Applying the principles that are described here, it seems clear that man appeared in the material world at a date which was later than the animals. Assuming that he did not arrive via a spaceship, it also seems clear that there was a point when an animal had improved (evolved) sufficiently that it could serve as the seat for a human soul (or two). We would say that, although this pair may have appeared to be similar to animals in some respects, there was a mental difference in their consciousness and a capability to recognize a spiritual existence. From these two, the human race would proceed. So, it might be most accurate to say that the human body descended from the bodies of animals, but in the same breath, we must say that the human spirit did NOT descend from the animal spirit. It is categorically distinct. It first appeared in that couple that appeared a few million years ago. Speculation: At some point, the genetic structure of one (or two?) of our ancestors changed. All other primates have 24 pairs of chromosomes. Man has 23 pairs (not that one is missing-rather, it appears that two of the shorter chromosomes merged into one longer one. So all the essential genetic material is still there.) But this makes it difficult or impossible for 24-chromosome primates to reproduce with 23-chromosome primates. Thus, the 23-chromosome species (homo-sapiens) have remained separate and distinct from the rest of the animal kingdom. Would such a change be a simple chance of evolution, or would it be an act of God? Although Baha’is don’t generally believe that God acts in major ways that disrupt the laws of science, there are statements in the Writings that “He is the subtile, the All-Informed” which suggest that He makes subtle changes in the fabric of reality. Adjusting the genetic sequence would certainly fall in this category. Unless one was indeed “the All-Informed”, one could hardly bring about any desired change this way. But with God, such things are possible. Nor would the changes at this level violate the laws of nature, as such variation can occur at the atomic level quantum mechanically. By the way, I think it is helpful to encourage people to use the more recent translation of Some Answered Questions. The section on evolution has been translated more clearly. An important note in the introduction makes it clear that the concept of “parallel evolution” is not supported, as Dr Mehanian has noted.
PLEASE, 2 notches UP VOLUME. Anyone can lower their volume level. Cars going down the road are as loud as the speaker. I am holding my phone 6 inches from my ears to get clarity! Thanks
A better question is "How does Baha'i theology view the Gospel accounts of Jesus' empty tomb?" I ask this because the evidence on the Turin Shroud indicates that Jesus' corpse was removed from that cloth by some unknown non-mechincal means. In other words, the undisturbed blood stains and intact linen fibers prove that his dead body vanished from the inside of the Shroud. Baha'i theology does not seem to account for this event.
@hck A simply probability study confirms that the images on the Shroud are those of the person described in the Gospels as having been assualted, wounded on the scalp multiple times, scourged, executed by crucifixion, speared in the side, interned in a linen sheet, and whose dead body dematerialized from within that sheet. Islamic theology hold that the person so descibed in the Gospels was not Jesus. If one accepts that theology, then the images on the Turin Shroud are not those of Jesus' dead body. Otherwise, they are. As for the Shroud being authentic, the cloth was subjected to an intensive scientific examination in 1978 which concluded that the images are not paintings and were not the work of an artist. I might also note that the prophet, Baha'ullah, (may his name be blessed) wrote that the Gospels are 100% correct. He also wrote that he alone had Divine Certitude. My understanding is that the idea that Jesus did not appear in the flesh after his execution is based on the writings of Abdul'Baha, who, in his era, was seeking financial support from the rationalistic elements of European society who did not like the idea of Jesus' miracles. I firmly believe that the Bahai' Faith has a lot to offer the world and that the need for a bona-fide world government is imperative. I also think that Abdul'Baha's theology in regards to Jesus' miracles and resurrection is not correct and constitutes and impediment to the acceptance of important Bahai' principles in the Christian world.
How about Baha'ullah's statement that the Gospels are correct in all aspects? Should not that statement take precedence over anything that Abdul'Baha said?
I have breathed in thee a little of me... paraphrased.. this is what makes us distinct from just animals.. we have free will also that animals do not have.
