8 - Sunday. September 2. 19906 - I:orth Shore News

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

Baha’! faith stresses chastity

LAST WEEK Spiritually Speaking discussed birth control as it relates to the Roman Catholic faith. This week, we look to a more modern religion, the Baha’i faith, for its principles on reproductive freedom and sexual relations.

Although not as strict as the Roman Catholic Church, which 8y Barbara Black News Reporter

forbids any artificial barrier to conception, the Baha'i faith em- phasizes the sanctity of human life and the practising of sex within marriage.

Individuals are :xpected to practise chastity before marriage as well as in marriage (in the form of fidelity to the spouse).

Sex, however, is recognized as the natural right of every individ- ual, and the Baha’‘is, as stated in the Writings, ‘do not believe in the suppression of the sex impulse but in its regulation and control."’

Sandra Azizi, a practising Baha’i living in North Vancouver, explains that the founder of the Baha’i faith, Baha’ Ullah, as well as his son, “Abdul-Baha, did not make any specific statements on reproductive freedom or sex education.

“Because we do not have a specific statement on this matter the Baha’is are free to use their own conscience or to consult their physician. It's something for the coupte to decide themselves.”’

She points out that Baha’is believe that the human soul at- taches itself to the human body at the time of conception and that this is the guideline for birth con- trol. While it would be acceptable to prevent conception, abortion as a birth control measure would be forbidden.

“In more traditional religions the male was more the authority, but in Baha‘i both (sexes) have an equal say,’’ explains Azizi, adding that couples would consult each other on birth contro! and study the Baha’i Writings together to decide which method (if any) is appropriate.

This is not to say that there is ff . " an emphasis on birth control or §y tO School Specials”. sex in the Baha’i faith. :

Shoghi Effendi, grandson of Abdul Baha and current guardian of the faith, is quite clear in his assertions that while sex is recognized as a legitimate human impulse its proper ‘‘use’’ is within the institution of marriage.

“he is very legitimate to have sex in marriage,’’ says Azizi. ‘*At the same time, marriage has a lot

of purposes....One of them is a chanael for people to express their sexual feelings. One of the (other) purposes of marriage is procre- ation.**

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With regard to children, Biha‘is do not generally object to the teaching of sex education in the schools.

Azizi states honestly, “Ho my daughter asks me questions | would tell her about sex. That sex is a very natural thing (and) God has created us with the sex im- pulse."

Sut as a supplement to the physical aspects of reproduction that the children learn in school, Azizi says it is important to pro-

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vide the ethical side of things.

“It is something very special, (but) you only do it when you're married. That's what I would tell my daughter.”

Azizi believes that rather than being a restraint, chastity before marriage actually frees youngsters for other pursuits.

“They are happy guidelines,’’ she states. “It's much easier to say no if they have a reason — their beliefs won't

See Ethics Page 9

to have

chastity a kind

SANDRA AZIZI... of freedom.

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