----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark A. Foster" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 4:34 AM Subject: Re: Terms vs. Concepts
> Richard, > > At 06:46 PM 3/9/2004, you wrote: > >>It is, I think, better to adhere to plain meanings, dictionary definitions and fundamental principles rather than step into the unknown world of the concepts of another human being who will be judged by the same God.<< > > IMO, there is no such thing as a "plain" meaning. The meaning only exists in the mind of the speaker, writer, listener, or reader. If the meaning in the mind of a reader does not coincide with the meaning (or meanings) in the mind of the writer, no real understanding is produced. Meaning is not the same as word definition. The proof of the correctness of those assertions would require some considerable evidence. > > Obviously, in approaching the Sacred Texts, one needs to begin with definitions, preferably in the original languages. Subsequently, one explores issues of literary, historical, social, and cultural context. In addition, one meditates on the passages, hopefully in light of their contexts. Following this process, one might obtain some limited understanding of the concepts which underlie the words. Which of course is why prayer and meditation and study are so important; and why Shoghi Effendi desired that we not read less but more. > > >>Fundamentalists and more moderate religionists do not think in terms of strategies available for interpretation. They believe that the only guide to understanding anything is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or the promptings of the Holy Spirit.<< > > Personally, I would not want to put fundamentalists and moderates into the same category, but, perhaps, you are not using these terms as I do. Somehow I feel a certain fondness for "fundamentalists". They are looking for the irreducible, the solid rock upon which to build their house of faith. I daresay such an effort is commendable. > > In terms of fundamentalist Christians, my observation is that they rely mostly on the dogmas developed by the various church councils, the formulations contained in the so-called Apostle's Creed, and the statements made by their ministers. Yes indeed that is true for many of them. However, the ministers, pastors, etc. of many of them deplore the lack of understanding of their people regarding the development of their own Faith and its meaning. Some ministers and priests with whom I have had the privilege of speaking, seem to find themselves in a web of contradictions from which they cannot extricate themselves. The situation is distressing for all. > > These fundamentalists may believe that they are only following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, but so do Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Unificationists, and many, many others. Exactly! They do indeed believe that. Once I spoke with a Rosicrucian who had become a Seventh Day Adventist. When I told her of Baha'u'llah; her shoulders slumped and tears entered her eyes. She said "I can't change again". It can be very difficult for some to examine and re-examine their long held and carefully structured beliefs. Can one bear to recognize that the foundation of one's belief is error? Yet, at the very least, these people recognise that there is a Holy Spirit and that that Spirit is the Source of Truth. Richard. > > Mark A. Foster * Portal: http://MarkFoster.net > CompuServe: http://boards.M.Foster.name > > > __________________________________________________ > You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Baha'i Studies is available through the following: > Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st > News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st > http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist (public) > http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] (public) > __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist (public) http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] (public)
