Search found 1375 matches

by brettz9
Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:56 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: infidelity
Replies: 9
Views: 37530

Re: infidelity

Hello Tommy, Although this does not answer the question for you about whether to share this or not, it does at least indicate that Baha'is are not forbidden from admitting and apologizing for acts they have done in the name of avoiding confession of sins, nor does it seem to require it: "It sho...
by brettz9
Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:06 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

On the European Union, I just wanted to add the following quotations, indicating that the Baha'i Faith has long spoke in positive terms about the further integration of Europe: "A general Pact on security has been the central purpose towards which these efforts have, ever since the League was b...
by brettz9
Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:28 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah
Replies: 5
Views: 19241

Re: Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah

In looking for a quotation which confirmed your statement (though your statement wouldn't by itself reject the possibility that a hybrid clone could indeed have those qualities you mention), I see that it would not be possible in this Dispensation: O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the ...
by brettz9
Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:15 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Ocean for Macs
Replies: 3
Views: 15100

Re: Ocean for Macs

Virtual PC worked fairly well for me waaay back when I was using a Mac... But don't they have dual boot now (is it "Boot Camp"?) and even 3rd party options which emulate directly using the hardware like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallels_Desktop_for_Mac ?
by brettz9
Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:07 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah
Replies: 5
Views: 19241

Re: Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah

Not quite sure what is meant by "bodily deficiency" here either? It would also be interesting from a evolutionary-biology perspective to discovery whether their is evidence to suggest His physically superiority. I have to say though I am not completely comfortable with the idea of putting...
by brettz9
Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:29 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah
Replies: 5
Views: 19241

Re: Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah

Beyond any ethical considerations (e.g. reverence etc) Yeah, that is the biggest question, of course. I guess finding samples may prove tricky. That said perhaps there are locks of His hair somewhere that may be donated if the cause was deemed worthy? The locks of hair are present at even some Nati...
by brettz9
Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:19 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: English translation of the Qur'an
Replies: 4
Views: 24588

Re: English translation of the Qur'an

There is this guidance from the House: http://bahai-library.com/quran_rodwell#I.%20MEMORANDUM%20FROM%20THE%20RESEARCH and from the Writings: http://bahai-library.com/quran_rodwell#B.%20Quotations%20in Those two copies (Sale and Rodwell) are available from http://bahai-library.com/quran_rodwell but o...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:54 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

The problem that I have, and this is the reason for me starting this thread in the first place, is that there are times when I feel that it is deemed okay for others to risk and even lose their lives trying to achieve certain goals that do actually represent albeit small, incremental steps, progres...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:30 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

If the troop presence in Afghanistan can be justified there should be no objection to Baha'is being involved in armed combat there. So clearly, in your view, it cannot. Thus the effort there is at best misguided and what has been unfolding is a travesty. For, no matter how noble and honourable thei...
by brettz9
Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:56 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

A very good quotation, but I think that is meant more in the vein of looking at the root causes of current problems, rather than siding for or against very specific cases: "There is, however, one case in which one can criticize the present social and political order without being necessarily fo...
by brettz9
Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:02 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Btw, I wanted to just add to the previous discussion on the the European Union that I didn't want to imply it was necessarily overcentralized; perhaps it is excessively decentralized in some areas, fine in others, or whatever.
by brettz9
Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:46 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

So troops in Afghanistan are fighting and dying unnecessarily? Though this could take us into political territory, in general I think we Baha'is can say, even before there is an official global security pact, that we do support our international institutions and their internationally approved actio...
by brettz9
Sun Sep 25, 2011 10:17 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Hello Dean, I like to think that a Baha'i can view America in such a way that all people may discuss how fair, just, and balanced are the people that have been raised upon the North America continent. Did I dispute this in some way? I did not mean to. I also like to think any Baha'i would be free to...
by brettz9
Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:55 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

brettz9, sometimes i speak just to try and balance out the equations, that is to say, sometimes i write to seek a balance between two opposing forces ... in one sense ... two opposing forces can be seen as light and shadow ... federalism, commonwealth How are these opposing forces? Federalism is no...
by brettz9
Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:26 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: No more sex for fun?
Replies: 11
Views: 33568

Re: No more sex for fun?

If you don't mind, I just like to add that 'Abdu'l-Baha says the following: ...it has become evident that the four criteria or standards of judgment by which the human mind reaches its conclusions are faulty and inaccurate. All of them are liable to mistake and error in conclusions. But a statement ...
by brettz9
Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:26 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Hi Onepence, Why do you say, "it is conceivable that none would object to The Ancient of Days being remembered as the final Authority in all matters of State whether private or public."? You are talking about the far future, right? There is no requirement for a commonwealth to have unanimi...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:24 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah
Replies: 5
Views: 19241

Sequencing the DNA of Baha'u'llah

Just an interesting thought for speculation---what might happen if the hair of Baha'u'llah (or of 'Abdu'l-Baha) were used to sequence His DNA? It would no doubt give interesting insights as a greater understanding of the human genome develops...

Best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:30 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: No more sex for fun?
Replies: 11
Views: 33568

Re: No more sex for fun?

I think anonyM's point though is that if the person is using it only with the intention of procreation, whether that could mean it was only intended for that. You and I might interpret such an exclusive use as "suppression" (I sure think that is reasonable), but others might not. The Baha'...
by brettz9
Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:33 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: No more sex for fun?
Replies: 11
Views: 33568

Re: No more sex for fun?

Hello Bruce,

Can you find the statement which conclusively beyond any doubt answers this? I do believe that is intended, but despite the quotations I supplied, I don't think it is absolutely, without any doubt whatsoever, 100% clear.

Brett
by brettz9
Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:12 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: No more sex for fun?
Replies: 11
Views: 33568

Re: No more sex for fun?

Bruce, I think anonyM's question is valid. Some of the quotations I supplied could be interpreted differently, and there a lot of possibilities to be explored to come to the truth (though, imo, the additional quotations I supplied do make the subject more plain). If someone is not open and just acce...
by brettz9
Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:36 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: No more sex for fun?
Replies: 11
Views: 33568

Re: No more sex for fun?

The only legitimate outlet for the sex impulse is within marriage. And as seen above the main purpose of marriage appears to be procreation. What changes? Why is succumbing to the sex impulse within marriage, when it is not for the purpose of procreation, suddenly okay? Once again, it is a referenc...
by brettz9
Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:50 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Hi all, To respond now to subsequent posts... Onepence, I should also thank anonyM for posting interesting questions, and I appreciate your quotation on Athens/Jerusalem very much. ...people of the commonwealth {defined as people living in a region that claims rule by divine authority such as by Kin...
by brettz9
Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:08 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Hello Onepence, Bruce, and all, I will reply to both of you at once, as I think your points overlap. As far as individuals petitioning governments, they are free to do so in their capacity as citizens when not pertaining explicitly to the Faith, but external affairs (typically work in the wider publ...
by brettz9
Sat Sep 17, 2011 3:13 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: No more sex for fun?
Replies: 11
Views: 33568

Re: No more sex for fun?

I don't believe this is accurate. The only quotation I know which might give this impression is the following: "The recrudescence of religious intolerance, of racial animosity, and of patriotic arrogance; the increasing evidences of selfishness, of suspicion, of fear and of fraud; the spread of...
by brettz9
Mon Sep 12, 2011 3:04 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: A most memorable anniversary!
Replies: 4
Views: 17085

Re: A most memorable anniversary!

Happy birthday!!! :)

Warm regards,
Brett
by brettz9
Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:06 pm
Forum: Bahá'í Writings
Topic: Pervasiveness of Revelation
Replies: 3
Views: 27257

Re: Pervasiveness of Revelation

Regarding thy question as to the beginning of Creation: Know thou that the Truth (GOD) has eternally ever been, and so also have His creatures, for there is no beginning either for the Truth (God) or for the creatures. According to the bodies in the contingent world, the "beginning" menti...
by brettz9
Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:05 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

How would you understand: Nation-building has come to an end. The anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is moving towards a climax. A world, growing to maturity, must abandon this fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relationships, and establish once for all the machinery that can b...
by brettz9
Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:09 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'is at the beach
Replies: 3
Views: 16781

Re: Baha'is at the beach

So wearing a bikini may be a little too risque? What about men wearing speedos in a swimming pool or for that matter diving in the Olympics? I suppose going topless is out of the question then? But to what extent does it depend on culture? For some peoples spending their waking hours naked or virtu...
by brettz9
Sat Sep 10, 2011 3:51 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: pilgrimage Reading/Preperation
Replies: 3
Views: 18021

Re: pilgrimage Reading/Preperation

Contact your National Spiritual Assembly. At least in the U.S., there was a nice packet of suggested books. Some of them I believe included "A Door of Hope", "Shoghi Effendi" by Ugo Giachery, "Dawn-Breakers", and I can't remember...
by brettz9
Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:52 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'is at the beach
Replies: 3
Views: 16781

Re: Baha'is at the beach

See http://bahai9.com/wiki/Sex_and_dress and http://bahai9.com/wiki/Sex_and_the_arts for some additional quotations. Although I personally agree with Jonah's assessment about there being some cultural relativity here, I don't think the Baha'i quotations on modesty would be very meaningful if they co...
by brettz9
Sun Sep 04, 2011 12:26 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Hi anonyM, (I'm including your amended quote--though, FYI, you are welcome to edit your prior posts to amend them, and for clarity for those who read the thread later, I would recommend it, unless it is a long time after the fact, in which case you could edit and annotate why you have edited it.) It...
by brettz9
Sat Sep 03, 2011 3:07 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Hello anonyM, You appear to be arguing that armed conflict in which people kill and are killed cannot be justified unless and until the Universal House of Justice explicitly permits. Such circumstances, if I understand you correctly, are likely to be rare indeed but may include the safeguarding of a...
by brettz9
Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:38 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

More food for thought. Thank you. One thing troubles me though is that you appear to be writing with some authority. No, I certainly didn't mean to give that impression. No individual Baha'i has any special authority of their own. If I was a little emphatic in my comments, it was only because I fel...
by brettz9
Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:23 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

You have provided quotes that describe a number of scenarios in which force may be justified including: i. Maintenance of law and order ii. Uniting a divided state and repelling some invaders (not the "praiseworthy" type presumably) and tyrants iii. Involvement in praiseworthy conquests i...
by brettz9
Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:25 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Genesis 3:16: what is the meaning of "woman's sorrow"?
Replies: 3
Views: 17122

Re: Genesis 3:16: what is the meaning of "woman's sorrow"?

Hello Owl, While outwardly Genesis here does appear to indicate this as a punishment, given that this verse was preceded by their having sinned (though note that Adam is also punished with having to toil on the fields, with heavy labor traditionally being for men), and as an anecdote, it is making c...
by brettz9
Tue Aug 23, 2011 4:46 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: tattoo my body with bahai symbols?
Replies: 18
Views: 81155

Re: tattoo my body with bahai symbols?

Hello friends, I hope we all with our fellow brothers and sisters can find the light in the different means of finding truth available to us. On the one hand, Bruce, I think a fair point has been raised to you for the future about whether more caution could be used in avoiding jumping to conclusions...
by brettz9
Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:01 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Fighting for Justice
Replies: 42
Views: 139001

Re: Fighting for Justice

Hello anonyM, Yes, you are most definitely correct, force is justified in the Writings in certain circumstances. Baha'u'llah indicates "That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world."...
by brettz9
Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:39 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The Jewel of God’s Truth
Replies: 5
Views: 13821

Re: The Jewel of God’s Truth

one might feel they can say interpret the Kitab-i-Aqdas prohibition of gambling as referring to only large amounts of money, Since the Universal House of Justice has not definitively clarified what is gambling (see the discussion on lotteries in this Forum), such interpretations are valid for the i...
by brettz9
Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:22 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The Jewel of God’s Truth
Replies: 5
Views: 13821

Re: The Jewel of God’s Truth

Hello Owl, No, I'm very sorry, I certainly did not intend that impression! (though I appreciate your eloquent questioning and kind though undeserved praise). I like to anticipate the nuances which could be missed, thinking of the circumstances of where people need the verses, including the qualifyin...
by brettz9
Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:25 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The Jewel of God’s Truth
Replies: 5
Views: 13821

Re: The Jewel of God’s Truth

Hello Owl, "Know assuredly that just as thou firmly believest that the Word of God, exalted be His glory, endureth for ever, thou must, likewise, believe with undoubting faith that its meaning can never be exhausted. They who are its appointed interpreters, they whose hearts are the repositorie...
by brettz9
Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:11 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Did Charles (Carl) Steinmetz meet 'Abdu'l-Baha?
Replies: 14
Views: 40748

Re: Did Charles (Carl) Steinmetz meet 'Abdu'l-Baha?

Hello Du, I don't know about Charles (Carl) Steinmetz (though at this site, there is one poster who made such a statement at http://bahai-library.com/wwwboard/messages01/732.html ), but some famous persons are quoted at http://bahai-library.com/appreciations_bahai_faith and listed at http://bahai-li...
by brettz9
Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:01 pm
Forum: Bahá'í Writings
Topic: About the Prayer of Nudbih
Replies: 3
Views: 29476

Re: About the Prayer of Nudbih

I've confirmed that the English print copy does say both as Huang mentioned, as does the official digital copy (which may be more up to date) at http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KI/ki-1.html (though there is no glossary online to confirm that reference). The glossary and no doubt even the footnotes...
by brettz9
Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:44 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer in bahai faith?
Replies: 17
Views: 68046

Re: Prayer in bahai faith?

Good points. There is indeed the emphasis on "allusions, mysteries and a wisdom" in the (currently revealed) obligatory prayers. On the flip side though, there is the following from Baha'u'llah about the changing of the Qiblih (from Jerusalem to Mecca): "Verily, God caused not this tu...
by brettz9
Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:03 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer in bahai faith?
Replies: 17
Views: 68046

Re: Prayer in bahai faith?

Thank you for sharing those observations, Fadl. And for kicking up some activity here! The only issue that may be off is that the House of Justice has stated that we do not know when the 24-hour period begins: http://bahai-library.com/uhj_contacting_obligatory_exemptions#s1b As far as reciting verse...
by brettz9
Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:58 pm
Forum: Bahá'í Writings
Topic: About 'Zawra' in Iqan
Replies: 1
Views: 20592

Re: About 'Zawra' in Iqan

Hello Huang, I don't know, but if I were to offer a guess, it would seem to me that 'Abdu'l-Baha's words and the Traveler's Narrative note are just using about the traditional understanding of the word, whereas in the Iqan, Baha'u'llah is perhaps offering a true meaning---I personally have no idea, ...
by brettz9
Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:33 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Organic hemp oil in body product
Replies: 9
Views: 29842

Re: Organic hemp oil in body product

Does the inclusion of this hemp oil in the product contribute in a small way to the larger problem of hemp abuse by contributing to overall demand and adding financial support to a market that is damaging in other arenas? That's something I don't have the answer for. I can tell you that if I believ...
by brettz9
Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:45 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Organic hemp oil in body product
Replies: 9
Views: 29842

Re: Organic hemp oil in body product

That all being said, of course there are certain cultural associations with certain products which should probably be avoided. I don't think wearing marijuana leafs to glorify the plant which was created for good by God is exactly a wise decision. But using a plant for harmless purposes seems just f...
by brettz9
Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:32 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Organic hemp oil in body product
Replies: 9
Views: 29842

Re: Organic hemp oil in body product

When the Aqdas says "total abstinence" from XYZ, then there are no "If"s or "But"s -- it's final, and there's no grey-area... When the Aqdas clearly instructs us to have "total abstinence" then they are referring to all forms of it -- be it the actual drug it...
by brettz9
Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:59 am
Forum: Non-Baha'i issues
Topic: Arabic: The Mother of all Languages ( Links )
Replies: 8
Views: 50842

Re: Arabic: The Mother of all Languages ( Links )

Arabic is NOT the "mother language" but a later branch off the ORIGINAL language which was apparently Indo-European! Though Farsi is an Indo-European language, Arabic is an Afroasiatic language: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afroasiatic_languages . Further, the assertion of a Divine Messen...
by brettz9
Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:50 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Bahá'í Religion
Replies: 7
Views: 21574

Re: Bahá'í Religion

Well, I suppose the religion supports the normal man & woman relationship - which I can't argue against, it's just the exclusion of homosexuals I think is wrong. For some reason, our society attaches strong identities to those based on things like race, sexual orientation, or disability. While ...
by brettz9
Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:04 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Bahá'í Religion
Replies: 7
Views: 21574

Re: Bahá'í Religion

Hello Tom, Welcome back any time. :) I do feel that you marry someone for a variety of reasons, not just for children. Yes, and the Baha'i Writings aren't saying that either, just that it is, from God's point of view as intended for us, the primary purpose--not the only one. But I think that emphasi...
by brettz9
Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:39 am
Forum: Bahá'í Writings
Topic: a question about a passage from Iqan
Replies: 2
Views: 23306

Re: a question about a passage from Iqan

Sounds like a reference to the "one-eyed man" above it. In Hooper Dunbar's "A Companion to the Study of the Kitab-i-Iqan", he states that it is not authoritatively identified, but presumed by some to be Hájí Mírzá Karím Khán (who was one-eyed), who at the request of the Shah atta...
by brettz9
Thu Oct 28, 2010 4:07 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Bahá'í Religion
Replies: 7
Views: 21574

Re: Bahá'í Religion

Hi all, I am new to this forum. Hi Tom...Welcome! I agree with certain aspects of the Bahá'í religion, especially equality of all human beings, but also strongly disagree with certain Bahá'í teachings - ie. the prohibition of gay marriage / gay intercourse (which in my opinion contradicts equality ...
by brettz9
Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:11 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means?
Replies: 34
Views: 111990

Re: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means

(1) My question was whether you have a specific reason for thinking that political campaigning itself is against Bahai principles? Are you really being serious here? Yes, it's a perfectly serious question. The quotations are not saying something like "it is not advisable to utilize these appro...
by brettz9
Thu Oct 21, 2010 9:08 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means?
Replies: 34
Views: 111990

Re: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means

My apologies for a belated reply. Work and travel kept me from a more prompt response. My question was whether you have a specific reason for thinking that political campaigning itself is against Bahai principles? Are you really being serious here? The quotations are not saying something like "...
by brettz9
Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:00 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means?
Replies: 34
Views: 111990

Re: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means

But do you have a specific reason for thinking that political campaigning itself is against Bahai principles? Yes (in the quotations below, canvassing is specifically covered, and the related practice of nominations and electioneering): In the morning `Abdu'l-Bahá spoke about the election of the pr...
by brettz9
Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:58 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means?
Replies: 34
Views: 111990

Re: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means

I would put it just the other way around: the subsequent guidance cannot override the words of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha, rather it elucidates the general principle and applies it to the conditions of the time. Yes, of course, that's true, and though I was primarily speaking temporally, there is ...
by brettz9
Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:45 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means?
Replies: 34
Views: 111990

Re: Why do Baha'i's misunderstand what "shun politics" means

Even if this non-authoritative translation and synopsis reflects the Tablet and conditions accurately, and even if the intention of the time was for 'Abdu'l-Baha to encourage participation in a non-divisive fashion in the progressive developments of that time, this is no way overrides the subsequent...
by brettz9
Tue Aug 24, 2010 9:46 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Tolstoy
Replies: 10
Views: 35105

Re: Tolstoy

One anecdote might be said here which Hand of the Cause of God, Mr. Furutan related, was that on some occasion I believe he and another Hand (or other Baha'i) had discussed who was the better writer, Dostoevsky or Tolstoy, some time later, while Shoghi Effendi was discussing some other matter, he su...
by brettz9
Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:19 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: nine pointed figure
Replies: 2
Views: 12379

Re: nine pointed figure

Very interesting... Might find some quotations of interest through http://www.bahai9.com/wiki/Number

Not mathematical, but there's this: http://bahai-library.com/chlamydomonas_ ... pic_images
by brettz9
Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:27 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: THE GARDEN OF EDEN STORY: Myth of Metaphor?
Replies: 2
Views: 18020

Re: THE GARDEN OF EDEN STORY: Myth of Metaphor?

Sorry just dropping in a quick response after skimming your post, but besides the explanation in Some Answered Question, there is also this very interesting, but as yet unauthenticated Tablet ascribed to 'Abdu'l-Baha: Regarding thy question as to the beginning of Creation: Know thou that the Truth (...
by brettz9
Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:14 am
Forum: News
Topic: What else happened on June 12th...
Replies: 2
Views: 24501

Re: What else happened on June 12th...

Hi, I think the Baha'i friends in Iran and everywhere would only be pleased (sorry I haven't had time to read the article carefully yet) if the provisions against "war" also take account for justice. For example, 'Abdu'l-Baha stated that one country could never give up arms unless others d...
by brettz9
Thu May 20, 2010 10:21 pm
Forum: About Baha'i Library
Topic: Testing browser support for embedding PDFs. Calling iPads!
Replies: 5
Views: 34797

Re: Testing browser support for embedding PDFs. Calling iPad

No need to test on Firefox, as I've already done that (and probably Jonah too), but nevermind lazy, try out Firefox (and look at the many available addons) because it is awesome, especially if you're someone who likes customizability and power use...
by brettz9
Tue May 18, 2010 1:58 am
Forum: About Baha'i Library
Topic: Help us by maintaining our Links page?!
Replies: 2
Views: 24591

Re: Help us by maintaining our Links page?!

One tool (for link validity checking) that might assist a person wishing to volunteer for this could be: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/532/

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Tue May 18, 2010 1:56 am
Forum: About Baha'i Library
Topic: Testing browser support for embedding PDFs. Calling iPads!
Replies: 5
Views: 34797

Re: Testing browser support for embedding PDFs. Calling iPads!

I sometimes get browser crashes loading PDF files, so I can't really test well. I think the standard object tag is better, though there could also be the option to put the embed tag inside the object tag in case the object tag is not supported (though I'm not sure it is worth doing this since 1) mos...
by brettz9
Sun May 16, 2010 7:42 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer revealed specifically for Queen Victoria?
Replies: 1
Views: 11230

Re: Prayer revealed specifically for Queen Victoria?

Although in this case it did not, as far as I can see, turn up any other earlier versions of this prayer (if there are any), one tool you can use to find further information on a particular verse is http://bahai9.com/wiki/Writings . Going to "Baha'u'llah" and then "Summons of the Lord...
by brettz9
Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:47 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: World currency
Replies: 29
Views: 88497

Re: World currency

Yes, good point Bruce, and as I understand it a big advantage of a world currency would be curbing such speculation, at least on something of no real intrinsic value like currency...

Brett
by brettz9
Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:51 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Tolstoy
Replies: 10
Views: 35105

Re: Tolstoy

From 'Abdu'l-Baha in London that you cite, it sounds to me like it is from one of his books, though that book does not have the Persian original to consider it an authentic talk... Dunno...

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:43 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Tolstoy
Replies: 10
Views: 35105

Re: Tolstoy

Courtesy Google, http://watsongregory.homestead.com/files/tributes_ps.html cites the quotation as being from "(The Bahá'i World, vol. 13, p. 818 also Tolstoy and the Bahá'i Faith, p. 40)" Needless to say, the book "Tolstoy and the Bahá'i Faith" sounds like it should be a helpful ...
by brettz9
Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:44 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Consequences of materialistic views on evolution
Replies: 2
Views: 14168

Re: Consequences of materialistic views on evolution

Maybe the answer to my own question simply resides in the translation. According to the quotation in section 4.6.2, a revised translation of this passage doesn't mention "The lost link of Darwinian theory", but instead mentions, "The link which they say is lost" : http://bahai-li...

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