On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 12:32:22 -0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > [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.
Yes, I can see that the policy can have its pluses as well as minuses. The question would be whether the pluses ouweigh the minuses or vice-versa. > 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. I'm not sure if the theological side of the argument rings true for me. (Although if you see it differently that is certainly ok). I would just think that EVERYTHING is inGod's hands but that doesn't mean we don't take certain actions. God is the only one who heals, but that doesn't mean we don't go to doctors or take medicine. God is the provider, but that doesn't mean we don't get jobs or go to the supermarket. Yes, ultimately things are always in God's hands but God created a world where certain things tend to follow certain other things. > > Jesus on the other was from a humbler background. Eve n as a child, he > > was a refugee, lived in Africa, [...]> > 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. The above is basically in the Bible. I'm not taking it as absolutely reliable history, but it can give some indications. > His minstry was supported by donations, some of which > came from wealthy patrons. But there is no indication that he himself was wealthy. > Hw had a home base in Capernaum, which He may > not have owned outright, but it was there. Matthew 8:[20] And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." I guess he came in and out of capernaum but he also want to other places. > Bahá'u'lláh's background was > more like the Buddha's. God's Manifestations have come from many > backgrounds. > I agree, David and Solomon were kings and prophets. There is no automatic reason why God can't speak through a person who has had a wealthy comfortable life. Buddha is a good example. But if the question is whether members of the Black American working class would be better able to identify with Jesus or Bahaullah based on similarity of experiences then I don't see on what basis one could choose Bahaullah. 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:[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
