Original sin
Authoritative commentaries[edit]
- Some Answered Questions, Chapters 29, 30
Adam's "sin" cannot be interpreted as damning all after Him[edit]
"Note that if these words were taken literally, as imagined by the people of the Book,[I.e., Jews and Christians] it would be sheer injustice and absolute predestination. If Adam sinned in approaching the forbidden tree, what then was the sin of glorious Abraham, the Friend of God, and the error of Moses, Who conversed with God? What was the offence of Noah the Prophet and the transgression of truth-speaking Joseph? What was the fault of the Prophets of God and the failure of John the Chaste? Would divine justice have suffered these luminous Manifestations to endure, by reason of Adam’s sin, the torment of hell until such time as Christ should come and by His sacrifice rescue them from the nethermost fire? Such a notion is beyond the pale of every rule and principle, and no rational person can ever accept it."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, par. 30:10)
Against "blindness from birth" caused by parents in former state[edit]
"As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him."
- (Bible, John 9:1-3)
"Abdul-Baha elucidated Jesus' teaching against the theory of "blindness from birth" and the defects being caused by the sin of the individual in a former state (see St. John 9:1–3), thus:
""Jesus states that this defect exists in order to prove and show that the gift of sight is from God alone and is one of his bounties. Because were all created with sight the people would consider it a mere natural fact that they must be so made, and not give God thanks for His great gift."
"—Translator"
- (Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Note 1 on p. 643)
