Thank you Susan, There can never be a contradiction between what Abdu'l-Baha has said and Shoghi Effendi's interpretation. If the statement of Abdu'l-Baha simply means that black savages of Africa practice cannibalism; and the statement is true, from whatever point of view it is taken, how is it an hyperbole?
Richard. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Maneck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 3:53 PM Subject: Re: Reflections > > 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] > __________________________________________________ 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]
