John Ankerberg
I sent out a post yesterday regarding my experience on the John Ankerberg show twenty years ago. I never received a copy of my postdid it make it to the board? James __ 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]
Re: Reflection
Dear Hasan, Somehow, I missed some of Susan M. comments. No doubt she has insights into the historical aspects that are beyond my expertise, ... what an understatement ! As we study the Writings all of us are striving to glean whatever spiritual implications we might apply to our own spiritual growth. The beauty of sharing opinions (acquired knowledge) and insights (intuitive understanding) is that our perspective is expanded and we see the many facets of truth. Lovingly, Sandra PS: Thanks to both you and Brent for all the references you sent on re: under/upper world. Busy time. May comment further after I read everything... __ 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]
Re: Reflection
It should not be imagined that the people of Persia are inherently deficient in intelligence, or that for essential perceptiveness and understanding, inborn sagacity, intuition and wisdom, or innate capacity, they are inferior to others. God forbid! On the contrary, they have always excelled all other peoples in endowments conferred by birth. Persia herself, moreover! I read this quotation in a different way from the insights already offered. I, like Sandra, take 'Abdu'l-Baha's comment quite literally. Another way to look at this is that the endowments conferred by birth are not anything genetic, but rather the circumstances into which a child is born, including natural resources, culture, knowledge base, spiritual base, etc. __ 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]
Re: Reflection
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]
