Dear Susan,
My
> guess of
> what Shoghi Effendi meant when he spoke of varied elements in the
> community
> would relate to the skills different people can offer. Certainly
> not to
> making sure we have a diverse mix of ethnic groups on the
> Assembly.
Dear David,
Why is that certain?
It may not be certain, but I don't see why it would refer to what you
mention. Without him expanding on that one word I would look to other
letters where he told us how to vote to see what may have been meant. The
other letters don't mention diversity in a demographic sense.
> I can't see how Shoghi Effendi could have been more clear. He
> says "only"
> those who best combine the qualities.
The House letter isn't saying anything different. But there are often
a number of people who combine these qualities and when they do there
is no reason not to make things like diversity and gender equity a
consideration as well.
I may be missing something, but I'm not sure you have answered my main
problem. Yes, I agree there are often a number of people who combine the
qualities. But Shoghi Effendi says we should vote for the nine people who
*best* combine the qualities. You and the House seem to be treating it as
an all or nothing. Shoghi Effendi said to vote for the nine who best
combine the qualities, not to vote for nine that have the qualities. If all
we were required to do was choose nine with the necessary qualities then I
understand how we could look at other issues. I was under the understanding
that it's not necessarily good enough to have the qualities, one must be one
of the nine who has them the most to be picked.
I can't see how the new
> advice is not
> disregarding this?
I don't see how it is.
If one can't decide between a couple people I can understand taking other
factors into account to settle things. The House doesn't mention this. Can
you tell me how thinking of diversity and gender while deciding to vote for
is at all necessary if we are to vote for only those who combine certain
spiritual and intellectual qualities? I still don't understand how one can
factor in diversity and still be likely to come to the same decision
regarding whom to vote for.
> If what I'm hearing is correct the House is now saying that we
> don't have to
> vote for the best nine people.
No, they are simply ackowledging the fact that there might well be
more than nine, and when there are we have other things we can
consider.
Are you suggesting those additional people are tied in ability with one or
more of the others? If they aren't as good as the others then I don't know
why you'd vote for them. There might well be more than nine that are what?
Good? It doesn't matter if they're good, but good enough to make the nine
was what I've always thought.
tell us
> to regard
> personalities (to achieve diversity).
Where is there anything in that letter about personalities?
Well, individually it could have that effect. Assuming it was understood
the same elsewhere as in my community. If it weren't for a 21-year-old who
just moved to my community I'd probably now be a shoo-in for election, given
I'd be the only person in my community in their 20's! I'd be interested to
know from others how the letter was interpreted. Are people going to still
vote for the best nine judging by the qualities mentioned? One can assume
the LSA's worldwide are going to have far more diversity this Ridvan. But
are they going to be any more capable? I do worry about the progress of the
Faith since I'm not at all confident the letter from the House is going to
result in more capable Assemblies.
Regards,
David
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