People who leave the religion, transgress community standards, or attack it externally are not considered Covenant-breakers. 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 continental counselors are appointed by the Universal House of Justice. 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. In the end (undefined in conventional thinking) all knees will bow before the King of all Kings, Jesus Christ. When we did, I left behind at the house most of the Bahai books and other literature I had collected from my eight or nine years as a Bahai. If, on the other hand, God's own nature is said to be contradictory, that is, that God is both one God and many gods, that God is both able and not able to have a son, personal and impersonal, etc., then the Bahai concept of God is reduced to meaninglessness. "When a difficulty is brought out into the daylight and freely discussed by a duly authorized and responsible group of people who are sincerely desirous of finding the best solution and are free from prejudice or personal motive, then there is a good chance of overcoming it, but discussion of the faults of others behind their backs by unauthorized people who have no authority to take action in the matter, is surely one of the most fertile causesprobably THE most fertile causeof disunity, and the importance of putting an end to this practice should be impressed on all Bahs.". Hi, exmuslim atheist here. ", " 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. 2 - Belief in the transmigration of souls, and that reward and punishment happen to the soul only. Velma A Good Reason to NEVER Subscribe to HBO Max! In 'Star of the West', Volume 8, No. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); After years of investigation and soul-searching, I have finally come to the sad understanding that I can no longer bring myself to believe in Bahaullah or any of the institutions established in His name, including the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Today, Baha'u'llahs shrine, now in Israel, is an important pilgrimage site. I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. Its 2014 now. "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. Baha'is are followers of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who brought an entirely new, worldwide Faith to humanity. My future wife was a member of First Baptist Church of Dallas, a stronghold of fundamentalism. Yes, the Road to Serfdom is Indeed Paved by Conservatives, you Libertarian Idiot! 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. Cults often promote violence, and Bahais are peaceful, non-violent citizens. 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! The ineligibility of women has caused discontent among small but vocal groups of western Bah intellectuals,[5][1] and criticism from others. SOLanding, a Possible Cryptocurrency Scam Site? In Acre in northern Israel, a former prison city of the Ottoman Empire, the barracks where Bahullh was imprisoned starting in 1868. 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. How cadaverous looking!' Message and data rates may apply. Instead, he joined a new religious movement, started by a young Iranian, known as the Bab. 6. I am currently a skeptic who is looking at both UU and Bahai as a new place to find a community that thinks like I do. [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. [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. Reading and Reacting to The Gadfly Molehill. Eventually, what started as a compromise between us grew into a case of full blown allegiance to the UU church for both of us. BAHA'IS AND THE NATURE OF GOD As Abdul-Baha, the son and successor of Bahaullah, explained: The original purpose of temples and houses of worship is simply that of unity places of meeting where various peoples, different races and souls of every capacity may come together in order that love and agreement should be manifest between them that all religions, races and sects may come together within its universal shelter. A third cried out: 'What a stench! Ottoman officials later moved Baha'u'llah to the prison city of Akka in Palestine. The Bb was arrested and, after several years of incarceration, was executed in 1850. The global Baha'i community is not just a group of well-meaning people. If manifestations are allowed to contradict one another, then there is no way to separate false manifestations from true ones or to discover if any of them really speak for the true and living God. Historical context. "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. That looked like denial to me, so I dismissed it and threw away the letter. ", "When we see the condition the world is in today, we must surely forget these utterly insignificant internal disturbances, and rush, unitedly, to the rescue of humanity. An unethical teaching from the Caleb and Sophia Series December 24, 2022. AJs concepts are not a religion or a cult. Baha'u'llahs father was a minister in Irans government, which supported Shi'i Islam as the state religion. [23], The Bah teachings emphasize the need for unity, and have an official line of succession of leadership to prevent schism. Many things are preserved in records as matters of opinion; no one has given a verdict on this matter! Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Bahais have no clergy, and in every location where they reside, Bahais live according to this administrative order, following the guidance given to them by the Universal House of Justice, the first truly democratic global system of governance. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. It is free information and it is offered without any coercion on your free will about what to do with it. I am totally convinced that the Baha'i 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. 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. 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. This is the conduct and the manner of the real Bahais (Bahs). (Bnai Brith means children of the covenant.). Your message was successfully sent to BahaiTeachings.org. 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. The local spiritual assembly has jurisdiction over all local affairs of the Bah community. ", "an unwise act or statement by a Bah in one country could result in a grave set-back for the Faith there or elsewhereand even loss of the lives of fellow believers. It was during this exile that he publicly announced the establishment of the Baha'i faith. [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]. Abstract This article will explore some of the issues involved in the sociological analysis of the status of the Bah' Faith. Origin of the Baha'i Religion. One of them said: 'How putrid has this animal become!' Yet Baha'is in Iran, who are the largest non-Muslim religious community, continue to face persecution. About a dozen of these have been translated into English and other languages. 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. 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. One of the Bbs earliest disciples and strongest exponents was Mrz osayn Al Nr, who had assumed the name Bah Allh when he renounced his social standing and joined the Bbs. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Im lazy. Man must be a lover of the light, no matter from what dayspring it may appear. by Jeremy Butler | Mar 25, 2010 | Baha'i, World Religions. This must be the point of distinction among you. There were several completely inactive Bahais in the North Richland Hills, Texas locality who I never saw in the years I was a Bahai, but there was no talk of them not having administrative rights. tht ws qck. The problem is that everything you hear in the news is about the superficiality, immorality, and degradation of Hollywood. For most Muslims, the prophet Muhammad was the last and final prophet. Regretfully, Dale Husband I composed that letter on my computer and mailed it in January of 2005. 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. 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. The followers of such splinter groups are shunned and not considered Bahs by the majority. 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. [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. Message and data rates may apply. 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. By clicking "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. We are like ploughmen each of whom has his team to manage and his plough to direct, and in order to keep his furrow straight he must keep his eye on his goal and concentrate on his own task. The central figure of the religion is Baha'u'llah, and Baha'is consider him to be the latest in a series of divine messengers. It is not an ordinary distinction I desire: not scientific, commercial, industrial distinction. 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. Normally, it is possible to describe the situation surrounding a problem and seek help and advice in resolving it, without necessarily mentioning names. Thanks! Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 volumes in Arabic and Persian. His writings, which promote peace and unity, are at the heart of the . In Iran and other parts of the Middle East, Bahs continue to be criticized for breaking with Islam and accused of conspiring with western powers, resulting in intense persecution and the loss of civil rights. Thank you so much! "This is the attribute of the children of the Kingdom. He remained there until his passing in 1892. Judaism and Christianity are predecessors of Islam but criticism aimed directly at either of the two doesn't seem to directly affect Islam because of a belief in the Bible and Torah being corrupted or outdated versions of God's message. 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. The Bah Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people.. 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. The religion officially formed in 1863, but a Shiite Muslim man in Iran began paving the way in 1844 by announcing a new prophet was to come - after Muhammad. Soon the Bbs teachings spread throughout Iran, provoking strong opposition from both the Shii Muslim clergy and the government. Baha'is, for example, embrace interracial marriage and education for girls. A Statement About Mental Disorders and Domestic Abuse. ", "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. Baha'u'llah encouraged Baha'is to cooperate with their governments and engage with the followers of all religions in a spirit of fellowship. But even if these are not taken from the records it still does not make them either true or false. Goodbye. Abdo presented the following list of criticisms of the Bah Faith from a feminist perspective at an annual gathering for Bah studies in 1995: the ineligibility of women to serve on the Universal House of Justice--this is of particular interest to supporters of women priests within the Christian tradition; the intestacy laws in the Kitab-i-Aqdas; the dowry laws with particular reference to the virginity refund clause; the exemption of menstruating women from obligatory prayers and the implication of menstrual taboo; the use of androcentric language and male pronouns in texts; the emphasis on traditional morality and family values[18]. The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith. Cults separate themselves from society, and Bahais take part in society. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. Dale's Declarations. Occasionally Ive heard the uninformed opinion that the Bahai Faith is a sect of Islam not true! John Ankerberg) have attacked its history and founders, institutions, teachings, and use of prophecy. [4][5] These issues may be only marginal to the numerically dominant Bah community outside of Europe and North America. The condemnation of backbiting could hardly be couched in stronger language than in these passages, and it is obviously one of the foremost obligations for Bahs to set their faces against this practice. It is one of the functions of the older and the more mature Bahs to help the weaker ones to iron out their difficulties and learn to really function and live like true believers!". Do it yourself clergy aka the horrible administrative order, no politics allowed aka also another side effect of the administrative order as a model for the world at large, no alcohol drugs gambling gossip sex outside of heterosexual monogamy aka loads and loads of rules, etc are all drawbacks of being a Bahai. Membership in the Bah community is open to all who profess faith in Bah Allh and accept his teachings. But His Holiness Christ said: 'Look at its teeth! 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. I cant remember if it was one year or two years, but it was probably closer to one year. There also exist in the Bah Faith appointive institutions, such as the Hands of the Cause of God and the continental counselors. You may know of some other misconceptions, and I learned on our interfaith panel that they can be a wonderful topic for public discussion. ThenI cut completely all personal ties to the Bahais in the Fort Worth area. Soon after this, I began my relationship with Cheri, the woman that would later become my wife. [19] An overwhelming majority of Bbs acknowledged his claim and thenceforth became known as Bahs. In such cases, of course, the name of the person or persons involved will have to be mentioned. After Islamic fundamentalists came to power in Iran in 1979, the 300,000 Bahs there were persecuted by the government. Baha'is were nonetheless subjected to persecution, as some Muslim clerics perceived their faith to be a heresy. Finding out about what the Bahai Faith was actually about rather than all the stuff they like to advertise was a big shock. The religion's governing institution is the elected Universal House of Justice, whose membership is male-only. 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. The last claim is partially rooted in the presence of the Bah World Centre in northern Israel. Jehovah's Witnesses and Baha'is were among the most . I, too, am considering resigning my membership. If some means were devised so that the doors of backbiting were shut eternally and each one of the believers unsealed his lips in praise of others, then the teachings of His Holiness Bahullh would spread, the hearts be illumined, the spirits glorified, and the human world would attain to everlasting felicity.' gss t ws mr lk prf tht yr prblms l lss n pltcs nd rlgn nd mre n mntal hlth sss? From my understanding, Baha'i Faith is an offshoot from Islam but still believes in Muhammad. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. (Quoted in Star of West, Vol. 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. 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? While Bah teachings assert that men and women are spiritually equal, some areas of differentiation remain. I hope that all the believers will attain to this lofty station. [17], From 1980 onward, several well-educated Bahs left the religion and subsequently criticized it. 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. In the temples there is no preaching; services consist of recitation of the scriptures of all religions. In fact, the first school for girls in Iran was established by the Baha'is. 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. Fort worth area bow before the King of all Kings, Jesus Christ interracial marriage and education girls. Stronghold of fundamentalism teachings spread throughout Iran, provoking strong opposition from both the Shii Muslim clergy and the of... Scientific, commercial, industrial distinction for most Muslims, the First for! 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