What is Baha'i?

IlluSionS667

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Can someone enlighten me, and explain to me what Baha'i is about, what it's origins are, how old it is, ...?

I've never heard of it, and in my never-ending quest for knowledge, I'd like to know more about it.
 
IlluSionS667 said:
Can someone enlighten me, and explain to me what Baha'i is about, what it's origins are, how old it is, ...?

I've never heard of it, and in my never-ending quest for knowledge, I'd like to know more about it.
I am a 60 year old man who joined the Baha'i Faith in 1959. I am not going to attempt to answer a question like yours in this small space. But let me say the Baha'i literature is extensive; the websites are burgeoning and the Baha'is more than eager to discuss their Faith with you. I just happened to join this site a few days ago and could not resist replying to your question.

Try the following websites. They are informative, well laid out and excellent mediums for both the novice and the veternal believer:
1. bahai.org
2. Planet Baha'i
3. The Mark Foster.Network
....the list is virtually endless.

Best wishes in your search and don't hesitate to write again to me, to this site or to any of the people at the Baha'i sites you come across.
 
Last edited:
Namaste,

thank you for the post.


IlluSionS667 said:
Can someone enlighten me, and explain to me what Baha'i is about, what it's origins are, how old it is, ...?

I've never heard of it, and in my never-ending quest for knowledge, I'd like to know more about it.
hhmmm....

well.. you can read this very detailed thread on the site and see what it has to say:

http://www.comparative-religion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=592
 
I've just read some info on bahai.org. I must say this all pretty much frightens me. This faith seems very naieve and pretty superficial, to be honest.

Still, I have some questions for y'all :

1. If Christ, Buddha, Moses, Zoroaster or Muhammad are all messengers of the same and real God, why are there so many differences between Buddhism and the Judeo-Christian religions? And what are the common grounds of Zoroasterism and Judeo-Christianity or Buddhism? (I'm not familiar with Zoroasterism)

2. What about animal life? Does a baha'i give himself the right to rule animals and nature, or does he position himself as a part of nature?

3. What about materialism, which is denounced by any self-respecting Buddhist or pagan?

4. What about other religions, which do not have any "divine messengers"? Do they not have a place in the Baha'i faith?

5. Would you require the whole world to speak the same language, and if so, which language?

6. What about people who wish to choose a different path and reject the idea of unification? How will they fit into your perfect unified world, once it's established?
 
Hi, and welcome to the neighborhood! :)

Glad you asked.

For starters, here's a brief quote from the Baha'i scriptures that may help put one of your questions in perspective. In the next post, I'll provide you with a general overview of the Baha'i Faith that I've written up, and then I'll endeavor to answer your specific questions. . . .

My regards, and I wish you good hunting! :)

Bruce

- - - - -

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you."

(Gleanings, page 217)
 
An overview of the Baha'i Faith, part 1

OK. The system complained that the overview is too long to send, so I'm splitting it into parts and sending them separately. Here's the first:

PART ONE OF THREE PARTS

*** THE BAHA'I FAITH ***

The Baha'i Faith (pronounced "ba HIGH") is the newest of the major world religions. It began in 1844 in Persia, and has now spread to literally every country. It is also the second most widespread religion on earth (Christianity is first) [source: _Encyclopedia Britannica_], and is also the fastest-growing religion among those already established in over 100 countries [source: _World Christian Encyclopedia_].


HISTORY

In 1844, a young man in Persia took the title Bab ("the Gate"), announcing that He was a divine Messenger and that another Messenger would soon appear. The Bab quickly amassed a large following, but opposition by Muslim clergy and government officials soon turned to oppression, and thousands (including the Bab Himself) were put to death.

One of the Bab's followers, a young nobleman, was imprisoned as part of this attempt to stamp out the infant faith. While in prison, He took the title Baha'u'llah ("Glory of God") and announced that He was the new Messenger foretold by the Bab. Baha'u'llah and His family were exiled several times, and finally sent to the prison city of Akka, Palestine (now Israel), where He spent the rest of His life. During His ministry, He wrote over 100 volumes, and the number of His followers, now called Baha'is ("of Glory"), increased.

Baha'u'llah died in 1892. In His will, He appointed his eldest son, Abdu'l Baha, as His successor and the official interpreter of His writings. Eventually released from prison in 1907, Abdu'l Baha traveled the world teaching the Faith (he visited the United States in 1912). Abdu'l Baha wrote a number of books explaining and amplifying the teachings of Baha'u'llah.

The works of the Bab, Baha'u'llah, and Abdu'l Baha, which comprise about 200 different volumes, comprise the Baha'i scriptures. Baha'is also recognize other books such as the Bible and the Qur'an, as scriptural.

Upon Abdu'l Baha's death, he appointed his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to head the faith. During his lifetime, Shoghi Effendi worked to teach the Faith and to establish the Baha'i administrative order set out in the Baha'i scriptures. Since Shoghi Effendi's death in 1957, the Baha'i Faith has been run by this administrative order.

END PART ONE.OF THREE PARTS
 
An overview of the Baha'i Faith, part 2

PART TWO

TEACHINGS

The Baha'i Faith teaches that, for the individual, this life is a time of acquiring spiritual qualities in preparation for the afterlife. Just as a child in its mother's womb is acquiring the physical tools it will need here (and will be handicapped if it fails to do so), we are acquiring the spiritual tools needed after death (and will be impaired then if we don't). Existence-- both here and otherwise--is a gradual process of spiritual growth, of drawing closer to God. (We never attain the station of God or "become Gods.") What makes this life unique is that here, we have free will and control our own growth or lack thereof. After death, our progress is at God's will. While we have no details, our scriptures tell us that the next life will be inexpressably wondrous!

Heaven and Hell are not places, but conditions: Heaven is nearness to God; Hell, separation. As such, they exist here and now as well as after death: which one one of us is in at any given moment is a function of where his/her head is at that moment. And just as a baby is handicapped in this life if it fails to acquire the necessary physical attributes before birth, so our condition after death depends upon our acquiring spiritual attributes here. The more spiritual, the "nearer" to God. Thus, although spiritual growth will indeed continue, the awareness of one's spiritual station compared to what one might have been (i.e., the relative "nearness" to or "separation" from God) will seem a Heaven or Hell after death.

Some primary spiritual teachings of the Baha'i Faith are the "Three Onenesses."

The first is the oneness of God. There is only one God, known by different names in different languages. God is unknowable by human means; the only knowledge of God possible to humankind is that brought by His divine Messengers. God made a Covenant with Abraham that humankind would never be left without divine guidance. Therefore, God periodically sends Messengers (often called "Manifestations of God") to guide humanity; some of these have included Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, and Baha'u'llah.

The second is the oneness of humankind: there is only one race, the human race, and we are members of one family.

The third is the oneness of religion. All the major religions of the world are divine in origin, sent by God as stages in a single evolving divine plan.

A Messenger has a dual station; He is both a man (who was born, died, etc.) and also a Manifestation of the eternal spirit of God. He may be likened to a mirror reflecting the sun. It is correct to point to the mirror and say, "That is the sun." It is also correct to say "That's not the sun, only a mirror." Thus Jesus said, "Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but God" (Jesus the man speaking), but also said "Before Abraham was, I am" and "No one comes to the Father but by Me" (the eternal spirit speaking, here called "Christ"). This latter "but by Me" quote refers to the fact that only through these Messengers can humankind know God.

Spiritual teachings are eternal and unchanging (there is a God, don't kill others, the Golden Rule, we are here for a reason, etc.). All the religions teach the same spiritual truths, though expressed differently or in greater degree as humankind's capacity increases. (Recall Jesus' amplifying "thou shalt not kill" into "unjustified anger is equivalent to murder.")

Social teachings are temporary. Each Messenger brings new social laws suited to humankind's situation and needs at the time, rescinding the old laws. Social laws deal with such things as marriage and divorce, diet, obligatory prayers, fasting, etc.. (Jesus abrogated the Jewish dietary laws, for example.) Some of the Baha'i social teachings follow.

We see the Baha'i Faith as the fulfillment of the prophecies of earlier religions. Among others, this includes the promise of Jesus that He had more to tell us, and that He would send the Spirit of Truth to us. Baha'is believe that Baha'u'llah fulfills this promised Return of the Christ Spirit with the new name which the Bible prophesied. And further, we are certain that this religous process will, over the centuries, bring about the promised Kingdom of God on earth.

As humankind evolves, our capacities increase. Baha'u'llah tells us that humankind is now entering young adulthood. Because each person now has the ability to investigate the Truth him- or herself, each now has the obligation to examine the various religions, determine what the truth is, and follow it. No one has the right to tell another what to believe. Therefore, the Baha'i Faith has no clergy or hierarchy: everyone is "just a Baha'i."

Further, while parents have the obligation to instruct children (in _all_ religions), they may not force them to become Baha'i; that decision is up to the child, and no stigma is attached to being Baha'i or not being Baha'i. (We don't say that we're right and everyone else is wrong.) Membership in the Faith is not inherited; upon reaching the age of maturity (15), one is only considered a Baha'i if one has requested such.

And it is in this spirit that we tell you and others about the Baha'i Faith: we hope you'll investigate it, learn about it from many sources, and come to your own informed conclusion about it. We have no desire or interest in having unthinking or uninformed followers!

The Baha'i Faith was the first to proclaim the equality of men and women. In fact, one of the first Baha'is was publicly executed for daring to remove her veil and proclaim this principle.

Another teaching of the Faith is universal compulsory education. This both allows learning a profession and enables one to read the various holy scriptures--needed for the investigation of truth described above. And if resources aren't sufficient to educate everyone, all girls and woman have absolute priority over men for receipt of education.)

Interestingly, education and the equality of the sexes interact in one case: if parents have only enough money to educate one child, they must give preference to the daughter, because she will be the first educator of the next generation. (In fact, the community is to take responsibility for educating the son in this case, but the above illustrates the concept.)

The Faith teaches the essential harmony of science and religion, and states that religion must be in accord with science and reason. The purpose of science is to tell HOW; that of religion to tell WHO and WHY. Ignoring either one, or using either in the other's place quickly leads to problems. Science without religion is gross materialism; religion without science is superstition and witch-burning.

A universal auxiliary language--either new or already existing--is necessary so that all peoples can communicate. This would be in addition to one's native tongue and culture.

While absolute equality is neither necessary nor desirable, extremes of wealth and poverty must be abolished.

Abolition of all forms of prejudice is also necessary, including--among others--racism, religious and class distinctions, and nationalism.

Work, done in the spirit of service, is raised to the status of worship of God.

The nations of the world must unite in a democratically-elected world government.

The Baha'i Faith teaches that truth is relative, and that the only absolute is God. Evil, while it exists, is a negative entity: the absence of good. In the same way, light exists and dark is its absence, not a separate existence: you can bring light into a room, but not bring in dark.) Thus, because it is relative, a thing may be good in one circumstance, but bad in another. "Satan" is simply one's ego coming between oneself and God.

Humankind was created essentially good. Salvation consists of knowing and following God's purpose for mankind; it is to this end that God has sent and will comtinue to send Messengers. And our purpose here is twofold:

* As individuals, we are to acquire the spiritual virtues we need in both this life and the Next.

* In aggregate, we are to carry forward an ever-advancing, spiritually-based civilization.

And the purpose of religion is to show us HOW to go about this!

Here are just a few of the Baha'i ordinances and practices:

- As I said above, our primary goal is to work for unity, peace, love, harmony, and concord. In furtherance of this, and for our own spiritual well-being, backbiting and gossip are condemned in the strongest possible terms! (Indeed, the Baha'i scriptures describe backbiting as the one crime worse than murder.)

- Aggression and waging war are explicitly forbidden, with a single exception, specifically: if anyone attacks another nation, then it is the duty of every other nation in the world to bind together to stop him!

- Baha'is don't use recreational drugs or alcohol. There are no dietary restrictions or forbidden foods. Baha'is are commanded to see doctors when ill.

- Baha'is, while promoting unity, avoid partisan politics and divisiveness.

- Baha'is endeavor to obey the laws of the countries where they live, with the sole exception that they will not deny their Faith if commanded to do so.

- Baha'is observe a fasting period once a year, and celebrate eleven holy days based upon Baha'i history.

- There are no restrictions on dress save moderation, and Baha'is live and work ordinary lives like others: they don't live in communal groups or separate societies, and aren't in any way noticeable by their appearance.

- Art, music, and other forms of creative expression are appreciated and often practiced by Baha'is. Baha'is work in many professions just like others.

END PART TWO
 
An overview of the Baha'i Faith, part 3

PART THREE OF THREE PARTS

ADMINISTRATION

The goal of the Baha'i Faith is to foster unity. This is the purpose of the Baha'i administrative system, which is delineated in Baha'i scriptures.

The Baha'i calendar consists of nineteen months of nineteen days (plus several extra days in February to make an even solar year).

Baha'i administration is geographically based: a Baha'i is automatically a member of the Baha'i community in whose area he or she resides.

Baha'is in each community of nine or more annually elect their nine-member administrative body, the local spiritual assembly. The assembly's function is the spiritual well-being and leadership of the community under its jurisdiction.

Baha'i elections are non-political in nature. There is no nomination nor campaigning, and discussion of personalities is forbidden. Each individual, after prayer and meditation, votes by secret ballot for the nine persons he or she believes are best qualified to serve; the nine receiving the most votes are automatically elected. Thus, each person tends to vote for persons he or she personally feels are qualified, and those so considered by the greatest number of persons tend to be elected.

In case of a tie, the position automatically goes to the minority individual (the definition of "minority" varies according to locale). If no minority is represented among those tying, or if there is uncertainty about whether the minority rule applies, a run-off vote takes place among those tying.

Because individuals have neither the right to "run for office," nor--except for reasons of ill health--to refuse to serve once elected, the divisiveness of conventional politics is eliminated. Further, elected individuals have no special status; they are "just Baha'is." It is only the assemblies themselves, meeting officially, that have authority, not the individuals on them.

Also, once elected, assemblies are not answerable to their communities for assembly decisions. This, with the secret ballot and lack of campaigning, eliminates the "I voted for you: now, here's what I want you to do for me" syndrome. (Of course, any assembly member abusing nonanswerability tends not to get reelected.)

On the first day of each month, the Baha'is of each community gather for the Nineteen Day Feast. The feast has three parts: prayers and readings, community business, and refreshments and fellowship. The feast is the primary gathering in Baha'i communities, and is the main opportunity for the assembly and the community to consult together. Baha'is have no rituals nor ceremonies, but the feast is the nearest analogy to the service in Judaeo-Christian faiths.

Like local assemblies, national spiritual assemblies are elected annually. (Local districts elect delegates who in turn vote for the national assembly; any Baha'i in the national area is eligible for election.) National assemblies have jurisdiction over their assigned areas (which sometimes cover less or more than a single country, depending on geography and the number of Baha'is residing in a region).

Every five years, the national assemblies elect the nine-member Universal House of Justice, the supreme administrative body of the Baha'i Faith.

Some countries (the US, Canada, the Philippines, and India are several) also have state or regional Baha'i councils; these are elected by the local spiritual assembles of that area and serve as an intermediary administrative level between local and national assemblies.

As mentioned above, no elected member of an administrative body has any special status. A few especially gifted and learned Baha'is are appointed as members of the Hands of the Cause of God or Continental Counselors. They advise the elected bodies, but have no administrative power. Thus, positions of renown and positions of power are separate.

The Baha'i Faith is funded entirely by voluntary, confidential contributions. Donating is a privilege reserved to members; non-members are not permitted to give to Baha'i funds.

There are currently over six million Baha'is worldwide, in every country on earth plus 49 significant islands and territories, with over 165 national spiritual assemblies; there are about 20,000 local spiritual assemblies. There are over 2,100 tribes and ethnic groups represented in the Faith, and Baha'i literature has been translated into 802 languages.

National spiritual assemblies currently manage over 900 development projects, the majority being grassroots efforts with little or no outside funding. These include activities in health and social services, communications, agriculture and forestry, and community development projects such as medical centers, women's programs, credit unions, building renovation, cooperative fishing, and homes for refugees and for the aged. There are more than 500 tutorial schools and training centers in Africa, Asia, and the Americas; Baha'i communities operate 29 formal primary and secondary schools.

Since 1947, the Baha'i International Community has had consultative status as a non-governmental organization with several agencies of the United Nations. We have seats on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNICEF, UNIFEM (the Women's Development Agency, and UNEP (the U.N. Environmental Program), and work closely with the U.N. information office. Baha'is have played major roles in various UN activities, such as the Earth Summit and the International Conference on Women.

The purpose of humankind--the reason we were created--is twofold:
- as individuals, to acquire the spiritual attributes we'll need both here and in the next world
- and in aggregate, to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.
And the purpose of religion is to show us how to go about this!

In the past, ... spiritual teachings have been concerned primarily with individual actions--or with the harmony of relatively small groups of people. Moral concern has likewise focused mostly on individual behavior: do not steal; do not lie; love your neighbor.

Today, our understanding of spirituality must embrace not only personal and group life, but also the collective progress of humanity as a whole. Indeed, it is only because the human race has at last entered on its age of maturity that the age-old prophecies of an era of peace and justice can now be fulfilled.
from _The Baha'is_,
an overview published by the Baha'i
International Community

From the Baha'i scriptures:

O SON OF MAN!
Thou art My dominion and My dominion perisheth not, wherefore fearest thou thy perishing? Thou art My light and My light shall never be extinguished, why dost thou dread extinction? Thou art My glory and My glory fadeth not; thou art My robe and My robe shall never be outworn. Abide then in thy love for Me, that thou mayest find Me in the realm of glory.
[_The Hidden Words_]

The above is just an overview. For more information, please visit:
www.bahai.org or www.usbnc.org
or for many linked Baha'i sites:
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1049/ring.html
To see our scriptures and related materials, including our Peace Statement, Race Unity Statement, and Destiny of America statement:
www.bahai-library.org
www.bahaistudy.org
www.reference.bahai.org
For information on how the Baha'i Faith has fulfilled prophecies:
http://bci.org/prophecy-fulfilled/
To download and view Baha'i videos:
http://www.us.bahai.org/media/index.html
For information on the upcoming Baha'i Arts Festival in New York City this June, including a concert by the 550-singer Voices of Baha choir in Carnegie Hall:
www.global-music.org
You may often find "Baha'i Faith" listings in the White Pages of your phone book.
In the USA, you can also phone 1-800-22UNITE for free information and literature, and--if you like--find out where the nearest Baha'is are.

I hope this helped and been of interest.

Regards! :)

Bruce
 
Hi, there! :)

Now, I'll endeavor to answer your comments and questions. . . .

IlluSionS667 said:
I've just read some info on bahai.org. I must say this all pretty much frightens me. This faith seems very naieve and pretty superficial, to be honest.

Hmmm. You will forgive me, I trust, if I point out that you seem to be contraticting yourself!

You say that we seem "very naive and pretty superficial," and yet you say we frighten you?! What is wrong with this picture?!

One is frigntened by real threats, things that can scare or harm us, not by things that are trivial or silly!

So you apparently want to have it both ways, and I can't see your logic.

Either we are light-weight and amusing, or we're a threat. Which is it?

I would add, please note, an important third possibility for you to consider: Just maybe, we're a true, serious, God-sent religion, and we're sincerely doing all we can to become more Godly ourselves and to spiritualize both all humanity and the world in general! . . .

As ever, of course, we'll leave it to you to determine this for yourself. And we both commend you for making the sincere effort, and promise to support your decision, be it pro or con! (Indeed, the Baha'i Faith teachis this very sort of investigation! . . .)

IlluSionS667 said:
Still, I have some questions for y'all :

Good! Questions are always most welcome! :)

IlluSionS667 said:
1. If Christ, Buddha, Moses, Zoroaster or Muhammad are all messengers of the same and real God, why are there so many differences between Buddhism and the Judeo-Christian religions? And what are the common grounds of Zoroasterism and Judeo-Christianity or Buddhism? (I'm not familiar with Zoroasterism)?

(The term is Zoroastrianism.) Zoroaster, aka Zarathustra, founded the ancient religion of Persia. Interestingly, it was the Zoroastrian priests, called Magi (the plural of Magus) who followed prophecies in the Zoroastrian scriptures that led them to Christ, as recounted in the Bible! :)

As to why differences exist, in the Baha'i view there are two types of religious teaching:

- Spiritual teachings are eternal and universal, and are common across religions (though occasionally worded differently or amplified). A few examples of spiritual teachings are "There is a God," "You're here for a reason," "Don't murder," etc..

- Social teachings, OTOH, are intentionally temporary and may be changed by any later Divine Mesesnger (though not by us). Examples are laws of prayer and fasting, marriage and divorce, administration, whether slavery is permitted, etc.. (For example, in the New Testament we find Jesus abrogating the prohibitions of the Sabbath.)

As you may remember, the Baha'i scriptures explain it this way:

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you."

(Gleanings, page 217)

Each Age thus has teachings appropriate for the needs of that time. . . . :)

IlluSionS667 said:
2. What about animal life? Does a baha'i give himself the right to rule animals and nature, or does he position himself as a part of nature?

Yes to both!

The Baha'i scriptures describe what we call "Kingdoms of Creation." These are, in ascending order:

- mineral
- vegetable
- animal
- human
- Divine Messenger.

Each level includes the attributes of the lower levels, and adds something new in addition. For example, humans have all the attributes of animals (what we call our "lower nature"), but also have an eternal soul that makes us distinct (and eternal into the future).

The Baha'i scriptures say that in fact, God created the entire rest of the universe for our benefit!:

"O SON OF BOUNTY!
"Out of the wastes of nothingness, with the clay of My command I made thee to appear, and have ordained for thy training every atom in existence and the essence of all created things. Thus, ere thou didst issue from thy mother's womb, I destined for thee two founts of gleaming milk, eyes to watch over thee, and hearts to love thee. Out of My loving-kindness, 'neath the shade of My mercy I nurtured thee, and guarded thee by the essence of My grace and favor. And My purpose in all this was that thou mightest attain My everlasting dominion and become worthy of My invisible bestowals."

(The Hidden Words, Part Two, #29)

And there's this:

"Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess. Through a word proceeding out of the mouth of God he was called into being; by one word more he was guided to recognize the Source of his education; by yet another word his station and destiny were safeguarded. The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom."

--Gleanings, pages 259-260

(BTW, the Baha'i Faith has fully 200 volumes of scripture! We invite you to see these for yourself. You can find them at:

- www.bahai-library.org (click "Baha'i Writings" for our scriptures)
- www.reference.bahai.org
- www.bahaistudy.org (this site also has videos and talking books).

IlluSionS667 said:
3. What about materialism, which is denounced by any self-respecting Buddhist or pagan?

In the sense of "lack of religion," it's equally denounced by the Baha'i Faith (as well as all the other great religions)!

IlluSionS667 said:
4. What about other religions, which do not have any "divine messengers"? Do they not have a place in the Baha'i faith?

In general, such religions are man-made, and hence not part of this Divine Process. Also, not all other groups are "religions" at all! Shinto, for example, is a secular philosophy as it simply doesn't have all the attributes of a divinely-revealed religion (scripture, prophecies, Messenger, etc.).

IlluSionS667 said:
5. Would you require the whole world to speak the same language, and if so, which language?

We won't make that decision; that will be decided by the governments of the earth, in joint consultation.

IlluSionS667 said:
6. What about people who wish to choose a different path and reject the idea of unification? How will they fit into your perfect unified world, once it's established?

People are quite free to choose their own paths, and there is no forced membership in the Baha'i Faith! EVERY Baha'i world wide is a Baha'i solely because he or she actively decided to become one! (And membership in the Baha'i Faith can't be inherited.)

But frankly, IMHO anyone rejecting unity and harmony with others is misguided at best, and quite possibly in worse shape than that! There's little virtue in being a sociopath, I think.

If someone doesn't want to be a Baha'i, fine; that's his decision! But that's quite diffeent from hostility to others. . . .

I hope these answers help clarify things.

And as I said, further questions are most welcome!

My regards! :)

Bruce
 
IlluSion wrote: I've just read some info on bahai.org. I must say this all pretty much frightens me. This faith seems very naieve and pretty superficial, to be honest.

Reply:

I see Bruce and Ron have given you some answers... I'm glad you're asking questions though and hope you will continue to investigate the Faith!

Still, I have some questions for y'all :

1. If Christ, Buddha, Moses, Zoroaster or Muhammad are all messengers of the same and real God, why are there so many differences between Buddhism and the Judeo-Christian religions? And what are the common grounds of Zoroasterism and Judeo-Christianity or Buddhism? (I'm not familiar with Zoroasterism)

Reply:

Baha'is accept a common divine origin to the major world religions... What happened is that due to cultural diversity and different needs in various parts of the world over time, there are many variations of world religions over time. Each new revelation we believe sweeps aside these cultural variations and traditions and returns to the vital core of religion ...reinvigorating religion and restoring it to it's pristine beginnings...

2. What about animal life? Does a baha'i give himself the right to rule animals and nature, or does he position himself as a part of nature?

Reply:

Baha'is respect animal life and are opposed to recreational hunting. We also believe vegetarianism will be the preferred diet of the future.

3. What about materialism, which is denounced by any self-respecting Buddhist or pagan?

Reply:

Baha'is emphasize the spiritual values as opposed to materialism.

4. What about other religions, which do not have any "divine messengers"? Do they not have a place in the Baha'i faith?

Reply:

There are many religions of course and Baha'is respect them all... It's possible some religions that may have no known Messenger of God are remnants of early teachings that have been lost.

5. Would you require the whole world to speak the same language, and if so, which language?

Reply:

As Bruce noted, the choice of a universal auxilary language will be made by world representative bodies and not by us Baha'is. The value of having such a language should be apparent to most people as it will help unite mankind and improve communications and understanding... The good thing also is that aside from a universal auxilary language we will be happy to keep our own language and culture. So diversity will continue and be celebrated and enjoyed by everyone.

6. What about people who wish to choose a different path and reject the idea of unification? How will they fit into your perfect unified world, once it's established?

Reply:

Providing people are not injuring others or depriving them of their rights...they are free to do as they please....

Good questions!

- Art :cool:
 
IlluSionS667,

The Teachings of the Baha'i Faith are wonderful but like so many faiths the people can be a test. As well I have serious disagreements with the ways in which the Baha'i faith has changed since the 1950's. IMO it has become more authoritarian and less freedom-loving.

I reccomend as a starting place Frederick Glaysher's web-site http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/

All faiths contain people who inevitably skew the faith.

Kiwimac
 
kiwimac said:
All faiths contain people who inevitably skew the faith.

That may well be, which is PRECISELY WHY I would NOT recommend starting with someone notorious for having made virtually a profession of attacking the Baha'i Faith, such as the person YOU recommended. (This one is no longer a Baha'i, but the point holds.)

Clearly, many far better and more objective sources exist!
 
The Baha'i Faith more democratic:

kiwimac said:
IlluSionS667,

The Teachings of the Baha'i Faith are wonderful but like so many faiths the people can be a test. As well I have serious disagreements with the ways in which the Baha'i faith has changed since the 1950's. IMO it has become more authoritarian and less freedom-loving.

I reccomend as a starting place Frederick Glaysher's web-site http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/

All faiths contain people who inevitably skew the faith.

Kiwimac

My dear Kiwi:

I find it interesting that for someone who was apparently born in 1960 according to your profile, you can make a statement like:

"As well I have serious disagreements with the ways in which the Baha'i faith has changed since the 1950's. IMO it has become more authoritarian and less freedom-loving."

Apparently your remark is not based then on personal experience.

In 1963 for instance the Universal House of Justice was elected by representatives of the Baha'i World so in what sense then could the Faith be "more authoritatian and less freedom loving" since the 1950's? There are also more elected National Spiritual Assemblies than any previous time!

- Art


:cool:
 
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Re: The Baha'i Faith more democratic:

The move since the 1950's has been away from the kind of personal religion that Baha'u'llah talked of, the kind of individual faith that Abdu'l-Baha believed underlay the relationship with God to a more institutional kind of faith which seems to prize note an 'unfettered search after truth' but adherence to a particular theological line.

As for speaking from personal experience I was a member of the Faith from the late 1970's to the mid 1980's, since that time, although not a member, I have retained many close friends in the Faith and as I have, since that time, spent considerable time studying comparative religions and the history of individual faiths I believe I have something of some value to add to this discussion.

As to the comment about Glaysher, he is not simply an opponent of the faith, far from it, what he wants is for the faith he loves to live up to its teachings and not get side-tracked into issues of control of individual people's faith.

Kiwimac
 
Re: The Baha'i Faith more democratic:

kiwimac wrote;

The move since the 1950's has been away from the kind of personal religion that Baha'u'llah talked of, the kind of individual faith that Abdu'l-Baha believed underlay the relationship with God to a more institutional kind of faith which seems to prize note an 'unfettered search after truth' but adherence to a particular theological line.

My reply:

Actually Kiwi I don't think you've made a case that the Faith is less democratic or is more authoritarian since the fifties..

As you well know the Beloved Guardian who died in 1957 as the Center of the Cause established the Administrative Order we have today which is elective and democratic...

The only "theological line" is based on the Writings of our Faith.

So I still have yet to see how you have made any case for growing authoritarianism in the Faith since the fifties...

Kiwi:

As for speaking from personal experience I was a member of the Faith from the late 1970's to the mid 1980's, since that time, although not a member, I have retained many close friends in the Faith and as I have, since that time, spent considerable time studying comparative religions and the history of individual faiths I believe I have something of some value to add to this discussion.

Reply:

It's nice to hear you have spent considerable time studying comparative religions and were a Baha'i... for what? Five years or so? I don't think that in itself establishes you as an authority on the subject.

Kiwi:

As to the comment about Glaysher, he is not simply an opponent of the faith, far from it, what he wants is for the faith he loves to live up to its teachings and not get side-tracked into issues of control of individual people's faith.

Reply:

I really don't think discussing Glaysher makes your point. As you say "he is not simply an opponent of the Faith". I don't think we're here to discuss "what he wants for the faith"... or "how he loves to live up to its teachings..."

- Art :cool:
 
Re: The Baha'i Faith more democratic:

Quite so, Art!

And as to the individual he "recommended," suffice it to say that this individual is one of those who wants the Baha'i Faith to conform to HIS desires and opinions rather than to operate the way the Baha'i scriptures say it's supposed to. (Such things as his wanting to override rulings of the National Spiritual Assembly, for example.)

I am not impressed.

Peace,

Bruce
 
Re: The Baha'i Faith more democratic:

Bruce,

Be as unimpressed as you like. The requirement to seek out truth in an unfettered way does not need to conform to you or to your likings or dislikings. Whether you agree with Glaysher is beside the point.

If you want people to become informed Baha'is who have made conscious decisions then you must, perforce, allow them access to sites / places with which you personally disagree.

Kiwimac
 
Re: The Baha'i Faith more democratic:

Oh, and as for my bona fides. I really don't care what you think of me. I have been thinking, praying and searching all of my life, IMO the search is more important than the answer, the journey more significant than the arrival.

Kiwimac
 
Re: The Baha'i Faith more democratic:

kiwimac said:
Bruce,

Be as unimpressed as you like. The requirement to seek out truth in an unfettered way does not need to conform to you or to your likings or dislikings. Whether you agree with Glaysher is beside the point.

If you want people to become informed Baha'is who have made conscious decisions then you must, perforce, allow them access to sites / places with which you personally disagree.

Kiwimac

Kiwi:

I don't think Bruce indicated he was for suppressing any information...only registering his disapproval. There are as you know anti-Baha'i sites online and people can access them... Rather than rehash someone elses' material though, I think you can post your own ideas or critiques...but if you do, expect that someone will likely counter them.

- Art
:cool:
 
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