Ratings: +1,422. It has an office on the environment involved in sustainable development. The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Actually, when I was Bahai I was dating a nominal Christian, and I had suggested the UU church as a possible place that we could go for worship together if we got married. Man must be a lover of the light, no matter from what dayspring it may appear. When Bahaullahs son and successor Abdul-Baha visited North America in 1912, he modeled an example of social action when he told Bahais to racially integrate even in cities which were segregated at that time; and to also apply the Bahai principle of the equality of the sexes to their lives. Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 volumes in Arabic and Persian. A third cried out: 'What a stench! If some Islamic countries were confused about how to classify the Bahai Faith, why have many of them officially recognized it as an independent religion distinct from Islam since early in the 20th century? Because the Bahai Faith is based in the grassroots, any social action is the result of consultative decisions made in any given locality and depends on local capacities. Bahu'llh's claim of divine revelation is in direct conflict with this common interpretation of Islam. Corrections? The Bahi Faith underwent a rapid expansion beginning in the 1960s, and by the early 21st century it had more than 180 national spiritual assemblies (national governing bodies) and several thousand local spiritual assemblies. Despite the persecution, the Baha'i faith has attracted millions of adherents around the globe for its ability to transcend nationalism, racism and the like. At the same time, the Baha'i faith has spread around the globe. He must be a lover of the rose, no matter in what soil it may be growing. https://bahai.works/index.php?title=Lights_of_Guidance/Backbiting,_Criticism,_Faultfinding,_Gossip,_Lies,_Slander_Etc.&oldid=121304. She has published in anthologies, textbooks, peer-reviewed academic journals, radio and magazines; presented papers at numerous By clicking "Sign up", I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and consent to receive communications (email, telephone call, or text message) from Bahaiteachings.org about news, events and offers, including via automated technology and/or prerecorded calls or messages to the number and email provided above, even if my number is a mobile number or is currently listed on any state, federal or corporate Do Not Call list. Baha'is are followers of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who brought an entirely new, worldwide Faith to humanity. Your message was successfully sent to BahaiTeachings.org. Cheri came to love the freedom of thought in that church, despite still being a strong Christian, while I came to love the powerful community the church provided, despite my agnosticism. I should update this by noting that I separated from Cheri in December of 2011 and filed for divorce from her on May 7, 2012, finally getting the divorce granted on August 15, 2012. Rather, Bahais look to the spiritual teachings of the Bab and Bahaullah, as interpreted and elucidated by Abdul-Baha, for inspiration and guidance. The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith. Large-scale persecutions of his adherents, the Bbs, followed. There is, of course the right of appeal from the Local to the National Assembly, and from that to Shoghi Effendi,* but the matter ought to be dealt with, in the first instance, by the Local Spiritual Assembly. The Baha'i Faith is a dynamic world religion with several million adherents from a variety of different religious and cultural backgrounds. RELATED: What is the Best Way to Worship? In this article I will respond to these arguments as they relate to the different views held by Bah's and Christians on (1) the nature of God, (2) biblical prophecy, and (3) religious unity. People often fear and denigrate what they dont understand, and anyone who says that the Bahai Faith is a cult definitely does not understand it. We were married the following year. IV. "You ask in your letter for guidance on the implications of the prohibition on backbiting and more specifically whether, in moments of anger or depression, the believer is permitted to turn to his friends to unburden his soul and discuss his problem in human relations. A "Unitarian Baha'i" comes across as an idiot, again! The Bahai House of Worship in North America is in the town where two generations of my family lived before me Wilmette, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. Goodbye. Yes, intermittent fasting has become pretty trendy, for this physical fast is a symbol of the spir, At the beginning of the 20th century, what did a P, One must see in every human being only that which, Every tender heart wonders What can I do to hel, Act in such a way that your heart may be free from, While sorrow and suffering seem to be inescapable, What is the Best Way to Worship? It will endeavor to present criteria for the labels "world religion" and "new religious movement," as well as explore to what extent the Bah' Faith fulfils these criteria. For the first few months of our marriage, Cheri and I shared a home with my parents, until we had enough money to move out on our own. This body applies the laws promulgated by Bah Allh and legislates on matters not covered in the sacred texts. | The Bahai Insider, Pingback: Dale Husband: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith Bah Censorship, Pingback: Another reason to despise Michael Shermer | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: A Critical Analysis of the The Kitb-i-Aqdas, Part Three | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: A Conversion to Mormonism | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: Featured in a magazine critical of the Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, At the gate of the garden some stand and look within, but do not care to enter. While Bah teachings assert that men and women are spiritually equal, some areas of differentiation remain. Your details have now been sent. Beliefs, ideas and rituals of the Baha'is: 1 - Belief that Allaah is incarnated in some of His creation, and that Allaah was incarnated in al-Baab and al-Baha'. Every Bah, however, is under the spiritual obligation to pray daily; to abstain totally from narcotics, alcohol, or any other substances that affect the mind; to practice monogamy; to obtain the consent of parents to marriage; and to attend the Nineteen Day Feast on the first day of each month of the Bah calendar. I decided that if she wanted to marry me, she would have to leave that church, because I would never join it and she still wanted us to worship together on Sundays. Selfless Service to Humanity, Eco-Caskets: The Spiritual How - and Why - of Green Burials, Dr. Anthony Lee and the Excavation of Buried Racial Narratives. [20] Particularly in the United States, Bahs have attempted to reconcile the immutable conservative teachings on sexuality with the otherwise socially progressive teachings of the religion, but it continues to be a source of controversy. Whenever you recognize the fault of another, think of yourself! They and other UUs are destined to do the work of peace, unity, and freedom that Bahais cannot and will never do! "[6] Former Bah William Garlington said the Bah position in the United States "can at most be characterized as one of sympathetic disapproval" toward homosexuality. Pawel Szul heterodoxy religion of Bayan, Unitarian Baha'i Discussion Forum Yahoo. Yet Baha'is in Iran, who are the largest non-Muslim religious community, continue to face persecution. Christian and Islamic authors (e.g. [16] Thus, authorities in the Muslim world have rejected the Bah Faith and regard Bahs as apostates if they had been Muslims before conversion. Over 20,000 unique works by Baha'u'llah have been identified at the Baha'i World Centre, comprising just under seven million words. [17], From 1980 onward, several well-educated Bahs left the religion and subsequently criticized it. "It is related that His Holiness ChristMay my life be a sacrifice to Him!one day, accompanied by His apostles, passed by the corpse of a dead animal. Vangelis was a Living Legend.and he Remains a Legend Forever! But ere long this merciful door will be closed and such enemies will be attacked with a madness. In the West, liberals have criticized the Bah Faith for some of its conservative social practices, notably the prohibition on premarital or homosexual intimacy for Bahs. Every attempted Bah schism has failed to attract more than a few hundred individuals and declined over time. [26], Bahs have been accused, particularly by successive Iranian governments, of being agents or spies of Russia, Britain, the Shah, the United States, and as agents of Zionismeach claim being linked to each regime's relevant enemy and justifying anti-Bah actions. 3 - Belief that all religions are valid, and that the Torah and Gospel have . In Acre in northern Israel, a former prison city of the Ottoman Empire, the barracks where Bahullh was imprisoned starting in 1868. A Question About Translating the Baha'i Writings December 11, 2022. Some discover a hornets nest in the garden and fearing being STUNG TO DEATH, run out of the garden in horror. By clicking "Continue" "Submit" , I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and consent to receive communications (email, telephone call, or text message) from Bahaiteachings.org about news, events and offers, including via automated technology and/or prerecorded calls or messages to the number and email provided above, even if my number is a mobile number or is currently listed on any state, federal or corporate Do Not Call list. If we allow our attention and energy to be taken up in efforts to keep others right and remedy their faults, we are wasting precious time. Lights of Guidance/Backbiting, Criticism, Faultfinding, Gossip, Lies, Slander Etc. If we think we can help matters by a frank and friendly talk with the individual concerned, refraining from judging or condemning, but pointing out in as kind a manner as possible the way in which, as it seems to us, the sort of conduct in question is harmful to the Cause or of a nature forbidden by the teachings, then it seems well to try that method before resorting to the more formidable method of bringing the matter before the Spiritual Assembly. But its root is lack of faith in the system of Bahullh, i.e., the Administrative Orderand lack of obedience to Himfor He has forbidden it! In 'Star of the West', Volume 8, No. The primary functions of both groups are to propagate the Bah Faith and protect the community. Maybe there is a wisdom in asking for parental consent after all, reading how this marriage of two adults ended up. The faith has no priesthood and does not observe ritual forms in its worship. If any individual should speak ill of one who is absent, it is incumbent on his hearers, in a spiritual and friendly manner, to stop him, and say in effect: would this detraction serve any useful purpose? Each of us is immeasurably far from being "perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect" and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our will-power and energy. The exclusion of same-sex marriage among Bahs has garnered considerable criticism in the Western world, where the Bah teachings on sexuality may appear to be unreasonable, dogmatic, and difficult to apply in Western society. He was released in 1853 and exiled to Baghdad, where his leadership revived the Bb community. [1] SOLanding, a Possible Cryptocurrency Scam Site? Each of us is immeasurably far from being 'perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect' and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our will-power and energy. Cults separate, and the Bahai Faith unites. [27][31], Denis MacEoin, a scholar who had previously been a Bah, criticized what he saw as a threat to the impartiality of the academic field of Bb and Bah studies due to the dominance of practising Bahs in the field. Cults have charismatic leaders, and Bahais have no clergy or leaders at all. I declared back in 2008 when I was a naive open eyed idealist about the principles without knowing about all the contradictions and stuff. An overwhelming majority of Bbs acknowledged his claim and thenceforth became known as Bahs. People who leave the religion, transgress community standards, or attack it externally are not considered Covenant-breakers. Bah Allh was arrested in 1852 and jailed in Tehrn, where he became aware that he was the prophet and messenger of God whose coming had been predicted by the Bb. Shouldst thou transgress this command ACCURSED ART THOU.' The principal Bah tenets are the essential unity of all religions and the unity of humanity. This is the conduct and the manner of the real Bahais (Bahs). ", "One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. I am totally convinced that the Bahai Faith is doomed to fail in its mission to bring peace, unity, and a Golden Age to humanity and I therefore resign from my past membership in the Faith. As a member of Irans nobility, Baha'u'llah was offered a government position. This must be the point of distinction among you. I am totally convinced that the Bahai Faith is doomed to fail in its mission to bring peace, unity, and a Golden Age to humanity and I therefore resign from my past membership in the Faith. Subsequent public protests and mob violence claimed the lives of thousands of his followers. In the early 21st century there were nine Bah houses of worship: in Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Germany, India, Panama, Samoa, the United States, and Uganda. Like all Bahai Houses of Worship, it welcomes everyone, and its nine entrances symbolize the many legitimate paths to the Creator. Author Lil Abdo says that the Bah understanding of sexual equality is different from that of secular feminists. The last claim is partially rooted in the presence of the Bah World Centre in northern Israel. Bah World News Service Bah' International Community, has confiscated properties from Baha'i families. [23], The Bah teachings emphasize the need for unity, and have an official line of succession of leadership to prevent schism. After full consideration, the Spiritual Assembly should take such action as it deems advisable, and it is incumbent upon all members of the group to be loyal to whatever decision is arrived at by the Spiritual Assembly. [6], The religion's rise in the Middle East and subsequent movement into the West has given rise to a body of anti-Bah polemic. In a Tablet to an American friend the Master wrote: 'The worst human quality and the most great sin is backbiting, more especially when it emanates from the tongues of the believers of God. What are my imperfections?and try to remove them. But even if these are not taken from the records it still does not make them either true or false. Baha'u'llah, whose name means Glory of God in Arabic, was born in Tehran in 1817. The Christian Grace Network on YouTube November 23, 2022. He appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbn (18971957), his successor. Goodbye. The Bah Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people.. "[25] Excommunication among Bahs is rare and reserved for those actively promoting schism. In the temples there is no preaching; services consist of recitation of the scriptures of all religions. 2,070. Realizing that I had to remove myself from that community outright as a matter of honor, I wrote the following letter: To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of the United States, The Bah religion originally grew out of the Bb faith, or sect, which was founded in 1844 by Mrz Al Moammad of Shrz in Iran. The Bah' Faith is a world religion based on the teachings of Bah'u'llh. Most criticism has come from Iranian enemies with a reputation for deception, Christian groups intending to smear the religion, and disaffected former Baha'is who largely criticize individuals in the administration. Deborah Clark Vance earned a Ph.D. from Howard University in Intercultural Communication and served as Assoc Prof. and Chair of the Dept of Comm & Cinema at McDaniel College. Ive never officially withdrawn or resigned, but stopped being a Bahai either one or two years after declaration. Your opinion is based on no facts whatsoever and therefore is not worth considering. After Islamic fundamentalists came to power in Iran in 1979, the 300,000 Bahs there were persecuted by the government. We should therefore, as tactfully as possible, but yet firmly, do our utmost to prevent others from making accusations or complaints against others in our presence.". Throughout his life, Bah & # x27 ; i Writings December 11, 2022 some of. Former prison city of the Baha ' u'llah was offered a government position of. 8, no of both groups are to propagate the Bah World Centre in northern.... Being only that which is worthy of praise the unity of all religions and the manner of scriptures., `` One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise llah penned over volumes. Who are the largest non-Muslim religious community, continue to face persecution, no matter from what dayspring may... 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