Lua Getsinger

Article summary

Louise Aurora Getsinger (1 November 1871 – 2 May 1916), known as Lua, was one of the first Western members of the Baháʼí Faith, recognized as joining the religion on May 21, 1897, just two years after Thornton Chase. Born into the rural countryside of western New York state and initially with a heterodox understanding of the teachings of the religion, by her fervor she corrected many understandings and grew to become a prominent disciple of Abdu'l-Bahá with an international reputation, being named “Herald of the Covenant” and "Mother of the believers" by Abdu'l-Bahá, head of the religion 1892-1921, and “mother teacher of the American Bahá‘í Community, herald of the dawn of the Day of the Covenant" by Shoghi Effendi in 1942, head of the religion 1921–1957. Nevertheless, she faced trials of reputation among the Bahá'ís in America during a time when rumors arose if a woman traveled with a man other than her husband, which she did in promotional tours across America, into Canada and Mexico. Her husband grew doubtful, their relationship changed, and he sought a divorce. She was defended by the leadership of the religion and her reputation increased after her sudden death in Egypt.…

Key claims

1. date of birth: 1892 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of death: 1831 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of death: 1916-03-07 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
4. date of death: 1916 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
5. date of foundation: 1825 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
6. date of foundation: 1901 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
7. publication date: 1900 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
8. publication date: 1904-04-27 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
9. publication date: 1915 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
10. publication date: 1920 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
11. publication date: 1974 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
12. publication date: 1997 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
13. publication date: 1999 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
14. publication date: 1915 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of birth is "1892". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of death is "1831". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of death is "1916-03-07". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. The record states that the date of death is "1916". What evidence would count against this claim?
6. The record states that the date of foundation is "1825". What evidence would count against this claim?
7. The record states that the date of foundation is "1901". What evidence would count against this claim?
8. The record states that the publication date is "1900". What evidence would count against this claim?
9. The record states that the publication date is "1904-04-27". What evidence would count against this claim?
10. The record states that the publication date is "1915". What evidence would count against this claim?
11. The record states that the publication date is "1920". What evidence would count against this claim?
12. The record states that the publication date is "1974". What evidence would count against this claim?
13. The record states that the publication date is "1997". What evidence would count against this claim?
14. The record states that the publication date is "1999". What evidence would count against this claim?
15. The record states that the publication date is "1915". What evidence would count against this claim?
16. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
17. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372415955