tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post3766298286717834112..comments2024-03-14T07:29:46.679-07:00Comments on Baha'i Coherence: The Frustration Materialist Have With Imprecise Spiritual LanguageBryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06536028746119658713noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post-34556368247332919462009-06-25T15:36:03.216-07:002009-06-25T15:36:03.216-07:00Marty,
Thank you for your comment. You are right,...Marty,<br /><br />Thank you for your comment. You are right, the most success I have had with teaching is when I developed a trusting relationship with a person or small group of people, and we created a small transformative space. That trust is key I think, because only when both sides let down their guard can real discussion (as opposed to reaction) take placeJasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17162527239228375591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post-57515384445857226862009-06-25T14:56:36.593-07:002009-06-25T14:56:36.593-07:00When I first became a Baha'i I had some troubl...When I first became a Baha'i I had some trouble with the Baha'i teaching that truth is relative. Coming from a Christian background you are taught that truth is absolute. 'God exists' - this is absolutely true and of course Baha'is would agree with that (except maybe to note that since existence itself is dependent on God you can't really equate God and existence) if you are talking about practically anything else you run into problems due to the inherent limitations of language and logic in dealing with spiritual matters. <br /><br />I think the real problem in talking with nonbelievers in just this concept of 'spirit'. Nietzsche rejected it out-of-hand and most Western intellectuals followed his lead. So how do you establish the reality of spirit? I think Baha'u'llah says that it is the example of the true believer that demonstrates the reality of his beliefs better than anything. We believers must make the transforming power of the spirit readily apparent in our daily lives. Without that no amount of discussion will be of any avail. But once the power of the spirit gives a opening, then logic and language can be used to good effect.Martyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15082670857073168403noreply@blogger.com