tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post7331732194535190848..comments2024-03-14T07:29:46.679-07:00Comments on Baha'i Coherence: Nationalism at the Service of Global Prosperity: 'Abdu'l-Baha's Case for Persian NationalismBryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06536028746119658713noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post-10259538489737244982020-11-27T13:09:38.141-08:002020-11-27T13:09:38.141-08:00Great article but in an effort to match our discou...Great article but in an effort to match our discourse with the discourses prevalent in our society and to match the Guardian's writings, which called nationalism one of the three false gods of the age, I think it may be best to use a different terminology for the concept you are fleshing out. <br /><br />Nationalism is now very engrained in academic and public discourse as a highly volatile and dangerous movement - and most academics (something Shoghi Effendi seems to follow) advocate using Patriotism to denote the healthy sort of national fidelity, and Nationalism only to denote the fanatical kind. <br /><br />I think it is important that we respect these grooves which are too powerfully set to expect others to see through the different terminology you use. Instead of asking the world to reassess nationalism, we could accept that that word now rightfully encompasses a diseased and corrupt form of national idolatry, and use another acceptable word like Patriotism to share our point!<br /><br />Still, the heart of the message is well received, thank you!<br /><br />My references to Shoghi Effendi's use of the terms Natinalism and Patriotism are from "the World Order of Baha'u'llah" :<br /><br />"Its purpose is neither to stifle the flame of a sane and intelligent patriotism in men’s hearts, nor to abolish the system of national autonomy so essential if the evils of excessive centralization are to be avoided. It does not ignore, nor does it attempt to suppress, the diversity of ethnical origins, of climate, of history, of language and tradition, of thought and habit, that differentiate the peoples and nations of the world. It calls for a wider loyalty, for a larger aspiration than any that has animated the human race."<br /><br />And "The Promised Day is Come"<br /><br />"The chief idols in the desecrated temple of mankind are none other than the triple gods of Nationalism, Racialism and Communism, at whose altars governments and peoples, whether democratic or totalitarian, at peace or at war, of the East or of the West, Christian or Islamic, are, in various forms and in different degrees, now worshiping."<br /><br /><br />Shoghi Effendi's prescient description of these terms has become more and more widespread in public discouse. Dictionary.com has a great article about this changing usage:<br /><br />"In most contexts today, nationalism is “the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one’s own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or the common interests of all nations.” In short, nationalism is a kind of excessive, aggressive patriotism."<br /><br />They also state:<br /><br />"When using these words, it’s important to keep context, and connotation, in mind:<br /><br />Patriotism generally has a positive connotation. It’s used for various positive sentiments, attitudes, and actions involving loving one’s country and serving the great good of all its people.<br /><br />Nationalism generally has a negative connotation. It’s used for political ideologies and movements that a more extreme and exclusionary love of one’s country—at the expense of foreigners, immigrants, and even people in a country who aren’t believed to belong in some way, often racial and religious grounds."<br /><br />https://www.dictionary.com/e/patriotism-vs-nationalism/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02894769387297355687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post-61038229103026837232011-03-25T13:33:20.841-07:002011-03-25T13:33:20.841-07:00Too much "Persia" already sticking on th...Too much "Persia" already sticking on the Baha'i forehead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post-84423338792834525922010-08-18T20:35:00.177-07:002010-08-18T20:35:00.177-07:00Cogent and concise, well done.
Reminds me of the ...Cogent and concise, well done.<br /><br />Reminds me of the way pride and connection to one's neighborhood is being harnessed by the Cluster process. At a meeting for "Serving the Divine Plan" in Haifa, one volunteer was concerned about unity at her cluster meetings because people tended to stick within particular groups. Farmers would sit in one place, youth in another, and city people would sit with city people. She thought perhaps they should be made to sit with people outside their group. The House member facilitating the meeting said the current situation was ok because it was important for these groups to have bonds with each other and that some separation was natural.<br /><br />When people rejoice in the accomplishments of others, the social cohesion of small groups can indeed serve the whole.maecarmelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17458018705740015151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post-31319647164801601482010-07-19T14:58:57.422-07:002010-07-19T14:58:57.422-07:00I concur with Jason. You should send this to the P...I concur with Jason. You should send this to the Persian Conference.Jalalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04331841530005665004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009010011589823837.post-36079631328036865112010-07-06T03:36:58.223-07:002010-07-06T03:36:58.223-07:00Nice Post!Nice Post!Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17162527239228375591noreply@blogger.com