They also. He was kept in an underground prison in Tehran, which Baha'u'llah describes in his writings as filthy, dark and foul beyond comparison.. 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. Since then, the Bahai International Community, as a non-governmental organization with a permanent seat at the United Nations, has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. 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. Baha'u'llah encouraged Baha'is to cooperate with their governments and engage with the followers of all religions in a spirit of fellowship. The Bah's are fully entitled to address criticisms to their assemblies; they can freely air their views about policies or individual members of elected bodies to the assembly, local or national, but then they must whole-heartedly accept the advice or decision of the assembly, according to the principles already laid down for such matters in "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. Despite their apparent differences, the worlds great religions, according to the Bahs, teach an identical truth. He appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbn (18971957), his successor. In such cases, of course, the name of the person or persons involved will have to be mentioned. But even if these are not taken from the records it still does not make them either true or false. Here are the misconceptions I addressed: People often ask where Bahais worship, which perhaps indicates anassumption more than a misconception. [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. Quite controversially, the Bab claimed that his teachings were a revelation from God and predicted that a new prophetic figure, or manifestation of God, would soon appear. According to Bah' belief, there have been individuals throughout history who were Manifestations of God, who founded major world religions and had certain supernatural powers, such as the ability to prophesy. [27] Central to Cole's complaints is the Bah review process, which requires Bah authors to gain approval before publishing on the religion. One must expose the praiseworthy qualities of the souls and not their evil attributes. You know nothing about why my marriage failed and it had nothing to do with lack of parental consent. Zackery M. Heern does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The criticism and challenges it has faced vary considerably in different regions of the world. It was during this exile that he publicly announced the establishment of the Baha'i faith. This unique conception of religion which Abdul-Baha explained by saying These holy Manifestations of God are the Educators and Trainers of the world of existence, the Teachers of the world of humanity is not an artificial attempt to bring religions together, but instead a completely new way to see all Faiths as one organic whole rather than a collection of competing belief systems. He teaches that God is a loving Parent who never uses threats or fear or guilt or shame in relating to Her/His children. Criticism of the Baha'i Faith I can only speak for myself, but I consider direct and detailed criticism of the Baha'i Faith to be an essential part of the recovery process involved in leaving it. [27] Cole went on to criticize the Bah Faith in three articles written from 19982002,[28][29][30] describing a prominent Bah as "inquisitor" and "bigot", and describing Bah institutions as socially isolating, dictatorial, and controlling, with financial irregularities and sexual deviance. For backbiting is divisive, it is the leading cause among the friends of a disposition to withdraw. Again, it doesnt really matter. He concluded from this that the Bah' World Faith must be God's religion. The Universal House of Justice suggests that you call to mind the admonitions found in our Writings on the need to overlook the shortcomings of others, to forgive and conceal their misdeeds, not to expose their bad qualities, but to search for and affirm their praiseworthy ones, and endeavour to be always forbearing, patient, and merciful. Parental consent should only be an issue if the married partners are still minors. Goodbye. 9 Politics: Here a number of criticisms about the Bahai faith aligning itself with different historical superpowers are listed. If the Bahs would follow the Bah laws in voting, in electing, in serving and in abiding by Assembly decisions, all this waste of strength through criticising others could be diverted into cooperation and achieving the Plan. He proclaimed a spiritual doctrine emphasizing the forthcoming appearance of a new prophet or messenger of God who would overturn old beliefs and customs and usher in a new era. The Bah Faith was first mentioned in the United States in 1893 at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. I am closer to God than I have ever been, and less confused than I have ever been. The Quran puts forth the same idea, because along with Muhammad it includes the Old Testament prophets and also Christ. For many, the Baha'i faith is one of the most universal religions. Knowing you seem similar to my mindset from a brief review of your site, I might be more inclined to try the UU route. She agreed! That looked like denial to me, so I dismissed it and threw away the letter. ", "It is obvious that if we listen to those who complain to us about the faults of others we are guilty of complicity in their backbiting. AJs concepts are not a religion or a cult. [7][8], The Bah Faith has maintained its unity and avoided serious division, although several attempts have been made to create sects. The problem is that everything you hear in the news is about the superficiality, immorality, and degradation of Hollywood. Being involved in interfaith work, Im constantly asked Whos your local spiritual leader, or priest, or pastor? The fact is, there isnt one. Without the support of the UUs at First Jefferson Church, I might have never had the courage to do battle against the corrupt, idiotic Haifan Bahai Administrative Order as I have done. Another Haifan Bahai Gets Busted on Reddit, A Challenge Leads to a Peaceful Resolution, The Next UUA Presidential Election Seems to be in Trouble, An unethical teaching from the Caleb and Sophia Series, A Question About Translating the Bahai Writings. To put you in touch with a Bahai in your area who can answer your questions, we would like to kindly ask for a few details about yourself. 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. (Quoted in Star of West, Vol. An overwhelming majority of Bbs acknowledged his claim and thenceforth became known as Bahs. He taught there is one God and one human family, and that the great religions of the world represent successive stages in the spiritual evolution of human society. The official website of the Baha'i Faith is: Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest content, 2023 BahaiTeachings.org All Rights Reserved. If that has changed recently Id like to see the reference. 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. 3 - Belief that all religions are valid, and that the Torah and Gospel have . ", "The worst enemies of the Cause are in the Cause and mention the Name of God. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. He observed only the whiteness of the teeth and overlooked entirely the deformity of the body, the dissolution of its organs and the bad odour. 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. 2,070. Therefore, Baha'u'llahs teachings specifically advocate for racial unity, gender equality, universal education, and harmony of science and religion. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, so to speak. Yet Baha'is in Iran, who are the largest non-Muslim religious community, continue to face persecution. 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. Corrections? The year begins on the first day of spring, March 21, which is one of several holy days in the Bah calendar. The Bb was arrested and, after several years of incarceration, was executed in 1850. One of the first Bah institutions in the U.S. was established in Chicago and . 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. Still, when I left the Administration I formally withdrew but this had more to do with the sanctity of the rites of initiation in the Christain Church than it did with the Administration of the Bahai faith. Soon the Bbs teachings spread throughout Iran, provoking strong opposition from both the Shii Muslim clergy and the government. Pingback: Why I Rejected the Bahai Faith, 4th Edition | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Your email address will not be published. [1] Western academics have criticized the requirement for Bahs to seek pre-publication review when publishing on the religion[3] and the exclusion of women from serving on the Universal House of Justice. Many of the Bahai writings are mystical and tell us a great deal about spiritual reality but others lay the foundation for an elegant and very practical democratically-elected global administrative order, designed to gradually unfold and help bring humanity to a permanent world peace. [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. The clear, forthright responses he gave to the criticism that "the Baha'i Faith offers nothing new," have become, during the intervening century, a classic catalog of the many unique and unprecedented aspects of the Baha'i teachings and principles. I read where it clearly said in the Bahai Writings you have to explicitly deny belief in Bahaullah to be removed from National Bahai membership rolls. How can they best reach you? RELATED: What Happens When You Become a Bahai? Baha'is are followers of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who brought an entirely new, worldwide Faith to humanity. "If we profess loyalty to Bahullh, to our Beloved Master and our dear Guardian, then we must show our love by obedience to these explicit teachings. Maybe there is a wisdom in asking for parental consent after all, reading how this marriage of two adults ended up. We need not fear the enemies on the outside for such can be easily dealt with. The Baha'i Faith, the world's newest independent global belief system, teaches the oneness of God, the unity of humanity , and the essential harmony of religion. Try making a comment like an adult and I will then treat you like one. Handwriting Analysis of the Will of Abdu'l Baha by Dr. Mitchell; Hermann . According to Bahai law, I would have needed the consent of both her mother (her father was already deceased), and my BIRTH (not adoptive) parents to be married to her. Over 20,000 unique works by Baha'u'llah have been identified at the Baha'i World Centre, comprising just under seven million words. ", " Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity. On the contrary, it would make the dust to settle so thickly on the heart that the ears would hear no more, and the eyes would no longer behold the light of truth. The faith has no priesthood and does not observe ritual forms in its worship. He must be a lover of the rose, no matter in what soil it may be growing. His son and successor, Abdu'l-Baha, traveled to Europe and the United States to spread the faith. tht ws qck. Many things are preserved in records as matters of opinion; no one has given a verdict on this matter! People who leave the religion, transgress community standards, or attack it externally are not considered Covenant-breakers. The great bulk of Bah teachings is concerned with social ethics. ", "I desire distinction for you. A Unitarian Bahai comes across as an idiot, again! [3][9], Christian author and missiologist Ed Stetzer rejects the Bah Faith as a syncretic combination of faiths,[10] while Christian author John Ankerberg points to discrepancies between faiths to contradict the idea of unity of religion.[8]. Do this whenever you are tried through the words or deeds of others. These are worded in a way to seem like crazy conspiracies. I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. 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. [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. Does it really matter? In our group, the discourse enabled all participants to deal upfront with common misconceptions about their religions, and allowed panelists and audience members to be exposed to religions unfamiliar to them. The Bah Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people.. Origin of the Baha'i Religion. If he looks to this side and that to see how Tom and Harry are getting on and to criticise their ploughing, then his own furrow will assuredly become crooked. About 5 million people worldwide adhere to the Baha'i faith, according to Patheos.com, but other sources say there are as many as 7 million around the world.. "The question of dealing with those who call themselves Bahs but who act in ways which we believe to be detrimental to the interests of the Cause is a very difficult one. On January 18, a court in Iran's Mazandaran province ordered that property belonging to Bahai citizen Sheida Taeed be confiscated and transferred to the "Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order," a committee controlled by . 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. There is no way Im going to use a strangers personal home as a house of worship. 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. The truth, on the contrary, is that the Bahai Faith teaches progressive revelation, which means, as Abdul-Baha said in a talk he gave in the United States in 1912, that: the divine religions of the holy Manifestations of God are in reality one, though in name and nomenclature they differ. 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. [17], Bahu'llh's teachings on the equality of men and women, and that slavery should be banned, were controversial ideas in the nineteenth century Middle East that contributed to attempts to destroy his movement.[16]. ", " If any soul speak ill of an absent one, the only result will clearly be this: he will dampen the zeal of the friends and tend to make them indifferent. IV. The stupidity of that idea should be obvious. Message and data rates may apply. Ratings: +1,422. Baha'is have also been discriminated against in Yemen and in Egypt. [27] For example, Juan Cole converted to the Bah Faith in 1972, but later resigned in 1996 after conflicts with members of the administration who perceived him as extreme. The principles of the Bah' Faith were established by Bah'u'llh, the Founder of the Faith, in the latter half of the nineteenth century and promulgated by His Son and appointed successor, 'Abdu'l-Bah during a tireless twenty -nine year ministry.While on an historic teaching trip in 1912 throughout the United States and Canada, 'Abdu'l-Bah explained Bah'u'llh's Teachings to . I was recently invited to participate on an interfaith panel where we all responded to this question: What are the truths and misconceptions about your Faith? One of them said: 'How putrid has this animal become!' A "Unitarian Baha'i" comes across as an idiot, again! Goodbye. Importantly, the Bahai Faith first emerged in a Muslim culture in what is now Iran, so Islam could be said to be its parent Faith in the same way that Judaism was the parent Faith of Christianity. How blessed are these aims, especially the prevention of backbiting! Though new, these beliefs originated in Twelver Shii Islam, which asserts a belief in the forthcoming return of the 12th imam (successor of Muhammad), who will renew religion and guide the faithful. His most well-known book is The Hidden Words, which is composed of short poetic statements that get to the heart of his spiritual and ethical teachings. 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'. But if that fails or if we feel that it is hopeless to try and deal with the matter in that way, while at the same time the case is so serious that the interests of the Cause require that it should be firmly dealt with, then the proper course is to bring the matter before the Spiritual Assembly and have it frankly and fully discussed, calling such evidence as is necessary for the elucidation of the matter. 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. p. 192) Bahullh says in the Hidden Words: 'Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art a sinner. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab; Lady Ruth White. The Bahs use a calendar, established by the Bb and confirmed by Bah Allh, in which the year is divided into 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of 4 intercalary days (5 in leap years). 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