Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-11 Thread Rich Ater
I am always a Baha'i, always a sociologist, and always an individual. I have no problem simultaneously seeing an issue from various perspectives associated with each of these statuses. Mark, Of course you are. Upon rereading my response, it was churlish and I apologize. My point was

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-09 Thread Susan Maneck
You always have choices, Mark. Your's has been to define yourself as an academic and to toe that line. Yhat's ok, but be honest with yourself, you have chosen. Ian Semple, in a talk on obedience, discussed the collaborater who says he had no choice but to betray others, or he would have been

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-09 Thread Rich Ater
Mark A. Foster wrote: I define myself differently in different contexts. Why are you being so judgmental? I don't recall you ever having expressed yourself in this way. I guess I don't. When I'm treating patients, I'm a Baha'i. Ian Semple, in a talk on

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-09 Thread Scott Saylors
Rich Ater [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Rich, Could you wrap your text? Your posts have become very hard to read since they have LOOONG lines of text, way tooo long. Thanks, Scott The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-09 Thread Mark A. Foster
Rich, At 08:11 PM 9/9/2005, you wrote: I guess I don't. When I'm treating patients, I'm a Baha'i. I am always a Baha'i, always a sociologist, and always an individual. I have no problem simultaneously seeing an issue from various perspectives associated with each of these statuses. Only in

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Gilberto Simpson
On 9/5/05, firestorm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: it is quite possible that the definition of beleives becomes part of this. gilberto points out that a say...remeyite..beleives in Abd'ul Baha. and does a sohrabite... the sohrabite however does not believe that the clear words of the Master in

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Scott Saylors
Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For example, in the Bible Jesus is made to say to Peter "on this RockI will build my church". From a Catholic perspective Peter is the Rockand the passage establishes (in part) his authority as the first Pope.But for Protestants the "rock" isn't

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Gilberto Simpson
On 9/5/05, Scott Saylors [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For example, in the Bible Jesus is made to say to Peter on this Rock I will build my church. From a Catholic perspective Peter is the Rock and the passage establishes (in part) his authority as

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Scott Saylors
Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 9/5/05, Scott Saylors <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Gilberto Simpson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:For example, in the Bible Jesus is made to say to Peter "on this Rock I will build my church". From a Catholic perspective Peter is the Rock and the

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Rich Ater
Mark A. Foster wrote: Tim, At 06:49 AM 9/4/2005, you wrote: A person can define himself as anything, there is no way to control that. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the world must accept that self-definition. As a sociologist of religion, I have no alternative but to

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Rich Ater
Sure, but that cuts both ways. If I'm not a Bahai and have no particular loyalty to the UHJ why would I think that the Orthodox Bahais are not Bahais? They both believe in the Bab, Bahaullah, Abdul-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. They both read the same writings (I think). They seem to have the same

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Mark A. Foster
Rich, At 05:16 PM 9/5/2005, you wrote: You always have choices, Mark. Your's has been to define yourself as an academic and to toe that line. Yhat's ok, but be honest with yourself, you have chosen. I define myself differently in different contexts. Why are you being so judgmental? I don't

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Tim Nolan
Hi Mark, I understand your distinction between the way a person describes himself and the membership requirements of a specific organization. I agree they are not the same. However, please consider the well known quote of Shoghi Effendi, which I include below. While this statement

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Tim Nolan
Hi Mark, They are not considered Baha'is by the Universal House of Justice. However, if they define themselves as Baha'is, as a sociologist, I have to recognize them as such. I see what you are saying, but even within an academic context, aren't there some limits to accepting at face value

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Scott Saylors
Gilberto Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 9/5/05, Scott Saylors <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:Gilberto: Plus possibly "fundamentalists" v. "non-fundamentalists" I would point out that this cannot be established. Those you would call "fundamentalist" and "non-fundamentalist" are all either in

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-05 Thread Mark A. Foster
Tim, At 09:27 PM 9/5/2005, you wrote: I see what you are saying, but even within an academic context, aren't there some limits to accepting at face value people's descriptions of themselves? If a person claims to be a sociologist, but does not have the appropriate education, I might accept

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Mark A. Foster
Tim, At 06:49 AM 9/4/2005, you wrote: A person can define himself as anything, there is no way to control that. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the world must accept that self-definition. As a sociologist of religion, I have no alternative but to accept the self-definitions of people.

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Khazeh Fananapazir
Mark A. FosterSent: 04 September 2005 13:54To: Baha'i StudiesSubject: Re: Self-DefinitionTim,At 06:49 AM 9/4/2005, you wrote:A person can define himself as anything, there is no way to controlthat. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the world must acceptthat self-definition.As a

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Scott Saylors
Tim Nolan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mark, For Baha'is, Covenant Breakers are not sects, they stop being Baha'is.As a sociologist (and also as an individual), I would consider them to be Baha'is based on self-definition, and I also would regard their organizations, where they exist, to be

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Gilberto Simpson
On 9/4/05, Scott Saylors [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A person can define himself as anything, there is no way to control that. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the world must accept that self-definition. Sure, but that cuts both ways. If I'm not a Bahai and have no particular loyalty to

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Scott Saylors
Scott Saylors [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Tim Nolan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mark, For Baha'is, Covenant Breakers are not sects, they stop being Baha'is.As a sociologist (and also as an individual), I would consider them to be Baha'is based on self-definition, and I also would

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Max Jasper
They do not believe in the COVENANT defined by the chain of Successors, hence, they cannot be considered Baha'is. Belief in Baha'u'llah requires belief in His Covenant part of which is defined and end up with the profound belief to the Successorship of the Twin Institutions of

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Mark A. Foster
Tim, At 10:28 AM 9/4/2005, you wrote: A person can define himself as anything, there is no way to control that. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the world must accept that self-definition. On what basis could someone refuse to accept another person's self-definition? Unless I had

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Mark A. Foster
Max, At 11:52 AM 9/4/2005, you wrote: They do not believe in the COVENANT defined by the chain of Successors, hence, they cannot be considered Baha'is. Membership in the Baha'i Faith, a voluntary organization, requires an acceptance of the Baha'i Covenant. Self-definition requires nothing more

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Iskandar Hai, M.D.
They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above.

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Max Jasper
Bahá'í is attributed to an individual based on the definitions of the Bahá'í Institutions, not based on person's claim. To eradicate any confusion from the Assembly members Institutions, it appears that now Bahá'í in good standing is added to distinguish whether a person is self-defined Bahá'í or

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Max Jasper
Using the same reasoning you use, then, we have to accept, for example, as sociologist any person who claims to be one, even when he has no education, no experience, neither any knowledge whatsoever of sociology, and not even a member of Association of Sociologists, but just based on your theory

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Scott Saylors
Max Jasper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Using the same reasoning you use, then, we have to accept, for example, as"sociologist" any person who claims to be one, even when he has noeducation, no experience, neither any knowledge whatsoever of sociology,andnot even a member of Association of

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Gilberto Simpson
In some ways I agree with you, but in some ways I definitely see the other side. In the case of Islam for instance, 12-Shiis believe in a certain sequence of imams, but people who don't accept that particular sequence can still be Shii Muslims. And even those who don't believe in Imamate at all

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Max Jasper
Title: Message Excellent! So we conclude that in order to see who is a real Muslim we have to have a reference point, i.e., a criteria which is infallible or divinely guided. We have to turn to God Himself then to see who is a Muslim.For that purpose "self-definition" is insufficient

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Max Jasper
Title: Message A Bah' is a "Quickener of Mankind" according to the Holy Word. He is far greater in station and responsibility than a sociologist ! And yet theory of "self-definition" applies to Bah' but not to sociologist? Max. The information contained in this e-mail and any

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Mark A. Foster
Max, At 01:59 PM 9/4/2005, you wrote: Using the same reasoning you use, then, we have to accept, for example, as sociologist any person who claims to be one, even when he has no education, no experience, neither any knowledge whatsoever of sociology, and not even a member of Association of

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Scott Saylors
Popeyesays: The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Max Jasper
Title: Message Is the "self-definition theory"same as "Chaos Theory"? The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Gilberto Simpson
On 9/4/05, Max Jasper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Excellent! So we conclude that in order to see who is a real Muslim we have to have a reference point, i.e., a criteria which is infallible or divinely guided. We have to turn to God Himself then to see who is a Muslim. I think you are reading

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Max Jasper
Offensive! Yes offensive. It was offensive to Jews the Words of a young man of 30 that's why they killed Him (Jesus). And Imam Husayn's Words were offensive to most people who killed Him. Most Manifestations of God are offensive to ignorant masses. Max. |I think those sorts of definitions would

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Tim Nolan
Mark, On what basis could someone refuse to accept another person's self-definition? I don't usually refuse to accept someone's self definition, because in most cases, their self-definition has no consequences that I care about. A person is the best judge of what he or she believes, and I

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Gilberto Simpson
Oh sorry, for a while I was under the impression that you didn't want to be offensive. I guess in the abstract I actually agree with you, and very strongly believe that sometimes when the prophets come with the truth, it sometimes implies some very difficult things for the society. In the past

RE: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Mark A. Foster
Max, At 03:06 PM 9/4/2005, you wrote: Is the self-definition theory same as Chaos Theory? There are some parallels between social constructionism and chaos theory. However, there is no direct historical connection. Via moderna, Mark A. Foster . http://markfoster.net ... since [a] word is said

Re: Self-Definition

2005-09-04 Thread Mark A. Foster
Tim, At 04:46 PM 9/4/2005, you wrote: However, if the person wanted to attend Feast, or give money to the fund, then I think an institution, such as an LSA, has the right to verify that the person meets the qualifications of membership in the organization. Again, you appear to be conflating