It's not in the fiction section of my library, so I haven't read "The Hiram Key." I have read about it, and some of the assumed facts used as a basis for the authors' theories are untrue. The book seems to be a mix of truth and fiction mixed together to conclude an overall falsity. I have a shelf full of books that do the same thing in various ways. Some of them are very entertaining, which is why movies were made of some of them.
One premise of the book, so I've read, is that the Catholic church usurped control from the original church of Jerusalem. I believe that part is true. There are many things taken as gospel by Catholics and Protestants that are not true, merely stated as fact by one or the other pope. The pope decrees something contrary to what the Bible clearly states, and everyone believes it. The pope states, "We won't observe the Commandment about honoring the Sabbath day," so most Christians today actively violate that Commandment every week. There's a lot more.
Short answer: No, I haven't read it, but if I see it for sale cheap, I might pick up a copy.
I had a couple of Mormons (the two guys in suits on bicycles) come to my home years ago. They finally gave up and left, as I had actually read the Book of Mormon and pointed out things they had no answer for.
I wish I had known then that the Book of Mormon was plagiarized from a popular history book that was written a few years before.
Ah yes. "View of the Hebrews" by Ethan Smith. The similarities are obvious. I've discussed it at length with a couple of mormon buddies. One is a strong believer, the other is more open. But both agree it raises serious questions.
Regarding religious texts, I've read a couple versions of the Bible, I've read The Book of Mormon, and read translations of the Torah, I've read the I ching... But despite of multiple attempts, I've never managed to read the Quran. I've tried. It just reads like bad poetry. Maybe I should learn Arabic to really appreciate it, I dunno.
Next on my list is the Pali cannon.. That might take a while (understatement of the year, lol) . Luckily I often have periods of downtime at the night job. Good reading and study time.
If someone is a real truth seeker and lover of books, I can always find common ground, regardless of their political or religious persuasions. I figure if we are REALLY looking for unbiased truth - truth you can test - and we're not just trying to reinforce what we already believe, we will eventually end up in the same place. I can work with that.
Ever read The Hyrum Key?
It's not in the fiction section of my library, so I haven't read "The Hiram Key." I have read about it, and some of the assumed facts used as a basis for the authors' theories are untrue. The book seems to be a mix of truth and fiction mixed together to conclude an overall falsity. I have a shelf full of books that do the same thing in various ways. Some of them are very entertaining, which is why movies were made of some of them.
One premise of the book, so I've read, is that the Catholic church usurped control from the original church of Jerusalem. I believe that part is true. There are many things taken as gospel by Catholics and Protestants that are not true, merely stated as fact by one or the other pope. The pope decrees something contrary to what the Bible clearly states, and everyone believes it. The pope states, "We won't observe the Commandment about honoring the Sabbath day," so most Christians today actively violate that Commandment every week. There's a lot more.
Short answer: No, I haven't read it, but if I see it for sale cheap, I might pick up a copy.
You're not wrong, that's exactly what it is! Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest it was truth. Was just curious because I think it's something you'd like.
It's an easy read, and it's fascinating to learn what people believe - and the parallels to Mormonism are unmistakable.
I had a couple of Mormons (the two guys in suits on bicycles) come to my home years ago. They finally gave up and left, as I had actually read the Book of Mormon and pointed out things they had no answer for.
I wish I had known then that the Book of Mormon was plagiarized from a popular history book that was written a few years before.
Ah yes. "View of the Hebrews" by Ethan Smith. The similarities are obvious. I've discussed it at length with a couple of mormon buddies. One is a strong believer, the other is more open. But both agree it raises serious questions.
Regarding religious texts, I've read a couple versions of the Bible, I've read The Book of Mormon, and read translations of the Torah, I've read the I ching... But despite of multiple attempts, I've never managed to read the Quran. I've tried. It just reads like bad poetry. Maybe I should learn Arabic to really appreciate it, I dunno.
Next on my list is the Pali cannon.. That might take a while (understatement of the year, lol) . Luckily I often have periods of downtime at the night job. Good reading and study time.
If someone is a real truth seeker and lover of books, I can always find common ground, regardless of their political or religious persuasions. I figure if we are REALLY looking for unbiased truth - truth you can test - and we're not just trying to reinforce what we already believe, we will eventually end up in the same place. I can work with that.
Peace mate!