sigh.
mark, why are u posting dictionary style definitions and then, when there is a
riposte in order to clarify the viewpoint, wondering why such is being done?
to wit: "Baha'i:
1. `Abdu'l-Baha's general definition (which would include people who never
heard of Baha'u'llah)
2. The institutional or covenantal definition (which would include those who
conform to the criteria enforced by the Universal House of Justice)
Sociological:
1. The definitions of various individuals, groups, and organizations (accepted
on face validity)"
schema re nouns.
and yeah, linguistics, semantics, etc are outside the sphere of sociology.
there are of course overlaps, but there are always overlaps in sciences.
k. let's try it again. let us take a noun.. smith, collier, fisher.
these nouns as self-identification tools are all inherently deeds.
these are obvious. so we'll stick there.
Baha'i. ok. what is the >action< that the name represents? following the Glory
or Splendour. neither well nor poorly, but simply following.
the question asked earlier in this thread was how about those who have never
heard of Baha'u'llah. that is the question i am working towards addressing,
since my assumption, until told otherssie, was that this was a sincere question
based on a desire to derive actionable views, and not a rheotrical device being
aimed at the poster who said that the Covenant was an important part of Baha'i
Teachings.
i am expressing the view that a name is either a represetnative of an
>active< being or it is merely a place-holding sound. unless the actions bear
some resonance with the name, we are left with the usual problem in
communication of word definition. unless there are agreed upon defintitions of
terms, communication is gonna be dysfunctional.
we have posited before us a hadith concerning an innate sense of belonging
to a group--those inside the Covenant--fit rah. i am perfectly wiling to accept
the hadith and act like it. you stated that there is no evidence for such a
hadith being sociologically measurable...if i can paraphrase what i understood
you to say. i am suggesting there are ways to create definitions and agreement
on them, such that observation of the effects, and therefore proof of being can
be found for this fit rah stuff.
i am suggesting a working definition of a Baha'i such that there can be
observation of this "fit rah" in terms acceptable to what arrogantly little i
understand of social science.
and that is why a dictionary-ish definition. do you have a counter one? or
do u simply toss the hadith off the table as being outside the sphere of
sociology?
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 federal and state privacy and disclosures acts
or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or
copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail
in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and
permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you.
__________________________________________________
You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[email protected]
Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st
Baha'i Studies is available through the following:
Mail - mailto:[email protected]
Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st
News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st
Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist
Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
