|
From: Fran Baker <fran@gershwin.dgii.com> Subject: Re: Anatomy of a lie Date: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 3:38 PM I think part of the problem is that some of the people involved in this discussion do not understand what it is NOT TO PROSELYTIZE. I am Jewish and it is very deeply ingrained in me that it is presumptuous, rude, and inappropriate to try in any way to persuade someone to change their religion. (You can convert to Judaism, but it is not easy.) Yes, there are some exceptions, e.g., some orthodox Jews try to persuade secular Jews to return to being observant, but these are noteworthy as exceptions. When I heard that Baha'is didn't proselytize, I assumed this meant that they made no efforts to obtain conversions, just as I was used to. This is far from the truth. The reason this fact is misrepresented is the same reason that many facts about the nature and history of the Baha'i religion are misrepresented, internally contradicted, etc.: the ideological desire to expand and ultimately to dominate. Initially, I think this was borne of the delusions of the founder (a common sort of delusion in his time and place), but now I think one can chalk it up in most cases to one of three things: cynical opportunism (lying), enthusiasm rooted in naivete or ignorance, or confusion/self-deception (believing one's own propaganda). Ulterior motives are ugly things in conversations. The convesation (or convert-sation, as I like to call it) is nothing but manipulation. Fran Homepage |