Search found 1375 matches

by brettz9
Sat Apr 10, 2010 12:25 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Date set for seven Baha'i leaders' next court session
Replies: 2
Views: 25791

Re: Date set for seven Baha'i leaders' next court session

That was a very compelling and morally forceful article. Thank you very much for that...

Maybe you could offer it to/at http://www.iranpresswatch.org/

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:26 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: INFALLIBILITY?
Replies: 8
Views: 28010

Re: INFALLIBILITY?

Yes, it stands to reason, even if it is not directly stated--I was just clarifying for the sake of others here really...

Brett
by brettz9
Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:33 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: INFALLIBILITY?
Replies: 8
Views: 28010

Re: INFALLIBILITY?

Hi Brent and all, The phrase "sin against the common weal" was written about acts of individual House members who could potentially make such acts (and subsequently be voted out of the body), so I think it might confuse things here to use that terminology (even if we can make the assumptio...
by brettz9
Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:27 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts
Replies: 13
Views: 39268

Re: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts

In that case, that is particularly interesting... Maybe it also gives signs on how a Baha'i government of the future might work. Remember that the (unique) purpose of the Feast (as opposed to devotional gatherings) is really for being able to make proposals to the Local Assembly: The main purpose of...
by brettz9
Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:44 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: INFALLIBILITY?
Replies: 8
Views: 28010

Re: INFALLIBILITY?

Many of the Baha'is have told me that 'Abdu'l-Baha was "infallible". But He was not. The Universal House of Justice, which is described by 'Abdu'l-Baha as "the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error", in response to this quest...
by brettz9
Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:19 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts
Replies: 13
Views: 39268

Re: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts

I thought the policy was for everyone to fold their arms and frown at the intruder.


No, but that might happen if someone shows up to delay the Naw Ruz fast breaking dinner...

Brett
by brettz9
Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:08 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts
Replies: 13
Views: 39268

Re: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts

I'd like to see the letter. I doubt Baha'is are encouraged to invite non-Baha'is to Feast, since that is the one occasion where Baha'is can discuss administrative matters and make recommendations to the Assembly. Maybe what changed was that if someone did invite non-Baha'is or they showed up, they c...
by brettz9
Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:02 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts
Replies: 13
Views: 39268

Re: UHJ Letter in regards to non believers at 19 day feasts

Was this a change? I thought that was always the policy...

Brett
by brettz9
Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:48 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?
Replies: 9
Views: 29470

Re: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?

I was told that there is a new translation of 'Some Answered Questions' being made. If so, that will help with questions of terminology. Interesting...Just came across this again last night: Among the utterances of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, foremost is the compilation of His immortal talks entitled "Some ...
by brettz9
Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:24 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?
Replies: 9
Views: 29470

Re: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?

To add a little to my last post just now, I also found a few others out there particularly concerned about this passage: * http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net/msg00884.html (interestingly questions whether Bijou Straun, who made the notes for both one of the talks about the Pentateuch...
by brettz9
Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:06 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?
Replies: 9
Views: 29470

Re: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?

Thank you, Brett; What a fascinating subject. I don't think Adam, as representing the first man on earth, and Adam, as the first Manifestation in the Adamic cycle, are the same person. Yes, and I believe the quotations support this. My only point was that it could still be possible from a Baha'i po...
by brettz9
Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:57 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?
Replies: 9
Views: 29470

Re: How did Adam enter our world? Was He born or not?

Hello Peter, I know that there has always been a creation, and that it depends on God for its life. On the plane of time and space, there can be beginnings, such as the first intelligent life on a given planet, but on the timeless plane the principles underlying all things exist eternally and are ac...
by brettz9
Fri Mar 12, 2010 2:44 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: House members to increase?
Replies: 6
Views: 26425

Re: House members to increase?

"The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Bahá, and should it exceed this number it doth not matter." (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, paragraph 30 ) and its note: "The abjad numerical equivalent of "Bahá" ...
by brettz9
Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:53 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Friendship with the "ungodly"
Replies: 10
Views: 44715

Re: Friendship with the "ungodly"

While I did agree with Brent on a number of his general points, I'd really like to suggest, particularly with his/your mention of Adam Carolla, I do not think that celebrity status means that we as Baha'is should put down other people, even if we strongly disagree with their views or actions. Even a...
by brettz9
Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:27 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Does anyone know what this story means?
Replies: 3
Views: 14174

Re: Does anyone know what this story means?

Robert, We need to establish our proofs with authoritative Writings. The story you provided is not authoritative, and even if it were completely accurate, it does not mean that the girl's dream meant that He was literally Jesus returned, so what I said was speculation on what a Baha'i perspective mi...
by brettz9
Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:33 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Friendship with the "ungodly"
Replies: 10
Views: 44715

Re: Friendship with the "ungodly"

Ok, that's fair enough. But bahai9.com doesn't allow comments in general though, if you meant making them there. It's aimed as a closely Writings-focused compendium, like Lights of Guidance (or Research Department-style bulleted summaries linking to quotations), though it does link to other resource...
by brettz9
Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:37 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Friendship with the "ungodly"
Replies: 10
Views: 44715

Re: Friendship with the "ungodly"

Hello and welcome back Brent! Thank you for the helpful sampling of quotations. Before I look at them more carefully, can I ask you to consider adding some to the bahai9.com wiki page that I mentioned earlier in the thread? It would be great if we could better collaborate and work together in order ...
by brettz9
Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:42 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Does anyone know what this story means?
Replies: 3
Views: 14174

Re: Does anyone know what this story means?

Hello Robert and all, While this is not an authoritative text, I think it does suggest that the girl had been inspired to recognize that the Faith of Jesus was most perfectly animated at that time by 'Abdu'l-Baha. It does not, however, mean that 'Abdu'l-Baha was of the same station as Jesus since He...
by brettz9
Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:17 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: "SERVANT OF GLORY" film as way to produce entry-by-troops
Replies: 11
Views: 32445

Re: "SERVANT OF GLORY" film as way to produce entry-by-troops

Hello Robert, While a secretary may have prepared the words, according to http://bahai-library.com/uhj/authenticity.texts.html , such letters sent out have all been authorized by the Universal House of Justice, with at least a majority of the members initialing and with all letters sent from the Dep...
by brettz9
Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:29 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: "SERVANT OF GLORY" film as way to produce entry-by-troops
Replies: 11
Views: 32445

Re: "SERVANT OF GLORY" film as way to produce entry-by-troops

I wish you extremely well in your endeavors, but if, as it seems you might be wishing to do, we are not to portray 'Abdu'l-Baha or even the Guardian (or other members of the Holy Household as I also recall reading) in art: ...an examination of the letters of the beloved Guardian makes it absolutely ...
by brettz9
Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:19 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The word 'Bahai' in Sign Language
Replies: 1
Views: 10486

Re: The word 'Bahai' in Sign Language

That sounds really cool, BB... FYI, my mother scanned in the original book on Gestuno at http://brett-zamir.me/gestuno/ , though the language is now known more as International Sign . This was a language used at the Deaflympics and meant to serve as a kind of universal auxiliary communication medium...
by brettz9
Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:24 pm
Forum: Non-Baha'i issues
Topic: A nice poem by William Stafford
Replies: 1
Views: 22196

Re: A nice poem by William Stafford

That is nice...Thanks for sharing with us...

Brett
by brettz9
Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:42 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Friendship with the "ungodly"
Replies: 10
Views: 44715

Re: Friendship with the "ungodly"

I think Loren hit the nail on the head. This has nothing to do with any kind of prejudice, but some people may indeed drain us, and at least, it may be incumbent on us to better prioritize our time. I started a wiki page at http://bahai9.com/wiki/Ungodly (and also one about the http://bahai9.com/wik...
by brettz9
Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:04 am
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Shameless self promotion
Replies: 5
Views: 33348

Re: Shameless self promotion

The page might not have updated for a while, but I really wouldn't be surprised if the mailing list had a greater longevity. I think we Baha'is, like most people, probably have too great of an interest in food! Food is a big part of many Baha'i gatherings... Of course there may always be room for im...
by brettz9
Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:41 pm
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Shameless self promotion
Replies: 5
Views: 33348

Re: Shameless self promotion

Hello Dame, There are a couple of quotes here too: http://bahai-library.com/?file=hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=4#Agriculture Though you got it pretty close, "Baha'u'llah" is transliterated in the Baha'i Writings with an extra apostrophe. It actually should be "Bahá'u'lláh...
by brettz9
Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:22 pm
Forum: About Baha'i Library
Topic: Note to moderator(s)
Replies: 7
Views: 38584

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Hello and again, welcome Pina! Glad to hear you like the forums here! I think most of the frequent contributors here are unfortunately a bit busy to manage a round-the-clock chat room, but you might also find the chat rooms (and forums) associated with http://www.planetbahai.org/ good at filling thi...
by brettz9
Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:19 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: photograph of Baha'u'llah on youtube
Replies: 2
Views: 12000

Re: photograph of Baha'u'llah on youtube

And if you were interested, there's also this statement in general about use of the photographs of Baha'u'llah (though not related to others posting them):

http://bahai-library.com/uhj/cbreakers. ... hotographs
by brettz9
Sun Jan 17, 2010 9:17 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: photograph of Baha'u'llah on youtube
Replies: 2
Views: 12000

Re: photograph of Baha'u'llah on youtube

Hello and welcome to the forum Pina! From http://bahai-library.com/uhj/photo.bahaullah.html : "...it is indeed disturbing to Baha'is to have the image of Baha'u'llah treated in such a disrespectful way. However, as the creator of the site is not a Baha'i, there is little, if anything, that can ...
by brettz9
Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:50 pm
Forum: About Baha'i Library
Topic: Note to moderator(s)
Replies: 7
Views: 38584

Re: Note to moderator(s)

Dear Dame, As BritishBaha'i suggested, feel free to private message any of us. But I wouldn't worry too much about it. As far as citations, since we are in an online setting, I think the most helpful thing is to make links, where possible, to particular online copies of the sources. We're certainly ...
by brettz9
Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:49 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The Carrot, the Stick, the Maiden, and the Fire...
Replies: 5
Views: 19271

Re: The Carrot, the Stick, the Maiden, and the Fire...

Hello all, I happen to be planning a program touching on reward and punishment and thought it would be an opportune time to also share some quotations in this thread as I suggested earlier. I think the sad occasion of the earthquake in Haiti may also poignantly drive home the necessity of the theme ...
by brettz9
Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:28 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Binaural Beats
Replies: 1
Views: 9432

Re: Binaural Beats

I don't know of anything forbidding such stimulation if that's what you mean, unless it could result in addictive or other such behavior. If you mean our Writings describing the phenomenon, I'm not aware of any passages, though this passage might interest you: ...wonderful sounds and tones, melodies...
by brettz9
Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:40 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?
Replies: 12
Views: 33158

Re: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?

Hello Dame, Sorry, but I don't follow how your comment relates to the discussion here? To respond to your comment though, there is a pilgrim's note I recall reading where Shoghi Effendi was to have said that it was important to note that 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will established both the Guardianship and the ...
by brettz9
Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:30 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?
Replies: 12
Views: 33158

Re: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?

Hello Greg and all, No problem in asking. I just meant that the quotation I cited from Shoghi Effendi (you can verify it for yourself) is that he was praising America's role (and future role), both for the American Baha'i Community and also the nation of a whole; he cited America's submitting a plan...
by brettz9
Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:58 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?
Replies: 12
Views: 33158

Re: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?

To add a little to my last post just now, there is this quotation: It [the process currently impelling America as a whole forward and "destined to culminate, in the fullness of time, in a single glorious consummation"] acquired added significance through the choice of the City of the Coven...
by brettz9
Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:18 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?
Replies: 12
Views: 33158

Re: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?

Hello Jamal and all, I don't see any reference to Palestine in the Iqan: http://bahai-library.com/writings/bahaullah/iqan/ . In any case, I don't think we could extrapolate anything anyways because: 1) Baha'is don't get involved in controversial political issues. At most, and in taking the approach ...
by brettz9
Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:33 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?
Replies: 12
Views: 33158

Re: Universal House of Justice statement on Gaza Crisis?

Hello and welcome Greg! As I've mentioned in the other posts, very much sorry for the delay in post approval--it shouldn't happen any more for you. As far as teaching in Israel, maybe you are speaking about this: http://bahai-library.com/file.php?file=uhj_teaching_in_israel ? You may be interested t...
by brettz9
Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:05 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Legitimate concerns of a "New World Order"
Replies: 3
Views: 13423

Re: Legitimate concerns of a "New World Order"

Thank you for your thoughts Combiz, and welcome! As I mentioned in another recent post, apologies for our getting your post approved so late, but you are now in our list of trusted users and should have no problem in the future (just one of our protections against spam). Your points are all well-tak...
by brettz9
Sun Dec 27, 2009 11:13 am
Forum: Bahá'í Writings
Topic: Tablet of the Holy Mariner
Replies: 6
Views: 36938

Re: Tablet of the Holy Mariner

Hello and welcome Daryavahush! As I said to Jamal, our apologies for the delayed approval of your post. Just found there was a little bit of a backlog...Future posts by you (and the others whose posts we approved) should go through without problem any more... The Arabian Youth is a reference to Baha...
by brettz9
Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:50 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: writing Allah in persian
Replies: 4
Views: 20917

Re: writing Allah in persian

Hello and welcome Jamal, Sorry for the delayed approval of your post! Just found there was a little bit of a backlog... That is an interesting interpretation of the phrase... While on the one hand, our Writings do very much state texts in the vein you mention: To say that God is a personal Reality d...
by brettz9
Wed Dec 23, 2009 12:46 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Covenant breakers
Replies: 6
Views: 21532

Re: Covenant breakers

The phrase I mentioned comes from a letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi: The Master uses the term 'the Divine Reality is sanctified from singleness' in order to forcibly impress us with the fact that the Godhead is unknowable and that to define It is impossible; we cannot contain It in such concepts ...
by brettz9
Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:40 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: can a baha'i woman wear a head scarf?
Replies: 5
Views: 24931

Re: can a baha'i woman wear a head scarf?

Hi Emily and all, I just came across this quotation as I was doing some other study and thought I would add it here since we touched on the topic (though it does not speak to the veil issue). "He does not think there is any objection to your teaching in a mission school, as long as it is clearl...
by brettz9
Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:43 am
Forum: Bahá'í Writings
Topic: Promised Day Is Come
Replies: 2
Views: 23274

Re: Promised Day Is Come

I did go ahead and add the references myself from Summons of the Lord of Hosts to http://www.bahai9.com/wiki/Promised_Day_is_Come#Original_sources_by_paragraph . But still, if you come across any others feel free to add them to the wiki page (or ask here for help if you'd like to add them but don't ...
by brettz9
Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:00 am
Forum: Bahá'í Writings
Topic: Promised Day Is Come
Replies: 2
Views: 23274

Re: Promised Day Is Come

If you want to find study-guides, cross-references, etc. for a given book, a starting point you might consider is http://bahai9.com/Writings . In this case, the above should lead you to http://www.bahai9.com/wiki/Promised_Day_is_Come Unfortunately, in this case, we don't have a formal cross-referenc...
by brettz9
Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:59 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Covenant breakers
Replies: 6
Views: 21532

Re: Covenant breakers

I think this is kind of like the puzzle about whether God could create a rock so heavy that even He could not carry it. :) 'Abdu'l-Baha is referring to the damage that can indeed be caused by Covenant-breakers and failing to severe social ties with them, but I believe He is using the technique of &q;...
by brettz9
Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:47 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: burning of books
Replies: 3
Views: 13664

Re: burning of books

Note 109 in the Kitab-i-Aqdas addresses this quite thoroughly: "In the Tablet of Ishráqát Bahá'u'lláh, referring to the fact that the Báb had made the laws of the Bayán subject to His sanction, states that He put some of the Báb's laws into effect "by embodying them in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas i...
by brettz9
Sun Nov 29, 2009 11:40 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Importance of agriculture
Replies: 2
Views: 12198

Re: Importance of agriculture

Not sure, nor do I imagine it would be easy to assess... But you might see some convergence at http://www.bcca.org/services/lists/noble-creation/ (specifically http://www.bcca.org/services/lists/noble-creation/nc-subs.htm for joining a mailing list, though I think you may need a Baha'i ID (U.S. list...
by brettz9
Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:41 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Consequences of materialistic views on evolution
Replies: 2
Views: 14181

Consequences of materialistic views on evolution

Hi all, I thought this was a very interesting article: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1942483,00.html?xid=rss-fullhealthsci-yahoo ...particularly this: Most of the world's religions hold that human life is sacred and special in some way. In teaching our common descent with animals, w...
by brettz9
Sat Nov 14, 2009 3:22 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Dream interpretations
Replies: 2
Views: 15097

Re: Dream interpretations

Hi Truth, You might check out http://bahai-library.com/?file=hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=4#PSYCHIC%20PHENOMENA and search down for mention of "dream" or "vision". I think this one summarizes a lot of the issues nicely: "...That truth is often imparted through d...
by brettz9
Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:29 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Legitimate concerns of a "New World Order"
Replies: 3
Views: 13423

Legitimate concerns of a "New World Order"

In an age where people seem to be increasingly coming to distrust their institutions, I think it is incumbent on us as Baha'is to recognize some of the legitimate objections to over-centralization up to the global level, even as we point out all of the potential advantages of a certain managed stren...
by brettz9
Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:18 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Random pages
Replies: 6
Views: 19164

Re: Random pages

Ocean is a nice software package, but I don't think that it's being served from the Baha'i Education office--just a website with the name "bahai-education.org".

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:17 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Random pages
Replies: 6
Views: 19164

Re: Random pages

Truth, I sent you a personal email. Anyone else possibly interested in contributing to a developer's project, let me know. Btw, speaking of daily reminders as at your site, one future project I am very interested to see--is to create an add-on for Firefox and the like to allow one to query a web ser...
by brettz9
Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:06 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Random pages
Replies: 6
Views: 19164

Re: Random pages

Very cool, Truth! The site looks attractive--glad you shared it publicly... I hope that someday we might be able to allow user tagging on the Writings here, so anyone could make their own collections (e.g., as RSS feeds, with a randomizer, etc.), including finding them (or showing them) in the conte...
by brettz9
Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:59 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Random pages
Replies: 6
Views: 19164

Random pages

Hi all, Just letting you know I set up a basic means of getting a random page of the Baha'i Writings or a few other significant/recommended works (e.g., Bahiyyih Khanum, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, and older works like Baha'i World Faith or those with pilgrim's note status like 'Abdu'l-Baha in Lond...
by brettz9
Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:06 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Could there be re-incarnation on other planets ?
Replies: 2
Views: 11599

Re: Could there be re-incarnation on other planets ?

No, reincarnation (of whatever kind--except for spiritual "return" as described in the Kitab-i-Iqan--which just means that the same kind of people "return" in each age) is ruled out in a number of places (different proofs are offered in the first item): * http://bahai-library.com...
by brettz9
Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:07 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: can a baha'i woman wear a head scarf?
Replies: 5
Views: 24931

Re: can a baha'i woman wear a head scarf?

Hello Emily, Interesting question... The command of the Bab demonstrated by Tahirih established the principle, but the Bab's revolutionary mission, while breaking the ground so to speak, was intended to be fulfilled in Baha'u'llah less tumultuous and more gradual unfoldment of the teachings. Thus, B...
by brettz9
Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:58 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Does any sexual activity negatively effect our Afterlife?
Replies: 3
Views: 24247

Re: Does any sexual activity negatively effect our Afterlife?

I should clarify that the notes state that it can refer to both in the original Arabic (though the punishment was clarified as being for premarital sex), even though in English "adultery" is only understood as sexual relations between married persons... I've wondered why "fornication&...
by brettz9
Tue Oct 06, 2009 1:40 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Naming children
Replies: 2
Views: 11701

Re: Naming children

Hello and welcome jacqueb, While I can't speak at all to your specific question, you might find this interesting at least: http://bahai-library.com/?file=compilation_naming_babies.html (This one might add a little too: http://bahai-library.com/file.php?file=uhj_reconciliation_apparent_contradictions...
by brettz9
Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:46 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Does any sexual activity negatively effect our Afterlife?
Replies: 3
Views: 24247

Re: Does any sexual activity negatively effect our Afterlife?

Yes, there is. According to the Kitab-i-Aqdas: God hath imposed a fine on every adulterer and adulteress, to be paid to the House of Justice: nine mithqáls of gold, to be doubled if they should repeat the offence. Such is the penalty which He Who is the Lord of Names hath assigned them in this world...
by brettz9
Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:10 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How bad does it have to get?
Replies: 5
Views: 18053

Re: How bad does it have to get?

I'm sorry for making the mistake in confusing the terms. Thank you for clearing that up, Bruce (though it looks like it is not only Baha'is who make that mistake if the special clarification at Wikipedia is any indication). I think though that saying that everyone is born 'immaculate', while in a se...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:11 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Space craft powered by magnetism??
Replies: 3
Views: 13534

Re: Space craft powered by magnetism??

Scientists are already discovering such things as teleportation (on a tiny scale), invisibility, and so on. Why not time and space travel? While I'm sure one could think of alternative interpretations (e.g., God can reveal secrets to us across time or space in the course of our acting out of love in...
by brettz9
Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:09 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Importance of agriculture
Replies: 2
Views: 12198

Importance of agriculture

Sorry a little late reporting this, but thought it was interesting: "Norman Borlaug, scientist who 'saved 245m lives', dies aged 95" (I've seen other estimates much higher) http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6832878.ece There's also this: http://agriculture.senate.gov/...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:01 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: World currency
Replies: 29
Views: 88638

Re: World currency

When I return to the U.S. for visits, I have a hard time remembering what things cost in a different unit. For those of us straddling borders, we can far more easily get used to if there is only one currency in the world to remember. And even one full generation is not really a "long time"...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:22 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How bad does it have to get?
Replies: 5
Views: 18053

Re: How bad does it have to get?

Hello Dame, And welcome to the Baha'i Library Forum... Feel free to let us know how the site/forum came to your attention, if you wish... 1) As far as celibacy being implemented, it seems to have been decreed around 300 A.D. by the Council of Elvira (see http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03481a.htm ),...
by brettz9
Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:45 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How bad does it have to get?
Replies: 5
Views: 18053

How bad does it have to get?

Just how awful does it have to get before people start to question whether the widespread prevalence of sexual abuse in the clergy is an inherent problem of the system and not a mere "test"? For crimes that are so heinous, that Baha'u'llah wrote "We shrink, for very shame, from treati...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:22 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Technocracy
Replies: 0
Views: 30779

Technocracy

Interesting article on the inadequacies of a partisan system (it's arguing against the present perceived situation of a "one party democracy" in the U.S. whereas the actual problem is the multi-party democracy which leads to gridlock and sometimes an effectively single-party yet also poten...
by brettz9
Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:50 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: World currency
Replies: 29
Views: 88638

Re: World currency

Howdy all, It just gets better... Now a United Nations agency has recommended a global reserve currency and international monitoring regime as by the IMF... http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/edmundconway/100000833/un-plans-for-new-world-monetary-system-have-come-too-late/ http://www.telegraph.co....
by brettz9
Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:02 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Moses allowed slavery?
Replies: 2
Views: 12239

Re: Moses allowed slavery?

The Baha'i scholar Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, whose books were actually recommended to the believers by 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself , said, in speaking of teachings which were new to this Faith (every other previous religion only regulated slavery at most): Among the specific laws clearly laid down in the Cause of ...
by brettz9
Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:26 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'i Writings and Vision of Race Unity prescience
Replies: 1
Views: 9648

Re: Baha'i Writings and Vision of Race Unity prescience

You know, it's interesting to see how even some critics of the current U.S. president, see his "Beer Summit" in a positive light. See http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_harvard_scholar_analysis I think this event ought to bring to mind the activity which we've been advised to do since the...
by brettz9
Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:40 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Timely "coincidences"
Replies: 2
Views: 11624

Re: Timely "coincidences"

Interesting, Kevyan, thanks...

The King and Beloved of Martyrs were also martyred in 1879, significant perhaps given the role of the noble Baha'i friends of course in 1979...
by brettz9
Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:21 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Timely "coincidences"
Replies: 2
Views: 11624

Timely "coincidences"

Hello all, While it can be taken too far, I'm interested to hear some of the interesting correlations between the Faith's important anniversaries (e.g., centenaries) and important events. Was just reading how the the first programmable computer, was demonstrated in February of 1944, 100 years after ...

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