Asha Vahishta Seminar/Colloquium II: #6
Conversations in Faith— Aid or Suffer the Change? The AVI in Relation to Status Quo Clerical and Executive Bodies of Zoroastrianism
This is a public Conversation in Faith, conducted on stage, focused on one, extremely important, and crucial question:
Can current status-quo clerical and executive bodies, align themselves to the Asha Vahishta Initiative (AVI)? If so, can status quo bodies aid in the realization of the AVI? Might it be possible for them to aid the change, or are they doomed to suffer it?
The conclusions of Phase I and Phase II of the AVSS (AV seminar series) Educative-Informative (EI) and Resolution-Building (RB), resolved that an Articles of Faith is the best methodology to realize a diasporic ‘mission statement’, ‘operating system’, and social justice identity for Daena Mazdayasni in the 21st century.
The Articles IMPOSE responsibility on lay persons, clergy, and admin-exec of faith/fellowship bodies. The Articles ARTICULTATE a ‘mission statement’ and ‘operating system’ for Daena Mazdayasni which shall resolve ALL contemporary issues of Zoroastrianism.
The Articles represent a Covenant within which all adherents and participants of Daena Mazdayasni abide. The Articles provide the Anjuman with its legitimacy, stipulating that authority resides in the Anjuman, and extends outward.
Faith must be the decentralized expression of locally administered and organic leadership! Anjuman Priests, Anjuman Executive, although they may belong to external body memberships, must consider their primary responsibility as proponents of the Anjuman. In this way, there will NEVER be disharmony between clergy and congregation. Moreover, clergy and exec., because they are nominated or vetted by the Anjuman, remain committed to administering and adhering the Anjuman vision of its faith and fellowship (as per the Articles).
The AVI seeks to create a Working Committee (AVIWC) to make actionable, the resolutions from Phase I and Phase II of the AVSS.
A lingering question remains…..can current, external, status quo governing bodies (OZCF, NAMC, FEZANA, WZO…etc.), align themselves to the AVI? Can these bodies aid in the realization of the AVI, or do they present obstacles?
Ervad Dr. Jehan Bagli and Ervad Gustad Panthaki, will join Dr. Panthaki in this Conversation in Faith.
Like the previous Conversation in Faith, there will be an Open Forum/Town Hall component (taking questions from the audience). Please also feel free to email any questions which you wish to hear discussed by the participants, to AVSS session organizers.
The 6th Session of Phase II is being held at the OZCF:
Title - Conversations in Faith-- Aid or Suffer the Change?
Date - January 27, 2017
Time - 12 noon onwards for 4 hours. Refreshments provided
If you plan to attend please contact Ervad Nozer Kotwal at (905) 820-0461.
For those who would like to join in via Skype, please contact Ervad Xerxes Madan at xerxes_madan@hotmail.com
A gentle reminder to participants to bring with them a pen. Paper shall be provided.
