From: mece1e3@Jane.UH.EDU (Arindam Ghosh)
Subject: Re: Appeal to Arindam
Reply-To: mece1e3@Jane.UH.EDU
Organization: University of Houston
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 17:01:03 GMT

In article <1992Aug20.154156.22104@midway.uchicago.edu>, trivedi@yukawa.uchicago.edu (Anil Trivedi) writes:
>============================================================================
>mece1e3@Jane.UH.EDU (Arindam Ghosh) writes
>
> > There's only ONE religion in this earth...
>
>I agree with all of that
>
> > ...the latest messanger ... only he knows... the surest method
>                               ^^^^
>It is these exclusives and superlatives---the "only"'s, the "best"'s,
>the "surest"'s, the "oldest"'s, the "latest"'s, the "finals"'s
>etc.---which confuse and poison the spiritual communication. 
Oh well: it's the way you take it. If he doesn't know better why
should he tell you to change your ways and how exactly a reform
movement going to start: didn't Krishna tell follow me and me only.
Now I have got a lot of flack earlier for telling Krishna a prophet.
I understand how Krishna is God and prophet at the same time. So no
need to bang upon me how Krishna is GOD and not a PROPHET


> 
> > You can also see the beauty of the Bahai faith...
>
>I do. It is the overt or covert claims of exclusivity which lead
>to pain and conflict.
>
Unless I have something better why should you come to me, this is not
exclusivity. If you keep on doing what you are doing; what's the point
of a manifestation's appearence

> > I am free to hold this belief 
>
>You are FREE to hold ANY belief.
>
You didn't get the point. I am free to hold the belief that CAitanya is
a manifestation within the framework of BAHAI FAITH even if all the Bahais
do not agree with me

> > ..you see that the Bahai faith is going to grow and absorb all...
>
>No, I don't. However, mankind WILL eventually evolve a unified faith,
>free of cultural and geographical baggage, and Bahaism can play a
>useful role towards it.
>
That's exactly what my view is

> > Yes, my label as a Bahai is new. But as a following of the Sanatan
> > Dharma began when I am a child.
>
>You betray that Sanatan Dharma every single time you hold, no matter
>how subtly, your chosen path to be superior to those of others.
>
Agaun the same point: If it's not better why should we follow Bhagabad
Gita: where Krishna says reject what you have been doing and follow
what I say: this doesn't mean what you do is meaningless; just that
you will not attain the Supreme perfection: Those who worship devas go
to devas; those who worship ME come to ME. 

> > *Then you better check the impeccability, as the Bahai approach
> > is DOWN-TOP. 
>
>I cannot quote names without permission (I'll try to get permission
>if possible). But I plead with you to recognize the *possibility*
>that your understanding of your new religion just might be shallower
>than you fancy.
>
It may be deeper than many life-long Bahais. The understanding always
grows and it's not anybody's exclusive forte

> > Build institutions out of the grassroot people and ignore the 
> > established religious institutions
>
>Religous yes: all religions ignore the institutions of other religions!
>But social institutions, no. 
>
The existing social institituions are also defective. We create a new
society out of people

>As for the Down-Top, you are dead wrong. It is this unthinking behavior 
>on your part that worries me.
>
I will let some other experienced Bahai answer you
>Why is there almost no Bahai presence in American ghettos and slums,
>say like Christian missionaries? Why big beautiful Houses of Worship
>in Wilmette or Delhi, instead of many little ones dotting the poor
>comunities?
There are plenty. Again I will let somebody with more knowledge answer
you

>
> > I have been selected by Bahaullah...
>
>Perhaps He will also give you the wisdom to match the responsibility.
>
>
I hope
>Finally, you wrote:
>
> > Arvind writes:
>
>No, my name is Anil. No big deal. But is it possible that you are
>approaching other, bigger matters with the same presence of mind?
>
>
Sorry, this is a sign you will see listed under Dasya
>So long and, really, all the best,
>
Thanx. And don't accept anybody's interpretation of the Bahai faith. Interprete
it for yourself. Nobody taught me what the Bahai faith is.
Arindam
>Anil
>============================================================================