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Book of Mormon/Witnesses/Does being a "treasure hunter" or believing in "second sight" make one an unreliable witness: Difference between revisions
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One can see that this accusation applies both of these definitions: | One can see that this accusation applies both of these definitions: | ||
#The terms "treasure hunter" and "second sight" are intended to evoke feelings of prejudice in the 21st-century reader. We typically reject such things as "superstition." Applying these attitudes to how we view 19th-century individuals is called "presentisim." | #The terms "treasure hunter" and "second sight" are intended to evoke feelings of prejudice in the 21st-century reader. We typically reject such things as "superstition." Applying these attitudes to how we view 19th-century individuals is called "presentisim." | ||
#One critic implies that, despite the fact that the witnesses never denied what they said, that "in light of their superstitions and reputations," we will somehow find their testimony to have less value. The witnesses, incidentally, had reputations for honesty. | #One critic implies that, despite the fact that the witnesses never denied what they said, that "in light of their superstitions and reputations," we will somehow find their testimony to have less value. The witnesses, incidentally, had reputations for honesty. <ref>Jeremy Runnells, "Letter to a CES Director" (original draft posted on the critical website "FutureMissionary.com") (2013)</ref> | ||
How exactly does the belief that one can locate buried treasure by means of a seer stone speak to one's character or honesty? | How exactly does the belief that one can locate buried treasure by means of a seer stone speak to one's character or honesty? | ||
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Revision as of 19:34, 20 May 2014
Does being a "treasure hunter" or believing in "second sight" make one an unreliable witness?
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Questions
Some of Joseph Smith's associates practiced "treasure hunting" and believed in the use of seer stones to locate lost objects. Some claim that many of these individuals believed in "second sight."
- Do these characteristics make these men unreliable witnesses?
Answer
Those who accuse people of being unreliable witnesses because they believed in "treasure hunting" or "second sight" are employing what is known as a "ad hominem" attack on the witnesses' character. The term "ad hominem" is defined, according to Merriam-Webster, as:
- appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect.
- marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made.
One can see that this accusation applies both of these definitions:
- The terms "treasure hunter" and "second sight" are intended to evoke feelings of prejudice in the 21st-century reader. We typically reject such things as "superstition." Applying these attitudes to how we view 19th-century individuals is called "presentisim."
- One critic implies that, despite the fact that the witnesses never denied what they said, that "in light of their superstitions and reputations," we will somehow find their testimony to have less value. The witnesses, incidentally, had reputations for honesty. [1]
How exactly does the belief that one can locate buried treasure by means of a seer stone speak to one's character or honesty?
Notes
- ↑ Jeremy Runnells, "Letter to a CES Director" (original draft posted on the critical website "FutureMissionary.com") (2013)