Comments on Best Books Ever - page 19

Yeah, I find that strange...

I find the Book of Mormon and the Bible equal

Okay. I'll try not to debate that, but why or how? I know as a Mormon you probably think I'm being argumentative. I'll say freely I disagree, but I'd like to know the reasoning. Is it simply a statement of faith (as in the belief among Islamics that the Koran supersedes all prior texts) or is there a reason laid out explaining the stand?

I don't mean to be offensive and if you choose not to answer I'll understand. While I disagree with many of the teachings of the LDS church, I'm not trying to be hard to get along with.

We have what we call The [13:] Articles of Faith that are basically what we belive in put in a nut shell.

One of them states:
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated ccorrectly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

If you wish to see all 12 see:
http://scriptures.lds.org/a_of_f/1

Mike, I do not see you as being argumentative or hard to get along with.

And if I do not respond for some time, it is becuase I do not regularly get on the computer to check my goodreads. If you have a specific question however, feel free to ask me anytime you want.

How about the seven Noahide Laws which preceded all of it?

Well, that could be debatable I suppose, it depends on your view of the Talmud as opposed to the oral tradition of the Old Testament and the care of the Hebrew scribes who preserved it. Any system of faith (including atheism for that matter) becomes at some point a function of logic and faith.

While I reject the BoM (and believe I have good reason) so long as the dialog remains civil freedom of religion remains the paramount law. One of my favorite quotes is "Dangerous laws created by well intentioned people today can be used by dangerous people with evil intentions tomorrow." So, I defend everyone's right to believe as they wish, even though I may believe they are wrong. (The old, "I may disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.")

But back to your question, I don't (personally) subscribe to the Talmudic traditions, but the seven you mention are "mostly" codified as a part of the Ten Commandments (other than the dietary part which shows up in the later laws of Moses). Still, if I accept the Bible, then it's apparent that things could obviously have passed between "God and Noah" (and I know many will decide I've moved into myth here) that isn't covered in detail. The Noahide or Seven Laws of Noah are passed down in a different way than the Old Testament which was formally copied by the scribes (once codified, I realize. before that it to was verbal and scattered writings).

Grace wrote: "We have what we call The [12:] Articles of Faith that are basically what we belive in put in a nut shell.

One of them states:
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is transla..."

Actually, there's 13. :D And I would have voted for the Bible if I could find it. It just didn't really cross my mind since the Book of Mormon is at the very top and it was very simple just to click "vote!". The is a great book, an amazing book, and we all believe the Bible to be the word of God. Well, I have to go read the Bible with my family for family scripture study. Later!!

Mike wrote: "The argument has been made recently "we're just another Christian denomination", yet over and over here I've seen the BOM rated above the Bible."

We are just another Christian denomination. We center our lives around Christ, and our entire goal in life is to become Christlike, and return to live with our Heavenly Father again.

It is true that oftentimes many Mormons may know the Book of Mormon better than they know the Bible, read it more than the Bible, but just because it isn't read as much doesn't mean we don't believe it. We know the stories of Jesus, and we read the New Testament quite often, to be honest (more often than the Old Testament).

And in fact, there's actually a few chapters in the Book of Mormon where Jesus visits the Nephites. We certainly believe in Jesus, his teachings, and God. Being Christian is to believe in God, to believe in Jesus. So, we are Christian. We're really Christian. And I think it's quite sad that many Mormons do not read the Bible enough, but at least we know the material. When we're children in primary, we're often taught of stories in the Bible, so we know our Bible material well! :D

Anyway, I have voted for the Bible, because it truly deserves to be up there next to the Book of Mormon.

This is turning into a religious diatribe and I don't think the intent of the blog is to do that but rather to discuss literature or lacking the consensus to do that, a classic novel. Nothing against the Book of Mormon but how about getting into something more universally relevant?

They were just answering my question, I was curious as to the reasoning. I'll refrain from carrying it on. I didn't mean to pull things off to one side. It was a question that had occurred to me often. Still, it does concern the list and how the votes have gone.

As I said, I think it's quite likely that more people visit these lists than actually vote on them. I usually avoid voting on "worst of" lists, but others like the "best of" I do vote on and wonder at how the rankings fall out.

By the way, I come here for the discussions and as long as they remain civil I participate. If I lose interest I simply ignore them, I guess I assumed others did to.

As much as I like vampire novels they are not serious writing! I absolutely love the Twilight Saga, but come on it is not the kind of literature the future generations are going to study, it won't be a world classic or whatever :)

twilight should be banned from bookstores worldwide

if i see one more twilight book ima scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and why is the autobiography malcolm x so far down on the list?

Maite wrote: "twilight should be banned from bookstores worldwide"

Wouldn't that just increase the price and the hype ?

Thom wrote: "Maite wrote: "twilight should be banned from bookstores worldwide"

Wouldn't that just increase the price and the hype ?"

maybe, but while the people that are actually fans and would buy it would go to the length of searching for it, paying more and continuing this crap, the other majority of people who actually have read other books and just happened to read this one out of boredom and considered it crap (guilty) would have more options when going to a bookstore and finding that all that space formerly occupied by rows and rows of books about a tween vampire and his groupie is now occupied with real literature.

lets not mention all the young girls this book has given a false notion of "love"; no wonder so many girls can't get out of overpowering relationships that only stunt their potential.

besides, it was a spur of the moment comment, but i think if censorship were to be used it should be applied to these kind of books that subconsciously form a distorted idea of perfection in the minds of new generations, and not groundbreaking novels that stimulate intellectually like farenheit 451, etc etc. you know what im talkin about.

and that's just my opinion, folks, i'm not generalizing. :)

I want to shoot stephanie meyers in the head for writing crappy books that pass works of art like "crime and punishment" on this horrible list

Nick wrote: "I want to shoot stephanie meyers in the head for writing crappy books that pass works of art like "crime and punishment" on this horrible list"

But Nick, her popularity is something she never expected. She just got bored one day and started "writing a story" to see if she could. Let's shoot the paparazzi, not the stars, well, not all of them anyway.

The Book of Mormon is definitely high caliber stuff. Right...

I see your point Thom and you're right. Its not Meyer's fault. But it is still sad when excellent books sit on the shelf and get little recognition by youth, and instead Twilight flies off the shelf and is high on this silly list.

I see your point Thom and you're right. Its not Meyer's fault. But it is still sad when excellent books sit on the shelf and get little recognition by youth, and instead Twilight flies off the shelf and is high on this silly list.

Nick wrote: "I see your point Thom and you're right. Its not Meyer's fault. But it is still sad when excellent books sit on the shelf and get little recognition by youth, and instead Twilight flies off the shel..."

Shakespeare was ignored for over a century.

Have you guys read that book called, Teenage Vampire, by Florence Wilson??? It's amazing! and the best part is, THE AUTHOR IS ONLY 15 YEARS OLD!!!! :)

I have to say that this list is very discouraging. You'd think you could find a true haven of book lovers without low-brows taking it over. This is meant to be at least a somewhat objective list of the best books ever. It's not meant to be a list of "my most favorite books". There's another list for that. How could it be topped by three Twilight books. There's no way that any of those books can be said to be amongst the best books ever written. Lord. There are way too many teenage girls with too much time on their hands, and they're taking over some of the last refuges for intellectual, questioning minds.

I have to say that this list is very discouraging. You'd think you could find a true haven of book lovers without low-brows taking it over. This is meant to be at least a somewhat objective list of the best books ever. It's not meant to be a list of "my most favorite books". There's another list for that. How could it be topped by three Twilight books. There's no way that any of those books can be said to be amongst the best books ever written. Lord. There are way too many teenage girls with too much time on their hands, and they're taking over some of the last refuges for intellectual, questioning minds.

Hi Kieth....you're repeating yourself. :)

Everyone who comes across these lists (well, almost everyone, maybe not the Twilight fans) has nearly the same reaction. Popular vote...what can you say. I live in hope that eventually (maybe through the influence of others here)those who see vampire romance as the height of literature may try something else.

Twilight is #3. I'm ashamed to be human sometimes.

There is something seriously wrong with the world when you group Twilight and Romeo and Juliet together on the same list.

What I find to be totally rediculous and repetitive in the nature of picking bests, is that people almost always go with the most current mass fad on the bestsellers list as the best. Do they not take into account best ever read. There are only a handful on here that I would deem worthy, the rest barely readable, and better as movies. There was nothing by Stephen King on the list, or Robert McCammon, or Lavyrle Spencer,no Lucy Maud Montgomery, need I go on. A rather short list,and most of books made into movies, where people think the book was good because the movie was. Twilight.LOL Only to it's groupies.

yikes, this list makes me fear for the survival of the species

Sara, that is possibly the most cogent critical comment on this list I have seen. Congratulations.

seriously? thank you. well, even if you're being sardonic, thank you anyway. : )

No seriously...I came on this list sometime back and (like you) was a little astounded at the books which got the most votes as "Best ever". Since then you can always tell people who have just looked the list over recently (at least the actual readers) as we all react with the jaw drop to the floor, do they really think that comment. I loved your comment. And as I say each time, I live in hope that those who voted for....well, some of the more "popular" reads may widen their reading later. I mean when I was 10 I thought The Wizard of Oz was the best book ever...maybe there's still time. Maybe.

By the way...I do agree with To Kill a Mockingbird.

Mike wrote: "By the way...I do agree with To Kill a Mockingbird."

Mike, Check this out: The great overlap between the "Best Books..."List and the "Worst Books Ever" List !

Bruce wrote: "I'm not going to argue with the Book of Mormon--either all religious texts are valid for a list like this, in which case it's merely interesting, or all religious texts should be off the list, in w..."

Totally agree. This site must be inundated with tweens!

Seriously, how can Twilight be #3? It shouldn't even be on this list.

Twilight really was written horribly. I don't understand the fascination...at all. And yes, I did actually read it.

Honestly, I think anyone who voted Twilight should simply stop reading if that is the best book they have read. Oh, someone could teach them how to read so they can find what to read.

Emma wrote: "Honestly, I think anyone who voted Twilight should simply stop reading if that is the best book they have read. Oh, someone could teach them how to read so they can find what to read."

As an old, retired English teacher I ask you, do you know how to teach someone HOW to read ?

I'm thinking that there is an excess of 14 year old girls or those who wish they were fourteen year old girls voting on this. I can understand "To Kill a Mocking Bird." Brilliant book, but why the hell is Twilight #3? This is coming from someone who has read it, it sucks. The story is weak, the characters are whiny, and the premise is stereotypical. Seriously people.

Interesting question Thom. Perharps I do not know who to teach people HOW to read and that is why I made the request that someone should teach the "Twilight people" how to read. I am sure the others at least learnt how to read.

Paradise Lost. Hands down.

Jordan wrote: "I'm thinking that there is an excess of 14 year old girls or those who wish they were fourteen year old girls voting on this. I can understand "To Kill a Mocking Bird." Brilliant book, but why the ..."

Emma wrote: "Interesting question Thom. Perharps I do not know who to teach people HOW to read and that is why I made the request that someone should teach the "Twilight people" how to read. I am sure the other..."

But why do so MANY (presumably mostly young women) find this particular series the greatest thing since Gone With the Wind ? I mean to say, this Edward isnt a bad-looking dude, but his SKIN is COLD !! ...Is that a turn-on ? This from a borderline Geezer.

Marla wrote: "this is the second list--worst books was the first--and i'm done. this is madness. i mean, how many mormons congregated to vote the book of mormon as a top 100 book? really?"

Hey, the bible's up there to. I'm Mormon, but I didn't vote The Book of Mormon, mostly because I figure that's not what this poll is about. The Book of Mormon is the most important book for me, but that's not for literary excellence, that's for religious significance. I figure this list is looking for literary excellence. Though considering all four twilight books are in the top ten, I can't be sure.

I find the idea of discussing the "best book" intriguing since it says so much about us. If I were to vote for the book that has most deeply affected the most people then I would have little choice but to vote for the King James Bible, and I would add that some books of the Bible stands alone as exceptionally great literature on the merits of the writing itself, e.g. Genesis, Job, or Ecclesiastes. If I were to vote for the best English literature ever written I could not avoid voting for the body of plays by Shakespeare, and for me in particular Hamlet and King Lear. But leaving aside these immortal works a vote for Best Book is of course going to be an incredibly personal choice with which others may not agree. Sometimes a book is considered best if it touched us like no other book has, in other cases it is considered best becuase we were blown away by the literary quality of the writing, or the compelling story. Thus, I think the best way to really determine the Best Book is to ask everyone to vote for one and only one book, and see how it turns out after several thousand votes are cast (one vote per person only please). I will begin by voting for what I think is the Best Book I've ever read - the Iliad by Homer. Other favorites include Moby Dick, Magic Mountain, To the Lighthouse, Blood Meridian, Ulysses, Killing Mr. Watson, Dune, Lord of the Rings, The Magus, The Odyssey, Heart of Darkness, Sound and Fury, Voss, Far Tortuga, Once and Future King, The Castle, Pere Goriot, and Mikkelsons Ghosts (not in order).

well if the book of mormons is on there than shouldn't the bible also be?

Leah wrote: "well if the book of mormons is on there than shouldn't the bible also be?"

Oh yea, religious books are legit. The bible is one of the greatest epics of all time. We could throw the Koran and the Torah in there too. They are definitely the most influential books in history.

I am disgusted that Twilight is in the top 10 when books like Moby Dick and Huckleberry Finn are halfway down the list. urghh yuck.

All 'best' and 'worst' lists are good for is starting debates/arguments/bar fights etc.

No point in people getting this worked up. It's all personal preference.