[Aztlan] Mormons, Mayans and Mystery

[David Hixson]

[Note: I'm speaking as a list member here, not as a moderator]
   
  I think one aspect that must be mentioned in this discussion is the necessary differentiation of upper-level dogma from common practice.  Can one be a Christian archaeologist who teaches evolution without bias?  Certainly.  And similarly one can be a Mormon archaeologist who studies the ancient Maya without bias.  The goals of the church (any church) are not always the goals of the individual, even when the individual is a devout member of that church.  Humans have an amazing capacity for reconciling or compartmentalizing contradictory beliefs.  Mormons have found a religion that works for them.  So long as their scholarship as Mesoamerican archaeologists is not affected by this (and I have yet to see an example of this), I see no reason to critique their religion on this list.
   
  -Dave


__________________________________________________
David R. Hixson
Aztlan Moderator &
Doctoral Candidate
Tulane University
Dept. of Anthropology
__________________________________________________
"Nothing more useless than a bored archaeologist."
-Douglas Adams
       
---------------------------------
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites.  Make Yahoo! your homepage.