Posted by Brett Zamir (12.248.114.98) on August 13, 2002 at 17:39:43:

In Reply to: Abdu'l Baha Ordains; His Words Poetically Questioned posted by Simcha Ben Yehuda on August 12, 2002 at 07:24:37:

My apologies for repeating part of the argument BK eloquently made.

I wanted to add a few more quotations in case you were interested, which touch on the topic, albiet somewhat indirectly (in addressing the need for struggle in existence--at least this material one). My apologies that I do not possess the skill to portray my results in kind by an artistic expression such as Mark offered...

(Explainable) Reasons and Need for Struggle/Suffering in Existence

a. within society

In The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 247, ÎAbduâl-Bahá states ãWe pray, "O God! Make me wealthy!" If this prayer were universally answered, human affairs would be at a standstill. There would be none left to work in the streets, none to till the soil, none to build, none to run the trains. Therefore, it is evident that it would not be well for us if all prayers were answered.ä

See also Whoâs Writing the Future?, section 5, paragraph 3, for the degree to which suffering is necessary for effecting progress, even beyond education or legislative action.

b. within manâs station

ãPraise be to God! man is always turned towards the heights, and his aspiration is lofty; he always desires to reach a greater world than the world in which he is, and to mount to a higher sphere than that in which he is. The love of exaltation is one of the characteristics of man. I am astonished that certain philosophers of America and Europe are content to gradually approach the animal world, and so to go backwards; for the tendency of existence must be towards exaltation.ä (Some Answered Questions, Chapter 48)

c. toward future worlds

ãThe idea that existence is restricted to this perishable world, and the denial of the existence of divine worlds, originally proceeded from the imaginations of certain believers in reincarnation; but the divine worlds are infinite. If the divine worlds culminated in this material world, creation would be futile: nay, existence would be pure childâs play. The result of these endless beings, which is the noble existence of man, would come and go for a few days in this perishable dwelling, and after receiving punishments and rewards, at last all would become perfect. The divine creation and the infinite existing beings would be perfected and completed, and then the Divinity of the Lord, and the names and qualities of God, on behalf of these spiritual beings, would, as regards their effect, result in laziness and inaction! ÎGlory to thy Lord, the Lord who is sanctified from all their descriptions.â (Some Answered Questions, Chapter 81)

Brett

this topic is closed - post at bahai-library.com/forum