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Sunstone said:Does deity every care whether we support a particular government or oppose it? If so, how do you know deity cares? If not, how do you know deity doesn't care?
Being fully democratic are you free to discuss and criticise your founders? I think the non-political aspiration of the Bahai is commendable, but I am not that comfortable with discussion of individual political personalities not being allowed. Is there some connection with the history of persecution of Bahai in Iran for the apolitical stance?BruceDLimber said:Hi!
The scriptures of the Baha'i Faith specifically list obedience to established government as one of our teachings, along with non-involvement in partisan politics.
And our own administration, already operating world wide, is fully democratic while being completely non-political, with no nominations, campaigning, or discussion of individual personalities.
Best,
Bruce
Sunstone said:Does anyone believe they have a moral obligation to support a corrupt government because the government is God ordained?
CDRaider said:I don't think he really cares is we support it or are against it, I just think he cares about how we act upon either.
I agree; I think God might well have a chuckle (if he has a sense of humour - and he must have one, having 'made' me) at the ridiculous people we vote into power.
All God cares about (in my Faith) is how we treat others - all others.
Sunstone said:Does deity every care whether we support a particular government or oppose it? If so, how do you know deity cares? If not, how do you know deity doesn't care?
nutshell said:LDS scripture says yes.
Article of Faith 12
"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying and honoring and sustaining the law."
beckysoup61 said:And I also believe there is a scripture somehwere that says we obey the law as long as it is a righteous law?!? Am I right on that, or have I just always believed that?
Jensa said:Romans 13 seems to imply he cares quite a lot.
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Popeyesays said:How do you define a 'righteous law'? An interesting question, Baha`i's are guided thus in Lights of Guidance, pg. 466:
"1455. The Bahá'ís Should Obey the Government even at Risk of Sacrificing Administrative Affairs -- In Matters of Faith no Compromise Allowed, even though Outcome is Death
"For whereas the friends should obey the government under which they live, even at the risk of sacrificing all their administrative affairs and interests, they should under no circumstances suffer their inner religious beliefs and convictions to be violated and transgressed by any authority whatever. A distinction of a fundamental importance must, therefore, be made between spiritual and administrative matters. Whereas the former are sacred and inviolable and hence cannot be subject to compromise, the later are secondary and can consequently be given up and even sacrificed for the sake of obedience to the laws and regulations of the government. Obedience to the state is so vital a principle of the Cause that should the authorities in ... decide to-day to prevent Bahá'ís from holding any meeting or publishing any literature they should obey ... But, as already pointed out, such an allegiance is confined merely to administrative matter which if checked can only retard the progress of the Faith for some time. In matters of belief, however, no compromise whatever should be allowed, even though the outcome of it be death or expulsion."
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 446)
Baha`i's live with all the ramifications of this in Iran today. Some are called upon to give up their faith in order to obtain working papers, accedss to education, pensions, burial, the legal opportunity to leave Iran and escape oppression.
Regards,
Scott
Sunstone said:Does deity every care whether we support a particular government or oppose it? If so, how do you know deity cares? If not, how do you know deity doesn't care?
jmoum said:Unless part of your inner religious beliefs and convictions is to stand up for the downtrodden and the oppressed and/or to promote justice where ever you may go.
Bruce said:Baha'i administration, already operating world wide, is fully democratic while being completely non-political, with no nominations, campaigning, or discussion of individual personalities.
Ozzie said:Being fully democratic are you free to discuss and criticise your founders? I think the non-political aspiration of the Bahai is commendable, but I am not that comfortable with discussion of individual political personalities not being allowed. Is there some connection with the history of persecution of Bahai in Iran for the apolitical stance?
Sunstone said:Does anyone believe they have a moral obligation to support a corrupt government because the government is God ordained?