From: McKenny Michael <bn872@freenet.carleton.ca>
To: bahai-st@johnco.cc.ks.us <bahai-st@johnco.cc.ks.us>
Cc: Talisman@umich.edu <Talisman@umich.edu>; Irfan@umich.edu <Irfan@umich.edu>; dbikman@bwc.org <dbikman@bwc.org>
Subject: Loyalty to the Covenant
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 1997 12:47 PM
*The Baha'i Studies List*
Greetings, David, from Ottawa.
If you are well, it is well.
No, you have not correctly understood me.
I am the one who forwarded the message from the Universal House
of Justice saying they are not opposed to the formation of an
unmoderated newsgroup on the Baha'i Faith (Talk.Religion.Bahai) as
well as that there is the kind of freedom of expression by Baha'is
to which you refer to news.groups (the USENET site of this
consultation) as well as to a number of Baha'i sites.
I am the one who has repeatedly advised the moderators of the
moderated Baha'i sites (including soc.religion.bahai) that refusal
to permit discussion of talk.religion.bahai could only confirm the
impression that the Baha'i Faith is not serious about freedom of
thought and expression, that this refusal would most fully
demonstrate to non-Baha'is the need for an unmoderated newsgroup.
I agree with you that this message from the Universal House of
Justice calls for freedom of expression, even though very few of
the Baha'is have indicated they believe this. I believe there are
now a lot of non-Baha'is attentively awaiting this vote to see
whether the Baha'is are serious about freedom of expression.
If you are indeed prepared to allow the expression of views, if
indeed, you are ready to respond with your reasons as to why you'd
continue to exclude women from membership on the Universal House of
Justice, and truly you have nothing to hids, then you'll prove this
to the world by voting YES to Talk.Religion.Bahai
Although as a non-Baha'i I am not bound by Baha'i authority, I
invite you to read what I replied to Roger, including my statement
that the details concerning the eligibility of women on the Baha'i
Universal House of Justice contained in the Service of Women Paper
did not violate Baha'i authority (Covenant) as they awaited action
from the Universal House of Justice which retains full authority to
reverse any decision, including its ruling in 1988 that this issue
did not lie within its jurisdiction.
I have already mentioned re those who would really involve
themselves in matters of Baha'i authority, your Covenant Breakers
who claim to be Baha'i Popes or High Priests or Grand Shamans or
whatever, that were President Clinton to urge Americans to forbid
the establishment of an unmoderated newsgroup on US politics on the
grounds that loyal Americans could there encounter those claiming
to be Emperors or Kings or Grand Dukes of the US of A, he would be
the one granting legitimacy to such claimants and causing people to
think, "Holy cow, there must really be a true American Emperor."
I hope this has made some sense, and shown, I trust, that I am
not so much in disagreement with you as you first thought.
fare very Well,
Michael
Message #61 (61 is last):
Date: Wed Dec 10 10:34:23 1997
From: dbikman@bwc.org (David Bikman)
Subject: Re: For Those Who Feel Loyal To the Covenant
To: bn872@freenet.carleton.ca
Cc: talisman@umich.edu, irfan1@umich.edu, bahai-st@johnco.cc.ks.us
Reply-To: dbikman@bwc.org
Mr. McKenny,
Let me get this straight: you support an unmoderated Baha'i newsgroup so
your views which challenge the Covenant will have the opportunity to
reach Baha'is who do not challenge the Covenant. Is this essentially
accurate?
I am failing to see how you intend your politics to aid your search for
truth.
-David Bikman
PS: To respond in detail: As one who considers himself within the bounds
of the Covenant, I have no desire to hide any issue, including the
ordainment of men as members of the Universal House of Justice. I have
no difficulty accepting it and no qualms about explaining it to others.
Also, you interpret a message from the House of Justice as condemning or
restricting freedom of expression in cyberspace. I humbly propose,
without prejudice, that your understanding of this particular message is
limited. Freedom of expression for Baha'is is the brother of the command
to independently investigate the truth. Not only is it our privilege,
but our duty, to consult with one another in the attempt to resolve
personal questions. All is open for discussion-- except the validity of
the Authority which makes it possible for us to have these questions.
-d
End of File, Press RETURN to quit
--
"My name's McKenny, Mike McKenny, Warrant Officer, Solar Guard."
(Tom Corbett #1 STAND BY FOR MARS p2)
-
To switch to the digested list,
send the following commands to major@johnco.cc.ks.us in the message body
-
unsubscribe bahai-st
subscribe bahai-st-digest
Homepage
|