Thanks, Susan:
It does seem fair for the Universal House of Justice to be able to declare
someone a Covenant Breaker when he has left the Faith to avoid that
declaration.
I certainly agree with associating with "joy and fragrance" with those
that
may have left the Faith for other reasons, but not with those that have
lef
t
to avoid the risk of such a declaration.
Bill
>
> I'm not sure that is the case. They seem to have left the door open
> when they wrote the following regarding those who withdraw to avoid
> being declared a Covenant breaker:
>
> "The Universal House of Justice may conclude that the withdrawal
> provides adequate protection of the community from the individual in
> question. However, if he persists, following his withdrawal, in trying
> to undermine the Covenant or joins forces with Covenant-breakers, he
> may be judged to have broken the Covenant, and the friends would be
> told to have no association with him. Each such case would be
> considered in the context of its specific cir***stances."
>
> So far the House of Justice has not seen fit to take this action
> except in the case of Remeyites. In most case the following principle
> applies:
>
> "Thus, there are exceptional cases in which a former believer's
> spiritual attitude to the Faith may, to various degrees, create an
> estrangement between him and the Bah=E1'=EDs. In general, however, a
> person who has withdrawn from the Faith is regarded as being among the
> generality of humankind with whom the Bah=E1'=EDs are enjoined to
> associate "in joy and fragrance"."
>
> warmest, Susan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>> In my mind they still have the disease and should be avoided. I have
>> communicated with two well known Baha'is who have left the Faith rather
than
>> risk being designated Covenant Breakers. I consider this a cop-out. If
t
hey
>> were so sure of their views they should have defended them. I no longer
>> communicate with either of them.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
>>
|
