit brothers. Jesus Christ was with the Father from the beginning. Lucifer, too, was an angel who was in authority in the presence of God, a ‘son of the morning.’ (See Isa. 14:12; D&C 76:25?27.) Both Jesus and Lucifer were strong leaders with great knowledge and influence. But as the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus was Lucifer’s older brother. (See Col. 1:15; D&C 93:21.)

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By: Western Dave

Western Dave — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:48:48 +0000

This is all very flattering, but us Jews have nothing on the Parsis in India. These descendants of Zoroastrians who fled the Muslim conquest of Persia hold hugely influential social and cultural positions in the world economy. Many of the major Indian tech firms are owned by Parsis and their cultural contributions range from Queen’s lead singer the late Freddy Mercury to Zubin Mehta. And oh yeah, Zoroastrians probably were the first monotheists, came up with concepts like heaven, hell, judgement day, and the devil which later made their appearance in another religion. And then, of course, there are the Armenians, and the Chinese in South East Asia etc. etc.

By: It's Not Me

It's Not Me — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:38:19 +0000

The article’s list of famous Jews did not contain the name of the most famous Jew of all.

By: Natasha Fraser

Natasha Fraser — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:40:41 +0000

I always understood Jews to be the chosen people. By not accepting Christ they became the prodical son. As Latter Day Saints we will be the son who stayed true and faithful and yet when the Jews come to accept Christ when he returns they will be welcomed back. How will we feel then?

By: Natasha Fraser

Natasha Fraser — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:40:40 +0000

By: JWL

JWL — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:05:29 +0000

Re #2 and #13 –

Another explanation that has been offered for a genetic basis for Jewish intellectual prowess (at least in comparison to most European peoples) is that for almost two millenia among both Christians and Jews the smartest people were encouraged to become clerics. However, rabbis were also encouraged to have many children whereas Christian priests and monks were encouraged to be celibate. As result over centuries and centuries, more smart Jews reproduced than smart Christians.

By: Doc

Doc — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:41:10 +0000

Perhaps suffering, persecution, and trials really are the refiner’s fire building a resilient nation. Perhaps our numbers would be just as impressive with a similar tragic history.

By: Julie M. Smith

Julie M. Smith — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:20:21 +0000

No, MLU, power in the future belongs to those who can work on a computer without checking email and blogs every 10 minutes. I wonder which gene selects for that?

By: MLU

MLU — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:31:35 +0000

The unique development for the Jews is that in late 19th Century Europe, the Mercurian qualities that had been the survival strategy for a marginal people dominated civilization for the first time anywhere. . .

An interesting question may be what qualities will be important during the period ahead. I occasionally think that people who are organized in ways that allow them to continue working in concert, even if established forms of governance falter, will do okay.The people that come to mind include Mormons, Crips and Bloods, along with some Indian tribes.