Re: Baha'i Laws
lunamoth said:
So, in other words, more laws in the future, not less.
Will the Baha'i community ever raise its voice together to ask whether the sanctions against gay Baha'is is really just? Will they ever together consult about the paradox of Abdu'l Baha'i saying that the full equality of women is not just helpful, but imperative for peace vs. the male-only UHJ?
You're all wearing me down here.
peace,
lunamoth
In a legal sense there is no laaw at all right now. Why? Because no social laws from the Baha`i Faith are socially binding anywhere.
WSe are dealing with "law" without defining same. There is bound to be confusion. So:
Main Entry:
1law 
Pronunciation: 'lo
Function:
noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English
lagu, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse
log law; akin to Old English
licgan to lie -- more at
[size=-1]LIE[/size]
1 a (1)
: a binding custom or practice of a community
: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority (2)
: the whole body of such customs, practices, or rules (3)
: [size=-1]COMMON LAW[/size] b (1)
: the control brought about by the existence or enforcement of such law (2)
: the action of laws considered as a means of redressing wrongs;
also : [size=-1]LITIGATION[/size] (3)
: the agency of or an agent of established law
c : a rule or order that it is advisable or obligatory to observe
d : something compatible with or enforceable by established law
e : [size=-1]CONTROL[/size], [size=-1]AUTHORITY[/size]
2 a often capitalized : the revelation of the will of God set forth in the Old Testament
b capitalized : the first part of the Jewish scriptures
: [size=-1]PENTATEUCH[/size], [size=-1]TORAH[/size] -- see
[size=-1]BIBLE [/size]table
3 : a rule of construction or procedure <the
laws of poetry>
4 : the whole body of laws relating to one subject
5 a : the legal profession
b : law as a department of knowledge
: [size=-1]JURISPRUDENCE[/size] c : legal knowledge
6 a : a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions
b : a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions
-
at law : under or within the provisions of the law <enforceable
at law>
synonyms [size=-1]LAW[/size],
[size=-1]RULE[/size],
[size=-1]REGULATION[/size],
[size=-1]PRECEPT[/size],
[size=-1]STATUTE[/size],
[size=-1]ORDINANCE[/size],
[size=-1]CANON [/size]mean a principle governing action or procedure.
[size=-1]LAW [/size]implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority <obey the
law>.
[size=-1]RULE [/size]applies to more restricted or specific situations <the
rules of the game>.
[size=-1]REGULATION [/size]implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system <
regulations affecting nuclear power plants>.
[size=-1]PRECEPT [/size]commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching <the
precepts of effective writing>.
[size=-1]STATUTE [/size]implies a law enacted by a legislative body <a
statute requiring the use of seat belts>.
[size=-1]ORDINANCE [/size]applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality <a city
ordinance>.
[size=-1]CANON [/size]suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide <the
canons of good taste>.
synonym see in addition
[size=-1]HYPOTHESIS[/size]
-------------------
The "Law of the Aqdas" exists only as definition #2 above. Dewfinitions 1,3, 4, 5. and 6 have no relevance whatsoever.
The law of Moses (10 commandments) have no existence whatsoever in "common law, or jurisprudence, other than in the ways they have been presumed by and written into common law. As to the "sum of the law" expressed by Jesus (Thous shalt love God, thy God with all your heart. And love thy neighbor as thyself.)" exists in no common law whatsoever. Law tells us we must respect the rights of others, and cause no harm, but it cannot regulate that we love anyone.
THe "Law of Chastity" as expressed by Baha`u'llah, and interpreted by Abdu'l Baha and Shoghi Effendi, has no existence as jurisprudence anywhere in the world. It is one of those things that defines a believer within the faith, but not within society as a whole. MAYBE in the future it will not be formulated under statute. Until then it isn't relevant.
Public lewdity, adultery, promiscuity, homosexuality are all largely illegal under common law today, but that common law is under revision over the last few decades. I would submit that such Bahai common law when it comes to pass will needfully be under revision as well. Time will tell. But at this time we largely do not know what it will be or what the society in question will be. Arguing it NOW only tries to carve in stone what is written in ink, and its not really worth the effort.
"Thus have We unfolded to thee things hidden beyond the veil, inscrutable to all save God, the Almighty, the All-Praised. In the fullness of time, the Lord shall, by the power of truth, exalt it in the eyes of all men. He shall cause it to become the Standard of His Kingdom, the Shrine round which will circle the concourse of the faithful. Thus hath spoken the Lord, thy God, ere the day of lamentation arriveth. This revelation have We given thee in Our holy Tablet, lest thou sorrow for what hath befallen Our House through the assaults of the enemy. All praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 115)
"In this regard, Shoghi Effendi affirms that the Administrative Order "will, as its component parts, its organic institutions, begin to function
with efficiency and vigour, assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity to be regarded not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of mankind""
(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, notes. p. 248)
Regards,
Scott
