The same theme, it seems to me, is expressed by Baha'u'llah in the following:
"If any man were to meditate on that which the Scriptures, sent down from the
heaven of God's holy Will, have revealed, he would readily recognize that their
purpose is that all men shall be regarded as one soul, so that the seal bearing
the words "The Kingdom shall be God's" may be stamped on every heart, and the
light of Divine bounty, of grace, and mercy may envelop all mankind."
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 260)
The interesting thing to me is that humans cannot attain to this except through
the use of conscious effort:
"Whensoever he hath fulfilled the conditions implied in the verse: "Whoso
maketh efforts for Us,"[1] he shall enjoy the blessing conferred by the words:
"In Our ways shall We assuredly guide him."[2]
[1 Qur'án 29:69.]
[2 Ibid.]
(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 195)
Personally, I do not expect anything to occur according to my personal
interpretation, imagination, etc.
"This fore-knowledge of God, however, should not be regarded as having caused
the actions of men, just as your own previous knowledge that a certain event is
to occur, or your desire that it should happen, is not and can never be the
reason for its occurrence." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha'u'llah, p. 150)
Dominus vobiscum.
Richard.
----- Original Message -----
From: Matt Haase
To: Baha'i Studies
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:07 AM
Subject: Re: Jewish/Arab Peace Song
The Verse you quoted is very short, and I feel you have put a lot of personal
interpretation into it to support your view that the very reason why there is
conflict is because they are non-Baha'is. This suggests that if they were
Baha'is, they would not be in conflict with each other. Well, of course. If
everyone were of the same religion, political persuasion, liked the same foods,
the same music, etc, there would be substantially less conflict. But that is
not a unity I envision as something I would like to work towards to. I would
hate to wake up one morning and realize the Matel Barbie Girl World I helped
create.
The reason why I take issue with this view is nothing personal, but because I
feel it breeds mistrust of the 'other', and essentially puts the blame of the
problems of the world onto these people who haven't become Baha'is, as if it is
their fault by the fact that they practice a different religion than the Baha'i
Faith. Given that the members of the Baha'i Faith are only in the millions,
this can lead to an elitist view that only these millions of Baha'is know what
is going on and everyone else is just playing around or something to that
affect. I have run into this view many, many times, and I disagree with it.
On Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 2:11 AM, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I can't see that your qoute had any relevance to the context whatsoever.
On 3/27/08, Richard H. Gravelly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Uncharacteristically Susan, you misunderstood the reason for my quoting
that
> particular passage. We do not teach Jews in Israel. We do not teach
anyone
> in Israel.
>
> Look at the context in which I posted the quote and give it some thought.
>
> Richard.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Susan Maneck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 5:21 PM
> Subject: Re: Jewish/Arab Peace Song
>
>
> The passage you cited has absolutely nothing to do with the question
> of what would resolve the Arab-Israeli dispute. The way you used that
> passage is certainly *not* reflective of the way Baha'u'llah tells us
> to deal with non-Baha'is. This is.
>
> Consort with all men, O people of Baha, in a spirit of friendliness
> and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a
> jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language
> of utmost kindliness and good-will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil
> its purpose, your object is attained. If any one should refuse it,
> leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye
> deal unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts
> of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with
> meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and
> understanding....
>
> (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 288)
>
>
> On 3/26/08, Richard H. Gravelly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Am I to understand you to intend to say: "This Word of Baha'u'llah
> resolves
> > nothing?"
> >
> > Richard.
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Susan Maneck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > To: "Baha'i Studies" <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 4:44 PM
> > Subject: Re: Jewish/Arab Peace Song
> >
> >
> > And what Christian or Muslim would not the say the same?
> >
> > This resolves nothing. It just makes us like all the other religions
> > making exclusive claims.
> >
> > On 3/26/08, Richard H. Gravelly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > I believe you have closely described the matter. In the Writings, it
> > seems
> > > to me, it has been put in several ways. Following is one.
> > >
> > > "Whoso hath been re-born in this Day, shall never die; whoso remaineth
> > dead,
> > > shall never live."(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of
> > Baha'u'llah,
> > > p. 213)
> > >
> > > Dominus vobiscum.
> > >
> > > Richard.
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Matt Haase
> > > To: Baha'i Studies
> > > Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:16 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Jewish/Arab Peace Song
> > >
> > >
> > > So, until we all agree and believe in the same religion, there will be
> no
> > > peace? That is the message of the Faith?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 5:18 PM, Richard H. Gravelly
> > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > The problem, if you will is that neither have accepted the Faith.
> > >
> > > Richard.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto
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and
> is
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Lara Kearns
> > > To: Baha'i Studies
> > > Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:36 PM
> > > Subject: Fwd: Jewish/Arab Peace Song
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Begin forwarded message:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Subject: Jewish/Arab Peace Song
> > > >
> > > > (with English sub-titles)
> > > >
> > > > It is so simple...why is there a problem?
> > > >
> > > > http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=5d_i2F2LlF8
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto
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