Re: More Nature of Morality was Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Hi, Gilberto, I wrote: However, I assume you believe in contextualizing some sort of timeless (?) essentialist morality. You replied: Sure. Except I'm not sure I can clearly even imagine the alternative. My understanding of existentialism would suggest an individual boldly making whatever decisions they wanted and taking responsibility for them. But I'm not sure what an existentialist morality would be. If you mean the views of folks like Sartre and Camus, I am not an existentialist. The availability of divine Revelation provides us with additional choices. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: More Nature of Morality was Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 06:50 PM 1/30/2005, you wrote: Yes, I know. Existentialism and Essentialism are often contrasted. So if Mark is opposing essentialist morality it suggests or at least raises the possibility that he is defending some version of existentialism. Okay. I wasn't sure why you referred to existentialism. It is true that essentialism and existentialism have often been contrasted, but essentialism can also be contrasted with other positions, as well, including positivism, logical positivism, William James' pragmatism, nominalism, particularism, social constructionism, ethnomethodology, etc. Existentialism is sometimes defined as the idea that your existence comes before your essence. You first are born, you exist, and THEN, through living and making decisions you decide for yourself what kind of person you will become, your essence. THAT you are, comes before WHAT you are. Although some Existentialists were theists, it is often associated with atheism. The definition of existentialism you provided came from Sartre. However, if you are referring to Soren Kierkegaard, I agree with some of his views, including his rejection of natural theology. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: More Nature of Morality was Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In my personal gestalt, I have often equated Sartre with Warholesque theatricalism. For existential think, I far prefer Albert Camus and Soren Kirkegaard. Well, Camus certainly perfected the art of tragedy. What about Sartre do you think is pop culturist? Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: More Nature of Morality was Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 07:55 AM 1/30/2005, you wrote: I gave this a little more thought and I think that perhaps we could all agree that morality can be situational and that what is appropriate or inappropriate can depend on the concrete specifics of a situation, but I think that would still see morality as more objective and in some respects prior to a prophet, while both of you would see morality as very much dependent on the Manifestation. That would be my view, yes. However, I assume you believe in contextualizing some sort of timeless (?) essentialist morality I'm more likely to say that the prophets command X because X is right. While I think both of you would say that X is right because the Manifestation commands X. Right, that is how I see it. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: More Nature of Morality was Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 11:36:14 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, At 07:55 AM 1/30/2005, you wrote: I gave this a little more thought and I think that perhaps we could all agree that morality can be situational and that what is appropriate or inappropriate can depend on the concrete specifics of a situation, but I think that would still see morality as more objective and in some respects prior to a prophet, while both of you would see morality as very much dependent on the Manifestation. That would be my view, yes. However, I assume you believe in contextualizing some sort of timeless (?) essentialist morality Sure. Except I'm not sure I can clearly even imagine the alternative. My understanding of existentialism would suggest an individual boldly making whatever decisions they wanted and taking responsibility for them. But I'm not sure what an existentialist morality would be. Peace Gilberto pharoah is just a leaf on a burning bush __ 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
Re: More Nature of Morality was Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/30/2005 12:52:43 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: That would be my view, yes. However, I assume you believe in contextualizing some sort of timeless (?) essentialist moralitySure. Except I'm not sure I can clearly even imagine the alternative.My understanding of existentialism would suggest an individual boldlymaking whatever decisions they wanted and taking responsibility forthem. But I'm not sure what an "existentialist morality" would be. The original author said "essentialist", not "existentialist". Scott __ 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
Re: More Nature of Morality was Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 15:09:27 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/30/2005 12:52:43 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: That would be my view, yes. However, I assume you believe in contextualizing some sort of timeless (?) essentialist morality Sure. Except I'm not sure I can clearly even imagine the alternative. My understanding of existentialism would suggest an individual boldly making whatever decisions they wanted and taking responsibility for them. But I'm not sure what an existentialist morality would be. The original author said essentialist, not existentialist. Yes, I know. Existentialism and Essentialism are often contrasted. So if Mark is opposing essentialist morality it suggests or at least raises the possibility that he is defending some version of existentialism. Existentialism is sometimes defined as the idea that your existence comes before your essence. You first are born, you exist, and THEN, through living and making decisions you decide for yourself what kind of person you will become, your essence. THAT you are, comes before WHAT you are. Although some Existentialists were theists, it is often associated with atheism. Essentialism tends to emphasize the other side. God created us and before we were born we had a certain purpose, and God-given human nature with certain attributes. And other things tend to be associated with this perspective too. To really get into the whole issue would probably take a really long discussion. Peace Gilberto -- pharoah is just a leaf on a burning bush __ 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
Re: Nature of Morality Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 01:13 AM 1/28/2005, you wrote: or even trial and error, sure. Well, thought experiments are not exactly based on trial and error. I wrote: I am not sure what you mean by certain kinds of actions. However, off the top of my head, I can think of many situations in which that would not be the case. When I went to Zaire, now the Republic of the Congo, it was normative for customs officials to beg for money. (They did it to me.) What would happen if a customs official did the same in the U.S. or Germany? You replied: I'm not sure what you mean by that in that would not be the case. You are the one hung up on the names now. I wouldn't assume that begging for money in Zeire is the same as begging for money in Germany. And perhaps you could say that in Zaire customs officials occurs frequently and went on unpunished. I'm not sure if that makes it normative. I don't see how saying, I can think of many situations in which that would not be the case, is being hung up with names. You would need to explain that to me. From what I was told, begging for money by customs officials was normative. Given the problems in that country, I did not fault them for it. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto (not dear Gilberto): If by moral relativism you mean the kind of mentality and attitude that anything goes and everything is OK, then Baha'is are definitely not moral relativists. As I said, just read Shoghi Effendi's Advent of Divine Justice for example. The relativism that we Baha'is are talking about is from one religious Dispensation to another and also within one Dispensation as well. For instance, in the early days of Islam wine was not strictly and categorically forbidden under all circumstances. The Quran first says that: if you are drunk, don't come to the congregational prayer. Later, it says that drinking is not such a great idea. Finally, wine was categorically forbidden. you can call this moral relativism or not; you can call this progressive revealtion or not. You can call it whatever you wish. But it doesn't change the fact. Or, the Qiblih for prayer used to be Jerusalem for Muslims in early Islam for some 15-16 years until it was abruptly changed to the K`abah in the middle of a prayer session while the K`abah was still occupied by idols (before the city of Mecca had been won) which act caused some consternation amongst the early believers. What do you, Gilberto, think I was suggesting about the Prophet Abraham's actions or motives or character? What did you disagree with? Iskandar Quoting Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 19:57:22 -0800 (PST), JS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Iskandar, I think you are misunderstanding Gilberto and his intentions. I do not think he is saying that Baha'is don't take morality seriously, so there is no need for an apology. Gilberto is stating the Islamic stance on the issue, which is different from the Baha'i view. I am positive he is aware that Baha'is take morality seriously. Thanks, I'm definitely not trying to say Bahais are less moral in their behavior than anyone else. I'm just trying to express disagreement with moral relativism. 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
Re: Nature of Morality Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 21:41:05 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, I wrote: What kind of reasoning process? You replied: One example would be through some kind of deliberative process where we think about the consequences of having certain rules and what kind of society that would result in. A thought experiment. or even trial and error, sure. Well, thought experiments are not exactly based on trial and error. All I'm saying is that doing thought experiements is only one example of the kind of moral reasoning I am talking about. It could also involve concrete experiences. Gilberto: Sure but even apart from language, whatever you call them, certain kinds of actions will tend to have certain kinds of consequences. Mark: I am not sure what you mean by certain kinds of actions. However, off the top of my head, I can think of many situations in which that would not be the case. When I went to Zaire, now the Republic of the Congo, it was normative for customs officials to beg for money. (They did it to me.) What would happen if a customs official did the same in the U.S. or Germany? Gilberto: I'm not sure what you mean by that in that would not be the case. You are the one hung up on the names now. I wouldn't assume that begging for money in Zeire is the same as begging for money in Germany. And perhaps you could say that in Zaire customs officials occurs frequently and went on unpunished. I'm not sure if that makes it normative. Mark: I don't see how saying, I can think of many situations in which that would not be the case, is being hung up with names. You would need to explain that to me. Gilberto: What I'm saying is that you consider the consequences of each individual act in each particular situation. Just because two different acts have the same name (e.g. begging or killing or marrying a 9-year-old female) doesn't mean I would expect them to have the same consequences or would evaluate them the same way. And just because those acts have different consequences in different situations isn't a proof of moral relativism. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
See below.. Quoting Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:31:43 -0500, Iskandar Hai [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto (not dear Gilberto): If by moral relativism you mean the kind of mentality and attitude that anything goes and everything is OK, then Baha'is are definitely not moral relativists. In previous conversations I've had with them both Mark and Susan affirmed that they believed in moral relativism. So, again, you took my comments and earlier comments/postings of Mark and Susan out of context and made distortions. Well, that's not the first time you have done this. I bet it won't be the last time either. For instance, in the early days of Islam wine was not strictly and categorically forbidden under all circumstances. But even from the beginning it was recognized that wine was harmful and that there was something wrong with it. [2.219] They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. But there was a verse revealed earlier that says: don't come to prayer sessions when you are drunk. Quran 2:219 was revealed later; it was the second step and 2:219 was not (is not) a categorical prohibition of wine under all circumstances. I wouldn't consider the change in qiblah a moral issue. I would. So, what's your hang up with the things in the Quran and Bible about Abraham? Regards, Iskandar __ __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 12:14:42 -0500, Iskandar Hai [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: See below.. Quoting Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:31:43 -0500, Iskandar Hai [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto (not dear Gilberto): If by moral relativism you mean the kind of mentality and attitude that anything goes and everything is OK, then Baha'is are definitely not moral relativists. Gilberto: In previous conversations I've had with them both Mark and Susan affirmed that they believed in moral relativism. Iskandar: So, again, you took my comments and earlier comments/postings of Mark and Susan out of context and made distortions. Well, that's not the first time you have done this. I bet it won't be the last time either. Gilberto: Please don't make unfounded accusations. I didn't distort anything. That's how they both chose to categorize their positions. I wasn't putting words in their mouths. And they are both grown-ups and are certainly capable of speaking for themselves. Iskandar For instance, in the early days of Islam wine was not strictly and categorically forbidden under all circumstances. Gilberto: But even from the beginning it was recognized that wine was harmful and that there was something wrong with it. [2.219] They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. Iskandar: But there was a verse revealed earlier that says: don't come to prayer sessions when you are drunk. Quran 2:219 was revealed later; it was the second step and 2:219 was not (is not) a categorical prohibition of wine under all circumstances. Gilberto: I don't know if there are any sources which give the order you are talking about. Some of the pages I've looked at say that 2:219 was the first of the three verses dealing with intoxicants and the one you are talking about was second. In any case, the chemical formula for alcohol didn't change when the Quran came down, so its always had certain effects. I think that the fact that alcohol is problematic is a constant. Gilberto: I wouldn't consider the change in qiblah a moral issue. I would. What does the Quran say? [2.177] It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and the West, but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah and the last day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for (the emancipation of) the captives, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate; and the performers of their promise when they make a promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in time of conflicts-- these are they who are {rue (to themselves) and these are they who guard (against evil). Gilberto: So how are you defining morality? Iskandar: So, what's your hang up with the things in the Quran and Bible about Abraham? Gilberto: It's not a hang-up. I'm perfectly happy to let the matter drop. I just wouldn't want to casually suggest that prophets might lie or commit idolatry. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 11:43:16 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/28/05 8:06:41 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Gilberto (not dear Gilberto): If by moral relativism you mean the kind of mentality and attitude that anything goes and everything is OK, then Baha'is are definitely not moral relativists. In previous conversations I've had with them both Mark and Susan affirmed that they believed in moral relativism. Susan: That's because the definition above is not our understanding of moral relativism. I've never accused you of holding that position. That was how Iskander chose to interpret moral relativism. Susan: We understand that morality 'relates' to concrete circumstances, it isn't just an absolute ideal up in the sky somewhere. Iskandar: For instance, in the early days of Islam wine was not strictly and categorically forbidden under all circumstances. Gilberto: But even from the beginning it was recognized that wine was harmful and that there was something wrong with it. Susan: Yes, by the time the Qur'an was composed this was true,but in antiquity iwine was quite necessary. Putting a little wine into your water was one of the few ways people had of disinfecting it. And it is recognized in Islamic law that if it is medically necessary and there are no reasonable alternatives one can consume alcohol. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/28/2005 12:10:52 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Gilberto:It's not a hang-up. I'm perfectly happy to let the matter drop. I justwouldn't want to casually suggest that prophets might lie or commitidolatry. I do not think a Prophet ever lied. I believe they chose when not to speak, but no lies. I do not think a Prophet is capable of idolatry, They operate on a plane of nearness to Godmuch more exalted than mine. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Susan, At 10:43 AM 1/28/2005, you wrote: That's because the definition above is not our understanding of moral relativism. We understand that morality 'relates' to concrete circumstances, it isn't just an absolute ideal up in the sky somewhere. Yes. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Fri, 28 Jan 2005 14:17:36 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Susan, At 10:43 AM 1/28/2005, you wrote: That's because the definition above is not our understanding of moral relativism. We understand that morality 'relates' to concrete circumstances, it isn't just an absolute ideal up in the sky somewhere. Yes. I'm not sure I would identify with the idea of an absolute ideal up in the sky somewhere. From my perspective, Islam is a very pragmatic realistic religion. Alot of emphasis is put on the fact that the Quran was revealed in stages and lived example of the prophet. On top of that, many of the commandments are explicitly given exceptions due to duress or other circumstances. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
G:Alot of emphasis is put on the fact that the Quran was revealed in stages Know of a certainty that in every Dispensation the light of Divine Revelation hath been vouchsafed unto men in direct proportion to their spiritual capacity... if the Sun of Truth were suddenly to reveal, at the earliest stages of its manifestation, the full measure of the potencies which the providence of the Almighty hath bestowed upon it, the earth of human understanding would waste away and be consumed; for men's hearts would neither sustain the intensity of its revelation, nor be able to mirror forth the radiance of its light. Dismayed and overpowered, they would cease to exist. -Baha'u'llah Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term' __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 10:29 PM 1/26/2005, you wrote: Could you give examples of each to explain how they are different? Justice is a virtue. It is defined (structurized) by Baha'u'llah, in one sense, as upheld by reward and punishment: O people of God! That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world. Inasmuch as for each day there is a new problem and for every problem an expedient solution, such affairs should be referred to the Ministers of the House of Justice that they may act according to the needs and requirements of the time. -- Baha'u'llah, Bisharat, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p.27 Situations may arise in the moral contexts of different societies which require specific solutions; and the virtue of justice needs to be related to each socially constructed moral code. Social norms and values in the U.S. have historically been structurized around particular species of racism, sexism, and classism. Therefore, the virtue of justice would be tailored or applied differently to meet the requirements, and to solve the problems, of U.S. society than, I don't know, maybe of Peruvian society. I think one should be sensitive to the customs of the people around you. That's just adab. If belching in public and slurping your soup loudly is acceptable in a certain environment, go for it. If it isn't, you should refrain. But this isn't a moral issue. But it *is* a moral issue (a folkway), as morality is generally defined in sociology. That is why I am making a distinction between morality (values and norms) and virtues (spiritual qualities taught by particular Prophets). I don't think I have a aone-size-fits-all approach to behavior. I think there are different levels. I definitely agree that there is an aspect of human behavior and codes of acceptibility which fluctuates from time to time. But I would think that there is some core which has to do with basic moral principles and which has a divine origin. If there is such a core, I would leave it up to God. I assume that God can change any possible core as He wills. From my perspective, I just look to what Baha'u'llah reveals. So for example, the ultimate principle could be something like concern for the sanctity of human life and safety. Concern for the sanctity of life is just a name or signifier. One would need to look to the meaning behind that name, as taught by a given Prophet, and attempt to determine the meaning behind it. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Hi, Gilberto, At 11:24 PM 1/26/2005, you wrote: So would it be fair to say that the sinlessness is a non-falsifiable statement? You aren't saying that they conform to some prior moral principles, but that by definition, beecause they are the Manifestation they could do no wrong? Yes, IMO, protection ('ismat) from sin is not ultimately falsifiable. One would need to be in an equal or superior position to the Prophet in order to falsify it. On the other hand, I *could* decide that, based on my own will or conscience, a particular Prophet does not conform to sinlessness (as I understand it). However, I don't think that is a very good idea. ;-) Just as earlier when we first started talking, you wouldn't exclude Crowley from being a Manifestation just on moral grounds. I don't recall having used the term moral grounds, or anything like it, in my messages. You would need to show me what you have in mind. I said that, as a sociologist of religion and an individual, I would accept that Crowley (or anyone else) is whom he (or she) claims to be in the context of a particular paradigm. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Dear Firouz, I think this is a big challenge Baha'u'llah is inviting people to produce a verse like what He is revealing. The verse in the Tablet of Ahmad doesn't appear to me to be an invitation to produce man-made verses. He is stating that it's impossible for men to come up with such verses, even if they poll all their smarts together, which could rival His verses. That is, His verses will always be superior to whatever men produced. It's the same idea as the staff of Moses. The serpent it produced was superior to all the others and swallowed them all. Regards, Ahang. __ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 02:13:23 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/26/2005 7:25:35 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I DID answer her question in the most reasonable way I know how. If you don't like that answer I'm not sure how to help you. Dear Gilberto, If I understand your answer you are basically saying that having sex with a child of nine or ten is more of a legal than a moral issue. Is that right? No. That is not what I'm saying. The underlying moral issue is that people shouldn't harm and exploit one another. 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
RE: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
And further, it is an allegorical indication that man can never reach the station of God. | | I think this is a big challenge Baha'u'llah is inviting people to | produce a verse like what He is revealing. | |The verse in the Tablet of Ahmad doesn't appear to me to be an |invitation to produce man-made verses. He is stating that |it's impossible for men to come up with such verses, even if |they poll all their smarts together, which could rival His |verses. That is, His verses will always be superior to |whatever men produced. | |It's the same idea as the staff of Moses. The serpent it |produced was superior to all the others and swallowed them all. | __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 06:16 AM 1/27/2005, you wrote: Ok, then part of the difficulty is that we are using words differently. Yes. Whether or not one belches in public is not a moral question. As I said, I would call etiquette and all low-level social norms folkways. Norms and values, as I define them, are categories of morality. I would definitely want to distinguish between morality (which could presumably be derrived from some basic moral/ethical principles) and mere politeness or ettiquette. I am not sure what you mean by basic moral principles. Basic to whom? All moral principles and virtues, as I define them, are relative. Morals are relative to human groups; and virtues are relative to God. I would think that this core has some kind of logic to it. It's not just inscrutable and mysterious without rhyme or reason. IMO, logic cannot be a foundationism. What is logical in the context of one paradigm may be illogical in the context of another. But don't you think everything is just a name? No, I think that you and I exist. ;-) However, people is a name. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/27/2005 1:57:20 A.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I remember long long time back when I was living in Dubaiwe had a deepening class about Tablet of Ahmad, our Egyptian teacher explained it to us this way. Well, now that I compare it with the parallel verse in the Qur'anthe resemblance is certainly striking! warmest, Susan __ 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
Nature of Morality Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 09:36:46 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, At 06:16 AM 1/27/2005, you wrote: Ok, then part of the difficulty is that we are using words differently. Yes. Whether or not one belches in public is not a moral question. As I said, I would call etiquette and all low-level social norms folkways. Norms and values, as I define them, are categories of morality. Gliberto: But what makes one set of laws high-level and another low-level? I'm not sure how you are drawing the line. I have the impression that in your perspective there is not a clear fundamental difference between ettiquette and morality because it is all relative. Gilberto: I would definitely want to distinguish between morality (which could presumably be derrived from some basic moral/ethical principles) and mere politeness or ettiquette. I would think that this core [of moral values] has some kind of logic to it. It's not just inscrutable and mysterious without rhyme or reason. Mark: IMO, logic cannot be a foundationism. What is logical in the context of one paradigm may be illogical in the context of another. Gilberto: I'm speaking imprecisely. I don't think I mean that kind of logic. I mean a different kind of reasoning process. Gilberto: Think about it this way. Even across various religions, different groups of human beings tend to converge on similar sets of moral rules. Golden rule. Lying is bad. Murdering is bad. Stealing is bad. etc. To me that suggests that in spite of the differences, there is some kind of objective notion of good. And even without the aid of a prophet, human beings are able to make certain moral judgements. Yes, there are differences, but there are also recurring similarities. 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
Re: Nature of Morality Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 06:14 PM 1/27/2005, you wrote: But what makes one set of laws high-level and another low-level? It is relative to the norms of that community. Mores are norms which, in a particular time and place, are punished (formally or informally) more severely than folkways. A more in one society may be a folkway in another; or a norm in one society may not be a norm at all in another society (such as wearing the hajab or some similar head covering). I'm not sure how you are drawing the line. I have the impression that in your perspective there is not a clear fundamental difference between ettiquette and morality because it is all relative. Like I said, as I define the term morality, it would include etiquette. Morality is relative to different societies and communities. Virtues are relative to God's Will. I wrote: IMO, logic cannot be a foundationism. What is logical in the context of one paradigm may be illogical in the context of another. You replied: I'm speaking imprecisely. I don't think I mean that kind of logic. I mean a different kind of reasoning process. What kind of reasoning process? Think about it this way. Even across various religions, different groups of human beings tend to converge on similar sets of moral rules. Golden rule. Lying is bad. Murdering is bad. Stealing is bad. etc. We may invent words or categories broad enough to encompass sets of activities across cultures. However, that doesn't tell us that those categories or names represent shared meaning. For instance, in the U.S., some people, like the Quakers, are often pacifists regarding the Iraq War (or any war), and some of them describe war as institutionalized murder. Others, like many on the Christian right, support the Iraq War. However, when asked, most of these people would probably express their opposition toward murder. The same would apply to issues like abortion (whether it constitutes murder). In other words, murder does not signify precisely the same construction in the minds of these different sets of people. A civilian convicted of involuntary manslaughter might spend time in prison. However, a soldier, marine, sailor, or airman who kills someone due to friendly fire will not likely even be prosecuted (unless she or he was disobeying orders). There are all sorts of games we can play with words to justify actions which, in other situations, could get a person into deep trouble. To me that suggests that in spite of the differences, there is some kind of objective notion of good. I think it is more frequently the case that people will use words like good with the assumption, often incorrect, that others share the same understanding of it. And even without the aid of a prophet, human beings are able to make certain moral judgements. The influence of the teachings of various Prophets often extends well beyond their followers. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: Nature of Morality Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 19:53:07 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, You replied: I'm speaking imprecisely. I don't think I mean that kind of logic. I mean a different kind of reasoning process. Mark: What kind of reasoning process? Gilberto: One example would be through some kind of deliberative process where we think about the consequences of having certain rules and what kind of society that would result in. It's hard for me to articulate but one model would be the traffic laws. The goal is to have a society where people can travel safely on the roads. You want to minimaize harm to other human beings. so the basic value would be something like safety or the sanctity of human life. And so as a result, speed limits are enforced, we drive on one side of the road and not the other, etc. Gilberto: Think about it this way. Even across various religions, different groups of human beings tend to converge on similar sets of moral rules. Golden rule. Lying is bad. Murdering is bad. Stealing is bad. etc. Mark: We may invent words or categories broad enough to encompass sets of activities across cultures. However, that doesn't tell us that those categories or names represent shared meaning. Gilberto: Sure but even apart from language, whatever you call them, certain kinds of actions will tend to have certain kinds of consequences. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Dear Susan, I came to this conclusion after reading several online accounts of British activity in the middle east subsequent to WW1. I read that Lawrence of Arabia was deeply involved in the Arab revolt against the Ottoman hegemony instigated by Sharif Hussein bin Ali . Sharif Hussein had been promised a independent Arab state/kingdom by the British in return for instigating the revolt as indicated by the Hussein-MacMahon correspondence. However, the Sykes-Picot Agreement, divided the area into zones of permanent colonial influence. I've also read that Ibn Sa'ud had access to Wahhabi shock troops and since Sharif Hussein lacked the kind of military support the British thought was necessary to manage the peninsula effectively, British support was withdrawn from Hashimite rule in Arabia. Among my sources are http://www.wahhabism-info.com/Essay/toc.htm , The Two Faces of Islam by Stephan Schwartz. and A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourami. I know that things were far more complicated than my simple assessment and would appreciate any insights into this matter from yourself. or any other. I did take a course in Middle Eastern History a long time ago and have been fascinated by the rise and collapse of Islamic Civilization for many years. Sincerely, Elainna Dear Elainna, Where does your information that the British favoured Ibn Sa'ud over the Hashimites come from? 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: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 The Doors are open at Elainna's New Place http://elainna.org The Wild Side http://elainnas-wild-side.net
Re: Nature of Morality Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, I wrote: What kind of reasoning process? You replied: One example would be through some kind of deliberative process where we think about the consequences of having certain rules and what kind of society that would result in. A thought experiment. Sure but even apart from language, whatever you call them, certain kinds of actions will tend to have certain kinds of consequences. I am not sure what you mean by certain kinds of actions. However, off the top of my head, I can think of many situations in which that would not be the case. When I went to Zaire, now the Republic of the Congo, it was normative for customs officials to beg for money. (They did it to me.) What would happen if a customs official did the same in the U.S. or Germany? Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Hi Iskandar, I think you are misunderstanding Gilberto and his intentions. I do not think he is saying that Baha'is don't take morality seriously, so there is no need for an apology. Gilberto is stating the Islamic stance on the issue, which is different from the Baha'i view. I am positive he is aware that Baha'is take morality seriously. Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 19:57:22 -0800 (PST), JS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Iskandar, I think you are misunderstanding Gilberto and his intentions. I do not think he is saying that Baha'is don't take morality seriously, so there is no need for an apology. Gilberto is stating the Islamic stance on the issue, which is different from the Baha'i view. I am positive he is aware that Baha'is take morality seriously. Thanks, I'm definitely not trying to say Bahais are less moral in their behavior than anyone else. I'm just trying to express disagreement with moral relativism. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 22:49:29 -0500 (EST), Iskandar Hai, M.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: . A girl of 8, 9, or 10 years of age who has had her menses is still a girl, not a woman. From around 13 to about 18-19 years of age, she is called a teenager. Past nineteen, she can be called a woman (or young woman). Gilberto: That's arbitrary. The concept of teenager or more precisely adolescent is a relatively new one in human history. Probably because in technical societies people need alot more training and education before they are reasonably able to make a living and provide for a family. In the past, people could pick up a trade from their family and could make a living a lot earlier. Saying that a 9-year old post-pubescent female is a young woman is so Orwellian newspeak. Gilberto: Puberty is at least a very natural dividing line. Virtually any other one is going to be arbitrary. To just say a girl becomes a woman at 15 even though no particular physical, mental or spiritual change happens at 15 is random. Its understandable that that's where Bahais draw the line and if you want to do that, I'm not objecting. But you have no place to get all offended if other people draw the line somewhere else. Yes, my understanding is that there are certain eternal fundamental verities and basic truths that are found in all Dispensations and moral/ethical orders. For instance, I'd guess that in all cultures, religions, civilizations, etc. ideas/ideals such as kindness, justice, compassion, chastity, decency, honesty, modesty, rectitude of conduct, courage, truthfullness, trustworthiness, etc., etc. are commended and commanded. Gilberto: Yes, we agree to that at least. The other thing is that in real life, sometimes the difficult and important decisions are not between a vice or a virtue but between competing virtues. Yes, I see that. How much justice is mercy and how much justice is unmerciful, for example. Yes, truthfullness is good. But where is the line between truthfulness and lying? Does taqiyyih constitute lying? Sure. I think alot of those sorts of questions depend more on the exact specifics of a given situation. For me, that's the best way to think of them rather than just depending on the date or the dispensation. And the religions give us rules and guidelines and help in making those decisions. The Prophet Abraham said Sarah was His sister at one point. At some point He said He would worship stars, then later He said He would worship the moon, later He said He would worship the sun. Finally, He said He would worship God the Creator of heaven and earth. Was He lying at some point? I think I see the point but I would be really hesitant about using this as an example because of what you possibly seem to be suggesting about Abraham's behavior and character. You haven't answered Susan's question yet, dear Gilberto. I don't think you should be calling me dear. And yes, I already answered Susan's question and the answer appears below. Maybe you don't like my answer. Maybe you don't understand my answer. But I certainly have given one. Peace Gilberto Good wishes, Iskandar On Wed, 26 Jan 2005, Gilberto Simpson wrote: On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 18:52:59 -0500 (EST), Iskandar Hai, M.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I can't see your answer to Susan's question. You basically made a speech against exploitation, etc. I DID answer her question in the most reasonable way I know how. If you don't like that answer I'm not sure how to help you. Already from the beginning of this whole discussion I had said I'd prefer to talk about these issues with a different kind of example because the topic tends to make people emotional and sensitive. I guess I should have known better. The way I see it there is a basic problem which Jews, Christians, Muslims and Bahais living in modern times have. How do we come to terms with the fact that individuals who are prophets and messengers or otherwise examplary, may have made comments or commited actions which might have the appearance or suggestion of immorality when viewed from modern secular lenses. In my experience, the answer I've gotten most often from Bahais seems to suggest that basic ethical principles and values change over time like hemlines. Personally I find that answer REALLY unsatisfactory beceause it doesn't seem to take morality seriously. I would prefer to think that basic moral principles should have more staying power. If that means arguing that certain actions done in the past make sense in terms of more fundamental moral principles, so be it. Basically, dear Gilberto, you can't call a 9-year old female (who has had her menses) a woman or young woman in front of a judge or a court of law in most any place nowadays (well, maybe with the exception of Saudi Arabia, etc.) Nevertheless, in many human cultures that is when adulthood begins. And then I asked
Re: Nature of Morality Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 21:41:05 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, I wrote: What kind of reasoning process? You replied: One example would be through some kind of deliberative process where we think about the consequences of having certain rules and what kind of society that would result in. A thought experiment. or even trial and error, sure. Gilberto: Sure but even apart from language, whatever you call them, certain kinds of actions will tend to have certain kinds of consequences. Mark: I am not sure what you mean by certain kinds of actions. However, off the top of my head, I can think of many situations in which that would not be the case. When I went to Zaire, now the Republic of the Congo, it was normative for customs officials to beg for money. (They did it to me.) What would happen if a customs official did the same in the U.S. or Germany? Gilberto: I'm not sure what you mean by that in that would not be the case. You are the one hung up on the names now. I wouldn't assume that begging for money in Zeire is the same as begging for money in Germany. And perhaps you could say that in Zaire customs officials occurs frequently and went on unpunished. I'm not sure if that makes it normative. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 23:03:37 -0600, Susan Maneck [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In Islam, that's when a person becomes an adult. What other definition of woman are you using? Dear Gilberto, So do you think it would be okay today if a mature man married and had intercourse with a ten year old girl so long as she had had her menses? I don't think that's the only consideration in a relationship. People aren't just biological organs with stopwatches attached to them. I think a deeper criteria is that there be a loving non-exploitative commited relationship between the people who are married. There are some young people are precocious and can handle alot of things. There are some older people who are immature and can't. Ultimately age is just a number. But at the same time I certainly am in favor of efforts to protect children from exploitation. And I think a totally reasonable way to protect children in 2005 is to pass statutory rape laws, with certain age cut-offs even though the exact numbers might be somewhat arbitrary. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 17:26:59 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/26/2005 2:31:41 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Which social laws? I don't think the Bible or the Quran given minimum ages for marriage. Like I said elsewhere its not a question of absolute morality. The ordinary laws passed by current legislative bodies are certainly subject to change and aren't meant to last forever. Exactly. And, of course, neither are the religious social laws which are, after all the precursors of civil law in the first place. This is going in circles. I would want to make a distinction between the laws which people make up and the ones which God gives. I understand that Bahais disagree. This is nothing new. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/26/2005 4:39:10 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: This is going in circles. I would want to make a distinction betweenthe laws which people make up and the ones which God gives. Iunderstand that Bahais disagree. This is nothing new. People make laws modeled upon the ethical and religious tradition of their nation. It is indeed, nothing new. Scott __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/26/2005 7:25:27 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I don't think you should talk to me like that. This is part of why Iwould rather use a more neutral example. I have absolutely no interestin marrying a nine-year old girl and as I said in my answer, I have noobjections to the statutory rape laws and I'm not interested inrepealing them. No one thinks you are, we are discussing the social laws of marriage and coming of age. If you like, forget the example of Ashia and Muhammed. The issue of measuring adulthood by menses or nocturnal emission is a method well adapted to small communities. When you speak of nations of millions, or tens of millions or hundreds of millions, that standard is no longer useful. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
That is true. However The house of Sa'ud entered into an alliance with the Wahhabis and subsequent to attaining control of Arabia, they exported Wahhabism through the funding of religious schools throughout the middle East. One also might note British encouragement of the sect as well as by favouring Ibn Sa'ud over the Sharif of Mecca. While this is pure speculation, it is possible if Britain had defended the Hashimites in the holy Places the Arabian Peninsula would probably have developed modern political institutions. As it is Wahhabism is the dominant religious influence in Saudi Arabia and is still spreading the fundamentalist teachings of Abdul-Wahab. Warm Wishes, Elainna And Abdul-Wahab's views were rejected and criticized by the more tolerant traditional mainstream. Peace Gilberto My people are hydroponic __ 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: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 The Doors are open at Elainna's New Place http://elainna.org The Wild Side http://elainnas-wild-side.net __ 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
RE: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
- Marriages then were rarely a matter of simple choice no matter what age you were, but by all accounts it was a happy marriage. Dear Susan, I realise that. I said this because she might not at all have been unwilling to marry Muhammad, maybe have even wished for it. It is not usual that a person at 9 or 10 have sound judgements on matters like choosing a marriage partner, but it is not unheard of. Some people, very few, have an insight and understanding far beyond their years. I am not saying that Aisha had, but rather I wanted to put that possibility forward. I do not think really that she had a big say in the matter, though it is not unthinkable that she was consulted. After all, when the Light of a Manifestation appears, some people are so touched by it that old customs and habits are completely forgotten, so it may be possible that contrary to tradition and custom, in this case Aisha was consulted and that she was very insightful and advanced for her years and knew exactly what she was doing. I do not think it very likely, but it is a possibility. much love, janine __ Do you Yahoo!? Meet the all-new My Yahoo! - Try it today! http://my.yahoo.com __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 08:01 PM 1/26/2005, you wrote: The original point was how do you evaluate prophets and think about sinlessness. I would say that there is a certain minimal core morality which is more fundamental and you could in principle use that the judge prophets. Mark seemed to say it was reversed and that within their dispensation prophets could do anything and almost by definition it would be correct. To my understanding, the sinlessness of the Prophets is called the Most Great Infallibility (ismat-i-kubraa). Whatever virtues the Prophets reveal to humanity constitute the divine standard of sinlessness. There is no sinlessness (or virtue) apart from God's manifested Will. For Baha'is, in my view, that sinlessness has been embodied in a human being, `Abdu'l-Baha. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:20:03 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, There is, IMO, a difference between virtues, which are divine structurizations, and morals (norms and values), which are human structurizations. Through the Will of God (virtues) or through the wills of humans in groups (morals), both can change over time and vary geographically or situationally. Could you give examples of each to explain how they are different? The fact that virtues may be relative to God's Will does not indicate a failure to take them seriously. Likewise, people must be sensitive to the norms and values in different cultures and, for Baha'is, to find ways of contextualizing the virtues revealed in the Baha'i Sacred Texts into the moral codes (values and norms) of the societies in which they live. Gilberto: I think one should be sensitive to the customs of the people around you. That's just adab. If belching in public and slurping your soup loudly is acceptable in a certain environment, go for it. If it isn't, you should refrain. But this isn't a moral issue. This relativist approach respects both the prerogatives of God and the differences between societies and cultures. On the other hand, a timeless, one- size-fits-all approach to human behavior turns virtues and morals into ritualized rrelevances. I don't think I have a aone-size-fits-all approach to behavior. I think there are different levels. I definitely agree that there is an aspect of human behavior and codes of acceptibility which fluctuates from time to time. But I would think that there is some core which has to do with basic moral principles and which has a divine origin. So for example, the ultimate principle could be something like concern for the sanctity of human life and safety. And in some societies that gets implemented by having everyone drive on the right side of the road. In other societies it gets implemented by having everyone drive on the left side. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 18:25:25 -0800, Elaine Crowell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That is true. However The house of Sa'ud entered into an alliance with the Wahhabis and subsequent to attaining control of Arabia, they exported Wahhabism through the funding of religious schools throughout the middle East. One also might note British encouragement of the sect as well as by favouring Ibn Sa'ud over the Sharif of Mecca. While this is pure speculation, it is possible if Britain had defended the Hashimites in the holy Places the Arabian Peninsula would probably have developed modern political institutions. As it is Wahhabism is the dominant religious influence in Saudi Arabia and is still spreading the fundamentalist teachings of Abdul-Wahab. Yes. And Muslims know that. And many see it as a problem and do what they can to promote more traditional understandings. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 18:29:01 -0800 (PST), JS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mark seemed to say it was reversed and that within their dispensation prophets could do anything and almost by definition it would be correct. -- Hi Gilberto, I think the idea is based on the following verses of Baha'u'llah, among others. This idea - that one can come up with a set of morals or a standard to weight or measure the Prophets - appears to be at odd with these verses. Please share with us how you read these verses.: The Kitab-i-Aqdas verse 99- Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current amongst you, for the Book itself is the unerring Balance established amongst men. In this most perfect Balance whatsoever the peoples and kindreds of the earth possess must be weighed, while the measure of its weight should be tested according to its own standard, did ye but know it. It seems like you are reading it correctly. I just don't think I would agree with it. The Quran actually invites people to examine itself for contradictions. Dares people to try to come up with verses like it. In other places the Quran also calls itself the Criterion but I don't know of a place where it declares itself immune from criticism. This is a slight digression but there is a book by a convert to Islam named Jeffery Lang named Even Angels Ask its an allusion to the Quranic story of the creation of Adam when God announced he was going to make human beings. [2.30] And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif, they said: What! wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely I know what you do not know. And Lang points out that from the Islamic perspective angels always do what they are told and are sinless. And the conclusion is that even questioning God's wisdom the way they do here is therefore not a sin in Islam. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:38:28 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, At 08:01 PM 1/26/2005, you wrote: The original point was how do you evaluate prophets and think about sinlessness. I would say that there is a certain minimal core morality which is more fundamental and you could in principle use that the judge prophets. Mark seemed to say it was reversed and that within their dispensation prophets could do anything and almost by definition it would be correct. To my understanding, the sinlessness of the Prophets is called the Most Great Infallibility (ismat-i-kubraa). Whatever virtues the Prophets reveal to humanity constitute the divine standard of sinlessness. There is no sinlessness (or virtue) apart from God's manifested Will. For Baha'is, in my view, that sinlessness has been embodied in a human being, `Abdu'l-Baha. So would it be fair to say that the sinlessness is a non-falsifiable statement? You aren't saying that they conform to some prior moral principles, but that by definition, beecause they are the Manifestation they could do no wrong? Just as earlier when we first started talking, you wouldn't exclude Crowley from being a Manifestation just on moral grounds. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto addressing Mark: It seems like you are reading it correctly. I just don't think I would agree with it. The Quran actually invites people to examine itself for contradictions. Dares people to try to come up with verses like it. In other places the Quran also calls itself the Criterion but I don't know of a place where it declares itself immune from criticism. Firouz: Baha'u'llah also challenges people to come up a verse like what Baha'u'llah has revealed and goes further and allows them to assist each other: O people, if ye deny these verses, by what proof hath ye believed in God? Produce it, O assemblage of false ones. Nay, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, they are not, and never shall be able to do this, even should they combine to assist one another. I think this is a big challenge Baha'u'llah is inviting people to produce a verse like what He is revealing. Regards, Firouz __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 12:30:04 +0700, Firouz Anaraki [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto addressing Mark: It seems like you are reading it correctly. I just don't think I would agree with it. The Quran actually invites people to examine itself for contradictions. Dares people to try to come up with verses like it. In other places the Quran also calls itself the Criterion but I don't know of a place where it declares itself immune from criticism. Firouz: Baha'u'llah also challenges people to come up a verse like what Baha'u'llah has revealed and goes further and allows them to assist each other: Yeah. As I was wriiting I started to think about that and thought I should maybe rephrase the above since the Bahai writings basically repeat the challenge of the Quran. [2.23] And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful. [11.13] Or, do they say: He has forged it. Say: Then bring ten forged chapters like it and call upon whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful. [52.33] Or do they say: He has forged it. Nay! they do not believe. [52.34] Then let them bring an announcement like it if they are truthful. 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/26/2005 11:30:40 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Baha'u'llah also challenges people to come up a verse like what Baha'u'llah has revealed and goes further and allows them to assist each other:" O people, if ye deny these verses, by what proof hath ye believed in God? Produce it, O assemblage of false ones.Nay, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, they are not, and never shall be able to do this, even should they combine to assist one another." Dear Firouz, I never read that passage that way. I thought He was asking them to come up with proof they believed in God, not come up with better verses. warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/26/2005 8:21:55 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: One also might note British encouragement of the sect as well as by favouring Ibn Sa'ud over the Sharif of Mecca. Dear Elainna, Where does your information that the British favoured Ibn Sa'ud over the Hashimites come from? warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Dear Firouz, I never read that passage that way. I thought He was asking them to come up with proof they believed in God, not come up with better verses. warmest, Susan Dear Susan, I remember long long time back when I was living in Dubaiwe had a deepening class about Tablet of Ahmad, our Egyptian teacher explained it to us this way. Actually he emphasized that in Tablet of Ahmad Baha'u'llah goes one step further than Quran and allows people to assist one another to produce a verse like His. To me it makes lots of sense and the followingfrom Epistle to the Son of the Wolf is also saying something similar. `O ye peoples of the earth! Turn yourselves towards Him Who hath turned towards you. He, verily, is the Face of God amongst you, and His Testimony and His Guide unto you. He hath come to you with signs which none can produce.' The voice of the Burning Bush is raised in the midmost heart of the world, and the Holy Spirit calleth aloud among the nations: `Lo, the Desired One is come with manifest dominion!' regards, Firouz __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Scott, At 08:40 PM 1/24/2005, you wrote: Mark seems to have come into the faith the same way I did, through the written words of Baha`u'llah. When truth sings in your heart, you are carried away. Baha`u'llah's words reveal His character. Abdu'l Baha's words reveal Baha`u'llah's character. That is the necessary outcome when one finds the truth spoken by an individual. Actually, no. I did not read any of Baha'u'llah's Writings before I declared. I had only read portions of Jessica Gaver's introductory book (which I found at Macy's Dept. Store). When I told the late Counsellor, Hedi Ahmadiyya, that story, he said it was the first good thing he ever heard coming out of Jessica's book! I later met Jessica (just once) at the old NYC Baha'i Center and thanked her for her book. She was a not so active member of that community. Soon after, she left the Baha'i Faith and became a pentecostal. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
RE: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Hi, Susan, At 08:11 AM 1/25/2005, you wrote: I didn't see any big problem with that book aside from the fact it had never gone through review. Gaver imported a lot of popular Baha'isms, urban legends, or kitab-i-hearsays, into the book. I would need to go back and find them. However, overall, I liked the spirit of the book. It convinced me to become a Baha'i - even without reading most of it. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 07:29:38 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, At 09:25 PM 1/24/2005, you wrote: I would probably prefer to discuss this point with an issue that wasn't so emotionally charged because because it can be sensitive for alot of folks. But I would say, no. I think that tastes and expectations can change over the years, norms of behavior. But that doesn't make them moral issues, no. If an adult marrying a child in 21st c. Kansas (or NYC) is not a moral issue, then what *is* a moral issue? I'm not certain how to articulate it but I think that the rules of morality would be more or less deducible from certain basic principles or axioms through some kind of moral reasoning process. So for example, actually harming and abusing a child (or anyone else) is definitely a moral issue. But if its not a case of abused and if you are just talking about people getting married at ages atypical for 21st century Kansas, I don't think that's a moral question. . However, perhaps you mean something different by morality than myself. I am using the term with its usual sociological definition (esp. from Emile Durkheim). In that context, morality is a neutral, culturally relative concept which understands morals as norms and values. Gilberto: So what is the difference between ettiquette and morality? Gilberto: I think there is a difference between saying something is immoral and saying that something is popularly perceived to be wrong or disgusting. Mark: I suppose you regard morality as an unchangeable absolute. Gilberto: Something like that. I would want to be sensitive to the specific nature of a situation and realize that there are extremes and exceptions. I ithink I'm kind of a pragmatist. And I don't necessarily think that all the morally relevant factors will be adequately captured by a verbal formulation (like the 10 commandments of Moses or the 7 Noachide commandments) and in any given situation there might be more than one moral choice. But I don't consider myself a moral relativist. To me, morality is always relative, whether to a particular Revelation or culture. The first expresses God's standards, which change. The second involves human standards, which both change and vary from place to place. Maybe a decent example would be the kind of stuff people do on Fear Factor. It's basically a game show where part of the competition might include dares to eat some kind of disgusting substance. Even though most people are on a very visceral level disgusted by the act of eating bugs or horse intestine or whatever, it's not clear that its a moral question. Well, now I suppose I do not understand you at all. Are you saying that Muhammad's marriage to Khadija, while disgusting by contemporary standards, would not be immoral? Wow, that's the first time I've heard anyone call Muhammad's marriage to Khadija disgusting. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher don't look THAT bad. And How Stella got her Groove Back was more popular than contraversial. You probably meant Aishah. Here is the best article piece I've seen discussing the issue: http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Polemics/aishah.html So, if someone unearthed persuasive evidence which proved that Bahaullah had been involved in certain kinds of unsavory and conventionally immoral behavior it wouldn't play a role in or affect whether you believed in him? I would hope not. Really? Why not? What if it turned out that the Bahai Writings actually came from someone like Charles Manson or Jeffery Dahmer ? And you thought the writings were pretty but they came from a serial killer/serial rapist. Could a person like that really be a Manifestation? 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/25/2005 8:37:34 A.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Gaver imported a lot of popular "Baha'isms," urban legends, or "kitab-i-hearsays," into the book. Dear Mark, I suppose at the time I read that book I took those things for granted. warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/25/2005 8:33:56 A.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: However, some other things have been much greater concerns to me recently, especially Ruhi. Well, if it is any comfort, Baha'u'llah didn't do that. ;-} __ 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
RE: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Susan, At 08:11 AM 1/25/2005, you wrote: Aisha, not Khadija. Yep. ;-) I think of circumstances where it might for me. For instance if Baha'u'llah had authorized anything similiar to the massacre of the Banu Qurayza I doubt if I could recognize Him as having the remedy we need for this day. It would be of concern to me, too. However, some other things have been much greater concerns to me recently, especially Ruhi. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: Arson
In a way. my as to date not completely formed thinking goes along the lines that God is Reality.That compared to God some things have no Reality at all. Yet they do have a reality, for example a cat has a certain reality of its own, and when I am hungry it is a reality of its own as well. But compared to God there is not much of a reality there. (that is the best I can do in explaining). More like all things emanate from God, the world of phenomena that is. But that there is much we humans do not yet know of Reality and are discovering of Reality. Hence we should not weigh the book with such standards and sciences as are current among us, cause these are not enough, not insightful enough. may wisdom and love shine on your path janine[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/24/2005 7:21:38 A.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: that each new Manifestation, because of the taxonomies He uses defines anew what goodness is? Dear Janine, Isn't that what this passage implies? "O leaders of religion! Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current amongst you, for the Book itself is the unerring Balance established amongst men. In this most perfect Balance whatsoever the peoples and kindreds of the earth possess must be weighed, while the measure of its weight should be tested according to its own standard, did ye but know it." 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: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 Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term' __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 08:42 AM 1/25/2005, you wrote: But if its not a case of abused and if you are just talking about people getting married at ages atypical for 21st century Kansas, I don't think that's a moral question. I think it would clearly be a moral issue to most Americans for an adult to marry a prepubescent child - even without immediately consummating the marriage. So what is the difference between ettiquette and morality? Using common sociological terminology, etiquette would fall under what William Graham Sumner called folkways (folk norms). In all contemporary Western societies, marrying a prepubescent child would be a more violation. Something like that. I would want to be sensitive to the specific nature of a situation and realize that there are extremes and exceptions. I ithink I'm kind of a pragmatist. So, if you think that morality is absolute, and that the Prophet Muhammad exemplified it, you believe it would be acceptable for an American to marry a prepubescent child??? But I don't consider myself a moral relativist. Based on what you wrote, I would not consider you one either. You appear to be a moral absolutist. The difference is that your moral standard is, um, different. You probably meant Aishah. Yes, I did. Here is the best article piece I've seen discussing the issue: http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Polemics/aishah.html However, Gilberto, this writer is making **my** point about cultural, or historical, relativism, which you appear to dismiss. For instance: It is no surprise that both of the above authors agree on the fact that the marriage of cAishah and Muhammad took place when the former had reached puberty and that this was normal at the time. Really? Why not? What if it turned out that the Bahai Writings actually came from someone like Charles Manson or Jeffery Dahmer ? I said, I hope not. That is the most I can determine. No one can really know for sure how she or he would react under such circumstances. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Susan, At 08:46 AM 1/25/2005, you wrote: Well, if it is any comfort, Baha'u'llah didn't do that. ;-} I suppose we can all ask Him about it in the next world. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 10:09 AM 1/25/2005, you wrote: That she was pre-pubescent is an assumption on your part. There are indications otherwise. I know the issue is not decided. However, the author of the article you referenced before on the subject said that, presently, the evidence *did* support that she was 9 years old. To me, however, it doesn't matter either way, but I am a moral relativist. ;-) And according to the commentaries he at least waited till after puberty. I don't see how that matters. What would happen in most parts of the U.S. if a grown man wanted to marry an 11- or 12-year-old girl? How would the majority of people likely respond? So what is the difference between a folkway and a more? On a scale, a folkway is a relatively unimportant norm (like most etiquette), while a more is a more important norm (like the subject we are discussing would be in the U.S.). All norms, or rules of social conduct, are socially constructed (as are the social controls and punishments which may accompany their violation). It is certainly weird and atypical, but if I could be convinced that their intentions didn't involve any hint that they would exploit the child I wouldn't have a moral objection to them being betrothed. However, it was *not* weird and atypical in 7th-century Arabia. So Squires is obviously saying there is an absolute morality on the one hand and cultural norms on the other. And furthermore, he says that Christians who seem to find the young marriage of Aishah morally objectionable are confusing the latter for the former. If the writer is advocating moral absolutism, I would disagree with him, too. But what I don't understand is why that would even be your hope. Why wouldn't the character of the messenger be an issue? Because, in principle, I don't think that a Prophet is required to conform to human standards of conduct. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
I'm saying that when a 53-year old male marries a 20-30 year old female, he has married a young woman, and when he marries a female who is barely 18 he then has married a teenager. When a 53-year old male marries a female who has just barely tuned 9 lunar years, it is not accurate to say that he married a young woman, Gilberto. The thing is, dear Gilberto, that if a 50-year old male now decides to consummate a marriage with a ten-year old girl he cannot do that in 2005 in most any place now. He cannot argue that he has her consent and her parents' consent, that she is happy with it, that she is physically/emotionally mature, that she has had her menses, etc., etc. He just can't call it marriage. Since we are talking about the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, I'd prefer not to comment on the morality (or lack thereof) of this specific issue. Regards, Iskandar Quoting Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: I'd say a child of around 7 or 9 lunar years of age is a more accurate term than young woman when she marries a person 50 years older than her. She is what she is whether she is married or not. She was barely 18 when she became a widow, and could not marry again ever. So what are you ultimately trying to say? Peace Gilberto Regards, Iskandar __ __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
I do not take all of the comments here about the marriage between Muhammad and Aisha asevidencethat Muhammad was evil or had ill intentions. As our society changes, there is a need to renew the Revelation of God, which is, after all, written forUS inOUR language based onOUR society.As our society changes, God's RevelationTO USchanges, while God's Revelation is in essence always One. Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term' __ 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
Re: The Bab's wife (was: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson)
In a message dated 1/25/2005 5:56:38 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Why, specifically, was it a violation of the Bab's honor? I can see how it was a violation of the wife's honor; it appears she was simply passed around like a piece of furniture, none of the men seemed interested in what she wanted. So, I see the dishonor to the woman. But what is the dishonor to the Bab? Dear Tim, I can see you don't think like a Middle Eastern male. ;-} warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
The sources indicate that the nikah didn't occur until after puberty. In Islam, that's when a person becomes an adult. What other definition of woman are you using? Peace Gilberto On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 20:59:53 -0500 (EST), Iskandar Hai, M.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm saying that when a 53-year old male marries a 20-30 year old female, he has married a young woman, and when he marries a female who is barely 18 he then has married a teenager. When a 53-year old male marries a female who has just barely tuned 9 lunar years, it is not accurate to say that he married a young woman, Gilberto. The thing is, dear Gilberto, that if a 50-year old male now decides to consummate a marriage with a ten-year old girl he cannot do that in 2005 in most any place now. He cannot argue that he has her consent and her parents' consent, that she is happy with it, that she is physically/emotionally mature, that she has had her menses, etc., etc. He just can't call it marriage. Since we are talking about the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, I'd prefer not to comment on the morality (or lack thereof) of this specific issue. Regards, Iskandar Quoting Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: I'd say a child of around 7 or 9 lunar years of age is a more accurate term than young woman when she marries a person 50 years older than her. She is what she is whether she is married or not. She was barely 18 when she became a widow, and could not marry again ever. So what are you ultimately trying to say? Peace Gilberto Regards, Iskandar __ __ 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: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 -- 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
yep I agree with you Gilberto. It could be that at a young age this woman recognised the purity and specialness of the Prophet and was therefore very willing to marry Him. Times and habits and way of thinking and mores were completely different then. Plus, the Prophet was a very special person. with love, janine --- Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The sources indicate that the nikah didn't occur until after puberty. In Islam, that's when a person becomes an adult. What other definition of woman are you using? Peace Gilberto On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 20:59:53 -0500 (EST), Iskandar Hai, M.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm saying that when a 53-year old male marries a 20-30 year old female, he has married a young woman, and when he marries a female who is barely 18 he then has married a teenager. When a 53-year old male marries a female who has just barely tuned 9 lunar years, it is not accurate to say that he married a young woman, Gilberto. The thing is, dear Gilberto, that if a 50-year old male now decides to consummate a marriage with a ten-year old girl he cannot do that in 2005 in most any place now. He cannot argue that he has her consent and her parents' consent, that she is happy with it, that she is physically/emotionally mature, that she has had her menses, etc., etc. He just can't call it marriage. Since we are talking about the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, I'd prefer not to comment on the morality (or lack thereof) of this specific issue. Regards, Iskandar Quoting Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: I'd say a child of around 7 or 9 lunar years of age is a more accurate term than young woman when she marries a person 50 years older than her. She is what she is whether she is married or not. She was barely 18 when she became a widow, and could not marry again ever. So what are you ultimately trying to say? Peace Gilberto Regards, Iskandar __ __ 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: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 -- My people are hydroponic __ 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: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 __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail __ 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
RE: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In Islam, that's when a person becomes an adult. What other definition of woman are you using? Dear Gilberto, So do you think it would be okay today if a mature man married and had intercourse with a ten year old girl so long as she had had her menses? warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Janine: It could be that at a young age this woman recognised the purity and specialness of the Prophet and was therefore very willing to marry Him. Should the Prophet marry any girl (no matter what age) who would like to get married to Him? regards, Firouz __ 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
Re: Arson
Hi Mark, I am a bit confused as how you mean this. Do you mean to say that discussions of this sort assume that there is something called goodness in people, do you mean to say that goodness changes with each new Manifestation, that each new Manifestation, because of the taxonomies He uses defines anew what goodness is? much love, janine van rooij dublin, ireland"Mark A. Foster" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: IMO, the problem with discussions of this sort is that they assume there is something called "goodness" apart from the taxonomies provided by the Prophet in each Dispensation.Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED]"Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger." 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:bahai-st@list.jccc.eduWeb - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-stNews - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-stPublic - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaistOld Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.netNew Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term' __ 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
Re: Arson
Hi, Janine, At 07:21 AM 1/24/2005, you wrote: I am a bit confused as how you mean this. Do you mean to say that discussions of this sort assume that there is something called goodness in people, do you mean to say that goodness changes with each new Manifestation, that each new Manifestation, because of the taxonomies He uses defines anew what goodness is? I am saying that goodness (or badness) is simply a name to signify what a particular Prophet, group, or ordinary individual regards as being good (or bad). I don't know whether goodness *always* changes with each new Dispensation, though I imagine it does (at least with respect to social ordinances), but it is certainly God's prerogative to categorize behaviors previously defined to be bad as good and vice-versa. On the other hand, a extreme Platonist (idealist realist) might contend that goodness is a part of God's nature. Therefore, she or he might presume it can never be altered. In other words, if Muhammad makes one ethical pronouncement and Baha'u'llah makes another, each of them, applying the principle of progressive Revelation, would be *good relative to that Prophet's paradigm. Similarly, human standards of goodness (values) can only be evaluated in juxtaposition to specific cultures and societies (cultural relativism). Progressive Revelation, which is the divine standard of goodness, provides relative truth across time, within Dispensations, and in the life cycles of particular societies, groups, and individuals. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 8:33:48 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: But that's not even the main issue. The thing I'm having troubleseeing from your perspective is why God would have mandated thepunishment to begin with? Even though I disagree with many of thethings you mentioned in your list, not one of them would be any lesstrue before 1844. Because then it was appropriate to mark the habitual thief in a way that was easy to spot. Punishment for theft nowadays in the west is imprisonment with the hope that the perpetrator can be rehabilitated. Rehabilitation would be more difficult if he was branded or mutilated for his crime. That's western perspective. Baha`i perspective is that the Islamic punishment suited the time and place. It doesnot suit THIS time and place because God has altered it. If that's unconvincing, who said you had to be convinced? This is a discussion, how often will discussion lead to convincing those who hold contrary positions? Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 8:38:50 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: But if "good" is worth calling "good" then shouldn't it be independentof the prophet? God is the Source of All BOunty. The manifestation is the Revealer of God's Bounty. I avoid the term Prophet because I do not think the English meaning and the Arabic meaning are really the same. The Messiah, The Promised One, the Friend of God, He Who Saw God, the Enlightened One is far more than a prophet. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
Hi, Gilberto, At 08:38 AM 1/24/2005, you wrote: But if good is worth calling good then shouldn't it be independent of the prophet? I am not sure how something could be worth calling good. I have not been a neo-Platonist for about 5 or 6 years, so I don't see *goodness* as a quality detached from the process of naming by a particular Prophet. Whatever Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab, Baha'u'llah, etc. signified as being good was good in the contexts of their Revelations. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/15/2005 12:54:24 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It seems that the harshness of this punishment is, at least in part, relatedto and intended to be a deterrent to acts such as the wholesale genocidalburning of homes villages Dear Patti, That's possible, but in cities like Constantinople at the time of Baha'u'llah a simple act of arson could have catastrophic consequences. As I recall much of the city burnt one year. warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: Arson
Hi Susan, do you mean to say that Baha'u'llah revealed laws which are meant to last about 1000 years because of certain conditions which were surely temporary conditions in the countries He resided in? I mean it is possible God doeth what He willeth. yet that does not really make sense to me. And fuels the side of me which thinks that organised religion is a stupid idea anyway. ;o) much love, janine van rooij dublin, ireland. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/15/2005 12:54:24 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It seems that the harshness of this punishment is, at least in part, relatedto and intended to be a deterrent to acts such as the wholesale genocidalburning of homes villages Dear Patti, That's possible, but in cities like Constantinople at the time of Baha'u'llah a simple act of arson could have catastrophic consequences. As I recall much of the city burnt one year. 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: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 Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! Get yours free! __ 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
How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 17:57:57 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, At 05:19 PM 1/24/2005, you wrote: I guess one of the things which makes me say what I said, especially with regard to prophets is the notion of sinlessness. However, sinlessness by what standard? Moses was allegedly called a murderer. Some Christians accuse Muhammad of having been a pedophile. Ultimately, all that matters is the divine standard relative to a particular place and moment in time. Gilberto: Personally I don't see the above issues as requiring or suggesting relativism. In the case of Moses one could argue that the death was in self-defense. The issue of Muhammad and Aishah might be addressed by pointing out that marrying a young woman, while atypical, is ultimately not a moral issue. There are a couple of different reasons for this idea, but I think that one of them is that since God expects us to follow the prophets, the prophets are supposed to act in ways worthy of emulating. Somehow their good character helps us to recognize them. I did not accept Baha'u'llah based on His character. In fact, I knew next to nothing about Him when I became a Baha'i in 1970. For whatever *reason*, my heart responded to His claim, and I recognized His Station. However, in all honestly, I can't remember the last time I ever thought about Baha'u'llah's character. Gilberto: That seems sort of odd. Peace Gilberto. Otherwise, what criteria would you use to pick Bahaullah over David Koresh or Jim Jones or the Heaven's Gate people? As I said, I am not much of an apologist. However, IMO, one should accept the Soul and Spirit of the Prophet, not His historical personality (including His character, etc.). At least that is how I see it. How do you access the soul and spirit if not through the historical personality? 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 8:35:53 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Mark I did not accept Baha'u'llah based on His character. In fact, I knew next to nothing about Him when I became a Baha'i in 1970. For whatever *reason*, my heart responded to His claim, and I recognized His Station. However, in all honestly, I can't remember the last time I ever thought about Baha'u'llah's character. Gilberto:That seems sort of odd. Mark seems to have come into the faith the same way I did, through the written words of Baha`u'llah. When truth sings in your heart, you are carried away. Baha`u'llah's words reveal His character. Abdu'l Baha's words reveal Baha`u'llah's character. That is the necessary outcome when one finds the truth spoken by an individual. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 08:33 PM 1/24/2005, you wrote: Personally I don't see the above issues as requiring or suggesting relativism. In the case of Moses one could argue that the death was in self-defense. The issue of Muhammad and Aishah might be addressed by pointing out that marrying a young woman, while atypical, is ultimately not a moral issue. It would certainly be a moral issue if someone tried to do it here in Kansas in 2005. It would even be a moral issue in my hometown, New York City. It was not a moral issue in 7th century C.E Arabia. That's relativism, isn't it? That seems sort of odd. My relationship with Baha'u'llah is not dependent on my understanding of His character. However, since 'Abdu'l-Baha is regarded as the perfect Baha'i Exemplar, I *do* reflect on His character, How do you access the soul and spirit if not through the historical personality? Through it (and through prayer), not in it. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
Iskandar, why could Aishah not marry again? much love, janine"Iskandar Hai, M.D." [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Mon, 24 Jan 2005, Gilberto Simpson wrote: Gilberto: Personally I don't see the above issues as requiring or suggesting relativism. In the case of Moses one could argue that the death was in self-defense. The issue of Muhammad and Aishah might be addressed by pointing out that marrying a young woman, while atypical, is ultimately not a moral issue. I'd say a "child" of around 7 or 9 lunar years of age is a more accurateterm than "young woman" when she marries a person 50 years older than her.She was barely 18 when she became a widow, and could not marry again ever. Regards, Iskandar__You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]To unsubscribe, send a blank ema! il 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.eduWeb - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-stNews - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-stPublic - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaistOld Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.netNew Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term' __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 7:25:05 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Dear Patti, That's possible, but in cities like Constantinople at the time of Baha'u'llah a simple act of arson could have catastrophic consequences. As I recall much of the city burnt one year. warmest, Susan We also have the example of the Hammurabi Code's punishments. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 9:11:47 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: why could Aishah not marry again? Dear John, In the Islamic (and Baha'i) context it is unheard of for someone who was married to prophet to ever marry someone else. That's why Shoghi Effendi expresses so much shock at Mirza Yahya marrying the Bab's second wife and then divorcing her only to marry her to Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani. It was a violation of the Bab's honor. warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 9:24:02 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: We also have the example of the Hammurabi Code's punishments. Dear Scott, I'm not sure what you are trying to say here. warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 9:25:47 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Dear Scott, I'm not sure what you are trying to say here. If a house collapses the builder forfeits his life, for instance. A harsh punishment making sense in a particular society like laws against arson in Constantinople. Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 10:09:27 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think this is descending to petty quibbles. Ok. Let's stop. Peace Gilberto __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:50:55 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, At 08:33 PM 1/24/2005, you wrote: Personally I don't see the above issues as requiring or suggesting relativism. In the case of Moses one could argue that the death was in self-defense. The issue of Muhammad and Aishah might be addressed by pointing out that marrying a young woman, while atypical, is ultimately not a moral issue. It would certainly be a moral issue if someone tried to do it here in Kansas in 2005. It would even be a moral issue in my hometown, New York City. It was not a moral issue in 7th century C.E Arabia. That's relativism, isn't it? I would probably prefer to discuss this point with an issue that wasn't so emotionally charged because because it can be sensitive for alot of folks. But I would say, no. I think that tastes and expectations can change over the years, norms of behavior. But that doesn't make them moral issues, no. I think there is a difference between saying something is immoral and saying that something is popularly perceived to be wrong or disgusting. Maybe a decent example would be the kind of stuff people do on Fear Factor. It's basically a game show where part of the competition might include dares to eat some kind of disgusting substance. Even though most people are on a very visceral level disgusted by the act of eating bugs or horse intestine or whatever, it's not clear that its a moral question. That seems sort of odd. My relationship with Baha'u'llah is not dependent on my understanding of His character. However, since 'Abdu'l-Baha is regarded as the perfect Baha'i Exemplar, I *do* reflect on His character, How do you access the soul and spirit if not through the historical personality? Through it (and through prayer), not in it. So, if someone unearthed persuasive evidence which proved that Bahaullah had been involved in certain kinds of unsavory and conventionally immoral behavior it wouldn't play a role in or affect whether you believed in him? 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
I'd say a child of around 7 or 9 lunar years of age is a more accurate term than young woman when she marries a person 50 years older than her. She is what she is whether she is married or not. She was barely 18 when she became a widow, and could not marry again ever. So what are you ultimately trying to say? Peace Gilberto Regards, Iskandar __ 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: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 -- 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
Re: Arson
hmm... maybe you are right... though I find it difficult to imagine, seeing how much has changed here in Europe in 100 years time, and my optimism for the future of the world. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/24/2005 7:28:54 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: do you mean to say that Baha'u'llah revealed laws which are meant to last about 1000 years because of certain conditions which were surely temporary conditions in the countries He resided in? Dear Janine, Those conditions may not be as temporary as you imagine for much of the world. But yes, I think the bulk of Baha'u'llah's laws are written within a certain historical context. It is for us (and principally the House of Justice) to decide how the apply in very different circumstances. 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: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 Do you Yahoo!? Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. __ 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
Re: How to pick a prophet? Re: Arson
In the Quran it says: 33.6] The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than they have on themselves, and his wives are (as) their mothers; and the possessors of relationship have the better claim in the ordinance of Allah to inheritance, one with respect to another, than (other) believers, and (than) those who have fled (their homes), except that you do some good to your friends; this is written in the Book. So the idea that the wives of the prophets are the mothers of the believers is generally taken to imply that no one else could marry them. Peace Gilberto On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 19:33:02 -0800 (PST), louise mchenry [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Unheard of... maybe. Was it forbidden in the Qur'an? Why did Muhammad marry her in the first place? [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/24/2005 9:11:47 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: why could Aishah not marry again? Dear John, In the Islamic (and Baha'i) context it is unheard of for someone who was married to prophet to ever marry someone else. That's why Shoghi Effendi expresses so much shock at Mirza Yahya marrying the Bab's second wife and then divorcing her only to marry her to Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani. It was a violation of the Bab's honor. 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: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 Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. __ 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: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 -- 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/24/2005 7:21:38 A.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: that each new Manifestation, because of the taxonomies He uses defines anew what goodness is? Dear Janine, Isn't that what this passage implies? "O leaders of religion! Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current amongst you, for the Book itself is the unerring Balance established amongst men. In this most perfect Balance whatsoever the peoples and kindreds of the earth possess must be weighed, while the measure of its weight should be tested according to its own standard, did ye but know it." warmest, Susan __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/23/2005 2:32:15 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: And since honest-to-goodness real live Muslim actually do believe thatthe Quran is applicable today then you are actually calling Islam asbased in the Quran "brutal". If the Shariah is enforced in a way to appear brutal to the present-day conscience, then to the present-day conscience judges it to be brutal. As I said, it is only when some try to make one time and places SOCIAL laws BE another time and place's social laws that problems arise. My present-day conscience considers maiming to be brutal - and to fall under the aegis of a criminal punishment NOT appropriate to this time and place. If the Shariah were replaced by the Baha`i form of jurisprudence, I would not consider it inappropriate to this time and place. I simply don't know how to make it plainer. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/23/2005 2:32:15 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I don't believe that the actual nature of what is "brutal" depends onwhat date it is. It may depend on the actual realities of a givensituation but those don't just depend abstractly on the date. Forexample, if you are caught on a desserted island, or you are strandedon a mountain top with a group of people and no food, or if you arestuck on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean, it is conceivable thatcertain actions might be appropriate for those situations which mightnot be appropriate in different conditions. But the mere passage oftime isn't a factor which should cause those definitions of moralityor brutality to change. It is not the simple passage of time it is the change in social interactions and norms that make it inappropriate. The Baha`i Faith offers a mechanism for understanding why social laws change. The Qur'an does not. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/23/2005 2:45:25 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Personally, I think that it is possible to outline certain featureswhich constitute a "good government" but this should be independentfrom a particular ideology. Which is, of course, a product of western secular thought and practice. A "Divine government" is possible when society understands and accepts that the Will of God is unrolled to create a divine civilization, and that a divine civilization will create changes in society tat we do not begin to comprehend, and that those changes will be realized over the course of centuries and millenia. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 21:49:19 -0800 (PST), JS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: G: Umm... given that prostitution is actually legal in most of the west (so people are actually quite happy to pay money to have it) how exactly is that whole fining process a deterrent? JS: Doubling is the key word here. If the fine for adultery is $100, it will be $200 the 2nd time, $400 3rd time, $800 4th time, $1600 5th, $3200 6th, $6400 7th, $12800 8th, $25600 9th, $51200 10th, $102,400 11th. I don't think I would be able to affort to do it more than 7 times. Wow, do you have a spouse who would let you cheat on her 7 times? 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
Re: Arson
On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 12:45:11 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/23/2005 2:32:15 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: And since honest-to-goodness real live Muslim actually do believe that the Quran is applicable today then you are actually calling Islam as based in the Quran brutal. Scott: If the Shariah is enforced in a way to appear brutal to the present-day conscience, then to the present-day conscience judges it to be brutal. Gilberto: But then the larger question is whether the present-day conscience is actually a perfectly reliable guide? Can we even reliably determine what the conscience is saying to us? I mean, if everyone could just listen to their conscience, and the conscience was reliable then we wouldn't have any real need for religion. Part of the problem is that people's conscience aren't always the most reliable. Even from a Bahai perspective, aren't there some very commonly-held moral opinions, even in the West which are just wrong? So why should popular conscience be the ultimate arbiter? As I said, it is only when some try to make one time and places SOCIAL laws BE another time and place's social laws that problems arise. What are the specific problems? My present-day conscience considers maiming to be brutal - My present-day conscience tells me that burning people alive is brutal. I also think in the West there are many present-day consciences who would have problems with the Bahai rules about women, homosexuality, pre-publication review, and the separation of church-and-state. So where does that leave us? 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
Re: Arson
On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 12:49:37 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/23/2005 2:45:25 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Personally, I think that it is possible to outline certain features which constitute a good government but this should be independent from a particular ideology. Which is, of course, a product of western secular thought and practice. No, not at all. There is the example of the community of the prophet in the Medina and statements in the Quran, the hadith, the writings of early Muslims which discuss what it means to be a just ruler, and what is the proper role of government. You can certain talk about how the ruler should be responsive to the needs of the people, and shouldn't be a tyrant, and that government officials shouldn't be corrupt, etc. without having to swallow along with it secular liberal capitalsm. 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/23/2005 12:11:24 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Gilberto:But then the larger question is whether the present-day conscience" isactually a perfectly reliable guide? Can we even reliably determinewhat "the conscience" is saying to us? I mean, if everyone could justlisten to their conscience, and the conscience was reliable then wewouldn't have any real need for religion. No, the conscience is not a perfect guide. But the society is a perfect society within its paradigm The one thing we can accurately determine for ourselves with no assistance is that our conscience judges our actions with absolute accuracy. That is part of the human logos. There is other absolute truth in this: We do not always act as our conscience dictates. The whole concept of "guilt" arises from this paradox. Our acts do not always meet our own inward judgement of our acts. This is where we need the Revelation of God so our actionsmay be better rectified with out "conscience". Part of the problem is that people's conscience aren't always the mostreliable. Even from a Bahai perspective, aren't there some verycommonly-held moral opinions, even in the West which are just wrong?So why should popular conscience be the ultimate arbiter? Popular conscience and social conscience and inner conscience are three different things, are they not? As I said, it is only when some try to make one time and places SOCIAL laws BE another time and place's social laws that problems arise.What are the specific problems? Trying to enforce the cutting off of a man's hand for theft becomes a problem when the rest of the world society perceives it to be brutal - for one instance. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 13:22:43 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 1/23/2005 12:11:24 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Gilberto: But then the larger question is whether the present-day conscience is actually a perfectly reliable guide? Can we even reliably determine what the conscience is saying to us? I mean, if everyone could just listen to their conscience, and the conscience was reliable then we wouldn't have any real need for religion. No, the conscience is not a perfect guide. But the society is a perfect society within its paradigm Gilberto: I don't understand what you mean by that. There are certainly people whose consicence moves them to protest and criticize institutions of the society they live in. Scott: The one thing we can accurately determine for ourselves with no assistance is that our conscience judges our actions with absolute accuracy. Gilberto: I'm not sure what you mean here either. If this were true wouldn't religion be unnecessary? Gilberto: Part of the problem is that people's conscience aren't always the most reliable. Even from a Bahai perspective, aren't there some very commonly-held moral opinions, even in the West which are just wrong? So why should popular conscience be the ultimate arbiter? Scott: Popular conscience and social conscience and inner conscience are three different things, are they not? Gilberto: What is the distinction between popular conscience and social conscience? Scott: As I said, it is only when some try to make one time and places SOCIAL laws BE another time and place's social laws that problems arise. Gilberto: What are the specific problems? Scott: Trying to enforce the cutting off of a man's hand for theft becomes a problem when the rest of the world society perceives it to be brutal - for one instance. Gilberto: But on what grounds is it brutal? MAybe I'm not being clear enough. It just seems that religions create groups and institutions which promote certain values in society. And there are at least two important tasks which religions carry out in society. One, when the society drifts away from its core values, the religion should remind people of certain principles. And secondly, at the same time, religious leaders need to apply these principles to new situations and correctly understand what is going on in society and be sensitive and flexible to current situations in order to remain relevant. ESpecially when popular opinion drifts too far from the basic values, then popular notions of what is good become much less reliable in terms of determining right and wrong. 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
Re: Arson
Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 21:49:19 -0800 (PST), JS <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: G: Umm... given that prostitution is actually legal in most of the west (so people are actually quite happy to pay money to have it) how exactly is that whole fining process a deterrent? JS: Doubling is the key word here. If the fine for adultery is $100, it will be $200 the 2nd time, $400 3rd time, $800 4th time, $1600 5th, $3200 6th, $6400 7th, $12800 8th, $25600 9th, $51200 10th, $102,400 11th. I don't think I would be able to affort to do it more than 7 times. Wow, do you have a spouse who would let you cheat on her 7 times?I think even thinking about it would put me on the couch for weeks.__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail! has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com __ 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/23/2005 2:23:42 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What's the question? That's the answer "pop" is one thing and "society" is another. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 15:08:27 -0600, Mark A. Foster [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto, At 12:10 PM 1/23/2005, you wrote: My present-day conscience tells me that burning people alive is brutal. I also think in the West there are many present-day consciences who would have problems with the Bahai rules about women, homosexuality, pre-publication review, and the separation of church-and-state. To my understanding, references to conscience in the Baha'i primary sources are an affirmation of human responsibility and volition and a rejection of religious compulsion (proselytizing). They are not essentializing conscience. So does that mean that conscience isn't thought of as some sort of internalized sense of right and wrong? Peace GIlberto Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. 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: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 -- 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
Re: Arson
In a message dated 1/23/2005 4:04:38 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I honestly don't understand what you mean. As an individual it seemslike you can have your own sense of right and wrong which might bedifferent from those of people around you. But I don't know what youmean by social conscience and popular conscience. I don't think there really is such athing as "pop" conscience. There is "pop" culture, but that is a shibboleth as far as I am concerned it has changed before you can describe it. I feel one's conscience is one's sense of spiritual place and how that spiritual place relates to society in a whole. I don't think "pop conscience" exists. Whatever it might be. It is something other than personal conscience or social conscience. Regards, Scott __ 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
Re: Arson
Gilberto, At 03:47 PM 1/23/2005, you wrote: So does that mean that conscience isn't thought of as some sort of internalized sense of right and wrong? To my understanding, the conscience is a person's internalization of socially constructed moral codes. However, there is, in addition, what Baha'u'llah calls a sense of shame: Indeed, there existeth in man a faculty which deterreth him from, and guardeth him against, whatever is unworthy and unseemly, and which is known as his sense of shame. This, however, is confined to but a few; all have not possessed, and do not possess, it. -- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p.27 Since everyone has a conscience, and Baha'u'llah says that this sense of shame is confined to a few, I would *assume* that they are different. To my understanding, the sense of shame is a protection against violating one's conscience. Regards, Mark A. Foster http://markfoster.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger. Abbie Hoffman __ 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