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5 Responses to “Mormon Art Piece Appears in The Christian Index”

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1. 1

   JV Says

   Menachem, what do you think about the Christian Index deleting the closing concept from your piece?

   The deleted portion:

   If nothing else, the site is stimulating discussion, even among non-Mormons. One viewer was taken by a drawing entitled “Joseph Smith Hunting for Treasure.” Like the translating image, it shows Smith bent over, peering into a hat, and it’s up to the viewer to decide exactly what he’s looking for.

   “I do feel something affectionate for and about him,” wrote the viewer, who said he has “no illusions” that Smith was a real prophet.

   “He’s a poor kid from a dirt farming background, and he’s got some moxie. He might not have much, but he’s got his own native smarts and charisma. It’s truly an American story.”

   -JV

   Mar 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pm   

2. 2

   Menachem Wecker Says

   Thanks for pointing that out. I didn’t see it was deleted. I am waiting to see the print issue. Perhaps it appears there. Otherwise, I know RNS runs the stories in a longer version and with an optional trim, so the paper may have gone with the trim. I think the last part is important to the piece, but it’s not absolutely vital. Should I infer you think otherwise?

   Mar 18th, 2008 at 7:55 pm   

3. 3

   JV Says

   I think the edit seems to serve the agenda of the publisher, which is a rival missionary-minded religion. The deleted portion presents a 3rd side to a usually two-sided (True vs. not True) debate. That 3rd side is easily overlooked by many of the people most interested in the debate.

   -JV

   Mar 18th, 2008 at 8:25 pm   

4. 4

   Menachem Wecker Says

   I think it’s hard to say if that’s right, or if it’s just a space issue, but I do agree that the final quote further complicates the piece. That’s why I added it to begin with.

   Mar 18th, 2008 at 9:02 pm   

5. 5

   JV Says

   I would actually say the edit further simplifies the piece.

   It is, of course, possible (probable? I have no idea) that the edits are RNS edits. It is a short article to begin with, and there isn’t much to cut without rewriting it.

   I just noticed, in addition to the edit I quoted above, the edits also remove Matt Bowman’s criticism of the art as “ideological”, “lack[ing] subtlety”, and “promot[ing] an uncomplicated agenda”.

   -JV

   Mar 18th, 2008 at 10:57 pm   

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