Gilberto wrote: >It still seems really odd to think that even when being "civil" and non->violent, that political behavior might still have other constraints put on >it.
As I understand the Bahá'í teachings, politics are considered divisive and as such to be avoided. That does not mean one cannot vote, and it certainly does not forbid social activism. The concept of unity, and the avoidance of divisiveness, suffuse all the Bahá'í teachings. >Isn't that kind of sad? You see society crashing down and basically >you just sit out until something new comes along? Yes, that would be sad. However, avoiding partisan politics does not leave this as the only alternative. We are enjoined to find positive and constructive ways to change society. And we are taught that the events we see around us are part of a historical trend that must occur. My original remark was that as someone who has been very active in political and social causes in the past, I find it the teachings on obedience to government and avoiding partisan politics to be challenging. I apologize if I was unclear about that. As Sandra pointed out, obedience is not meant to be mindless. I pointed out that the definition of words like "just" and "evil" can be problematic. In my opinion, they can be so problematic that an individual should think long and hard before committing civil disobedience. In other words, it is best to seek both advice and consensus before acting, at least as a Bahá'í. Nowhere did I state that one should sit passively until "something new comes along." David __________________________________________________ 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
