> Why would I look at Abu'l-Baha's statement regarding cannibalism amongst the > men of the Sudan as hyperbole? Why would a statement of fact be hyperbole > in your view?
Dear Richard, Actually, I've never heard of cannibalism being a problem in the Sudan, but since the word means 'black' in Arabic, Abdu'l-Baha probably had in mind all of sub-Saharan Africa. But if we assume Abdu'l-Baha was not engaging in hyperbole then we have the contradiction which Mark already pointed out to you. We have Abdu'l-Baha saying this: "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 While Shoghi Effendi says this: "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 Shoghi Effendi considers the use of the term 'savages' in reference to tribal people's 'misguided'. Yet Abdu'l-Baha used did so Himself. How would you explain this other than by reference to hyperbole? warmest, Susan __________________________________________________ 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]
