Re: The Tabernacle of Unity

2007-05-13 Thread Michael Alcorn
I deduce that the 'His' in question refers to Baha'u'llah. The reason being that the beginning of chapter 2 is titled 'Responses to questions of Manikchi Sahib from a Tablet to Mirza Abu'l-Fadl'. - Original Message - From: Dean Betts To: Baha'i Studies Sent: Sunday, May 13, 20

Re: Tests

2007-02-20 Thread Michael Alcorn
I believe we are tested continually, even if we are not aware of it. This is a bounty from God which one day we may be more aware of. Each moment is precious and if we were not tested how can we progress? Best wishes Mike - Original Message - From: "David Friedman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Re: Tests

2007-02-02 Thread Michael Alcorn
I have read a quote by the Bab where He states we are tested with the benefits of this world and so become absorbed and careless of the world of God. Best wishes Mike - Original Message - From: Scott Saylors To: Baha'i Studies Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 1:02 PM Subject: R

Re: Tests

2007-02-02 Thread Michael Alcorn
Here it is: Indeed shouldst Thou desire to confer blessing upon a servant Thou wouldst blot out from the realm of his heart every mention or disposition except Thine Own mention; and shouldst Thou ordain evil for a servant by reason of that which his hands have unjustly wrought before Thy face,

Re: limits of hikmat, righteous warfare, jihad, etc.

2007-01-06 Thread Michael Alcorn
gt; To: "Baha'i Studies" Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 12:27 AM Subject: Re: limits of hikmat, righteous warfare, jihad, etc. I don't see what you mean. The source of all religions is one and unique God, same for all, isn't it! ----- Original Message - From:

Re: limits of hikmat, righteous warfare, jihad, etc.

2007-01-06 Thread Michael Alcorn
What really makes the difference is the source. - Original Message - From: "Loïc ROYER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 11:59 PM Subject: Re: limits of hikmat, righteous warfare, jihad, etc. What makes the difference of the Baha'i faith is th

Re: The Covenant as Responsiveness

2006-11-17 Thread Michael Alcorn
Thanks for posting this Susan. This has special value for our weekly deepening class. We are currently deepening on the Hidden Words and intend to carry on with the Covenant. best wishes Mike - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" Sent: Friday, November 1

Re: Words and Meanings

2006-07-24 Thread Michael Alcorn
Hi Tim, Words have no meaning unless we understand them. In my case, words in a language that I don't understand have no meaning for me, but people as a generic term have meaning. Best wishes Mike   - Original Message - From: Tim Nolan To: Baha'i Studies Sent: Monday,

Re: Unity and Truth

2006-07-19 Thread Michael Alcorn
Consider that the worst of qualities and most odious of attributes, which is the foundation of all evil, is lying. No worse or more blameworthy quality than this can be imagined to exist; it is the destroyer of all human perfections, and the cause of innumerable vices. There is no worse charact

Re: Fwd: delivering wives in Bible texts

2006-07-13 Thread Michael Alcorn
Dear Gilberto, I have often read your questions and the various answers by Baha'is. I find that whatever answer you receive you are never satisfied and yet you still enquire and persist. This denotes great perseverance and struggle. Please tell me why you persist? - Original Message

Re: Muhammad and His return to Mecca

2006-07-05 Thread Michael Alcorn
Here is a reference: Meccans, polytheists till late, such as Abu-Sufyan,the Umayyad, and his sons, and Suhayl Ibn 'Amr and Hakim Ibn Hizam, had received so much of the bounty of the Prophet that some of the young men among the Medinites showed discontent. Muhammad had to speak to them to paci

Re: Authorship of the Gospels

2006-06-19 Thread Michael Alcorn
David I have a problem with your reference: "(From a previously untranslated Tablet)". Has it now been authenticated? If it has, then I can believe it and there is no doubt it is the truth. Best wishes Mike - Original Message - From: "David Friedman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i St

Re: Is there free will in the next world?

2006-06-06 Thread Michael Alcorn
Interesting comment! I acknowledge that thought and realise my own limitations. Freewill seems so precious in this world that its difficult to imagine anything greater. Peace, Mike - Original Message - From: "Simeon Kohlman Rabbani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" Sent: Tues

Re: Is there free will in the next world?

2006-06-06 Thread Michael Alcorn
Agreed, to turn towards the sun promotes the growth of the plant. We have freewill and can align that will to God's will freely. The plant is not free. It still means to me that our freewill is important in both this world and the next? - Original Message - From: "Simeon Leslie Kohlma

Re: Is there free will in the next world?

2006-06-06 Thread Michael Alcorn
We are told that it is a greater world and in fact the real world so how can it be lesser or limited compared with this world? - Original Message - From: "Chase Foster" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 5:16 AM Subject: Re: Is there free will in the

Re: question about Islam

2006-05-10 Thread Michael Alcorn
They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people hath promoted and will continue to promote unity and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in

Re: Fwd: Interesting thread

2005-10-24 Thread Michael Alcorn
This is precisely why Baha'u'llah has come - to remove those elements which cause confusion. - Original Message - From: "Max Jasper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 8:06 PM Subject: RE: Fwd: Interesting thread Such orders are present in many

Re: believing v. understanding Re: Fwd: Interesting thread

2005-10-24 Thread Michael Alcorn
Dear all, I believe the following is pertinent to this thread: "If, in the Day when all the peoples of the earth will be gathered together, any man should, whilst standing in the presence of God, be asked: "Wherefore hast thou disbelieved in My Beauty and turned away from My Self," and if such

Re: The Greatest Name

2005-09-26 Thread Michael Alcorn
World unity is encouraged by the use of Allah'u'Abha - it is easily used by every country, community and individual. This is apart from its mysteries. Mike www.bci.org/brighton-hove/ - Original Message - From: Khazeh Fananapazir To: Baha'i Studies Sent: Monday, Septem

Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard

2005-08-07 Thread Michael Alcorn
This is a beautiful concept - surely truth is relative and not absolute. According not only to our individual capacities and potential but also to 'progressive revelation'. thank you Khazeh for your wonderful references. - Original Message - From: "Dean Betts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To:

RE: She-Camel (An-Naghah)

2005-07-12 Thread Michael Alcorn
  The stories of Hud and Salih are somewhat similar to the story of Noah, the flood and the Ark. They are all symbolic. In the Bahá'í Writings we find explained the significance of such terms as Noah's Ark, the flood, the she-camel and other incidents. For example, 'Abdu'l-Bahá in a Tablet(3)

RE: puzzled by "Jim"

2005-05-29 Thread Michael Alcorn
Dear all, I am glad that Jim has apologised to Susan! The patience and understanding shown by her is commendable. I note that the group becomes very active when something confusing comes up so it is positive in an ironic way. I suppose this helps us all to stop and think about how we interact wi

RE: Common Faith

2005-05-03 Thread Michael Alcorn
hello Iskandar, here in the UK I have managed to order a copy from http://www.bahai-publishing-trust.co.uk/acatalog/New_releases___April.html Price £5 regards mike -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Iskandar Hai Sent: 03 May 2005 16:02 To: Baha

Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions

2004-12-10 Thread Michael Alcorn
Dear Susan, Apologies - I did not explain. My experience has been that contact with the Word in the sequence of Books has been engaging and well worth while. Meditation has been a consequence and a motivating experience throughout. I have just been on Pilgrimage and experienced the love and warmth

Re: Can the Baha'i Faith be a Big Tent or not?

2004-12-10 Thread Michael Alcorn
Mark - thanks for your further explanation. I appreciate it and better understand the difficulties you had. - Original Message - From: "Mark A. Foster" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 7:30 PM Subject: Re: Can the Baha'i Faith be

Re: Can the Baha'i Faith be a Big Tent or not?

2004-12-10 Thread Michael Alcorn
I have heard that it was mainly a lack of consolidation. - Original Message - From: "Richard H. Gravelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 6:38 PM Subject: Re: Can the Baha'i Faith be a Big Tent or not? > Mark, you wrote: > > >

Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions

2004-12-10 Thread Michael Alcorn
That is not true! One cannot fail to meditate on the writings after going through the sequence. - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 5:41 PM Subject: Re: Ruhi, Prolonged Discussions > > In a message dated

Re: No "Personal Opinions" in Ruhi

2004-12-10 Thread Michael Alcorn
Unity in diversity does not imply uniformity! Why is there so much objection to a methodical system being introduced? Harmony of thought also does not negate the independent search for truth. The study circle brings together a variety of people with a variety of opinions in a harmonious, welcoming

Re: FW: To Brent: one point

2004-12-09 Thread Michael Alcorn
Surely the 'Ruhi method' does not exclude other study? - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 8:00 PM Subject: Re: FW: To Brent: one point > > In a message dated 12/9/2004 1:53:44 PM Central Standard Time,

Re: John Ankerberg

2004-08-18 Thread Michael Alcorn
Yes it made it!! Best wishes Mike - Original Message - From: James Mock To: Baha'i Studies Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 5:36 PM Subject: John Ankerberg I sent out a post yesterday regarding my experience on the John Ankerberg show twenty years ago. 

Re: Freedom of Religion

2004-06-16 Thread Michael Alcorn
Dear Susan, Where in the Quoran does it say "kill the infidel wherever you find him". It doesn't come up in Ocean. Thanks Mike - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Baha'i Studies Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 6:27 AM Subject: Re: Freedom of Religion

Re: Internal Social Development

2004-05-30 Thread Michael Alcorn
I agree with much of your posts! We are a pretty sick society but there are signs that we are working on it. Your post is evidence of this. I personally find that we try to ignore distasteful problems which are evident but out of fear that we might make matters worse by bring them out into the open