Gibro28W was the author of the words attibuted to me. The
reader
should note that Albert Verbrugh is a moderator at
soc.religion.bahai.
One might want to compare this message to "The Baha'i Technique":
technique.htm
since this provides,
I believe, some valuable insight into the thinking current at
srb.
Please note the date: October 16, 1998, well after the
"neutral" RFD
had been widely accepted and apparently agreed on by many Bahais
formerly opposed to talk.religion.bahai.
From: Albert Verbrugh <verbrugh@pionet.net>
Cc: talk.religion.misc@pionet.net <talk.religion.misc@pionet.net>
Subject: Re: fw Gibro28W Remember the function of this site.
Date: Friday, October 16, 1998 4:29 PM
FG wrote:
.......
> In summary, the biggest problem, as I see it,
> is that most Baha'is don't take criticism seriously--they tune it out as
> "negative" or "harmful to spiritual growth." This selfish
> attitude is very stupid. .......
Some thoughts on "criticism" from one infinitly more in tune with
reality than you or I.
"When criticism and harsh words arise within a Bahá'í community, there
is no remedy except to put the past behind one, and persuade all
concerned
to turn over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith refrain
from
mentioning the subjects which have led to misunderstanding and
inharmony.
The more the friends argue back and forth and maintain, each side, that
their point of view is the right one, the worse the whole situation
becomes.
-- Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 17
...Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity. But its root is lack of faith
in the system of Bahá'u'lláh, i.e., the Administrative Order--and lack
of obedience to Him--for He has forbidden it! If the Bahá'ís would
follow
the Bahá'í laws in voting, in electing, in serving and in abiding by
Assembly decisions, all this waste of strength through criticizing
others could be diverted into cöoperation and achieving the Plan..."
-- Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 17
Let them call to mind, fearlessly and determinedly, the example and
conduct of `Abdu'l-Bahá while in their midst. Let them remember His
courage, His genuine love, His informal and indiscriminating
fellowship, His contempt for and impatience of criticism, tempered
by His tact and wisdom. Let them revive and perpetuate the memory
of those unforgettable and historic episodes and occasions on which
He so strikingly demonstrated His keen sense of justice, His
spontaneous sympathy for the downtrodden, His ever-abiding sense
of the oneness of the human race, His overflowing love for its
members, and His displeasure with those who dared to flout His wishes,
to deride His methods, to challenge His principles, or to nullify His
acts.
-- Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 34-35
>"...With the present, unaccountable
>(off-the-hook "infallibilty") mindset of the UHJ, however, this won't
>happen any time soon...."
Am I further more, right in assuming you no longer see yourself as
an upholder of the Covenant? If, your answer is affirmative than I
would beg the question, why are you so eager to establish a new news
group called 'talk.religion.bahai'. Why not call it
'talk.religion.general'?
Is it, to soothe a bruised ego.
"The first condition is firmness in the Covenant of God. For the power
of the Covenant will protect the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh from the doubts
of the people of error. It is the fortified fortress of the Cause of
God and the firm pillar of the religion of God. Today no power can
conserve the oneness of the Bahá'í world save the Covenant of God;
otherwise differences like unto a most great tempest will encompass
the Bahá'í world. It is evident that the axis of the oneness of the
world of humanity is the power of the Covenant and nothing else.
Had the Covenant not come to pass, had it not been revealed from
the Supreme Pen and had not the Book of the Covenant, like unto the
ray of the Sun of Reality, illuminated the world, the forces of the
Cause of God would have been utterly scattered and certain souls who
were the prisoners of their own passions and lusts would have taken
into their hands an axe, cutting the root of this Blessed Tree.
Every person would have pushed forward his own desire and every
individual aired his own opinion! Notwithstanding this great Covenant,
a few negligent souls galloped with their chargers into the battlefield,
thinking perchance they might be able to weaken the foundation of the
Cause of God: but praise be to God all of them were afflicted with
regret
and loss, and erelong they shall see themselves in poignant despair.
Therefore, in the beginning the believers must make their steps firm
in the Covenant so that the confirmations of Bahá'u'lláh may encircle
them from all sides, the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse may become
their supporters and helpers, and the exhortations and advices of
`Abdu'l-Bahá, like unto the pictures engraved on stone, may remain
permanent and ineffaceable in the tablets of all hearts.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 51-52
Regards,
Albert Verbrugh