The Baha'i Studies Listserv
On Thu, Jun 24, 2010 at 9:10 AM, hajmog <[email protected]> wrote:
> The Baha'i Studies Listserv
>
>>> are basically positive forces in the world and make society
> better to the extent that they inspire the followers ti be better
> human beings. <<
> Dear Gilberto, I don't want to change your mind. This is a pretty picture.
> But pretty isn't always good.
I' don't think you understood what I wrote.
> 1. To me, this is very weak and wishy washy. If I believed this, I would
> have to admit I don't take anything seriously at all.
First of all, the Bahai Faith goes even further in a more
"wishy-washy" direction than what I wrote:
Bahaullah said:
There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of
whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly
Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the
ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying
requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed.
All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity,
were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose.
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", 2nd rev. ed., pg 217)
Why stick to Islam if
> it has negative influence? Be yourself! Make your own decisions! Have
> empathy. Stand up for the weak, silence is compliance and acceptance of the
> status quo which abuses the minority.
I don't think what I said rules out any of those things. I'm not a
relativist. Also, the Bahai Faith doesn't approve of civil
disobedience.
> 2. Also, You can say this about anything and everything. Everything can
> have some positive impact on society and people.
I disagree, but what is your point.
My company does that to me
> even though it is profit-centric.
If it is true, it is rare but also very different from the way in
which an entire religion is positive. (Both in scale and kind)
The US government's human rights
> commission also does that. The boys scout does that. Kindergarden class does
> that and it is secular.
Ditto.
> Even atheism has some positive impact on society.
The reason why I asked for more specificity is because I don't think
it is a coherent statement. What does "atheism" do? But if we narrow
it down we can ask about the positive/negeatve effects of Stalinism
or Maoism or Stoicism, etc.
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