What do you feel is wrong with Baha'i (ritual, homosexuals)

[credance]

Like I said "equal oppurtunity.

[Bishka]

Nothing.

Baha'i's are some of the most wonderful people I have met and I've been impressed with there theology.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by credance

Like I said "equal oppurtunity.

I have the same answer to all these topics. Once the spiritual truth of a mythology gives birth to a social institution, it becomes its own antithesis.

[BruceDLimber]

My reply?

Nothing whatever!!

I only hope and pray that the Faith expands and grows even faster and more widely than it has already! (Of course, that's OUR job to accomplish!)

And as to Credance, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the Baha'is are constantly working to promote equal opportunity for one and all! :-)

Best regards, :-)

Bruce

[Wandered Off]

Originally Posted by BruceDLimber

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the Baha'is are constantly working to promote equal opportunity for one and all! :-)

So are you working to promote equal opportunity for women to serve in the Baha'i Universal House of Justice?

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by Wandered Off

So are you working to promote equal opportunity for women to serve in the Baha'i Universal House of Justice?

Or universal respect for the rights of homosexuals?

[ChristineES]

I am not sure I can criticize a religion I don't belong to.

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by Wandered Off

So are you working to promote equal opportunity for women to serve in the Baha'i Universal House of Justice?

For the time being, and into the future, changing it is not an option. When Baha`u'llah speaks of local institutions, regional and national institutions, He uses a general term "believers". When He speaks of the Universal House of Justice, He uses a specific term, "men"> Why? I do not know.

Women serve on local, regional, national 'Houses of Justice" called for the time being-"Local Spiritual Assemblies, Regional Councils, and National Spiritual Assemblies".

On my local assembly there are five women and four men-four African Americans, a Persian, and four run of the mill "white Americans" of various extractions. Ages run from 30 to 76.

We have an election system that does not allow nomination or discussion of candidates, only private prayerful thought.

The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years by the assembled National Spiritual Assemblies from all over the world. Those NSA's are composed of men and women.

Women serve as Continental Counselors (which are an advisory institution, appointed but without any executive authority). Women serve as members of the Auxilliary Board to the Continental Counselors, assistants and on regional teaching committees.

Women have been prominent among the Hands of the Cause of God appointed by Baha`u'llah, Abdu'l Baha and Shoghi Effendi. Their is no longer a Guardian to appoint more Hands of the Cause, the last passed away not too long ago.

A woman was among the Bab's nineteen "Letters of the Living", the Letters are equivalent with the Apostles of Jesus, or the Companions of Muhammed.

The House of Justice does not have revelatory powers. It cannot interpret the writings. It's purpose is to legislate for that which is not covered by the sacred writings, and it has the power to reverse itself if it deems it necessary. It cannot go against the writings when the writings address an issue.

When the House was first elected in 1963, the Hands of the Cause (serving as the administrative head of the faith after the passing of SHoghi Effendi in 1957) asked two questions:

1) Can a Guardian be appointed who is not of the lineal descent of Baha`ullah or the Bab?

2) Can women serve on the Universal House of Justice?

After 10 months of deliberation with the scholars of the Archives (which included women) the answer was no on both counts.

That's a legislative decision, it could be reversed IF writings of Baha`u'llah, Abdu'l Baha or Shoghi Effendi could be found to allow it. There are no such writings.

Regards,
Scott