Search found 80 matches

by Sean H.
Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:13 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: OVERCOMING THE CHAOS OF INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY
Replies: 27
Views: 50413

green meme / Jean Gebser's book "The Ever-Present Origi

Majnun, We live in a complex world, not premodern tribal life. Simply trying to understand Baha'i scripture, with its esoteric sufi/metaphysical motifs, at least in a holistic manner, would take most people several lifetimes. The idea that a "real" global civilization can be cooked up easily is biza...
by Sean H.
Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:49 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: THINKERS ANONYMOUS
Replies: 12
Views: 23267

substitute "drink" for "think"

To state what is presumably obvious, it is a joke: substitute "drink" for "think". (where "drink" means alcoholic beverage) The humor lies in equating "thinking" as a addictive/dangerous/unacceptable social activity with alcohol consumption. Since I 'm not up on posts for the last couple of months, ...
by Sean H.
Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:56 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'i writings denounce communism?
Replies: 5
Views: 15645

romanticism/Gewaltmenschen

communism and fascism are both outgrowths of romanticism, which was a movement that attempted to reject the "conditions of modernity" (industrialization, capitalism, democracy). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourgeoisie - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism - http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-lo...
by Sean H.
Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:13 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: God Bless America
Replies: 16
Views: 25348

George Lakoff (harmony of science, religion and politics?)

personal statement of bias: I'm a John McCain supporter. Independent. fwiw, since I'm an ex-Baha'i, I am willing to speak more openly than many Baha'is about "politics", but I'm mainly interested in political sociology as it related to consciousness studies. Talking about things like public schools ...
by Sean H.
Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:44 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: God Bless America
Replies: 16
Views: 25348

Re: God Bless America

As Baha'is, how patriotic can we be without looking partisan? BW, The whole issue is determined by the varying perceptions of people receiving a statement of "patriotism". Liberals and progressives (post-moderns/greens/etc.), in general, will obviously become very upset, or at least annoyed, when h...
by Sean H.
Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:37 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: GOD'S SPIRITUAL SOVEREIGNTY OVER all men of all faiths, and
Replies: 17
Views: 30738

_Ever Present Origin_ and "green meme"

richard, I greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into your excellent response. There are clearly "healthy" and "unhealthy" forms of post-modernism (the "green meme" to use Spiral Dynamics terms). I would guess that you are an "exiting" green, and are quite ready to make the jump to "transce...
by Sean H.
Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:25 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: GOD'S SPIRITUAL SOVEREIGNTY OVER all men of all faiths, and
Replies: 17
Views: 30738

evolution of spirituality/consciousness

richard, Thanks for insightfully praising Tawna's beautiful statement of the universalist nature of the Baha'i perspective on "salvation", and for explicating the general idea of universalism as it applies to recognition of a "higher authority" required for the elimination of religious exclusivity -...
by Sean H.
Thu Aug 31, 2006 12:15 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: What does Salvation mean?
Replies: 7
Views: 13963

slavery, freedom, & redemption/salvation

re: slavery, freedom, & redemption/salvation "Salvation" defined in comparative-religion terms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation The definition under the "Calvinism" section in the above article is probably what most americans and/or protestants would think of, so please note the existence...
by Sean H.
Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:42 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: About my resignation
Replies: 2
Views: 7488

About my resignation

The following insults by a "Baha'i" were made on this forum about a subject that people apparently need some clarification of. http://bahai-library.com/forum2/viewtopic.php?t=860 "Obviously, being a self-proclaimed ex-Baha'i, you have rejected Baha'u'llah (and by extension God) so any 'Baha'i answer...
by Sean H.
Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:11 am
Forum: News
Topic: the new European superpower
Replies: 2
Views: 22691

anti-semetic? Bourgeoisophobes?

The Soviets/Russians have of course had a long, dismal history of anti-semetic (and other ethnic) prejudices, which resulted in the deaths of huge numbers of people during "purges", probably approaching 10 to 20 million. Please note that Nazism and Fascism rest of a foundation of apocalyptic Christi...
by Sean H.
Sat Aug 26, 2006 9:54 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: New Member
Replies: 28
Views: 47051

parallel paradigm shifts 1800s east/west?

(edited to add a URL) Abbas, I think the best place to start is http://bahai-library.com/?file=introductory_information , where I've cross-listed some of the more useful and general overviews of the Baha'i Faith and its history. Jonah, Thanks for the excellent feedback, and for providing such an abu...
by Sean H.
Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:54 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: New Member
Replies: 28
Views: 47051

Dawn breakers

(I'm not an expert, the following comments are random impressions.) The clasic book about the early history of the Babi/Baha'i Faiths is titled "Dawn Breakers". I'm not sure if it is still published or available, but someone on this forum should easily be able to give you that information. It isn't ...
by Sean H.
Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:25 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Should non- or ex-Baha'is be allowed; should I post warnings
Replies: 20
Views: 31666

fanaticism, part III???

like the heinous attacks on the Faith perpetrated by outsiders Can you point me to any examples? Please post the URLs and describe which specific posts you think should be deleted. Thanks, -Jonah The user epierce on in this topic: < http://bahai-library.com/forum2/viewtopic.php?t=925&start=26 >...
by Sean H.
Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:10 am
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

more evasions

Hi all, I've been away for a while so I'll just share some thoughts. Tedious. Eric: you refer to a "Baha'i left" a few times. Yes. This is somewhat of an "inside" joke. It is a "take off" on the common term "pc/left" (pc=politically correct) used by some conservatives to (correctly, IMO) lampoon th...
by Sean H.
Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:55 am
Forum: News
Topic: an ambitious goal: to "defeat scientific materialism
Replies: 1
Views: 7815

both "sides" are right and wrong

Discovery Institute is clearly wrong about the vast majority of the "science" involved with evolution. On the other hand, they are right that "science" is a product of liberalism (which rejects "traditional authority", including most religion), and as such, is quite hostile to spirituality. Mainstre...
by Sean H.
Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:07 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Should non- or ex-Baha'is be allowed; should I post warnings
Replies: 20
Views: 31666

Baha'i fanaticism, nothing new, predictable and boring

richard and Brent, I don't have time for a long reply recognising in detail the tremendous erudition of what both of you have said, but just wanted to let you know that I greatly appreciate what you have both said, you are great examples of wisdom, tact and true spiritual insight. I understand the i...
by Sean H.
Sun Aug 20, 2006 12:54 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Judging the spiritual condition of others
Replies: 12
Views: 20167

"dysfunctionality" and "tikkun"

In listening to the CD from the most recent US National Convention, it sounds like the delegates felt that they were moving from pseudo-community forward. There were several heartfelt comments from Baha'is feeling they were really heard, particularly from African-American friends. I've seen slow fo...
by Sean H.
Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:59 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Judging the spiritual condition of others
Replies: 12
Views: 20167

"community practice"

Brent, Thanks for another extraordinarily informative post. An additional element is that the nature of "community" itself is an object of considerable study. (more generally, "organizational culture" is known to have universal characteristics, whether religious groups, businesses, and most other gr...
by Sean H.
Sat Aug 19, 2006 9:10 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Should I study to be a doctor, or engineer?
Replies: 22
Views: 32022

Re: influence of "western"/modernist ideas

...Also, if God's hand was exclusive in shaping the thoughts of Shoghi Effendi, why even bother sending him to england for a "western" education in the first place? Regards, Eric If God is/was then why ... blah blah blah ... Answer: Always has been and always will be for Justice to be known. onenes...
by Sean H.
Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:19 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Should I study to be a doctor, or engineer?
Replies: 22
Views: 32022

influence of "western"/modernist ideas

A further comment on the influences on the Guardian at his various educational institutions. The following is a pilgrim's note: " . . .the Master turned again to me and said: "At the present time the British Empire is the greatest and is still expanding and its language is a world language. My futu...
by Sean H.
Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:02 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Are baha'is against individuality and freedom of thought?
Replies: 16
Views: 29444

Baha'i mantra about the evils of "western individualism

BW, Who is the "we" that you mention? Under what auspices are you speaking for anyone other than yourself? If none, then please refrain from using rhetorical devices that imply that you represent some group of people. You have made some extremely foul accusations, misrepresentations and incorrect as...
by Sean H.
Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:17 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Should I study to be a doctor, or engineer?
Replies: 22
Views: 32022

"The Guardian of course was schooled in France and England, and probably absorbed a bias against "american populism/libertarianism" (the tradition of political decentralization) as a result." I may be mistaken, but I believe the sequence of the Guardian's education was: 1. The "College des Freres" ...
by Sean H.
Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:17 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Should I study to be a doctor, or engineer?
Replies: 22
Views: 32022

expertise and the vernacular

. . . As for seeking out the opinions of the learned and the wise, we are quite accustomed to this, since it is something that humans have been doing for centuries. Unfortunately, we are now taking this to the degree that we are creating a polarization between "those who know and those who do not k...
by Sean H.
Wed Aug 16, 2006 6:57 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Are baha'is against individuality and freedom of thought?
Replies: 16
Views: 29444

proposed intelligent debate questions

Qtd. in letter from House of Justice to individual believer (09/21/97): 'Abdu'l-Baha: There are three types of freedom... ...The third freedom is that which is born of obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Almighty. This is the freedom of the human world, where man severs his affections from ...
by Sean H.
Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:47 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Are baha'is against individuality and freedom of thought?
Replies: 16
Views: 29444

Every organization -- and religious organizations are no exception -- has its people who do not like authority. Correct, and frequently for good reason. On the other hand, some forms of anti-authoritarianism are highly dysfunctional, if not pathological. What is required is a context in which to se...
by Sean H.
Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:37 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Should I study to be a doctor, or engineer?
Replies: 22
Views: 32022

welfare dept., community services directory

Brent, Community colleges are usually an excellent place to get basic career counseling, thanks for making that suggestion. My wife is a career counselor with the local welfare department (county government). Career counseling services might similarly be available for low-income people (including un...
by Sean H.
Tue Aug 15, 2006 2:47 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

M. Scott Peck's "people of the lie"

richard, warm-fuzzy-huggy pluralism and relativism have their limits, at least from an Integral perspective. In order to stop attacks based on false accusations of spiritual unworthiness, firmness and resolve is required. The people doing the attacking are in a state of psychic chaos that is immune ...
by Sean H.
Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:01 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: a member of The Universal House of Justice
Replies: 6
Views: 12654

Abdu'l-Baha on the dangers of leadership

--- "No obstacle should be placed before any soul which might prevent it from finding the truth. Baha'u'llah revealed his directions, teachings and laws so that souls might know God, and not that any utterance might become an obstacle in their way. Holding to the letter of the law is many times an i...
by Sean H.
Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:11 am
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

inquisitions in the Baha'i community

Abdu'l-Baha: "Holding to the letter of the law is many times an indication of a desire for leadership. One who assumes to be the enforcer of the law shows an intellectual understanding of the Cause, but that spiritual guidance in them is not yet established. . . . How regrettable! Some even use the ...
by Sean H.
Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:17 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Are baha'is against individuality and freedom of thought?
Replies: 16
Views: 29444

role of individualism in social evolution, modernism

Pre-modern religious traditions are usually conformist, depend on a set of "universal archetypes" (metaphysics), and so forth. Much of Baha'i scripture uses the traditional context of "sufi" metaphysics and other similar forms of Islamic "esotericism". One of the characteristics of the "conditions o...
by Sean H.
Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:27 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

assemblies "brought to naught"

Correcting some typos just after posting the following...... THE KITÁB-I-AQDAS http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-4.html The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead ...
by Sean H.
Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:46 pm
Forum: About Baha'i Library
Topic: ?Young lady in distress, or even danger?
Replies: 5
Views: 30332

richard: Maslow and Graves

richard, As usual, I greatly enjoyed your comments, and was especially pleased to see that you've studied Maslow's ideas about spirituality and personal transformation! As you may know, Maslow spent years arguing theory with Clare Graves, the "inventor" of the ideas used in Spiral Dynamics, and even...
by Sean H.
Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:35 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: What does Baha'i say about Christ as the only way to God?
Replies: 27
Views: 45651

did anyone actually read Fazel and Fananapazir?

Did anyone read the following articles? If so, what did you think of the concerpts of exclusivism vs. pluralism? Does someone need to supply specific excerpts that might be worth discussing in more detail? Thanks, Eric The best article on this topic is Seena Fazel and Khazeh Fananapazir's "A Bahá'í ...
by Sean H.
Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:31 am
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

sorry if I sounded harsh

To BW and other readers, Sorry if my criticism sounded overly harsh. I think it is a mistake for Baha'is to adopt a belief system (interpretation of Baha'i scripture) that is a variant of the old "Jesus is the only Way to Salvation" thing. - - - http://bahai-library.com/compilations/bahai.scriptures...
by Sean H.
Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:38 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

Re: State of Israel result of British Mandate

WILBER EXCERPTS: . . . The reality of course is that the "clash of civilizations" is at full bloom in the middle east, both "sides" (pro-western/anti-western) tend to have highly elaborated and complex polemics that distort the "facts" and make it difficult for outsiders to see what is going on at d...
by Sean H.
Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:44 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

Re: State of Israel result of British Mandate

I don't mean to intervene here, but if I can respond to a comment: It appears that the best theory upon wich to base a World Federation will be based on something "beyond" liberalism/progressivism, namely Integralism (which has an "evolutionary"/scientific view of spirituality). Here is an example ...
by Sean H.
Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:13 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

State of Israel result of British Mandate

Richard, Feel free to blast away with any criticism, otherwise I can't learn what , or how, other people think, and thus improve my own understanding. (I'm no expert, I'm just saying what I've learned from bits and pieces over the years.) Israel as a "modern" state came about in the wake of the brea...
by Sean H.
Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:19 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Can a Baha'i Believe in Scientific Racism???
Replies: 23
Views: 34686

Re: Can a Baha'i Believe in Scientific Racism???

'Abdu'l-Baha comments on page 9 of his "Secret of Divine Civilization" that the Persian race (Aryans) "have always excelled all other peoples in endowments conferred by birth": "It should not be imagined that the people of Persia are inherently deficient in intelligence, or that for essential perce...
by Sean H.
Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:50 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

need for "integrative paradigms"

hi richard, seeking larger context is always good, seeking more information, regardless of the filtering effects of one's paradigm, is always good. as stated before, the problem that "progressives" have (including the "commercial" counterculture such as Amazon.com) is that their paradigm is pluralis...
by Sean H.
Tue Jul 25, 2006 1:59 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Amazon touts anti-Israeli views,
Replies: 18
Views: 61659

Thanks! "Tag team from hell: narciccism and nihilism&qu;

bias disclosure: I'm a critic of both the Baha'i left and the radical/extremist/corrupted forms of leftism in general. My father had a major role as a high level USAF officer supplying Israel with armaments during the early 1970s conflicts with arab states. Sheila, Thanks very much for posting this ...
by Sean H.
Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:31 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

a matter of perspective?

Well, the reality is that the Universal House of Justice was established (in Baha'i scripture) to prevent schism, so they are the only "official" source of information on what is an "attack on the Faith", and what isn't. The Universal House of Justice has clearly identified the author as being someo...
by Sean H.
Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:07 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Can a Baha'i Believe in Scientific Racism???
Replies: 23
Views: 34686

(repeat) "Race deniers" are scientifically incorre

re: [reid]"Much of this discussion has presumed clearly-defined races of the human species as traditionally understood" That is incorrect. Most/many of the posts properly nuanced the issue, but it *is* correct to point out that "mixing" (and other problems) renders a lot of the issue of so called "r...
by Sean H.
Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:39 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

Thanks Jonah!

Jonah,

Thanks for clarifying the rules.

I'm replying to ~talmont's email seperately.

Regards,
Eric
by Sean H.
Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:50 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

Re: "infallability" designed to prevent schism, or

...an article that is, at least according to the Universal House of Justice, an attack on Baha'i institutions so severe that it resulted in the author having her membership in the Baha'i community removed. Nonsense. The article was written years after the author had her membership removed. You are ...
by Sean H.
Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:25 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

specific cases

I don't think it is a good idea to talk about specific cases in this forum, it is useless, we will not arrive anywhere. - - - The fact is that the URL to the article was posted. Not excerpts from the writings, or analysis/commentary about the writings, but a convoluted article (full of ideological ...
by Sean H.
Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:11 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

?designed to prevent schism, factionalizing?

Like I said before:

In any case, I'm sure that it would be extremely easy to find the quotes that support the idea that the "infallibility" doctrine was, on a practical level, designed to prevent schism, factionalizing and internal corruption.

Regards,
Eric
by Sean H.
Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:04 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Can a Baha'i Believe in Scientific Racism???
Replies: 23
Views: 34686

sensitivity fascism

The problem with obsessing about someone possibly being "offended" by something in science is that there is a culture of political correctness that is being spread via "diversity" programs that actively seeks to completely derail the validity of scientific reasoning. And that situation is going to l...
by Sean H.
Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:40 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

Re: Intrested in Bacoming a Baha'i

talmont, It wasn't clear what you were saying (about LSAs???) up to the following: "[Side unconfirmed ex-Baha'i, I would love to have a further discussion with you concerning some of the issues you made have/be having ... either as a Baha'i or not you seem to need some healing.]" Why would you love ...
by Sean H.
Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:18 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

"infallability" designed to prevent schism, or not

Steve, You are the one that posted an ad hominem and is bullying. The "subject line" you inserted is completely inappropriate. It always amazes me that the people on the Bahai left that complain about free speech and not being allowed full access to criticize Baha'i institutions are so easy to attac...
by Sean H.
Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:16 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Sign the petition to outlaw OPEC
Replies: 0
Views: 8844

progressivism will kill 1/2 the people on planet earth?

I'm no expert, but that seems like a vast oversimplification. Rising industrialism (requiring oil) in China, India, etc. are probably as important a factor. If OPEC wasn't in operation (and protected by US military), the alternative, an islamofascist Caliphate, would be probably trying to destroy th...
by Sean H.
Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:32 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

Statement of bias: I'm a vocal critic of the many dysfunctional tendencies of the Baha'i left. As a voluntary ex-Baha'i, I have no opinion on the validity of the central theological issues of infallability, but to be frank, I'm pretty skeptical about such notions. - - - On the the main point: My und...
by Sean H.
Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:00 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues
Replies: 15
Views: 30106

Eric and Steve's discussion of "corruption" issues

<b>Note from moderator:</b> the following discussion was split off from the post http://bahai-library.com/forum2/viewtopic.php?t=854 . Please see my first post at that link for my guidelines on what's acceptable content here. Thanks, -Jonah <hr> Jonah said: "I don't want this forum to be a platform ...
by Sean H.
Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:19 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Can a Baha'i Believe in Scientific Racism???
Replies: 23
Views: 34686

the original post (/troll) was about "science and relig

fwiw: the original post (/troll) was about "science and religion". The only way to address the issue is to "talk science". "Pupil of the Eye" is excellent material for someone wanting to know about the spiritual basis for the Baha'i concept of the "Oneness of mankind" (as it relates to "race"). but ...
by Sean H.
Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:00 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Can a Baha'i Believe in Scientific Racism???
Replies: 23
Views: 34686

liberal "race deniers" are wrong

The original post in this thread was obviously a troll, but anyway . . . . . Short answer: no. Nobody in their right mind (Baha'i or not) would even agree with the term "scientific racism". Statement of personal bias: The term "scientific racism" is vile as far as I'm concerned. When I first experie...

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