Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard
Sounds like it will be a cool presentation. I was struck by one phrase in one section.:
St. Bernard ofClairvaux , the most famous mystic and monk of his day,was scandalized by such an approach to the sacred.He condemned Abelard asscrutinizer of majesty and fabricator of heresies, who deems himself able
by human reason to comprehend God altogether. St. Bernard saw no value inwhat we might call 'the independent investigation of truth'
Gilberto:
I was struck by the independent investigation of truth because of you are suggesting that this tension in Christianity is echoed in the Bahai faith, it seems to me that since IIT is a Bahai principle mentioned in the writings, ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase.
Peace
Gilberto
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RE: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard
ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase. Dear Gilberto, That much is true. But there are some Baha'is who take the position that the independent search for truth ends once you become a Baha'i. warmest, Susan The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard
ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase. That much is true. But there are some Baha'is who take the position that the independent search for truth ends once you become a Baha'i. The independent search for truth should end once you find the truth. If it doesn't end there, then you haven't found the truth. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
RE: Peter Abelard vs. St. Bernard [with reference to Brother Dean]
Brother Gilberto wrote: St. Bernard of Clairvaux , the most famous mystic and monk of his day, was scandalized by such an approach to the sacred. He condemned Abelard as scrutinizer of majesty and fabricator of heresies, who deems himself able by human reason to comprehend God altogether. St. Bernard saw no value in what we might call 'the independent investigation of truth' Gilberto: I was struck by the independent investigation of truth because of you are suggesting that this tension in Christianity is echoed in the Bahai faith, it seems to me that since IIT is a Bahai principle mentioned in the writings, ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase. Peace Gilberto Susan replied: Dear Gilberto, That much is true. But there are some Baha'is who take the position that the independent search for truth ends once you become a Baha'i. warmest, Susan and then Dean wrote: The independent search for truth should end once you find the truth. If it doesn't end there, then you haven't found the truth. This servant would add something. Please accept it all in a spirit of friendship not argument. In all the Dispensations of God, in a sense, the truth is given and one may say there is no need for further truth. In the Mosaic Dispensation [Jewish Dispensation] God says do not add Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. So Do not add...and some people literally believe they should not add. In fact, strange to relate, some would even say that the Qur'an proclaims that the Torah was TAMAAM [Complete, Entire] 6:154 Yusuf Ali: Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing (Our favour) to those who would do right, AND EXPLAINING ALL THINGS IN DETAIL, - and a guide and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord. Rodwell: Then gave we the Book to Moses - complete for him who should do right, and A DECISION FOR ALL MATTERS, and a guidance, and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord. Sale: We gave also unto Moses the book [of the Law]; a perfect rule unto him who should do right, AND A DETERMINATION CONCERNING ALL THINGS NEEDFUL, and a direction and mercy; that [the children of Israel] might believe the meeting of their Lord. **Transliterated Arabic: ** Thumma atayna moosa alkitaba TAMAAMAN AAala allathee ahsana WATAFSEELAN LIKULLI SHAY-IN wahudan warahmatan laAAallahum biliqa-i rabbihim yu/minoona ** So the believers in the no further truth camp would say: Look in Deuteronomy It says DO NOT ADD and the Text of your Holy Book says TAMAAMAN ..and WATAFSEELAN LIKULLI SHAY-IN everything is there... In the Christian Dispensation ditto: ** Rev 22:18 For I testify ... If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: *** And no other Gospel ! ** Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that which we have preached unto you, Let Him Be Accursed.** And he repeats it: Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. And in the Holy Dispensation of Islam, In some verses which have of course been emphasized in myriad ways: 5:3 in a long verse but centrally: Yusuf Ali This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, Arberry Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, In transliterating from the Original: *** alyawma akmaltu lakum deenakum WAATMAMTU AAalaykum niAAmatee** If you are careful you will see the same noun/adjective/verb of TAMAAM here too but as a verb WAATMAMTU Whereas in reference to Moses it said: TAMAAMAN. So in the above, if you all accept that I write with a pure motive, and by God, not wishing for argumentation, you will see in all the above that :Yes no further truth is needed as per the literal reading of each Dispensation... But if you then look deeper you will find that in each Day [YAWM] as the Qur'anic verse calls it, in each Day there are indications that more will be needed. ** Isaiah 28:10 For PRECEPT MUST BE UPON PRECEPT, PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT; LINE UPON LINE, LINE UPON LINE; HERE A LITTLE, AND THERE A LITTLE:*** Isa 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little AND in the New Testament: Joh 16:12 (CEV) I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. (HNV) I have yet many things to tell you, but you can't bear them now. (KJVA) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard
This is a beautiful concept - surely truth is relative and not absolute. According not only to our individual capacities and potential but also to 'progressive revelation'. thank you Khazeh for your wonderful references. - Original Message - From: Dean Betts [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 8:39 AM Subject: Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase. That much is true. But there are some Baha'is who take the position that the independent search for truth ends once you become a Baha'i. The independent search for truth should end once you find the truth. If it doesn't end there, then you haven't found the truth. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
RE: Peter Abelard vs. St. Bernard
The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Alcorn Sent: 07 August 2005 12:19 To: Baha'i Studies Subject: Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard This is a beautiful concept - surely truth is relative and not absolute. According not only to our individual capacities and potential but also to 'progressive revelation'. thank you Khazeh for your wonderful references. Michael Thank you Michael Maybe you would like this essay too http://user.super.net.uk/~whitsco/dogma2.htm Discovery begins with discontent, with being fed up with the way things are, with being fed up with the way I am. When I am discontented, I am also restless; I want to leave the safety and comfort of home and go out, beyond, into the unknown. I am dissatisfied with the present. I desire more. And it is this desire that promotes my discontent; my desire for something better, greater, sweeter. This is a fierce impulse, a furious discontent, a sweet desire. But the desired is always tantalisingly out of reach; it cannot be grasped and experienced. This does not make it any the less real; on the contrary: The Desired is real just because it is never an experience'' (Lewis(2)) But what is this desire? It cannot be stated, just because it cannot be reached. I have a thirst; yet I have not yet tasted water. I have hunger; yet I have not yet tasted food. I have a desire to reach something beyond the mundane present; yet until I reach it, I will not know it for what it is. And at this point we have arrived: the religious quest is begun. Discovery begins with discontent. But discontent alone is not going to bring about discovery; left to its own devices, discontent results in merely an empty tired cynicism; a weary resignation in the face of the inevitable that has learned to live with discontent and do nothing. To cynicism, discontent is no more than a nagging pain, which must be ignored even if it isn't going to go away. Therefore cynicism is a deadly enemy of discovery; it kills that desire born of discontent; it kills hope. And it is this desire, this hope, which makes human life vital'' (Moltmann(3)) . The God of metaphysics is no more than an abstraction, an idea, a God of the philosophers. And even amongst Christians this God appears: There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute (Westminster Confession of Faith). Here, despite the affirmation that God is incomprehensible, we have God comprehended, pinned down, limited to a sequence of metaphysical attributes. Here is the religious evasion of the reality of God, the constriction and contraction of an idea of God that is putty in man's hands. Here is the God of the Greeks, the God of the Scholastics, the God of the Deists, the God of the Idealists, the God of the Philosophers. The Dead God for, while man may create such a God, he cannot give it life. It remains a colourless abstraction, aloof from the world of everyday things. This is the God of the intellect, God the Brain, the God of A Thousand Words, each suitably esoteric and aptly representative of metaphysical jargon. How glibly come the words! But do they mean anything? Or are they just empty phrases? Words, drifting in the void, lacking all conceptual reality? And with these fine Megaliths of meaningless jargon, are we any better off? Or only more misunderstood? So concluding a survey of metaphysical systems, I put the following limits on luggage. We must recognise the necessity of reason in religious discovery, but also be aware of its limitations: we are right to have a proper respect for the intellect, but we need to remember that it goes astray the moment it ceases to think in terms of men, women and children (14). In other words, if we overlook human realities, then, as Jaspers reminds us, what was once life becomes a pile of dead husks of concepts (15). A second piece of luggage which impedes discovery is inwardness: the appeal to inner experience. It is a mystical retreat from reality; it is, par excellence, the 'religious'. Words such as 'piety' convey the religious
Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard
Yet we are told truth is relative... From: Dean Betts [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Subject: Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2005 03:39:15 -0400 ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase. That much is true. But there are some Baha'is who take the position that the independent search for truth ends once you become a Baha'i. The independent search for truth should end once you find the truth. If it doesn't end there, then you haven't found the truth. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu _ Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard
Dick, Khazeh (and others) make what I see as the salient point in the discussion. 'Abdu'l-Baha points out that the investigation of truth must lead a soul to the realization of the Manifest One… (Bahá'í World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 251) His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh has revoiced and re-established the quintessence of the teachings of all the prophets, setting aside the accessories and purifying religion from human interpretation. He has written a book entitled Hidden Words. … Read it that you may understand the true foundations of religion and reflect upon the inspiration of the messengers of God. It is light upon light. We are summoned to find the source of all knowledge and in the process of unique consultation with oneself, take action. …we must investigate truth at its divine source and summon all mankind to unity in the reality itself. I would agree that we Bahá'ís are called upon to investigate truth on two levels, and once we have ascertained the Divine Source, that our investigation is raised to another level. When we accept His Message, and comprehend that the Holy Books have been opened, we are promised an increase in our spiritual and intellectual capacity. The Invincible Power will indeed strengthen, the Holy Spirit will speak in thy mouth, the Word of God will be revealed in thy heart, the sound of the trumpet of the Lord will gladden thee, the light of unity will shine from thy brow, the doors of success and prosperity will be opened upon thy face and the secrets of the Holy Books will be unfolded. Then, at that time, thou shalt cry at the top of thy voice, saying: Blessed I am for this great bounty! Blessed I am for this evident victory! Blessed I am for this power which could not be resisted by the powers of whomsoever is upon the earth! (Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 160) Indeed, when we accept Baha'u'llah's Message, we also recognize that we are summoned to learn about our inner being, a very personal investigation of truth! Thou hast written concerning the tests that have come upon thee. To the sincere ones, tests are as a gift from God, the Exalted, for a heroic person hasteneth, with the utmost joy and gladness, to the tests of a violent battlefield, but the coward is afraid and trembles and utters moaning and lamentation. Likewise, an expert student prepareth and memorizeth his lessons and exercises with the utmost effort, and in the day of examination he appeareth with infinite joy before the master. Likewise, the pure gold shineth radiantly in the fire of test. Consequently, it is made clear that for holy souls, trials are as the gift of God, the Exalted; but for weak souls they are an unexpected calamity. This test is just as thou hast written: it removeth the rust of egotism from the mirror of the heart until the Sun of Truth may shine therein. For, no veil is greater than egotism and no matter how thin that covering may be, yet it will finally veil man entirely and prevent him from receiving a portion from the eternal bounty. (Bahá'í World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 371) Fortunately, we also recognize that we are protected from harm when we engage in our investigations, which are designed to only make us stronger members of the Army of Light. O Thou Whose tests are a healing medicine to such as are nigh unto Thee, Whose sword is the ardent desire of all them that love Thee, Whose dart is the dearest wish of those hearts that yearn after Thee, Whose decree is the sole hope of them that have recognized Thy truth! (Bahá'í Prayers, p. 190) Tim On 8/7/05, Dick Detweiler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yet we are told truth is relative... From: Dean Betts [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu To: Baha'i Studies bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Subject: Re: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2005 03:39:15 -0400 ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase. That much is true. But there are some Baha'is who take the position that the independent search for truth ends once you become a Baha'i. The independent search for truth should end once you find the truth. If it doesn't end there, then you haven't found the truth. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e
Re: Peter Abelard vs. St. Bernard [with reference to Brother Dean]
On 8/7/05, Khazeh Fananapazir [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Brother Gilberto wrote:Gilberto:I was struck by the independent investigation of truth because of you are suggesting that this tension in Christianity is echoed in the Bahai faith, it seems to me that since IIT is a Bahai principle mentioned in the writings, ALL Bahais, no matter what side of the argument they are on, will say they believe in the independent investigation of truth but then the difference will be what they mean by the phrase.
Susan replied:Dear Gilberto,That much is true. But there are some Baha'is who take the position that the independent search for truth ends once you become a Baha'i.
Gilberto:
Would you take that position?
and then Dean wrote:The independent search for truth should end once you find the truth.If it doesn't end there, then you haven't found the truth.
Gilberto:
I think it depends on what kind of truth you are talking about. I think life should be a continual search for greaterunderstanding, increasing in knowledge and wisdom. And there is always more work which can be done. Some people don't know that there is a God. But you and I can agree that there is one. But do we stop there? No. There is still the question of identifying his prophets. You and I can agree that Muhammad (saaws) was a prophet? But do we stop there? No, because there is a question of which religion understands his role properly Islam? The Bahai faith? Cao Dai? Some other faith?
And even afterwards there is the question of whether sunni or shia Islam is the correct interpretation. And among each one, which school of thought is the most correct. And among the scholars in a given school of thought, which should one follow. And even if you've picked a particular scholar, you aren't expected to turn your brain off.
God gave you an intellect. In some hadith, the first thing God created was the Intellect. Why would he have given us such a beautiful, powerful gift and then not expect us to use it?
Khazeh writes:And then this servant would add something.Please accept it all in a spirit of friendship not argument.
Gilberto:
That's ok. I'm not sure why your comments would be directed at me anyway. I definitely think that people should continue to grow and learn, and deepen in their understanding. I'm not saying there is no further need for investigation. I think it would be arrogant for a person to think that they had the whole truth figured out and had nothing else to learn from anybody else.
But I don't think that is inconsistent with saying that the Islamic dispensation is a huge Ocean of wisdom which is sufficient for us as human beings.
Peace
Gilberto
-- pharaoh is just a leaf on a burning bush
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RE: Peter Abelard vs St. Bernard
The independent search for truth should end once you find the truth. If it doesn't end there, then you haven't found the truth. Dear Dean, Well, thanks for proving my case to Gilberto. ;-} It would not make much sense for us to have a principle aimed at non-Baha'is and not applicable to ourselves. Truth, in the ultimate sense, is not something we find, put in our pockets and claim to possess. Shoghi Effendi, in his letter to the United National Special Palestine commission stated that the Faith enjoins upon its followers the primary duty of an unfettered search after truth. Note he said followers, not seekers. In a talk Ian Semple gave on obedience in which he made this comment: The continuing exercise of our search for truth enables the followers of a true Prophet to draw ever closer to Him, to absorb His teachings and to integrate them into their lives. The same principle when applied by the followers of a false prophet will enable them, sooner or later, to discover his falsity. This is why it is false prophets who, above all, require blind obedience from their followers. They fear the truth--and for very good reason. But how can He who is Truth itself ever suffer from the pursuit of truth by His followers? Likewise the Universal House of Justice wrote me the following: As you well understand, not only the right but also the responsibility of each BELIEVER to explore truth for himself or herself are fundamental to the Baha'i teachings. This principle is an integral feature of the coming of age of humankind, inseparable from the social transformation to which Baha'u'llah is calling the peoples of the world. It is as relevant to specifically scholarly activity as it is to the rest of spiritual and intellectual life. Every human being is ultimately responsible to God for the use which he or she makes of these possibilities; conscience is never to be coerced, whether by other individuals or institutions. http://methodologies.susanmaneck.com/ warmest, Susan The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto (e-mail) is sent by the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you. __ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
