. My guess would be that part of
the Bahai position (which I've heard from some Bahais) is the
assertion that there is no kind of natural law, no kind of underlying
"natural morality". The only commandments are the orders of the
Manifestation. So it makes "sense" that you would resist what I'm
saying.
thank you very much for your patience Gilberto.
Actually, I am not resisting at all. I do however, persist in trying to
determine if you are asserting that "natural law" and "natural morality" do
not originate with God. If you agree that they do originate with God, then
would it not be better for all to simply repair to the Book for guidance and
use one's reasoning abilities in the understanding of the Revelation and its
ramifications.
At any rate; I believe that the text of the Qur'an explains the point I that
I believe should be explored in the context of your assertions of the
"intrinsic value" of certain precepts which are found in the Sacred Books.
I am certain that you are aware of the verses which recite what happened
between the "unknown" and Moses. Permit me however, for those other than
you who may read this post, to post the second act and then the denoument.
Then went they on till they met a youth, and he slew him. Said Moses,
"Hast thou slain him who is free from guilt of blood? Now hast thou wrought
grievous thing! He said, "Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not have
patience with me?"
Moses has opparently objected to the violation of an "intrinsic value". The
"unknown" had apparentlly warned Moses that he would not be able to have
patientce with the unknown. At the end of the third act, the "unknown"
exclaims:
He said, "This is the parting point between me adn thee. But I will
first tell thee the meaning of that which thou couldst not await with
patience. (The Qur'an (Rodwell tr), Sura 18 - The Cave)
And then reveals unto Moses what Moses did not understand.
As to the youth, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he
should trouble them by error and infidelity.
18:80 And we desired that their Lord might give them in his place a child,
better than he in virtue, and near to filial piety. (The Qur'an (Rodwell
tr), Sura 18 - The Cave)
The point, I believe, of this blessed Narrative is that the worth of every
thought, of every deed is dependent upon the will of God. Man's reason,
even the reasoning of a Prophet is incapable of fathoming the pleasure of
God nor the "intrinsice value" of a thought or a deed.
Valla con Dios
Richard.
>
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]
