I believe the responses on this list should reflect a
Baha'i perspective first as its purpose is to explore the Faith, not
academias view of the Faith.
Dear Rich,
That is not the case. The purpose of this list is for academics and
non-academics to examine the Baha'i Faith from an academic
Rich,
At 05:39 PM 9/5/2005, you wrote:
That being said, while I respect Mark as a sociologist, I believe the
responses on this list should reflect a Baha'i perspective first as its
purpose is to explore the Faith, not academias view of the Faith.
Perhaps you might want to take another look at
Mark,
As a sociologist of religion, I have no alternative but to accept the self-definitions of people.
As asensible human being, do you feel you have to accept a person's
self definition as valid and accurate? Suppose I define myself as
an orthodox Jew - a belief system I know little
Tim,
At 09:56 AM 9/4/2005, you wrote:
As a sensible human being, do you feel you have to accept a person's self
definition as valid and accurate? Suppose I define myself as an orthodox
Jew - a belief system I know little about. Do you feel you must accept that
I am in fact an orthodox Jew,
On 9/4/05, Tim Nolan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Mark,
As a sociologist of religion, I have no alternative but to accept the
self-definitions of people.
As a sensible human being, do you feel you have to accept a person's
self definition as valid and accurate? Suppose I define myself
Mark is a sociologist. I would compare this to a physician who holds strong
moral opinions and has a well-defined belief system. But when a patient is
before him and he is caring for him, he does not care what that person's
beliefs are; in fact does not care if the person is a criminal. He
Brent,
At 04:49 PM 9/4/2005, you wrote:
In my mind this is analagous to a sociologist who studies social phenomena
objectively. He has to detach from his own belief system when doing so.
That same person, when giving a deepening -- that's a circumstance when his
personal views on things very
