Date: 11 Jan 93 23:32:04
Distribution: world
From: Steven Kolins <Steven.Kolins@lambada.oit.unc.edu>
Newsgroups: soc.religion.bahai
Organization: <none>
Subject: Re: Questions on Baha'i Faith

Peter Kahn writes:

> I have recently been listening to a very impressive lecture by Peter
> Khan

It would seem to me that you are speaking of Peter Khan, a very well
known Baha'i who has served in several Institutions including the
Universal House of Justice.

> on the achievements of the America Baha'is and I have a list of
> questions.  I would appreciate any help in answering these.

> 1. What exactly is the Baha'i view on people and technology.  I
> realize that the way in which we communicate with other has been
> changed and that relationships are not what they used to be, but I
> am curious as to how we adjust either the technology or ourselves to
> this change.

Interesting question.  This is normally thought of as technology
displacing people or people becoming dependent on technology or
technology going too far and destroying nature.  There are many
approaches to this issue.  I am not aware of any particular quote that
speaks directly to this question - perhaps someone else will have
something to offer.

[Some might find this passage of relevence; Baha'u'llah says in the
Kalimat-i Firdawsiyyih (Words of Paradise):

    If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.
    Consider the civilization of the West, how it hath agitated and
    alarmed the peoples of the world.  An infernal engine hath been
    devised, and hath proved so cruel a weapon of destruction that its
    like none hath ever witnessed or heard.  The purging of such
    deeply-rooted and overwhelming corruptions cannot be effected
    unless the peoples of the world unite in pursuit of one common aim
    and embrace one universal faith.  Incline your ears unto the Call
    of this Wronged One and adhere firmly to the Lesser Peace.

--mmt]

However there are points made in the Baha'i Faith that people are
extremely important and ought not be belittled and pushed aside for
other people's gains.  Also there is the principle of moderation -
anything and everything in excess will be a cause of as much
difficulty as it would be of good if it were done in moderation.

A spreading envelope of communication and connectivity would, i think,
be considered as another aspect of practical unity the world has been
given by God.  What we do with it is our problem.  A basically
positive sign i would say is that internet, while based on a military
use, is not so now.  However i am light years away from saying that
internet is a divine gift.

> 2.  What is the Baha'i view on animal rights, reproductive rights,
> women's rights and gay rights?

Nothing deserves oppression.  Nothing deserves abuse. Nothing should
survive just at the expense of another.  That's about all i can say to
the whole group.  Baha'is are studiously not involved with politics,
though individually we may participate in legal ways that do not force
us into one camp or another.

Animal rights - this is usually examined in the light of laboratory
testing.  In principle i do not think the Baha'i Faith has a problem
with this testing - except that there should be clearly understood
good reason for the testing. I think it clear that a lot of things are
done today simply to escape a lawsuit - a symptom that technology is
not being used wisely. There certainly are alternatives to using
animals as well.

Reproductive rights - and the issue of abortion are very fiery topics
here in the US and in many places elsewhere as well.  There is no
Writing directly on this matter.  Certain views are presented, but
have not evolved to a Law.  I believe i am safe in saying that
reproduction is not exclusively the right or responsibility of either
sex.  The whole realm is viewed under the understanding of Baha'i
Family life.  This is worth its own long discussion.

> 3.  What is the Baha'i view of Baha'u'llah, Jesus, Moses, and
> Mohammed?  Where they divinely inspired or where they divine?

Where is that pin i can stand on?  They were Divine in that They came
from God, arose at His bidding and carried out the Mission He gave to
Them.  Otherwise they would not be worthy of mention or praise - as is
true of all of us.  They were not God, but represented Him in ways we
cannot understand, reflected Him into this world - in all and any way
He could be presented: His Essence, His Knowledge, His Joy, His Anger.
Whatever and all of it to the extent we could understand it.

> 4.  In Islam there are the five pillars, does the Baha'i Faith have
> a similar structure, if so what is it?

I am not aware of a particular scheme outlining primary religious
obligations tenets as the Pillars scheme. However prayer and fasting
are obligatory.  Meditation is lauded very highly, though no method is
endorsed that i know of.  From there there are a wide range of things
likewise lauded.

> 5. What are the rules of Baha'i regarding the family?

Briefly the rights and responsibilities of each to the other are to be
honored. Paraphrased there is a quote that the joy of one is the joy
of all.

> If I have offended anyone by my phrasing of these questions, I am
> deeply sorry.  I am merely curious as I have renounced my former
> faith because of an us vs. them feeling that deeply bothered me and
> I see Baha'i as a faith that has avoided this philosophical pitfall.
> Thank you for your assistance

The hard part is that these questions are of such depth that they
cannot really be gotten into so quickly. I recommend that you find a
living Baha'i - perhaps even an opportunity for discussing these
matters over weekly meetings.

Steven
Steven.Kolins@lambada.oit.unc.edu