Subject: Re: The General Idea (is correct)
Date: 10/16/1998 3:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Gibro28W
Message-id: <19981016033917.14732.00001261@ng104.aol.com>
In response to Susan:
>What you and Fred are calling the "Baha'i Technique" has nothing
particularly
>Baha'i about it, nor does it constitute a "technique."--Susan
How can you miss the obvious, Susan? Fred means it's a "Baha'i" defense
"technique" in the face of critical opposition. It's just that simple. And
it's a true statement nevertheless.
>You are simply witnessing the rather typical human reactions people have
when
>you criticize thier religion. If you go out of your way to do this, you
>shouldn't be surprised at the response you receive. --Susan
You're quite correct. I think most people on both sides of the issue
understand the
basic psychology involved here; we know each other well in this regard. But
the big question is: What can we do, sincerely and
constructively, to help each other without
seriously compromising our primary positions? Must mutual respect remain a
futile proposition? If so, then we do not deserve for ourselves what we
refuse to give others.
Divisive Baha'i talk, condoned in the writings and appearing in postings
here, about "covenant-breakers" and "enemies of the Faith," etc., is only
baiting the opposition. There are no boogie-men involved here--just
imperfect, complex people--all of us. It irritates me when I see that the
Baha'i leadership refuses to admit that they're a central part of this
problem--because they set the global and national agendas that ultimately
decide how Baha'is
collectively behave. Finally, it would be unfair to put all the blame on the
UHJ when their every move depends on the Baha'i writings, however flawed or
perfect in their conception.