Thanks for the kind words about our magazine. That our publication schedule has been somewhat, er, delayed, is certainly not due to your comments - you’ve been quite the gentleman. More of a hard disk failure, moving across town, unexpected workload kind of summer delay.

The original launch was low key since our intention was to work out the bugs, get some substantial editorial content established before publicizing large-scale. “Beta” releases seem to be all the rage, these days, but it seems we’ve not been able to keep it under wraps. You’ll be pleased to know that we’re back on track and will be publishing again soon…

Undoubtedly, the Baha’i world faces some considerable challenges these days and now finds itself at a crossroads: it must make a difficult choice between rigid adherence to tradition and open embrace of modernity. I’m hopeful, actually, and see positive growth all around me. But then again I live in Chapel Hill, NC and this community (and Assembly) is what most will look like in about 25 years - so truth be told, I’m not entirely impartial.

Our aim with Spiritual Degrees is to document some of these changes, to articulate the broader issues and provide a context to an otherwise unenlightened discourse. The magazine itself is only piece of a larger movement, driven by young adults, who’ve realized that the culture they experience is the culture they create. Have no fear that the “AO” will crash our party: the magazine is endorsed both by our local Assembly and Palabra Publications. Seems they’re just as sincerely fed up as you appear to be, just as eager for real change; the only real difference, in my admittedly limited experience, is one of approach.

Cheers,
Nathan Huening
Editor-in-Chief,
Spiritual Degrees

Thanks for the friendly mention. You way you describe it, the utter absurdity of what Arjomand is saying really comes through. His ‘friendly, unofficial visit’ which is just intended ‘to get to know (me) better’ gets more conditions on it all the time. And by the way, you should know that Shahkar isn’t driving an hour out of the way to meet me. He lives and works in London, which is more than two hours from downtown Toronto. Take care.

Brendan

Blessings !

Sigmund

Am looking forward to what you have in store for the weeks and months to come, particularly your pilgrima…er, visitation to the Holy Land. Sounds intriguing!