Goodbye. [17], From 1980 onward, several well-educated Bahs left the religion and subsequently criticized it. He teaches that God is a loving Parent who never uses threats or fear or guilt or shame in relating to Her/His children. 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. The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith. Extract from Dale Husbands blog. Christian and Islamic authors (e.g. The Babi movement called for revolutionary social changes and championed womens rights. [1][2], The criticism and challenges it has faced vary considerably in different regions of the world. Rather, Bahais look to the spiritual teachings of the Bab and Bahaullah, as interpreted and elucidated by Abdul-Baha, for inspiration and guidance. The global Baha'i community is not just a group of well-meaning people. His son and successor, Abdu'l-Baha, traveled to Europe and the United States to spread the faith. 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. [25] Jason Boyett wrote in 12 Major World Religions that, "The [Bah] condemnation of covenant-breakers is immediate, absolute, andin a religion promoting love and acceptanceprofoundly disconcerting. Being involved in interfaith work, Im constantly asked Whos your local spiritual leader, or priest, or pastor? The fact is, there isnt one. "[13], William McElwee Miller (18921993) was a Presbyterian missionary in Iran who published a polemic titled The Baha'i Faith (1974), in which he attacked the religion by promoting the views of individuals opposing Bah leadership. | The Bahai Insider, Dale Husband: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith Bah Censorship, Another reason to despise Michael Shermer | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, A Critical Analysis of the The Kitb-i-Aqdas, Part Three | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, A Conversion to Mormonism | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Featured in a magazine critical of the Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Why I Rejected the Bahai Faith, 4th Edition | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. Therefore, Baha'u'llahs teachings specifically advocate for racial unity, gender equality, universal education, and harmony of science and religion. In a letter written to an individual believer on behalf of the Guardian it is stated: 'If we are better, if we show love, patience, and understanding of the weakness of others, if we seek to never criticize but rather encourage, others will do likewise, and we can really help the Cause through our example and spiritual strength. Reading and Reacting to The Gadfly Molehill. Yes, the Road to Serfdom is Indeed Paved by Conservatives, you Libertarian Idiot! Ive never officially withdrawn or resigned, but stopped being a Bahai either one or two years after declaration. An overwhelming majority of Bbs acknowledged his claim and thenceforth became known as Bahs. The religion began with considerable controversy. The Baha'i Faith is not just a collection of philosophical principles or an attempt to combine or conflate religions. Deeds not words are what they demand, and no amount of fervor in the use of expressions of loyalty and adulation will compensate for failure to live in the spirit of the teachings.". The problem is that everything you hear in the news is about the superficiality, immorality, and degradation of Hollywood. 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. 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 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. 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. He was asked 'How shall I overcome seeing the faults of othersrecognizing the wrong in others? Bah Faith, religion founded in Iraq in the mid-19th century by Mrz osayn Al Nr, who is known as Bah Allh (also spelled Bahullh), which in Arabic means Glory of God. The cornerstone of Bah belief is the conviction that Bah Allh and his forerunner, who was known as the Bb (Persian: Gateway), were manifestations of God, who in his essence is unknowable. All national spiritual assemblies of the world periodically constitute themselves an international convention and elect a supreme governing body known as the Universal House of Justice. 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. Cults separate themselves from society, and Bahais take part in society. The Bah Faith and its predecessor, the Bb religion, originated in the nineteenth-century Persian Empire, arousing considerable opposition, initially on purely theological and doctrinal grounds; it was perceived by many Iranians as threat to established power and authority in Persia.. Goodbye. All done! [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. "On no subject are the Bah teachings more emphatic than on the necessity to abstain from fault-finding and backbiting while being ever eager to discover and root out our own faults and overcome our own failings. In fact, the first school for girls in Iran was established by the Baha'is. When people say that the Bahai Faith has something to do with Judaism, its often a result of confusing the word Bahai with Bnai Brith, a service organization dedicated to the social and educational betterment of Jews. 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. 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. I would later realize how useful those books could have been as weapons against my former religion, but I also was able to find enough online resources for my purposes. But His Holiness Christ said: 'Look at its teeth! 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. [21], In the Kitb-i-Aqdas, Bahu'llh prescribed the death penalty both for intentional arson and murder. Author Lil Abdo says that the Bah understanding of sexual equality is different from that of secular feminists. Before Bah Allh died in 1892, he appointed his eldest son, Abd al-Bah (18441921), to be the leader of the Bahi community and the authorized interpreter of his teachings. The Bah Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. My family, like many Wilmette residents, witnessed its decades-long construction. 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 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. Ottoman officials later moved Baha'u'llah to the prison city of Akka in Palestine. Bah World News Service Bah' International Community, has confiscated properties from Baha'i families. [11], Bah authors have written in response that the contradictory teachings are either social laws that change from age to age, as part of a progressive revelation, or human error introduced to the more ancient faiths over time. Bahu'llh's claim of divine revelation is in direct conflict with this common interpretation of Islam. I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. There are no initiation ceremonies, no sacraments, and no clergy. The Baha'i Faith explained that away by claiming that while Jesus was indeed a Messenger (or Manifestation) of God, His faith had become corrupted over time and thus most Christians were not truly following him, but the doctrines of men. For you I desire spiritual distinction; that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in morals. "[25] Excommunication among Bahs is rare and reserved for those actively promoting schism. Actually, Bahais have been imprisoned and martyred since their Faith began in Persia, because of the persecution of the powerful Islamic clerics who consider the Bahai Faith and its progressive principles a threat. Selfless Service to Humanity, In fact, Bahaullah mandated that his followers involve themselves in social action when he said, Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.. The Bb was arrested and, after several years of incarceration, was executed in 1850. [23], The Bah teachings emphasize the need for unity, and have an official line of succession of leadership to prevent schism. [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. ThenI cut completely all personal ties to the Bahais in the Fort Worth area. When not convened as a body, each member has no autonomous authority. 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? Historical context. tht ws qck. In brief, you must become distinguished in all the virtues of the human world; for faithfulness and steadfastness; for philanthropic deeds and service to the human world; for love toward every human being; for unity and accord with all people; for removing prejudices and promoting international peace. One of the first Bah institutions in the U.S. was established in Chicago and . The Christian Grace Network on YouTube November 23, 2022. [15], Islamic theology regards Muhammad as the Khatam an-Nabiyyin, the last prophet whom God has sent and Islam as the final religion for all humankind. [7][8], The Bah Faith has maintained its unity and avoided serious division, although several attempts have been made to create sects. Bah Allh was subsequently confined by the Ottomans in Adrianople (now Edirne, Turkey) and then in Acre in Palestine (now Akko, Israel). That Baha'u'llah was the Manifestation of God for this day and be obedient to the covenant. Bahaullahs revelation has been recognized as an independent global Faith in most of the countries of the world. 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. The Christian Bible clearly displays this concept, as it includes the Old Testament prophets Moses and Abraham, along with the New Testament prophet Jesus Christ, all of whom Bahais revere and consider divine messengers. The Bah Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people.. Thus you will grow, become more perfect. But the enemies who call themselves friends and who persistently violate every fundamental law of love and unity, are difficult to be dealt with in this day, for the mercy of God is still great. Thank you so much! For most Muslims, the prophet Muhammad was the last and final prophet. 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. 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. The Bible provides ALL the answers, in my truly humble (!) Baha'is have also been discriminated against in Yemen and in Egypt. Assistant Professor of History and Middle East Studies, Idaho State University. 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. This is the conduct and the manner of the real Bahais (Bahs). For many, the Baha'i faith is one of the most universal religions. The continental counselors are appointed by the Universal House of Justice. ", "The worst enemies of the Cause are in the Cause and mention the Name of God. 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. Im glad to know that you have found a better life after moving on, as have I. Baha'u'llahs writings form the foundation of the Baha'i faith. The great bulk of Bah teachings is concerned with social ethics. Handwriting Analysis of the Will of Abdu'l Baha by Dr. Mitchell; Hermann . Bahais have no clergy. Lights of Guidance Backbiting, Criticism, Faultfinding, Gossip, Lies, Slander Etc. 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. (Dale Husband: How old are you? He was released in 1853 and exiled to Baghdad, where his leadership revived the Bb community. [27] Central to Cole's complaints is the Bah review process, which requires Bah authors to gain approval before publishing on the religion. But. Shouldst thou transgress this command ACCURSED ART THOU.' Pingback: Why peace activists (and critics of religion) sometimes fail Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. [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. ", "Indeed the believers have not yet fully learned to draw on each other's love for strength and consolation in time of need. The year begins on the first day of spring, March 21, which is one of several holy days in the Bah calendar. 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. Pingback: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. [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. Your details have now been sent. Origin of the Baha'i Religion. Parental consent should only be an issue if the married partners are still minors. Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 volumes in Arabic and Persian. It is not an ordinary distinction I desire: not scientific, commercial, industrial distinction. Instead, the Bahai Faith operates administratively with a system of local, national and international nine-member governing bodies, all democratically elected without nominations or campaigns. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. IV. 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. More than one person has said Bahais arent involved in social action. Nothing could be further from the truth. They and other UUs are destined to do the work of peace, unity, and freedom that Bahais cannot and will never do! 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