Archive for July, 2006

Fred was posed five questions on Live Journal, the first of which was about how he came to be a Baha’i. Fred’s response is below.

Fred Speaks capplor 2006-07-24 02:42 pm UTC (link)

What made you choose the Baha’i faith? I’ve always been inclined to ask questions of people, and as you may be aware, sometimes those questions can be hard to answer. I’ve also been inclined to want answers which actually have depth to them. As such, while growing up in a variety of Christian churches (my mother used to go church shopping a lot, which I think helped start me on my own search) I would ask questions which the Sunday School teachers & often the Ministers were unprepared to handle. Many of them were questions which highlighted my confusion at the very illogic of expecting things like the Return of Christ to happen, word for word, as it is spelled out in the Bible. Some of them were about the differences & similarities between the Old & New Testament prophecies and, when I got older & started reading what other religions taught about themselves, questions of the “Why can’t all just get along” variety. I cannot ever remember getting satisfactory answers to any of these questions from anybody. In fact, several times I was effectively told to shut up God will reveal it to you in time. One day, during the first week after my graduation from High School, my girlfriend of the time had, for various reasons beyond the scope of this discussion, gone to room with two of her friends. They were Baha’is. I had heard of the Baha’i faith but had not yet the chance to read anything about it. She sat me on the couch next to a shelf full of books with interesting names and went into the kitchen to prepare something. I pulled a book out of the shelf, looked at it, tried to pronounce Kitab-i-Iqan, and then opened it and started reading. By chance Baha’u'llah was answering many of my long-standing questions in that book. I have to say that God did reveal to me His answers to my questions, profoundly, unequivocally and with great clarity. When I learned that He had written that book in a space of 48 hours I was astonished. It took me longer than that to read it. The rest, as they say, is history. If I now have questions about anything spiritual I can always find an answer in Baha’u'llah’s writings. I would advise you to check them out yourself, but I already have.

Fred, “Five Questions Meme (Fred),” capplor, LiveJournal

Kellah went out sharing her Christian faith and encountered a Baha’i, among others.

Awesome day. Began with service with Mandy, Hiruy, and Eric. Ended up in the absolute weirdest neighborhood EVER. Almost everyone answered their doors. Most memorable ones:

-Met a guy with the Baha’i faith (or is it B’ahai?). Anyway, very very interesting. He stopped to share with us his beliefs, and we lightly compared and contrasted. Well, there wasn’t much contrasting, as he believes that all religions are correct and are founded with God–including Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.

-Ran into another guy as he was on his way out. Said he was very interested and hadn’t been to church in a long time, and invited me to come back.

-A man drove by us as we were about to go take a break and asked what we were doing. Eric took it and ended up talking to this guy for about 20 minutes. At first we were really excited because he knew the Bible well and wanted to know our beliefs. Then it turned into a pointless debate. The guy kept running himself into cicles about the Trinity digging his own hole. It finally wrapped up… we were all pretty disappointed. The guy was trying to minister to us, as Eric was to him. I think he was a youth pastor, or something.

-Eric and I went to this door that he took with a guy whom I’m pretty sure is an idiot savant. The craziest conversation EVER ensued. Seriously. I can’t even begin to remember all of it, except for his emphasis on his pessimism. He freaked out when Eric told him to have a good day and said not to use the “G” word. Oh man. I was cracking up the entire time.

Kellah, “Point A and Point B, Inbetween = Pessimism…,” LiveJournal

Rach is a thoughtful woman, a teacher, a wife, a sister, and a mother. She is on a spiritual journey.

There is a pinpoint of light that is a little ember, a spark. I know God is around me and I know he is with me, I just don’t know how to go about strengthening MY relationship with Him. I want my spark to become a flame!

I know part of what is holding me back is “what will people think??” if I no longer identify myself as Christian. What will my mother think?? My mother-in-law?? My friends?? Yes, my beliefs are my own and my relationship with God is personal, but how do I explain this to them? I’m so very lost and confused!
posted by rachd @ 7/18/2006 10:28:00 PM 5 comments

5 Comments:
At 12:06 AM, Adam’s Mom said…
I know where you are, I am there too. I believe in God, in a supreme being that is powerful and wonderful. I believe this not because the church has told me to but because I feel His power when I am still. When I am talking with Him or like you said, out in nature appreciating all He has given to us. I just cannot believe in a vengeful God. I want Adam to feel the peace I have felt in nature and find that closeness. I don’t want to force him into a church where he is told of a scary God. I am babbling, but I understand what you wrote.

At 12:13 AM, Bonita said…
When we approach our Father, his love is without boundaries or constraints. Man makes those. I’m sure that as you educate your daughters in the beauty of nature, you will deepen your own appreciation and share this with your daughters. That will lead to more questions, and quests which provide direction and meaning. It is to be celebrated, like a journey. I’m confident that you, and your family, will find personal expressions that ‘fit you’, that are authentic and real. Thats what counts, in my opinion.Sometimes, too, we have one foot in the traditions and practice of our family (of origin), and the other foot in a new direction, balancing one and the other, integrating gently. I think of Buddhist Baha’is who still practice the culture and traditions of their homeland, while merging into the global frameworks and ideals of Baha’i. Nothing is forfeited or put away; it is simply enriched, like a child going from 3rd grade to 4th grade. An ongoing journey. Even when you ‘arrive’you continue moving, with more questions.I’m confident that your family will find a confident balance.

At 12:20 AM, Jess said…
Rach, go to the library and… get a few books! I found that was a great place to start. Also, you should have no worries about what mom thinks. She has been accepting of me studying Baha’i. It isn’t like she is a dogmatic follower of Christianity. As for everyone else, I just can’t say what you should do. I know many families have developed strong rifts because of religious differences and that is really too bad. Honestly, the only negative things I hear from people are those who are totally unfamiliar with Baha’i. I had one friend actually think I was being hooked into a New Age cult!!!! Hee Hee!

And, yes, it is terribly revealing putting all your thoughts and feelings on a blog. It would almost be easier if family and friends DIDN’T read it because most of us don’t fear the judgments of those we don’t know nearly as much as we fear those of our loved ones.

At 11:40 PM, Joe said…
Well, you did it – you finally posted a blog entry that I felt compelled to comment upon!First, I have to say that I’m in awe of your courage. I could NEVER post my own views of religion in a forum in which my family would be present. Like you, I grew up in a very conservative, fundamentally religious area (we Appalachian country yungins are all the same, huh), Mine was primarily Southern Baptist and Holiness (if you’re not familiar with Holiness churches, think “Southern Baptists on crack”). My parents were never zealous church-goers during my childhood (my Mom is now – I think she’s in her “I’m getting old – I gotta get right with Jesus” mode), but my grandmother, many members of my family, and the families of many of my friends were VERY, VERY religious. Their brands of religion were always heavily dosed with intolerance for other religions (people from any non-Protestant faith were certainly damned to Hell) and ethnicities (the white descendents of western Europeans were obviously God’s true children). I never really bought into any of it as a teenager, but because of their influences, I was certainly prejudiced in my opinion of people that were “different” than me.

Joining the Air Force at age 21 changed all of that. I found myself working side-by-side with people from many different faiths, creeds, races, and socio-economic backgrounds. I learned to judge people not by my childhood prejudices, but by their character and their contributions to society. Over time, these experiences changed me on a spiritual level, too, and made me strongly questions the beliefs of my upbringing. I now consider myself an agnostic simply because I don’t know what to believe. I’m definitely not an atheist, because that would require an absolute disbelief in a supreme being. I feel in my heart that some sort of higher power does exist; I’m just not privy to its true nature and I’m not convinced that anyone else is either.

The pressures that you and Brien feel to teach Hannah about religion are only going to get worse, and they will come from the place you least expect it: From Hannah herself. When she starts public school this fall, she will be surrounded by children that have a great deal of parentally imposed knowledge about “God” and “Jesus”. You can be assured that she will ask you about them – Bryan blindsided me with it after school one day last year. Be prepared for it; Cindy and I really weren’t, but we’ve tried to temper it with, “Well, that’s what some people believe.” The jury is still out on whether we’ve chosen the right approach. At Bryan’s school, they do make a point of celebrating many winter holidays from different religions and cultures – everything from Ramadan and Hanukkah to Kwanzaa and Chinese New Year to Buddhist, Hindu, and Native American celebrations for which I can’t even recall the names (kind of impressive for a school that’s dominated by upper middle class white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant children of Air Force officers). Around March of this year, Bryan asked me if we could celebrate Hanukkah AND Christmas this year (he likes to eat the latkes and I think he’s trying to scam us for more presents). I said, “Sure”…then he made a point of telling my Mom all about it…when she called him on Easter Sunday! I think that episode may have taken a couple of years off the poor woman’s life!

Anyway, hang in there, and if you happen to get it all figured out before I do, please let me know! See you soon.

rachd and commenters, “Religion Confusion,” Life With Hannah and Lily

“Backbiting” by Lacey Graves Gerard: graphic designer, Baha’i, wife, painter, consumer of coffee, lover of type and photography. Lives in Chicago, but mentally sometimes Tennessee and Georgia

peaceful core observes that “America thrives on backbiting” and looks to the Quran for inspiration in breaking her of the habit.

this journey of faith
[Jul. 18th, 200606:41 pm]

Tags: backbiting, bad habits, baha’i, quran

All I can do is pray on it and make an effort everyday.
Much love to all.

peacefulecore, “this journey of faith,” LiveJournal

What a remarkable youth Emaun Mohammadzadeh is. Just read his profile. Then read current posts.

I am a very open minded person, but I’m also well grounded. Tolerant and flexible, I appreciate most lifestyles and viewpoints. But I also know where I stand firm, and I can draw that line. I’m open to considering every possibility - but in the end, I stand true to myself.

My full name is Emaun Mohammadzadeh. I usually just write Emaun Mohammad, Emaun M-Z, or Emaun Mo. You can call me Emaun, Elmo, Emu, Neon, E, whatever (JUST NOT EMO). My name is Arabian. Emaun means “Faith”, and Mohammadzadeh means “decendent of Mohammad”. I am half Iranian, half American. I have dark brown eyes. My dad has BLACK hair and my mom is a redhead, and I have dark brown hair with a little red mixed in, probably most noticable in my facial hair, which grows too fast now. I weigh 170 pounds. I was born in Kansas. I live with my dad and stepmom who are both Muslim. I don’t consider myself Muslim, but I do take many ideas from it. My mom lives in Phoenix, and my stepdad died in Feb. 2005. I have two sisters, one 14 and one almost 2 years old.

If you don’t think guys cry, they do, or at least the one’s who care. To cry, to feel, is to be strong. To have sympathy, and empathy, is to be strong. Crying is a sign of great care, of great awareness, and it should not be seen as a weakness. My name is Emaun. I am one strong soul.

Family: Reza (father) Jodi (mother) Jim (stepfather) Behnaz Javidmelani (stepmother) Fatemeh [aka Fatima] (sister) Darya (half sister, daughter of Behnaz)

This is what I am now focused on:
-I am now heavily committed to improving myself, mentally and physically. I have changed my lifestyle by eating differently, and thinking differently. I am currently dieting and exercising a lot to help my body grow stronger, and I have been improving myself mentally by learning how to focus on things better. I have also made a pledge to stop cursing. I hadn’t realized it but I do it a lot apparently…

-Bringing my grades up
-Preparing for the ACT
-Preparing for final high school year and college
-Keeping my car in good condition
-Finding a religion I can call my own
-Being with her.
~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Finding Faith and Fighting Faith
Current mood: thoughtful

Rule number one to myself while posting this blog:
ALL religions are to be respected and honored. Except any that worship devils and dishonor the Almighty God.

You don’t have to follow this rule, but I will do so.

Recap.
I was born into a Muslim family. My dad’s side is Muslim, and my mom’s side is Christian. My Islamic side of the family claims that their religion is the ONE TRUTH, unchanged. My Christian side of the family claims that their religion is the ONE TRUTH, unchanged.

I have chosen not to acquaint myself with any religion. I am searching for the Truth, as everyone else is. I do research, I read, I think. Today I went to the library for two hours just to do research on religion. Finding truth is my quest.

Why? Not for salvation. Not because I’m afraid of being damned to Hell for all Eternity. Why? For my connection with God. I want to be closer to him, and him to be closer to me. And I want to know more about him.

Most faiths claim that their faith is the One Truth. Religions clash together, and this is what happens:
-People strengthen their faith when telling the other faith their beliefs.
-Sometimes one faith wins over the others arguments and a person is converted.

Religion is upsetting me. It just seems that people aren’t getting the real deal of religion. Do you know what religion does? It separates people, divides people, saves the followers and damns the disbelievers. Religion is not supposed to be for that! Religion is supposed to unite Mankind! And help Mankind get closer to God! Not damn others and save others!

I think people concentrate too much on the other side of religion, which is the do’s and don’t’s. And it is important not to sin and what not, but what about the primary goal? To get closer to God and to get closer to each other, our brethren, our brothers and sisters? To know He’s there, and He’s taking care you of, and you should just talk to Him, He knows all about you, why fear Him, He created you!

However, I love, respect, and honor all religions, and the people who stand firm in their faith. They are trying to get closer to God, to Him. What I cannot accept is a faith that makes itself superior to other faiths and I cannot especially accept this part:

A faith that punishes those who are not a part of it’s religion, even though those people are also searching for the Truth, also searching for the Higher Power, people who want to be a part of the Greater Good, and do good things for mankind and be strong with God, our Creator.

I thank those of you who took your time in reading this report, and read it with an open mind and good heart. God bless you, your friends, and your family.

The Baha’i Faith (EDITED AGAIN)
Beliefs from the Baha’i FaithFirst, the Baha’i Faith is a religion formed in Persia in the 1800’s by Baha’u'llah.Baha means “glory” in Arabic, so the whole religion means “the glorious faith”These are his teachings:…

He Who Is Faith, “Finding Faith and Fighting Back,” and “The Baha’i Faith (Edited Again),” MySpace

Many of the young adult Baha’is serving at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel, come from Baha’i families. Many do not.

Monday, July 17, 2006. I finally was able to convince my parents this morning after five days of negotiations that I and Amir shouldn’t come home because of what is happening in the Middle East right now. It was hard. And I don’t blame them. When panic penetrates mind and body it is really hard to get the message through. It required a lot of love and patience. They are terrified by the news they recieve every day on TV. I hope the whole thing won’t last very long. I asked my father to pray for us (he is not a Baha’i, nor is my mom) and he was so cute saying he doesn’t know any Baha’i prayers. He was happy when I said that the Muslim one he knows in Arabic would do:) Phew!!!!

tahmina & amir, “Success,” Unite the Hearts

Here is a snippet from the profile on the Baha’i Faith by the Watchman Fellowship.

…in just 150 years Baha’is have grown to more than 5 million worldwide in 233 countries and territories, with 1,700 Spiritual Assemblies in the United States alone. New growth is occurring at the rate of 5.5% a year worldwide. By comparison, Christianity is expanding at a rate of 2.3% a year. Baha’u'llah’s writings have been translated into 802 languages.

http://www.watchman.org/profile/bahaipro.htm

We all appreciate a teacher. We’re sad when we no longer have our teacher’s counsel.

Melaka, Malaysia