walker@noscvax.UUCP (Janet M. Walker) (03/28/85)
Because it has been stated several times that Baha'is leave some
questions unanswered and that they persist in using quotations, I will
give an explanation. Much of that is true. We will not engage in
arguments. If a person chosses to reject what we offer, that is his or
her choice and we accept that. We are not allowed to proselytize nor do
we seek to argue or demean anyone, as that is contrary to our precepts
which teach us to love and respect ALL people as creatures of God.
Baha'u'llah teaches the elimination of ALL forms of prejudice - whether
it be religious, racial, sexual, economic, social, etc. We cannot do
that and fail to respect each person's right to their opinion. No one
can ever know what another person's capacity or perceptions might be. We
can, however, offer what we believe to be the Message of God for this
day. After that it is each person's responsiblity to ascertain for
themselves if it is true. And in spite of all of us, if it is true and
it is of God it WILL endure and bear fruit.
As for using quotations, that is certainly true. Their can be no word
greater than the Creative Word of a Manifestation of God. All other
words are but pale reflections of that, subject to human frailties and
personal interpretations. Therefore, it is those divinely-inspired words
which we prefer. Even within the Baha'i Faith, if two Baha'is should
argue then they are both wrong and should turn immediately to the
Writings. We can offer you no less.
We will be happy to respond to sincere questions and will at times
express our own opinions, but preferably on a more intimate basis than
the general network because they will be just that - our OWN opinions.
"Consort with the followers of all religions
in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship"mrh@cybvax0.UUCP (Mike Huybensz) (03/29/85)
Flame on: In article <854@noscvax.UUCP> walker@noscvax.UUCP (Janet M. Walker) writes: > Because it has been stated several times that Baha'is leave some > questions unanswered and that they persist in using quotations, I will > give an explanation. Much of that is true. We will not engage in > arguments. If a person chosses to reject what we offer, that is his or > her choice and we accept that. We are not allowed to proselytize nor do > we seek to argue or demean anyone, as that is contrary to our precepts > which teach us to love and respect ALL people as creatures of God. Somehow, the trying to converse with people who merely recite ambiguous sacred texts in response to questions reminds me strongly of the television show "The Prisoner". > Baha'u'llah teaches the elimination of ALL forms of prejudice - whether > it be religious, racial, sexual, economic, social, etc. We cannot do "Except for those abominations, the schismatic dogs who also claim to be Baha'is whom we reject with the fervor any Islamic mullah would direct at an opponent. But most of the time we try to pretend they don't exist." (There is a tiny US-based Baha'i sect independant of the middle-eastern religious hierarchy.) > that and fail to respect each person's right to their opinion. No one > can ever know what another person's capacity or perceptions might be. We > can, however, offer what we believe to be the Message of God for this > day. After that it is each person's responsiblity to ascertain for > themselves if it is true. And in spite of all of us, if it is true and > it is of God it WILL endure and bear fruit. That last sentence is semanticly null gibberish. You could say the same about ANY belief, undertaking, etc. Religious leaders have used that sort of BS to justify all sorts of tyrannies. > As for using quotations, that is certainly true. Their can be no word > greater than the Creative Word of a Manifestation of God. All other > words are but pale reflections of that, subject to human frailties and > personal interpretations. Therefore, it is those divinely-inspired words > which we prefer. Even within the Baha'i Faith, if two Baha'is should > argue then they are both wrong and should turn immediately to the > Writings. We can offer you no less. The Baha'i faith is not free of schisms. Therefore both sides of the schism are wrong? Oh, also Baha'is can appeal to the successor of their prophet. Yup, Baha'is have a "pope". > We will be happy to respond to sincere questions and will at times > express our own opinions, but preferably on a more intimate basis than > the general network because they will be just that - our OWN opinions. Because they want to avoid general ridicule of their arguments. Five people might separately be converted by arguments that a group might discuss and reject. A simple application of divide and conquer. -- Mike Huybensz ...decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!cybvax0!mrh