On Thu, 23 Dec 2004 02:43:39 -0900, Sandra Chamberlain <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear Gilberto, you wrote: <> Some situations now are like > situations then, and if we understand the connection properly > one can act accordingly. <>
Sandra: > Undoubtedly, a Muslim will follow the teachings of Muhammed; > a Christian the teaching of Christ; a Jew the teachings of > Moses; likewise, a Baha'i will follow the teachings of > Baha'u'llah. The response each one makes to a given situation > is contingent upon their personal religious convinctions and > moral code of honor. Sure, but at the same time, just speaking for Muslims, I would say that the teachings of Islam cover a wide range of varied situations, both typical situations and atypical ones or even extremes. For example, the Quran gives guidelines in terms resisting an oppressor or an aggressor, but there are also examples of non-resistance. I don't know how familiar you are with the stories of Cain and Abel in the Bible and the Quran. I Think the Bible says something along the lines of "And Cain rose up and slew Abel" and growing up with that story I'd always had the impression that Cain surprised Abel, that he snuck up on him and beat him upside his head with a rock or something. In the Quranic version it is interesting that Cain doesn't sneak up on Abel. He actually announces his intentions quite clearly. [5.27] And relate to them the story of the two sons of Adam with truth when they both offered an offering, but it was accepted from one of them and was not accepted from the other. He said: I I will most certainly slay you. (The other) said: Allah only accepts from those who guard (against evil). [5.28] If you will stretch forth your hand towards me to slay me, I am not one to stretch forth my hand towards you to slay you surely I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds: [5.29] Surely I wish that you should bear the sin committed against me and your own sin, and so you would be of the inmates of the fire, and this is the recompense of the unjust. [5.30] Then his mind facilitated to him the slaying of his brother so he slew him; then he became one of the losers So already the Quranic dispensation has examples of resistance and non-resistance. Already there are forms of guidance which help deal with vastly changing circumstances. Understand? Peace Gilberto "My people are hydroponic" __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com 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:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu 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/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
