I will be off the discussion forum radar for an indefinite amount of time, so I wanted to wish my best to all the participants and visitors here.
I wanted to leave you with a few quotations which often come to mind, especially in online forums, as essential moral truths for us to strive to abide by:
O SON OF DUST!
Verily I say unto thee: Of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say, O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Hidden Words, from the Persian, no. 5)
In accordance with the divine teachings in this glorious dispensation we should not belittle anyone and call him ignorant, saying: `You know not, but I know'. Rather, we should look upon others with respect, and when attempting to explain and demonstrate, we should speak as if we are investigating the truth, saying: `Here these things are before us. Let us investigate to determine where and in what form the truth can be found.' The teacher should not consider himself as learned and others ignorant. Such a thought breedeth pride, and pride is not conducive to influence. The teacher should not see in himself any superiority; he should speak with the utmost kindliness, lowliness and humility, for such speech exerteth influence and educateth the souls.
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 15)
Do not argue with anyone, and be wary of disputation. Speak out the truth. If your hearer accepteth, the aim is achieved. If he is obdurate, you should leave him to himself, and place your trust in God. Such is the quality of those who are firm in the Covenant.
('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet- translated from the Persian, emphasis added, Guidelines for Teaching, no. 1926)
take good care all,
Brett