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From: Fran Baker <fran@gershwin.dgii.com> Subject: re Answers to Robert's Questions Date: Wednesday, August 26, 1998 5:32 PM Robert, Wow. I am impressed with your response. Much food for thought there! You are quite idealistic about the process by which religions establish themselves. Yes, religious inspiration has been an extremely important force in civilization, but that doesn't mean that Baha'i theology is true. I would like to address specifically your view of the Baha'i Faith's role in this great historical progression (assuming for the moment, for the sake of argument, that it exists). I know that the Baha'i stance on racism is excellent, as is its support of sustainable economic development. But, on the whole, I shudder to think of the Baha'i social rules being the foundation of a global civilization. The Baha'i views on homosexuality and intellectual freedom are pretty clearly not steps forward for humanity, no matter how the apologists dance around them. There is also a disturbing amount of ambivalence toward women and other religions, not to mention contempt for unaffiliated inspiration and wisdom. The reverential focus on an individual (no matter how inspired) and his (gerrymandered and male-dominated) "holy" family is also backward. Add to that capital punishment, no separation or balance of powers (if the Baha'i administrative order is the model), an underclass of pariahs (CBs), and at the top, infallible theocrats. I don't think this contribution is on the level of those of the preceding religions that the Faith claims to be on a par with. The evidence that what Baha'u'llah's words constitute an epoch-making divine message to humanity (even if you accept that there are such things) is unconvincing to most people, and probably always will be. There is too much dirty laundry, too many medieval notions, and too much "bad fruit" among the faithful for this to be the next great push for humanity (not that it couldn't use one!). Thank you for your eloquent and thought-provoking response. --Fran Homepage |