@JonEricson I wasn't really trying to persuade anyone.

@JonEricson There was one time when I participated in a survey, conducted by (surprisingly) one of my own classmates. She flattered me that I knew about the LDS church more than most people on campus. Other people would conflate the LDS with the FLDS, while I recognized the differences due to my leisure readings on Wikipedia. I also collected a copy of the book of Mormon, because I figured that I would read it.

I do not believe in the origins of the book of Mormon, so in my head, Joseph Smith or his colleagues wrote it.

Biblical authorship and inspiration are complex. They both have their own lengthy articles on Wikipedia. And many denominations have their own say on the subjects. My opinion is that the Bible is authored by many persons and that the inspiration is subjective. I don't even know what "inspiration" is supposed to mean. If "inspiration" means the same as "getting inspired from your favorite pop music", then I would agree. If it means that the Bible has some sort of magical property, I'd disagree.

I closed this question last night:

I think it can probably be edited to be a very good question, but it needs some refinement.

For instance, it could focus on translation-philosophy and ask what issues incorporating a particular doctrinal perspective might have.

But in the current state, the question is just too broad and too likely to attract sectarianism. I don't care to bash on Jehovah's Witnesses or anyone else.

@JonEricson I agree. At least some info about the nature of the controversy is necessary. The "Jehovah translation" idea from comments is a guess.

@MonicaCellio It's a good guess and part of the reason I prefer other translations. But that's not the question. (And if it were, it would be a perfect example of "Too Localized". ;)

@MonicaCellio The NWT mishandling of John 1:1 is another issue. The mistranslation of "cross" as "pole." IIRC, the lack of koine credentials on the original translation team.

@JonEricson, is this better? If not, let me know how I can shape it.

@FrankLuke It looks better. But I wonder if it would be helpful to focus in on one passage that really requires an understanding of the Pharisees. Like the Nicodemus passage. Why does it matter that he was a Pharisee and not some other sect?

My model would be my all-time favourite history question:

@JonEricson Or what about the Acts 23 passage where Paul causes a fight between the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Or some other passage where those two come into conflict?

@FrankLuke That was my first thought, actually. (I'm sorry to be a stick in the mud. The question portion of a self-answered question really is the hardest part. We need to make sure it works as an independent question.)

@FrankLuke oh wow. That sounds pretty significant! And they never produced a revised translation?

@JonEricson No, that's fine.

@MonicaCellio I'd have to find a source for that, but IIRC only one member of the 20+ had koine training. I could be getting things mixed up, though.

@FrankLuke It's a good sign that your question got another answer.

I just got the suggestion that I should vote on questions as well as answers. Hmmm...

@JonEricson wait, you got that? Aren't you one of our most-active voters?

@MonicaCellio I vote on answers and (I guess) forget to vote on questions. I think it's a ratio thing.

600 questions to 999 answers. (Do I get a badge at 1,000? ...

@JonEricson time to get to work on that Electorate badge, then. :-)

@JonEricson oh, 600 questions? Did you just reach that? You should have a gold badge coming up tonight then.

@MonicaCellio Yep. I happened to be on the fence about a certain question when I go the notice. ;-)

@MonicaCellio We can eliminate that possibility: galaxymaine.com/SA/SA6d.htm

@JonEricson blocked! My enlightenment will be deferred until I get home (which will be soon).

@MonicaCellio Our sun is too small to go supernova. Starving to death is more likely. :-(

@JonEricson oh, how disappointing! There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!

@MonicaCellio Well, we can alway hope for global thermonuclear war.

@JonEricson it lacks elegance. The One who created the world should get to decide how it ends.

@MonicaCellio Certainly. :-)

Off to the grocery store, then home -- ttyl I hope!