On 11/4/03 11:08 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> It says in the Writings that mortal illnesses come to people to
bring them
> closer to God.
<<<<<<snip>>>>>>
Nowhere in the Scriptures does it say that sinfulness is the sole
cause of disease and misfortune. Therefore I understand the
statements connecting the two to mean that those who violate God's
laws are at a higher risk than if they had not.
This does not, to my mind, mean that they are more likely to suffer
illness than anyone else. There are many causes of disease. If a
person has a genetic predisposition to a disease or ailment and does
not alter their lifestyle accordingly, they are more likely to die an
early death than the sinfull individual without those characteristics.
> One of the Baha'is
> in my community had several miscarriages (eventually conceiving)
> and
> wondered if God might have made it happen that way to teach her
> something.
I think it is highly unlikely. Personally I often find such arguments
to be very concieted. The basis of them is that the particular
individual is so important that God is paying particular attention to
them.
At the same time, none of us are perfect and therefore there is always
a spiritual lesson to be learned from any misfortune.
Don C
- - - - -
He who believes himself spiritual proves he is not.
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