> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Bahai's insistence on being > non-partisan in political matters seems odd to me. I'm not sure how to > put it but it smells like complacency to me.
[D.A.L.] Stepping back totally from political matters has been one of my greatest challenges as a Baha'i. The way I take it is twofold: first it avoids a whole range of temptations, most of them having to do with various forms of corruption; and second, it places the emphasis on social actions that speak directly to others. In addition, it clarifies for us the fact that political action can never save the world. That is in the hands of God, and we must be willing to have faith in that fact. > > Jesus on the other was from a humbler background. Even as a child, he > was a refugee, lived in Africa, didn't come from a humble background, > didn't have servants, associated with the outcasts of society. He was > homeless, poor. He knew Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea but > otherwise didn't seem to have many connections or familiarity with > powerful people. He was a big mouth, often spoke out against the > authorities, overturned the tables of the money-changes and used whips > to get them out of the Temple. And similar things could be said of > John the Baptist. [D.A.L.] I'm not entirely sure that is fully established about Jesus' life and circumstances. His minstry was supported by donations, some of which came from wealthy patrons. Hw had a home base in Capernaum, which He may not have owned outright, but it was there. Bahá'u'lláh's background was more like the Buddha's. God's Manifestations have come from many backgrounds. Dave Lambert __________________________________________________ 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:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
