Arandur comments on Expecting Short Inferential Distances - Less Wrong

107 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 22 October 2007 11:42PM

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Comment author: Arandur 31 July 2011 07:22:46PM *  2 points [-]

This is the reason it's a Bad Thing that so many of the deeper concepts of Mormonism have become public knowledge. The first question I get asked, upon revealing that I'm a Mormon, is often, "So, you believe that if you're good in this life, you'll get your own planet after you die?" There are at least three huge problems with this question, and buried deep beneath them, a tiny seed of truth. But I can't just say "The inferential distance is too great for me to immediately explain the answer to that question. Let me tell you about the Plan of Salvation, and we'll move from there," because that sounds like I'm Trying To Convert You, which is a Scary and a Bad Thing, because... out of explanations come brainwashing. Or something.

2 Nephi 28:30:

30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more...

Comment author: Alicorn 31 July 2011 07:39:03PM 8 points [-]

The "your own planet" thing isn't a huge selling point that you'd want to lead with?

Comment author: Arandur 31 July 2011 07:52:14PM 1 point [-]

Ha! I'd never thought of it like that! :3 Unfortunately, I have a problem with the idea of "selling" a religion. Just because you like an idea doesn't mean it's true...

Besides, the types of person who bother saying "You get your own planet?" instead of "You're religious?" usually views getting your own planet as The Ultimate Sacrilege, so it's not the best selling point, no. :/