Re: LSAs/NSA and the responsibilities of government

2010-12-20 Thread Ursus Maximus
lections. Because of this, all non- Baha'is would be goberned at every level by Baha'i Administrative bodies for which they woudl not be allowed to vote. Ron On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 10:15 AM, Ursus Maximus wrote: > Sen, > > > > This is a very important subject and I need

Re: LSAs/NSA and the responsibilities of government

2010-12-20 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Sen, This is a very important subject and I need to ask for clarification. If what you say below were correct, it would relieve a lot of folks and make the Faith more likely to be able to attract new believers and declarants. However, and please correct me if I am

Re: Moojan Momen wrote to this list in 1999 (Part 6)

2010-12-18 Thread Ursus Maximus
hristianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and the native faiths af all peoples are part of the same, one, true religion. Ron On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 7:53 AM, Ursus Maximus wrote: > The Baha'i Studies Listserv > > This is an interesting thread, though a few times it has gotten

Re: Moojan Momen wrote to this list in 1999 (Part 6)

2010-12-18 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv This is an interesting thread, though a few times it has gotten mean, nasty and insulting, which is a shame. Gilberto, I find your reasoning reasonable. We should all be able to see that these are theological matters, and as such are open to interpretation and reasonabl

Re: How will they cope?

2010-12-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Susan, Thanks again for the information. Sounds like new enrollees are picking up in the SE USA and that's great! In New Delhi, indeed I was probably there when nothing was scheduled. However I could not help but notice how out of date the flyers on the walls were,

Re: How will they cope?

2010-12-13 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Susan, Since I moved our west, I haven't been getting my issue of American Baha'i (need to update my address). Can you tell me how many monthly declarants it is reporting now. I'm really curious to know. For the last 15 years or so, it was running around 100 per month.

Re: How will they cope?

2010-12-13 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Tim, I hear this all the time at meetings at the LA Baha'i Center, where we have Sunday noon meetings for seekers every week. Also, when I attended a huge rally at the LA Convention Center (remember the regional big special meetings), about a year ago (two years ago..ti

Re: the Most Great Infallibility

2009-10-03 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Oops, I mean the last paragraph to say "In the Iqan" not "in teh "Aqdas" so it should be as follows: On Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 7:44 PM, Ursus Maximus wrote: > In the Aqdas Baha'u'llah states that He "hath no partner in the

the Most Great Infallibility

2009-10-03 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv In the Aqdas Baha'u'llah states that He "hath no partner in the Most Great Infallibility." He confers a lesser infallibility on the other Central Figures. They are granted spiritual guidance that will not lead us astray. Baha'u'llah pointed out in the Iqan that one of

Re: Evolution from apes? bahá'í teachings

2009-10-03 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv David, You have to look at this metaphorically. If you look at it literally, it makes no sense. Literally, humans and apes evolved from common ancestors. The concept of "soul" is a metaphor. We say humans have a "soul". "The human soul" is a metaphor for what makes huma

Re: Use of texts

2009-10-02 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv A related question or two: 1. Do you think the House of Justice will ever have the alchemical Writings of Baha'u'llah translated into English and published? Also the same question concerning the Writings of the Bab? 2. I am thinking that, since the publication of the A

Re: Succession

2009-05-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv "Infallibility" does not mean what so many think it means. Of course, the Guardian did not know when he would die. Of course the House can be incorrect on details and etc, or else why would the Guardian have had the option to overrule them? Of course Baha'u'llah did not

Re: Unity of nations

2009-01-26 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv David, There is no way to explain this. To a believer in literal inerrancy, nothing can change their mind, they will always rationalize any amount of contrary evidence. Thus, you can not have a rational discussion with a Christian or Islamic fundamentalist. God forbid

Re: OJBS - get em quick before they're gone

2009-01-18 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Why? On Sun, Jan 18, 2009 at 8:16 AM, Sen & Sonja wrote: > The Baha'i Studies Listserv > > The OJBS (online Journal of Bahai Studies) has been shut down, the > papers removed from the site, and also from the Wayback machine > > http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.

Re: Unity of Nations

2009-01-02 Thread Ursus Maximus
s. I do not expect to see > it in my lifetime. I think that Taherzadeh and others are mistaken in > saying that Abdu'l-Baha states that this will be established in the > twentieth century. All the texts which say this are pilgrim's notes, > and can easily be explained by Abdu&#x

Re: Unity of nations

2009-01-02 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Mark, thanks, your feedback is mot helpful. 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. In the interest of brevity, I will not quote the bulk o

Re: Unity of nations

2009-01-02 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Dear Susan, On Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 1:15 AM, Susan Maneck wrote: > The Baha'i Studies Listserv > > My problem is, it seems to me that most Baha'is including famous ones who > > speak at Conferences and etc. probably do not find my understanding > > acceptable. This obv

Re: Unity of nations

2009-01-02 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Gary, I am glad you refer to Jesus' explicit statements, as recorded in scripture, that the end times and His return would happen within the current generation of His listeners. I was certainly thinking of bringing this up as an example of how literal understandings of s

Re: Unity of nations

2009-01-01 Thread Ursus Maximus
The Baha'i Studies Listserv Mark, This is the first time I've encountered the term "plenary inerrancy'. I would appreciate it if you would expand on this term and its application to our Faith. It is important to me. My problem is that it is apparent to me that what I call "literal infallibility" o

Re: Neoscholasticism/Perennial Philosophy]

2008-07-03 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Maybe its like this. In the language of the Baha'i Faith, religious principles are revealed by a Manifestation. However, from a logical and scientific point of view, these same principles are humanly constructed. In reality, nothing revealed by a Manifestation springs forth out of thin air;

Did Jesus Die on the Cross?

2008-01-16 Thread Ursus Maximus
MAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On 14 Jan 2008 at 6:21, Ursus Maximus wrote: > > > For instance, Muhammad and Islam intepreted away the very core of > > Christian belief, the crucifiction! > > I don't think that Muhammad can be blamed for this: the denial of the > c

Re: Magical thinking

2008-01-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Swords-a-flashin' et al, Indeed, Baha'u'llah also interpreted symbolically many thigns in Christian scripture that were alwasy previously understood literally by all Christian communitees. I have littel doubt that many of our Baha'i Writigns interpreted and understood literally by virtually all Ba

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-06 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dear Dr. Maneck, Sounds like very good advice, I am, going to take it. Ron On Jan 5, 2008 9:23 PM, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >But how about > > \focusing on what really matters in what I am asking...for instance, why > not > > reveal in whatever will ultimately become the Univers

Re: Various

2008-01-05 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dear Brent, Thank you very much for this reply. I am meditating upon it and I fidn it helpful. Thanks sincerely. ron On Jan 4, 2008 12:04 PM, Brent Poirier Attorney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Ron, you asked whether Sen's views are "problematic" since they are > close to your own. I can't app

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-05 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan see my comments: On Jan 5, 2008 10:02 AM, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The fact that Manifestations clearly chose to do many things, and to not do > other things, including reveal many things, in ways that (obviously to me, > not necessarily to others) could have been done bett

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-05 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Thank you for your response. One point I want to clarify. Dr. Maneck wrote: """What does omnipotence and omniscience have to do with context? In any case, the Guardian indicated that the Manifestation is omniscient at will. I think Baha'is have different understandings of what that

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-05 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Thank you very much. I need to study it more, but already the key points in the section "Women in the Writings of Baha'u'llah" are right on point and appreciated! Could I ask for a little exploration of the following excerpt? """ Perhaps the key issue in this debate revolves around

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-04 Thread Ursus Maximus
erstandings, > the very ones that caused me to declare, are within acceptable norms or not. > I have no desire to be a Baha'i whose views are contrary to what normative > Baha'is are striving to achieve." > > > ursus maximus > > sorry, it appear that i sent this

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-04 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan wrote: > I don't think it is necessary for the Baha'i Faith to eliminate all > other religions. Does that answer your question? > > warmest, Susan > > > I guess so. Ron The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Com

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-03 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dear Susan, You wrote: Dear Ron, > > You'll need to be a bit more specific about which of Sen's opinions > you are talking about. My problem with Sen's views largely concerns > the fact that he so often ignores the authoritative interpretations of > the Guardian (especially if they are conveyed

Re: Monogamy etc

2008-01-03 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dear Brent, I am not much interested in monogamy vs polygamy and etc. The portion of Sen's message that I am very interested in your opinion about is as follows: First, I don't think that the Writings are the "proof" of the Bahai Faith, in the way that the Quran is the "proof" for Islam, the

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-03 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan wrote: > Dear Ron, > > You'll need to be a bit more specific about which of Sen's opinions > you are talking about. My problem with Sen's views largely concerns > the fact that he so often ignores the authoritative interpretations of > the Guardian (especially if they are conveyed by his sec

Podcast intro to Baha'i Faith

2008-01-02 Thread Ursus Maximus
On a personal note, I am moving to the LA area today! I will sorta be bi-coastal since I maintain my residence in CT but mostly I will be a my new apartment in Culver City (between Hollywood and Santa Monica) where I will be able to walk to my (semi-new) primary place of employment with a manufactu

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2008-01-01 Thread Ursus Maximus
Sen, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I will study it. Every section of your reply is of great interest to me, and I hope others will comment and discuss all your very thoughtful points. I do want to comment on the one section I am going to quote here, though: (Please see my comments and quest

Re: Questions on the Aqdas

2008-01-01 Thread Ursus Maximus
Brent, Thank you very much. You have pointed me in some interesting directions and I appreciate it. I will be studying your response. Ron On Jan 1, 2008 10:29 AM, Brent Poirier Attorney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I suggest that we may make assumptions about what "Most Holy" means. > That is, t

Re: Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2007-12-31 Thread Ursus Maximus
Khazeh, Thank you for your reply. I am studying your words to me. Ron On Dec 31, 2007 4:25 PM, khazeh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Ursus Maximus > *Sent:* 31 December 2007 20:54 > *

Kitab-I-Aqdas and other questions

2007-12-31 Thread Ursus Maximus
I really need some help understanding and relating to the Kitab-I-Aqdas. Given that the Kitab-I-Aqdas is our Most Holy Book, I have read the Kitab-I-Aqdas dozens of times, since I declared ten years ago. I have studied it for ten years, much more than I have ever studied any book. I know it practi

Re: Criticism of One Common Faith

2007-12-31 Thread Ursus Maximus
test On Dec 20, 2007 4:13 PM, maidenhairleaf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > this Thing of His ? > > yeah, me too > > > > -- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To: bahai-st@list.jccc.edu > > Subject: Re: Criticism of One Common Faith > > Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:13:22

Kitab-I-Aqdas questions

2007-12-31 Thread Ursus Maximus
I really need some help understanding and relating to the Kitab-I-Aqdas. Given that the Kitab-I-Aqdas is our Most Holy Book, I have read the Kitab-I-Aqdas dozens of times, since I declared ten years ago. I have studied it for ten years, much more than I have ever studied any book. I know it practi

Re: Criticism of One Common Faith

2007-12-17 Thread Ursus Maximus
Berni, I agree with you. In particular, I find the first two sentences to be just plain wrong, as in , contrary to the facts. To clim that religion went form beign ignored to being on the front burner in 7 short years between i200 and 2007 is absurd. Every thing compelling about religions importan

Re: Deconstructionism

2007-11-20 Thread Ursus Maximus
Ian, You are taking my words our of context and deliberately misrepresenting what I said. it is not possible to have a meaningful conversation when you do that. You quoted me and commented : "" "Wow. I suggest no such thing!" I disagree: look at your own words about having authoritative int

Re: Deconstructionism

2007-11-20 Thread Ursus Maximus
Ian, see my responses: On Nov 19, 2007 6:51 PM, Ian Kluge <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear Ron, > > You write, > > "But the Baha'i Writings have to be understood. Writings, all by > themselves, have no meaning, its only when understood by human minds > and put into action that they have effect."

Re: Deconstructionism

2007-11-19 Thread Ursus Maximus
Ian, You write ""The only thing that matters is what the Baha'i Writings tell us directly or by implication, or at least what is compatible with the Writings and does not contradict them. This is not a matter of personal philosophies.""" But the Baha'i Writings have to be understood. Writings, a

Re: Deconstructionism

2007-11-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
tended 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

Re: Deconstructionism

2007-11-07 Thread Ursus Maximus
Ian, I disagree with you. To me "religious truth is not absolute but relative" is a most important statement. Your understanding go that phrase makes it null and of no effect, which is unacceptable to me. This is symptomatic of a bigger issue. More and more, I find that many, maybe most, Baha'is

Re: Ancestry of Baha'u'llah

2007-10-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
Benjamin, Agreed. Ron On 10/29/07, Benjamin La Framboise <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > On 10/29/07, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm well aware of the math, (I have degrees in Math and Physics and a > > masters in Operations Researc

Re: Reincarnation

2007-10-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Thanks. I am curious about one thing you just said, if in Buddhism there is no "soul", what do they see as being reincarnated? I think Buddhists do believe in some form of reincarnation, even though it may all be "illusory" on some basic level? Ron On 10/29/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTE

Re: Ancestry of Baha'u'llah

2007-10-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
ly informs every time I fly (which is all the time) I am far more at risk every minute in the air than in my car. Ron On 10/29/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On 10/29/07, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Susan, > > > > Thanks. Is this

Re: Reincarnation

2007-10-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
ng, in which reincarnation is not a central teaching to say the least. ??? Bear with me here, please, and speculate a little. I value your knowledge and insight into Baha'i theology. Ron On 10/29/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On 10/29/07, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROT

Reincarnation

2007-10-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
Is it possible to be a Baha'i and still believe in any kind of reincarnation? I am familiar with the Writings of Abdul Baha on the subject. Still, even if most folks who believe in reincarnation, believe in a misinterpretation, is it possible to believe in some form of it? The information con

Re: Ancestry of Baha'u'llah

2007-10-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Thanks. Is this "Zoroastrian" geneology available online or elsewhere? Ron On 10/29/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear Ron, > > When Baha'u'llah was asked for His ancestry He referred them to the > genealogy which had been drawn up by Mirza Abu'l-Fazl at the request > of

Ancestry of Baha'u'llah

2007-10-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
What do we know about the ancestry of Baha'u'llah? 1. Have any of the Central Figures or Universal House of Justice ever commented about this? 2. Did He ever comment? 3. Is there any documentary evidence? 4. Does he have any Jewish ancestry? 5.Is He descendded from "the House of David" 6. From the

Re: UN Adopts Historic Statement on Native Rights

2007-09-19 Thread Ursus Maximus
> > Please, take special note of """the country of which they now form a > part""" This should rule out a host of other issues. > > Regards, > > Albert > > Ursus Maximus wrote: > > Albert, see my replies: > > > > On

Re: UN Adopts Historic Statement on Native Rights

2007-09-19 Thread Ursus Maximus
ey will. Justice will > be served in the end. For now the 370 million "indigenous peoples" of > the world have the satisfaction they are recognized in International Law > as having "Rights". It only took 300 years. Albert, How do you defien "indigenous peoples&quo

Re: UN Adopts Historic Statement on Native Rights

2007-09-19 Thread Ursus Maximus
Albert, P.S. Both of my parents were descended from Native Americans, as well as from European ancestors. To those of you living in the USA and not of Indian descent, can I have your houses now, please? ;-)) Ron On 9/19/07, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I do not understan

Re: UN Adopts Historic Statement on Native Rights

2007-09-19 Thread Ursus Maximus
I do not understand what is significant about this. Reading the extract you quote, Albert, it says that indigenous people (which is an undefined term, where I live this is fought out in the courts for decades) have rights over their land and resources. However, where I live (in the USA) indigenous

Re: Infallibility of the Prophets

2007-08-13 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, You wrote Keep in mind that the Iqan uses the term "Manifestation" much more broadly than we do. In Shi'ite Islam the Imams were considered Manifestations.""" So, are you pointing out that the Universal House of Justice has *elucidated* away Baha'u'llah's statements about Manifestatio

Prayer Request

2007-07-30 Thread Ursus Maximus
I would like to request prayer for my daughter Rebecca. She is 23 years old and is hospitalized. She has been fighting a serious eating disorder and depression for 10 years, in and out of many types of hospitals and treatment centers. I feel she needs religion but she is not readily amenable to it

Re: bahai-st digest: July 24, 2007

2007-07-25 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Hmmm that's interesting. I don't know much about Muslim mindsets. However, I don't think you will find a very high percentage of Christian scientists who are fundamentalists. Most scientists who are Christian have fairly liberal beliefs. At least that's my experience. Ron On 7/26/07,

Re: bahai-st digest: July 24, 2007

2007-07-25 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, You always ask really tough questions. My thoughts: 1. I think Muslim suicide bombers are acting more out of political frustration than religous frustration. 2. An Islamic medical doctor who does this probably compartmentalizes his beliefs. As a physician he believes in the efficacy of

Re: bahai-st digest: July 24, 2007

2007-07-25 Thread Ursus Maximus
Michael, I genera;ll;y agree with your points. On 7/25/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi Ron, Interesting paper. I have a few comments. <> You might want to define what exactly is the "modern" spiritual crisis. Especially, how it differs from any past ills. Also, you

Post Modern Spiritual Crisis

2007-07-24 Thread Ursus Maximus
Note: I have no where else to post this, so here it is. It is something I wrote just to help keep me sane in a period of great personal change and chaos. FWIW: The Post Modern Spiritual Crisis: The spiritual crisis of the West stems from the divorce of science from religion. Science is in the as

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
Thanks, Don, that is very interesting (the happenings in the communites you describe). I appreciate the inputs. Ron On 7/15/07, Don Calkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: At 1:19 PM -0400 7/15/07, Ursus Maximus wrote: > >I realize I am of no importance and thus not much at risk eith

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan: On 7/15/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Susan, I am not credible. A question by me to the universal House of > Justice would have no credibility. Dear Ron, Since when do you have to be 'credible' to ask a question? At most you need to be a bit more articulate and clear. Bu

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Please see my reply: You wrote: No, he was publicly criticizing the Marshalls and their supporters. As for the House commenting on that statement, if you want their comment on this talk, ask for it. Susan, I am not credible. A question by me to the universal House of Justice would have

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, please see my brief comments below: On 7/15/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > There is no concept of precedents in Baha'i jurisprudence because the > > House is always free to change laws as they see fit. > > ***I guess its not laws I am interested in, but interpretations.**

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Thanks again for having this discussion with me. On 7/15/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > So, Peer is clearly saying that those who mention that the word > translated as "infallible" means sinlessness, are "And this is a very > interesting way to try and erode the authority

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
. Someone, someone with a lot more credibility than me, should ask the UHOJ to comment on Peter Khan's quote above. Otherwise, I think they agree with it. Ron On 7/15/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: On 7/14/07, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Do the writ

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Please see my comments below interpseresed with yours with *** in front of them. I appreciate your replies. On 7/15/07, Susan Maneck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: On 7/14/07, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Do the written statements of the UHOJ constitute a

Re: Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-15 Thread Ursus Maximus
Don, What country was this for, or what geopgraphiocal area, and where do the figures come from, if you know? I am alwasy interested in statistics. Ron On 7/15/07, Don Calkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: At 11:21 PM -0400 7/14/07, Ursus Maximus wrote: > >This could be one reason

Precedence, UHOJ and Infallibillity

2007-07-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Do the written statements of the UHOJ constitute a growing body of precedent, and since we believe them to be infallible, does that growing body of precedent progressively lock them in to a rigid stance on all subjects? Are future UHOJ always bound by the precedents established by all the statemen

Re: Separation of church and state

2007-07-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Doesn't the Letter from the House to Sen, that you link to below, indicate "a completely Baha'i government, executive and legislative". In all seriousness, so many statements from the UHOJ on this subject in the last 10 years seem to make this point over and over, don't they? I am not a s

Re: Separation of church and state

2007-07-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Comments and questions for both Susan and Sen: Dr. Maneck wrote:""" don't know of anything in the Writings that would suggest that the Executive Branch necessarily has to be Baha'i. It could be a hereditary king who happens to be Jewish.""" Thank you for this reply, it is very interesting, I had

Re: Separation of church and state

2007-07-12 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan, Could you expound upon one paragraph you wrote : Dr. Maneck wrote: """I would argue with that this dual-partite conception of the state organization resolves some of the apparent contradictions found in Bahá'í texts without resorting to the an evolutionary concept, which, while undoubted

Hikmat, Warfare, and related subjects

2007-01-11 Thread Ursus Maximus
Now that Gilberto has been banned, I just want to say one thing. I believe Gilberrto was completely correct about the capability of a future Baha'i state to practice warfare. His example of the abrogation of the right of Baha'i individuals to freely publish without prior censorship, as was expres

Re: Terry Culhane

2006-06-13 Thread Ursus Maximus
Susan,   Were you able to find or contact Terry Culhane? His book is one of my favorites.   Ron Stephens  On 6/3/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: If anyone has access to Terry Culhane's current email address, couldthey send it to me? I'm in Nebraska right now and would like t

Links to Podcasts about the Baha'i Faith

2006-05-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Podcasts are time shifted audio files subscribed to by rss links and listened to on ipods, mp3 players, computers aor anywhere an mp3 file can be played. Podcastign is just beginning to grow in popularity. You can find a list of Podcast series about the Baha'i Faith here: http://www.awaretek.com/

Re: lost link - will never found

2006-04-26 Thread Ursus Maximus
Hello Susan and Hasan,   Dr. Maneck, while I often read a response like yours on the net, it is not completely correct, and because of this, it is misleading.  There are *many* fossils already discovered that belonged to primate species that preceded the split between the current living huma

Baha'i Faith should be compatible with Science and Reason

2006-04-16 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dr. Maneck quoted me and then remarked: """>Divine Providence will not allow our community, with its present > conception of infallibility, to grow further in numbers and//or > influence,until we correct this problem, I believe. Is that prophecy infallible? ;-}""" Dear Dr. Susan Maneck, Of all

Re: Science and Religion

2006-04-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dean Betts wrote: "I think Tim Nolan has given a very cogent interpretation of the Master's words on these two subjects." I agree with you, Dean. Tim grasps that these passages are symbolic of spiritual realities, not physical realities. Ron Stephens The information contained in this e-mai

Re: Science and Religion

2006-04-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Firestorm wrote: "actually that's a fie example of failing to show the Cite. i been hearing this "the whole Iqan" "alll the Writings of Baha'u'llah" yadydyydaa for wa longer than i ever wanted to. from people upholding absolute nonsense, people trying to be reasonable, and people trying to ru

Re: Science and Religion

2006-04-14 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dr. Maneck, You wrote: "What I find belligerent is your false categorization of the views of most believer" Dear Susan, I said, in my original response to this thread: "A very common Baha'i attitude is that if one of the Central Figures wrote something that comes into conflict with scientific

Re: Science and Religion

2006-04-13 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dear Firestorm, You asked me to "show me the cite." Firestorm, I can "prove" many contradictory things by citing a few words or a few paragraphs from our Writings; just as Christian believers in Biblical literalism can prove many contradictory things by citing a few words or a few paragraphs fr

Re: Science and Religion

2006-04-12 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dr. Maneck quoted a small fragment on my post as such:   """I have no interest in debating with anyone who claims that the Central Figures and the Universal House of Justice have never and will neverbe factually incorrect on anything; any more than I desire to debatesomeone who claims I am a

Re: Baha'i double standards re: science and religion - ?

2006-04-05 Thread Ursus Maximus
Firestorm Huh? 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 fede

Re: Science and Religion

2006-04-05 Thread Ursus Maximus
Tim, If only everyone had the same understanding that you have, there would be no problem. But many, if not most, Baha'i's, understanding of statements by the Central Figures is that They (and the Universal House of Justice) are infallible, so as to mean that they can't make a mistake, literally.

Re: Baha'i double standards re: science and religion - ?

2006-03-29 Thread Ursus Maximus
David Friedman wrote: > Why is it that we Baha'is say other religionists beliefs are wrong > because they conflict with science, yet if proof for some view of ours > isn't forthcoming we're allowed to say that we expect science in > future to support our beliefs? Sadly, David, as some of the resp

Re: Tihran Assembly

2006-01-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
Hello Dr. Maneck, You wrote """> Huh? Where are you getting this from? I think the system that the House is > referring to is one where larger communities are divided into Feast areas > and Feast areas in turn elected delegates who elect the LSA. In response to my questions: Ron (myself) asked:

Re: kalimat

2006-01-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dr. Maneck, Thank you for this info about Abbas Amanat. Is he still a Baha'i? It seems like an awful lot of energy goes towards fighting books. Wouldn't it be a better idea to let people read and publish freely? It seems that by treating Baha'is as incapable of reading opposing viewpoints and mak

Re: kalimat

2006-01-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
Dr. Susan Maneck wrote """The two books are Sen McGlinn's *Church and State* and the paperback edition of Abbas Amanat's Resurrection and Renewal.""" Dr. Maneck, can you tell us any more about these two books, and why they are causing Kalimat to be disciplined? I have bought many books from Kalima

Re: Tihran Assembly

2006-01-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
Does this mean that in the future, rank and file Baha'is will have no vote? As I read this, the election of Spiritual Assemblies, and the subsequent election of National Assemblies and the Universal House of Justice, will all be held with either appointed leaders or previously elected leaders, as t

ABS studies paper, did you gie it yet?

2005-08-30 Thread Ursus Maximus
Hello Dr. Maneck, Did you give your talk to a the ABS meeting, or is it still in the future? I am still hoping to get an audio recording of the talk. Ron The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC")

Re: Firestarter

2005-08-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
Oops, the quote form St. Paul is from Hebrews 11:1 (not 13:1 as I typed in the original email above). Ron On 8/8/05, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello Susan, > > It was a very good talk, and I think a lot of people will find it > interesting. The part I found m

Re: Firestarter

2005-08-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
Hello Susan, It was a very good talk, and I think a lot of people will find it interesting. The part I found most intriguing was the interaction between Greek thought and the theology and philosophy of the Abrahamic religious societies. I have always been in love with St. John's Gospel, and you me

Re: Firestarter

2005-08-08 Thread Ursus Maximus
ng 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] > [m

Re: Firestarter

2005-08-07 Thread Ursus Maximus
Well Dr. Maneck gave a very interesting talk on Firestarter tonight! ;-)) I am glad I was able to "be there". Ron On 8/7/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > In a message dated 8/7/05 10:04:50 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > >Hello Susan, > > > >Is there any chance you could reco

Quran reading questions

2005-08-07 Thread Ursus Maximus
hey were mostly abrogated by later verses (obviously I don't really think so). But Abrogation worries me. Can someone help me by convincing me that Abrogation is bogus? Ron On 8/7/05, Ursus Maximus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello Susan, > > Is there any chance you could record a dig

Re: Firestarter

2005-08-07 Thread Ursus Maximus
Hello Susan, Is there any chance you could record a digital copy of your talk? It sounds interesting, and if it were recorded on an mp3 player (like and iPod or iRiver etc.) it could be re-used in various ettings. I'd love to spot it as a podcast on my podcast series, for instance. Even if you cou

Re: a meditation

2005-08-01 Thread Ursus Maximus
Thank you Khazeh for a beautiful meditation! Ron Stephens On 8/1/05, Khazeh Fananapazir <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > 2Ki 5:1 Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, was highly respected and > esteemed by the king of Syria, because through Naaman the LORD had gi

Re: Quran reading questions

2005-07-31 Thread Ursus Maximus
Thank you Popeye, Very much. Ron On 7/31/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > In a message dated 7/31/2005 2:12:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > As for the Bible, as you know, I know it. The stoning incident is an > important one. But I d

  1   2   >