The Baha'i Studies Listserv
Hi, Ron:
>>I think I will start using your term "plenary inerrancy to refer to
what I don't believe in as valid definition of infallibility. I need a
shorthand for a complex concept.<<
Personally, unless I am addressing Protestant evangelicals, or
discussing Protestantism, I will usually call it factual, or sometimes
propositional, inerrancy. I suspect that the average person would not
know the definition of "plenary."
>>In the interest of brevity, I will not quote the bulk o f your
response that I found most illuminating, but only a short section I want
to follow up on.<<
Thank you.
>>Mark, I agree with you on this. I wholly and 100% accept the
authority of the Universal House of Justice in all Baha'i matters.<<
I accept the authority of the House in cases where legislation or
direction is given. However, I see no reason to treat its statements (or
the statements of any individual or institution) as factually inerrant.
>>Mark, not in a threatening way mind you, but in a very loving way
that makes sense from a practical point of view. Why not just privately
hold my beliefs and not talk about them since they are apparently
outside the norm of the Baha'i community?<<
IMO, that is a reason to express your views, not to be silent.
>>One was by a lady introduced I believe as a Counselor, certainly as
one of the Learned. She gave a speech I found wonderful in many ways.
Other inspiring figures gave talks. However, some of them also referred
to certain statements by the Universal House of Justice, and concluded
that certain things were inevitable; to happen because the infallible
House has said they are going to happen. The infallibility of the House
was specifically mentioned and highlighted several times to back up
claims. I can't help it but I find this cult like and it bothers me. I
do not believe anyone can magically predict the future.<<
I have not seen any recent, specific predictions made by the House of
Justice.
>>For instance, entry by troops in the very near future is considered
inevitable. The learned speakers at the LA conference alluded to its
inevitability, citing the infallible House as the reason. To me, this
gave a cult like aura to the Conference that I can't shake.<<
Entry by troops is nothing new.
--
Mark A. Foster, Ph.D. * 25 domains: www.markfoster.net SED: www.neurelitism.com
"... the modern challenge is how to live with uncertainty. The basic fault lines
today are not between people with different beliefs but between people who hold
these beliefs with an element of uncertainty and people who hold these beliefs
with a pretense of certitude." — Peter L. Berger, sociologist
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