Archive for April, 2006

Default user pic for bethoc on LiveJournal

I love a slice-of-real-Baha’i-life post like this one from Beyond the Fields We Know, Musings and Poetry from a mommy with her head in the clouds, a.k.a. bethoc on Live Journal whose bio reads: “Drifting through life, constantly surprised by its twists and turns, and the beauty of God.”

4/28/06 10:17 pm. Doing much better now. Off work a few minutes early, easy drive home, relaxing stroll up the street to ‘Miyako’ for dinner. The new issue of American Baha’i was in the mailbox, so took that and The Secret of Divine Civilization for reading material. Very good choice! Between those and salmon teriyaki, gyoza, California roll, miso and green tea, and the stroll home, I’m in a much better place.

The Internet is increasingly the first source of information about the Baha’i Faith that people encounter. Irene of Linkoping, Sweden, is a case in point. Reading a posting on BBC News about an Iranian Baha’i led her to her first investigation of the Faith. (Baha’i blogger Barney of Barnabas Quotidianus also cited the same post on his site.)

There it is on the BBC Homepage, home of the BBC on the Internet, under the heading “A - Z of religions and beliefs” is “Baha’i.” Click further and you find “The basics” and then “Beliefs.” Click on that and you find “Baha’is believe all people should be united spiritually.” Click on that and you come to the page that so impressed blogger Irene that she excerpted from it on her blog Irene, the Little Bird.

Photo: Linkoping, Sweden
Have you ever heard about Baha’i? I have heard it before, but I wasn’t too curious to find out what it’s about.

But now, that I’ve found a detailed description about it, what it believes, its history, its guide of life,… I simply don’t find anything that I don’t agree with. It’s a very beautiful belief, indeed.

A quote from the website:

Bahá’ís believe that humanity must now move forward to global maturity, recreating itself as a single human family: The reality is that there is only the one human race. We are a single people, inhabiting the planet Earth, one human family bound together in a common destiny, a single entity created from one same substance, obligated to ‘be even as one soul’. Official Bahá’í statement, August 2001

This is life, this is world, this is love, this is humanity, this is unity, this is equality, this is respect.

Ironically, I found the link to this nice website from an article in BBC about several profiles of Iranian diaspora. One of them, Soroosh , told about why his family was better off [out] of Iran: because his parents are Bahais, and was oppressed by the Islamic fundamentalists in Iran during that time.

It is.. Baha’i is a beautiful belief. Why would any mind be against it, unless it is a sick mind?

Irene, “Baha’i Beliefs,” Irene, the Little Bird

A reader has raised some interesting points in a comment s/he made today to a two month-old post on Baha’i Views:

You state in your post of February 28, 2006 that “the Baha’i Faith is a voluntary organization.” Yet, many of the younger generation of Baha’is, to which I belong, were essentially raised in the Baha’i Faith.

Personally, I don’t recall really being given a *choice* by my parents over whether to become a Baha’i or not. They agreed amongst themselves that I’d “be raised a Baha’i”. Signing that declaration card in my mid teens was as much of a “choice” as was deciding whether or not to live under my parents’ roof at that time, or whether to attend Feast, etc.

I’ve always been curious, and more than a bit disturbed, by this phenomenon, and I’m curious about your thoughts on this issue.

Posted by Anonymous to Baha’i Views at 4/27/2006 11:57:49 AM
~~~~~~~~~
Here is what Shoghi Effendi said on the matter:

“The basic principle of the Cause is independent investigation of truth. This applies to us as much as to our children. They should be free to choose for themselves any religion they wish. To promise that they will belong to a certain Faith and not to another is therefore not only contrary to our precepts, but is also a futile promise to give. How can we make the future generation think as we do or follow our dictates. God has made them free. All that we can do is to open their eyes and tell them of what we think to be the truth.”

From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 3, 1931
~~~~~~~~~
Below are links to passages from Lights of Guidance that relate in greater detail to the important related issues that this dear reader raises.

Education and Training of Children
479. Must First Train Children in Principles of Religion 480. Encourage the Children from Early Childhood 481. Incumbent Upon Bahá’í Children to Surpass Other Children 482. Parents Held Responsible to God for Education of Children 483. Teachers of Children Serving Bahá’u'lláh 484. Failure to Educate Child is an Unpardonable Sin 485. Child Left in Natural State Grows Up in Ignorance… 486. If Babe Did Not Live at All, Better Than to Grow Ignorant 487. Training in Morals and Good Conduct is Far More Important Than Book Learning 488. Pupil Must Be Encouraged 489. Station of Those Who Serve and Teach Children 490. Methods of Teaching Children 491. A Wise Schoolmaster 492. Curriculum of Study: Must Follow Same Curriculum for Daughters and Sons 493. Beginning of Formal Education 494. Subjects to be Taught in Children’s Classes 495. Formal Education Must Begin at the Age of Five 496. Nothing in Teachings States Child Must Not Be Separated from Parents for First Five Years 497. Mother Has Chief Responsibility for Bringing Up Child 498. Mothers Ordained Primary Trainers of Children and Infants 499. Training of Children in Case One of Parents is Non-Bahá’í 500. Greatest of All Services Rendered by Man to Almighty God–Teach Children to Deliver Speeches of High Quality 501. Preferable that Child Should Receive First Training at Home Under Mother Instead of in the Nursery 502. Spiritual Assemblies Should Provide Mothers with Well-Planned Programme 503. Difficult to Teach and Refine Character Once Puberty is Passed 504. Should Train Children to Memorize Prayers and Tablets 505. Sacred Duty of Children Towards Their Parents 506. Children Should Be Trained to Understand Spiritual Significance of Bahá’í Meetings

Registration of Children
512. Bahá’í Children Do Not Automatically Inherit Faith of Parents 513. Children Whose Parents Become Bahá’ís 514. Status of Children Under the Age of 15 515. Age 15 Relates to Spiritual Functions and Obligations 516. Children Under 15 Cannot Marry 517. Children Are of Age at 15 as Far as Keeping Laws of Aqdas 518. Children of Bahá’í Parents Considered as Bahá’ís 519. Registering Children Upon Attaining Age 15 520. Upon Attainment of Age 15 Child Must Reaffirm His Faith 521. Registration of Children of Bahá’í Parents 522. May Be Circumstances in which Children Should Not Be Registered

Lights of Guidance, A Bahá’í Reference File by Bahá’u'llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice, Compiled by Helen Hornby

Anonmelancholic — “My photo”

The Baha’i Writings offer the view that there are two processes in the world, a process of disintegration and a process of integration–of things falling apart and something new arising out of the ashes. It is easy to find many negative and pessimistic posts out there in the blogging world written by those who are in the business of tearing down out-moded anachronisms of the past (how’s that for a redundant phrase!). As part of his spiritual search, Mel-Anon apparently turned away from conservative Christianity in favor of “progressive religion” some time ago. He tells a story of an incident that happened before his separation from the former in “Some Trust in Chariots” that is worth retelling, despite the melancholic tone, given its mention of the Faith. His commentary is perhaps typical of many who become part of the “community of interest” in the Faith, participating in the core activities.

Many people have argued…that conservative Christians have a Manichean view of the world; Manichean having been taken from an ancient dualistic religion that views the world as a struggle between absolute Good and Evil. This is not the case. It is dualistic, but it’s Our Side against Their Side. People who do good things in the guise of another faith are doing so only out of some mystical devilish plot which will surely be revealed in time. They grumble that the Dalai Lama might come and hoodwink people into living a Satanic life of peace and kindness. (Good Lord, let it be so.)

This reminds me of a story, one of many that should have sent up red flags about my future as a conservative evangelical. Shortly after 9/11, the campus chapter of the Baha’i faith wanted to have a joint prayer session with the ministry organization I was clinging to at the time. They were rebuffed, because we wouldn’t want to give the impression that we were giving tacit approval to their wayward prayers. So it was that, in the shadow of the moment where healing and unity should have won the day if they ever were, we could only think to antagonize. This more than anything, I believe, started me down the road of finding the whole charade an untenable mess.

Mel-Anon, “Some Trust in Chariots,” TypePad

This is how Rolling with the Punches describes herself: “I am (generally) a happy, energetic, optimistic and slightly nutty Persian-Latin-American who is trying to find her place in this ever changing world. Hopefully my place will be in China, writing and implementing arts integrated curricula for middle and high school aged students.” She participated in the election of her Baha’i local spiritual assembly on the first day of Ridvan. Here is how she described it on MySpace in a post entitled “Who says voting can’t be a spiritual experience?”

Photo:New Assembly of Welwyn UK by John Barnabas
On Thursday night (April 20, 2006) it was the beginning of Ridvan. This is 12 day festival in the Baha’i Faith when we celebrate the announcement that Baha’u'llah, the Prophet Founder of the Baha’i Faith, made to the world. He told the world at that time that He is the Manifestation of God for this day. And the first day of Ridvan is the day designated for Baha’is all across the globe to get together and elect their Local Spiritual Assemblies. A Baha’i Local Spiritual Assembly is comprised of 9 adult (21 yrs and older) Baha’is chosen by the Baha’i community to carry out the administrative duties and responsibilities. Different communities have different needs, depending on the size and maturity of community, but most Assemblies manage the local Fund, maintain membership data, encourage the Baha’is to deepen their knowledge of the Faith, coordinate teaching and educational activities and plans, and also appoint committees if necessary to carry our different services needed by the individuals in their community. And these members have no special rank or station, and are not considered above others. Actually their merit and authority is only in existence as a group. The LSA as a whole makes decisions based on consultation and unity. No one member may make a decision for the community.

Photo: Ottawa annual meeting for electing assembly, 162. B.E. Martinsquest.com

How are these LSA members selected? Well, in local communities where there are 9 or more adult members, all the adult members get together and read the Baha’i Sacred Writings on the purpose of an LSA and the spirit in which members should be elected. After prayers and readings, each individual chooses 9 members in the community who he or she believes will best serve the community and who have certain qualities and skills that will help the community to grow, unify and progress. There is no campaigning, no electioneering and no nominating in Bah’ elections, whether it be on a local, regional or national level. The voting is all done by secret ballot; each individual writes his or her selections and is checked off by the tellers as each ballot is collected. (It also possible to send in an absentee ballot.) While the tellers count the votes, the community, in the spirit of love, unity and consultation, has the opportunity to reflect on the last year and give suggestions to the incoming LSA. The tellers then make a report to the community after all the valid votes have been counted. At this point the old members LSA are relieved of their responsibility and the new LSA members accept the responsibility to serve the community.

It was just a great night and really made me love my local Baha’i community even more! Of course it was also wonderful to go out afterwards and chill at the Pick me up Cafe with an amazing group of young adults/youth that I don’t necessarily get to hang out wit has often as I would like.

Rolling with the Punches, “Who says voting can’t be a spiritual experience?” MySpace

Profile reading is always an inspiration when the youth is Baha’i.

My name is Matthew.
Matthew means ‘Gift of God’ but i’m still working on that part I follow the Baha’i Faith which gives me guidence and puropse in this world. in my honours year at Glasgow University just now studying Sociology/Anthropology. when i graduate i plan to do ESOL so i can be of some use to humanity.

Ramatullah’s “About Me”
I’m a Baha’i. Let’s see, what else is there? There’s quite a lot about my deeper spiritual side that you won’t see on this silly profile. I’ve got a lot of long term goals I’m dead-serious about, and everything else is trivial. What goals, you ask? Well, a career in media design for one, and not one in a Chinese restaurant, that’s for sure. How will I achieve my dreams? You’ll see. My biggest shortcoming is that I have a hard time

I never know what to write in these things…”About Me”? WHAT about me? II suppose could tell you that I sing while I do the dishes… I’m hungry hungry hungry, and that’s not just hungry for food. I’m hungry for knowledge, and love, and understanding! I’m hungry for world peace and international unity! I belong to the Baha’i Faith, the newest, freshest world religion! (For more information visit http://www.baha’i.org….or you could just ask me, I’m always happy to talk about the Faith) I am very passionate about this, and still learning everything, about the Faith, other religions, life, and myself! I’m really energetic…and I guess that means when you try to make me sit still…I get restless. PHysically and emotionally. I’m never settled… I play hard and I work hard. I’m incorrigibly optimistic as well as a hopeless romantic… I like to read out loud…public speaking is one of the high points in my life…I just love the exhileration of being in front of people…aah!!

Here is Jess’ description of her recent meeting with local Baha’is as posted on Rambles, Reviews and Rants.

Monday, April 24, 2006,

Photo: Laura Schulman

“I began by telling them how I became interested in the Baha’i faith many years ago in a comparative religions course at the local community college,” Jess writes in her current post “Baha’i Encounter.”

“Is there any chance you learned about the Baha’i Faith at NVCC with Laura Shulman??” Julia writes in a comment to the Jess’ post.

Who’s Laura Shulman? She is not a Baha’i, but she writes very passionately about her love for the academic study of religions including the Baha’i Faith on various links to her website “Welcome to the home page of Laura Ellen Shulman, Instructor in Religion.”

What I value most about the academic teaching of religion is the process of helping people to better appreciate the values and possibilities found in religions other than their own, giving people the intellectual and attitudinal tools needed to improve relationships with people of diverse cultures, encouraging people to explore religious world views in greater depth, and expanding their own personal horizons and understanding of religion and a deeper aspect of life. I tell my students that the most important thing they can learn in my classes is tolerance, respect and appreciation for beliefs and opinions that might differ from their own. I am excited about the subject I teach and I try to teach in such as way as to excite my students about it as well… [Read more]

Laura has prepared a PowerPoint presentation on the Baha’i Faith that is available for viewing here.

Sanisha is back from China. See her hundreds of China photos posted to flickr. Her photo “Me and Tahirih” is from the China set. Read her lastest post on log @ this…look at this on The World Order of Baha’u'llah, the seminal letters of Shoghi Effendi from the late 20’s and early 30’s. Check out her entries on her other blog, Backblog, the latest on a real Renaissance man.