A black man and a man who turned 72 two days ago are each running for President of the United States, and there is a woman running for Vice-President. Racism, ageism, and sexism are all being challenged by certain political developments in the United States.

Politics can be dirty business. The man who is running for Vice-President this year advocated back in 2004 that a Democrat take a Republican (the current candidate running for President) on as his vice-presidential candidate, “saying the cross-party ticket would help heal the ‘vicious rift’ in U.S. politics’ (source).

There is a lot on current politics for Baha’i bloggers to comment upon, although any political season anywhere can be, as I’ve described before here, a minefield for Baha’is to walk through. How do you comment on the political events of the day without giving the appearance of political partisianship, is a question facing many bloggers. One way is to try to build bridges.

Baha’is can be found in every country in the world. The need for Baha’is to exercise care is perhaps more obvious in some countries than others. Baha’is have been traversing minefields to build bridges for 165 years and will continue to be doing so for many years to come. -gw

“Reflections on race, gender, class and culture as seen through the prism of the Obama candidacy” is the sub-heading of a two month old blog project by a the blogger Queen Tiye.

I have come full circle, to a deep, abiding sense that politics as practiced in this country and others are inherently bad – and that the world needs to take a second look at the Baha’i revelation as a cure for what ails the world.

http://obamaproject.windonwater.net/?p=103

Image: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=queen+tiye&aq=f&oq=

IV. WOMEN IN THE WORLD AT LARGE Extract From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 76: It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation,…

It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One. Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God and render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the day-star of wisdom and utterance shineth resplendent.

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/CW/cw-76.html.iso8859-1?query=work|worship&action=highlight#gr1

Photo: “rice paper making,” uploaded on June 3, 2007 by A_of_DooM on flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Making a piece of paper in the spirit of service is like worship, the Baha’i Writings tell us. This new blog has the process of finding a job as a Baha’i as its fascinating focus. gw

I made a list of all the attributes I wanted in my next career: completely flexible schedule, constantly challenging me to learn, serving the Baha’i Faith and thus, humanity, contributing to the financial well being of my family, utilizing my particular skills and talents, and engaging my passions.  That’s not asking for much, is it? 

I’ve tried a few things on, but the most recent one seems to fit very well, and it’s pretty unusual, but you’ll have to wait and see what it is.  This blog will chronicle my efforts to build my dream job.  Wish me luck!

http://verdanta.wordpress.com/about/

The new business model – Baha’i style

August 31, 2008 at 6:34 am (Baha’i, Career, Entrepreneur, Faith, Humanity, Mystery, Work, business, life balance, livelihood, work as worship)
Tags: business model

Oh, if only it were that easy!  

In my last blog, I explored the idea of service to the Faith within the structure of a for-profit business.  I tentatively concluded that yes, this was an acceptable thing.  But that’s not the end of it, is it?  Obviously, many traditional ”old world” business practices would be inappropriate in an enterprise that endeavours to spread the word about Baha’u’llah. 

What would be appropriate?  Now that is an interesting puzzle indeed!

http://verdanta.wordpress.com/2008/08/31/the-new-business-model-bahai-style/

A summary of a call to our community phone number today. -gw

Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 11:09:13 AM * Subject: Fw: Connect Me Voicemail

Caller would like to get into maybe a study group where he can learn more about the Bahai Faith. He has been reading up and really interested in learning more about it.

Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 6:37:22 PM * Subject: Fw: Connect Me Voicemail

Same Caller: this fellow called again just a few minutes ago and this time said he was in Federal Way and was very anxious to hear from someone regarding a study group.

http://books.bahai.us/gleanings-from-the-writings-of-bahaullah

My teaching sidekick and new Baha’i Mary Ellen and dearly-loved seeker Rashid

on our patio for Ruhi a couple of weeks ago. Bud and Candy. Deb and I. My wife Bonita of Flitzy Phoebie - the blog – fame took the pictures which are also posted on our Baha’i Views  / Flitzy Phoebie flickr site. -gw

It was a discussion about poetry in an elevator that led to a conversation about the Baha’i Faith with my friend Charles King a  decade ago or so.  We worked in the same building then, but now Charles and his wife Peggy are serving the Cause in Oklahoma. Charles used to bring poems to read at our monthly “Spiritual Meeting” at Wright’s Park, a long-running Tacoma devotional. He has shared a chapbook or two with me over the years. I asked him to send me some poems for Baha’i Views, and he did. Charles has chosen “blackoaktree” as a moniker. Good choice. The picture is you, Charles. -gw

A POEM FOR PEACE

No lesser Peace 
 

     One day a great peace will come 

wherever there is a rising sun

but before that time

lots of work has to be done. 

First- we talk to each other

like loving sisters and brothers

put our weapons away

don’t take violence any further. 

We have new tools to work with now

a plan and direction shows us how

to become a world united

trade guns for a fish net or a plow. 

We have an opportunity

to build love, trust, and honesty

Our Lord will be delighted at

progress toward Universal Peace. 

So please rise and stand with me

let’s join hands to promote peace

it is time now- to 

start changing history.

What is the hut you call home?  Here is the humble abode of a Baha’i in the happiest country in the world… -gw

* This is the hut I live in. … with some laundry.

“The Happiest Country In The World!“

Brightbrush’s Weblog Different Folks, Different [Brush]strokes!

Thumbnail: Uploaded on April 2, 2007 by David Chilstrom on flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 Generic

Yesterday was my first day of college for this year. It was interesting to say the least. I am taking … World Religions. … I have been studying the Baha’i religion. I know a little bit about a lot of religions, it interests me immensely. Professor D. gave us this (pictured) as a printout and asked us if we could identify all of the religions associated with these symbols as well as the meaning of the symbol. If we could do that, then he would sign the paper saying we passed the class and we would be free to go on our way.

http://ragininaz.blogspot.com/2008/08/first-day-back-to-college.html

OK, can you do it? -gw

I love singer/songwriter Laura Harley’s description of what Baha’is, like herself, do. -gw

I’m on my way to Minneapolis today, and then on to Ann Arbor tomorrow for a workshop related to my volunteer work with the Baha’i Faith. We’ll be talking about (and then starting!) some neighborhood-based activities aimed at spiritually empowering children, teens, and adults to transform themselves and their communities. I’m looking forward to meeting many wonderful people there and to learning with them.

http://latest.lauraharley.com/2008/08/27/los-angeles-ann-arbor-minneapolis/

India, Baha’i and eBay. -gw 

Rare First Day Cover from India

Diamond Jubilee of New Delhi

Stamp features Monuments of Delhi including

Bahai Lotus Temple

+