Gilberto Simpson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On 10/23/05, Hajir Moghaddam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:
> Gilberto:
> Would it also be fair to say that to really understand the Quran you
> need to see it through the Muslim paradigm? If not, what would be
> wrong with viewing the Bahai writings through the Muslim paradigm?
> Haj:
> I think I would agree that for me to understand the Quran and Islam, I would
> have to look at it through the Muslim paradigm.
So do Bahais understand the Quran?
Peace
Gilberto
I think the real point is that Baha`i and Muslim viewpoints are not the same and cannot be the same.
Main Entry: par·a·digm
Pronunciation: 'per-&-"dIm, 'pa-r&- also -"dim
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin paradigma, from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknynai to show side by side, from para- + deiknynai to show -- more at DICTION
1 : EXAMPLE, PATTERN; especially : an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype
2 : an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms
3 : a philosophical and theor! etical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated; broadly : a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind,
We do not conjugate and decline the language in the same way, yet to both their use of the language is obvious and proper.
To those who ACCEPT the Bab and Baha`u'llah, the language has changed. There are new tenses to the verbs and cases to the nouns and, in effect, the Covenant which they embrace has been renewed.
Why should one expect the paradigm to remain the same between Baha`i and Muslim, when it does not remain the same no matter how much Muslims insist that the paradigm between Muslims and Christians must be the same - as Muhammed interprets it.
I cannot expect you to embrace my paradigm, no matter how much it would assist the discussion. If you truly embrace my paradigm you are no longer a Muslim.
You asked Kazeh why if he loved Muhammed he was not a Muslim, that is the answer - paradigm shift has occured.
This does not mean interfaith dialogue is impossible, it just means one must permit a small amount of paradigm shift to see some arguments presented. One has to approach interfaith dialogue without fear.
Regards,
Scott
Arnold J. Toynbee
