Re: Men and Women (was Why Accept Baha'i Faith ?)

Virk Audil (3av2@qlink.queensu.ca)
Wed, Apr 19 1995 09:54:35 GMT

Rick Troxel (rick@helix.nih.gov) wrote:

: Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally
: respected since neither is superior to the other in the eyes of
: Heaven. Dignity before God depends, not on sex, but on purity and
: luminosity of heart. Human virtues belong equally to all! --Paris
: Talks, p. 162

I fully agree with this statement and I am only arguing the issue of
demanding equality in all situations and my point being that this would
be wrong.

: To me this asserts that men and women are equivalent in several ways:

This would imply that you also believe that men and women are not equal
in other ways. I would agree with this implication and hence, if it is
true, then justice would demand that we should protect the rights of men
and women by forming laws which would not be equal for both sexes.
However, wherein men and women are equal, then there is no need for
separate laws.

: * entitled to equal rights

Should we all demand the same rights that are given to a commanding
officer of an army ?
How come we don't have equal rights ?
I would say, the answer is because we are not equal to the commanding
officer, he is capable of performing tasks which we are incapable of.

Again, wherein one is equal, then justice demands that such a one must
be given equal rights. Not otherwise.

Rights are dependant upon equality and justice.
Only where one is equal, should he/she be given equal rights.
This is such a simple concept. We follow it everyday. I do not have the
right to fly an airplane, I am not given the right to carry a machine gun, I
am not given the right to perform a triple heart bypass. Why not ?

Because, I am not equal to these people, they have acquired skills which
I lack or were naturally blessed with greater strength, better vision,
greater control over their hands etc... They are given special rights which
I am not given.
It also works the other way, handicapp people are not given some rights
that others are given. Children also are not given many rights.

Sometimes due to inequality, one is given extra or special rights, and
sometimes due to inequality ones rights are removed.

Only those who are equal are given equal rights, or atleast should be
given equal rights.