Since I don't think there is anything in the Writings on this topic, I'm not
sure what any of us could say beyond expressing our personal opinion. It
sounds like it is more of a topic for Baha'i-Discuss than Baha'i Studies
which is focused on issues related to scholarship.
Point taken. I guess the problem is that I don't know for sure what is in the Writings. I may overlook passages that explicitly answer a question. It may be that one can answer the question by arguing a viewpoint from texts that don't directly answer the question, but can shed light on the answer nevertheless. Furthermore, "the Writings" to most Baha'is is the stuff we have in English. There is a great deal of material I wouldn't know about, and for all I know it could answer the questions I ask. There are persons knowledgeable in the original languages on this list who have often been able to provide further information from untranslated texts. One major example is the Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Baha on qualities to look for in a marriage partner, which said far more than what is in English. That answered a question I had, when nothing in English could. In fact, a few weeks earlier it seemed assumed that little is said in the Writings on what to look for in a marriage partner, and a purported reason was even given as to why. I just say these things to explain where I'm coming from to you as a co-list owner. Surely there is nothing wrong with asking questions which turn out not to be answered in the Writings on this list? As long as one isn't sure I would think there should be no objection. I would fully understand your objection to answering such questions with mere opinion, unsupported by the Writings, however. I think the main thing is that there is an understanding that list members should not respond if they don't think the Writings provide an answer to the issue, which would mean they are giving opinion. Do you agree with me here?
Regards, David
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