Hi, folks, 'Abdu'l-Baha frequently used the literary device of mubalaghah (hyperbole). I know one person, an African American, who left the Baha'i Faith due to a lack of knowledge of this convention:
"... man, if he is left without education, becomes bestial, and, moreover, if left under the rule of nature, becomes lower than an animal, whereas if he is educated he becomes an angel. For the greater number of animals do not devour their own kind, but men, in the Sudan, in the central regions of Africa, kill and eat each other." -- `Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p.7 "A man who has not had a spiritual education is a brute. Like the savages of Africa, whose actions, habits and morals are purely sensual, they act according to the demands of nature to such a degree that they rend and eat one another." -- `Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p.119 "The leaders of this religion [Protestant Christianity] are still making every effort to promote it, and today on the East Coast of Africa, ostensibly to emancipate the Sudanese and various Negro peoples, they have established schools and colleges and are training and civilizing completely savage African tribes, while their true and primary purpose is to convert some of the Muslim Negro tribes to Protestantism." -- `Abdu'l-Baha, Secret of Divine Civilization, pp.42-43 Here is Shoghi Effendi *not* using mubalaghah: "It shows that a spiritual receptivity, a purity of heart and uprightness of character exists potentially amongst many of the peoples of the Pacific Isles to an extent equal to that of the tribesmen of Africa. It is indeed an encouraging and awe-inspiring sight to witness the spread of our beloved Faith amongst those whom civilised nations misguidedly term 'savages', 'primitive peoples' and uncivilised nations.'" From a letter dated July 11, 1956, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi and cited: Unfolding Destiny, p.365 In my view, the same figure of speech, mubalaghah, is used by `Abdu'l-Baha when referring to the past accomplishments of Persians. Mark A. Foster * http://markfoster.net "Sacred cows make the best hamburger" -- Mark Twain and Abbie Hoffman __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [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 Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
