Equality of Men and Women

cire perdue · 03-08-2011, 11:20 AM

This is a link to a 10 minute interview with Bahiyyih Nakhjavanni which though on Tahirih gives an interesting view on the teaching of the equality of men and women. She thinks it will take a long time for it to be truly comprehended.

Entrevista a Bahiyyih Nakhjavani - 1 Translation(s) | dotSUB

danieldemol · 05-01-2011, 07:27 PM

Hi Cire,

I would dare say that it would take a long time for it to be comprehended in the Islamic world, and a little while in the eastern world, but in the western world i feel that we are truly close.

Kind regards.

Imani · 05-01-2011, 07:44 PM

Yes but what does equality *mean*? She warned against the dangers of cloning, of both hands of the body doing the exact same thing, of both halves of the brain doing the exact same thing -- this isn't good, so presumably a man and a woman doing the exact same things is not good. Which leads us to: what are good things for a man to do and what are good things for a woman to do? Which leads us to gender roles that not everyone is going to be comfortable with, will eventually come to be regarded as sexist and discriminatory -- and we are back where we started.

What does equality really mean, and how can it be put into practice?

(Also I absolutely adore this woman. I had never heard of her before. Thanks for sharing.)

LordOfGoblins · 05-01-2011, 08:32 PM

I think as far as a marraige goes equality is what works in a marraige and both partners happy with. Like you say you will never be doing the exact same thing and that is not what it should mean. But equality should be that both husband and wife get equal rights in the marraige and equal value of input. So just cos one is man or woman it doesnt give them any power in the marraige. Now in practice well this might be difficult. I think that the woman can have equal opportunity to work and earn money just like the man and both needs to compromise depending on the situation.
For example it does say there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mum or dad and people should not get up in arms about how this is oppressing females just because they are a stay at home mum. There is nothing wrong with that and it is very valued. Likewise if the woman earns more or wants to advance her courier the man should be willing to comprimise and let her take that role while he looks after the children. It is about having no predjudic, thats what I think.

arthra · 05-01-2011, 08:35 PM

"And among the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is the equality of women and men. The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 301

From the Introduction to the Kitab-i-Aqdas:

"That men and women differ from one another in certain characteristics and
functions is an inescapable fact of nature and makes possible
their complementary roles in certain areas of the life of
society; but it is significant that 'Abdu'l-Bahá has stated
that in this Dispensation

"Equality of men and women, except
in some negligible instances, has been fully and categorically
announced."

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 7)

So we know men and women are not identical they each have their strong points and can compliment each other.. Baha'is have been holding up the banner of the equality of men and women for a long long time..when it was unpopular in the east and the west and when women could not even vote in elections or much less hold an office or go to a medical school..

03-08-2011, 11:20 AM	#1
cire perdue Senior Member Joined: Sep 2010 From: Louisiana Posts: 1,619	Equality of Men and Women This is a link to a 10 minute interview with Bahiyyih Nakhjavanni which though on Tahirih gives an interesting view on the teaching of the equality of men and women. She thinks it will take a long time for it to be truly comprehended. Entrevista a Bahiyyih Nakhjavani - 1 Translation(s) \| dotSUB

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05-01-2011, 07:27 PM	#2
danieldemol Junior Member Joined: Apr 2011 From: Sydney Posts: 6	Hi Cire, I would dare say that it would take a long time for it to be comprehended in the Islamic world, and a little while in the eastern world, but in the western world i feel that we are truly close. Kind regards.

05-01-2011, 07:44 PM	#3
Imani Member Joined: Apr 2011 From: USA Posts: 38	Yes but what does equality mean? She warned against the dangers of cloning, of both hands of the body doing the exact same thing, of both halves of the brain doing the exact same thing -- this isn't good, so presumably a man and a woman doing the exact same things is not good. Which leads us to: what are good things for a man to do and what are good things for a woman to do? Which leads us to gender roles that not everyone is going to be comfortable with, will eventually come to be regarded as sexist and discriminatory -- and we are back where we started. What does equality really mean, and how can it be put into practice? (Also I absolutely adore this woman. I had never heard of her before. Thanks for sharing.)

05-01-2011, 08:32 PM	#4
LordOfGoblins Senior Member Joined: Dec 2010 From: Australia Posts: 1,329	I think as far as a marraige goes equality is what works in a marraige and both partners happy with. Like you say you will never be doing the exact same thing and that is not what it should mean. But equality should be that both husband and wife get equal rights in the marraige and equal value of input. So just cos one is man or woman it doesnt give them any power in the marraige. Now in practice well this might be difficult. I think that the woman can have equal opportunity to work and earn money just like the man and both needs to compromise depending on the situation. For example it does say there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mum or dad and people should not get up in arms about how this is oppressing females just because they are a stay at home mum. There is nothing wrong with that and it is very valued. Likewise if the woman earns more or wants to advance her courier the man should be willing to comprimise and let her take that role while he looks after the children. It is about having no predjudic, thats what I think.

05-01-2011, 08:35 PM	#5
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 From: California Posts: 3,063	"And among the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is the equality of women and men. The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be." ~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 301 From the Introduction to the Kitab-i-Aqdas: "That men and women differ from one another in certain characteristics and functions is an inescapable fact of nature and makes possible their complementary roles in certain areas of the life of society; but it is significant that 'Abdu'l-Bahá has stated that in this Dispensation "Equality of men and women, except in some negligible instances, has been fully and categorically announced." (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 7) So we know men and women are not identical they each have their strong points and can compliment each other.. Baha'is have been holding up the banner of the equality of men and women for a long long time..when it was unpopular in the east and the west and when women could not even vote in elections or much less hold an office or go to a medical school..