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The_Savior_from_Spiritual_Error_and_50_Principles, page : 133
How on earth is it possible for anyone to believe that, and then not to have
sufficient breadth of mind to believe that the arrangement of the formal
prayers, two rak’ahs in the morning, four at midday and three at sunset-is so
made on account of properties not apprehended by philosophical reflection?
The grounds of these arrangements are the difference of the times of day, but
these properties are perceived only by the Light of prophecy.
It is curious, however, that if we replace the above expressions by
expressions from astrology, they admit the difference of times as reasonable.
We may say, for example: `Is it not the case that the horoscope varies
according as the sun is in the ascendant, in the ecliptic or in declension? And
in their horoscopes do they make this variation the basis of the difference of
treatment and of length of life and hour of death? Is there not a distinction
between declension and the sun‟s being in the ecliptic, and likewise between
sunset and the sun‟s being towards setting? Is there any way to believe this?‟
If it were not that he hears it in astrological terminology, he would probably
have experimentally observed its falsity a hundred times. Yet he goes on
sufficient breadth of mind to believe that the arrangement of the formal
prayers, two rak’ahs in the morning, four at midday and three at sunset-is so
made on account of properties not apprehended by philosophical reflection?
The grounds of these arrangements are the difference of the times of day, but
these properties are perceived only by the Light of prophecy.
It is curious, however, that if we replace the above expressions by
expressions from astrology, they admit the difference of times as reasonable.
We may say, for example: `Is it not the case that the horoscope varies
according as the sun is in the ascendant, in the ecliptic or in declension? And
in their horoscopes do they make this variation the basis of the difference of
treatment and of length of life and hour of death? Is there not a distinction
between declension and the sun‟s being in the ecliptic, and likewise between
sunset and the sun‟s being towards setting? Is there any way to believe this?‟
If it were not that he hears it in astrological terminology, he would probably
have experimentally observed its falsity a hundred times. Yet he goes on