Baha'i Views

Consistently through this summer of love, beginning during our most recent intensive teaching phase, Baha’i children’s classes have been held every weekend on the front lawn of a Baha’i family in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma. -gw

The children’s class went like a dream with 8 students this week. … We did go and knock on 3 of the neighbors’ doors to invite their children but no-one was home. Jeff and I were there to teach, Big Toby stayed for the class. … Thanks to Kristy we had songbooks for everyone and we all very much enjoyed singing the songs. D was a model participant in devotions, and was inspired to share a prayer. At 3 years old he’s quite a singer already. B was excited to have the songbooks so she could practice singing the songs with [her children]. They were even tackling the songs we haven’t learned yet, and just making up a tune! All the kids are very taken with “We are drops” and sing it all the time at home and in the car, so we sang that one a few times. I could really see the consistency of the classes is having a powerful effect: the kids are all eager and ready to participate, and are attentive and engaged throughout the class. It’s very, very fun to be with them.

Much love, Helen

See YouTube video: Baha’i Song: “We are drops“

Lyrics here: We are drops

And another “We Are Drops” story here: Class Teaches Virtues to Children of Many Faiths

And the children have been so patient for more than an hour, waiting for the highlight of the class, Cowboy Hay. Gil Miller Muro’s stepfather strides into the room, sporting a long white beard, a hillbilly hat and a banjo. He begins strumming and the kids join in, perhaps not realizing they are crooning a theological message.

“We are drops … of one ocean. We are waves… of one sea. Won’t you come and join us in our quest for unity. It’s the way of life for you and me,” they sing.

The parents collapse into comfortable chairs, as Cowboy Hay and his young virtuosos sing about unity in the complex future they face.

Photo by Flitzy Phoebie: A new Baha’i and her children, attendees at Baha’i children’s classes this summer in Tacoma

Just a quick update on A. [Four of us] dropped by for a brief visit on A’s birthday. She will be joining our study circle with B, D, maybe K, with Bonita and I as tutors. I spoke with B this morning and she is eager to return this Thursday.

Photo by Flitzy Phoebie: Chris and D, one of the new believers for Ruhi in our patio

Heddahfeddah is the one I am following on Twitter, especially now that she is in Haifa on Baha’i Pilgrimage. Many of her Twitter entries come with a link to a photo, presumably just taken. What hath God wrought, again! -gw 

http://twitter.com/heddahfeddah

Recent Haifa pilgrimage photos: Day 8 tour of the arc The International Teaching Center 6-29-08 (Set),  uploaded on July 21, 2008 by hectore 

I really like Alexander’s commentary Punishment and Mercy on the Radovan Karadzic arrest.  As I noted on his blog, this arrest is a signficant story for Baha’is, given that the NSA of the US was a founding member of the Washington Working Group for the International Criminal Court (WICC) and the American Coalition for the International Criminal Court (AMICC) and a Baha’i representative serves as co-chair of the Faith & Ethics Network for the ICC. Karadzic’s appearance in front of that court now seems assured. -gw

Also see: On the World’s First Permanent Court: To try individuals accused of committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 

On the FAITH-BASED CAUCUS FOR THE I.C.C.: In agreement

On Special Days for Peace and Justice: July 17th and Sept 21st

Photo: Uploaded on May 31, 2007 by Advocacy Project on flickr licensed under Creative Commons

Just posted today. A happy Monday Mosaic. I have a favorite among these favorites. -gw

“Monday Favorites Mosaic,” uploaded on July 21, 2008 by LollyKnit Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 Generic 

6. Baha’i Gardens, view from the top. This was a spectacle to behold, unlike any I’ve ever seen. Free to the public through carefully guided tours, you can descend the steps only–it is just the Baha’i believers who can ascend at this pilgrimage site. 

Comments

jlavezzo says: I’d think down would be the preferred way, especially in the summer. But since I’ll be there on Pilgrimage, I guess I’ll be going up. interesting. I hadn’t really thought about directionality with regards the Terraces.

From a reader: “Here is another one for you. This is part of a series on different religions that shows that this priest is an open, loving and caring Christian. Wonderful to see!” Indeed. The post appeared July 17th on the blog of its author and on the 18th was used as part of an ongoing Irish public radio series on religion to which the author contributed. An excerpt… -gw

The first connection between Ireland and the Bahá’i Faith was formed in 1848, when an Irish doctor treated the Báb – the predecessor of Bahá’u’lláh – in his prison cell.

In the first years of the 20th century, several people became Bahá’is in Ireland, and the American consul in Cork and his family were well-known Bahais at the time.

The Bahai community in Ireland was formally constituted sixty years ago at a meeting in Dundrum in Dublin on April 20 1948. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Bahá’i community in Ireland expanded with a steady and increasing flow of new Irish Bahá’i, joined by a number of new arrivals from overseas.

What can we learn from this  small, peaceful, monotheistic faith community?

The most important principle for a Bahá’i is the oneness of humanity. Bahá’is believe that the creation of harmony and unity between all peoples is the fundamental purpose of all religion.

This contribution to A Living Word was first broadcast on 18 July 2008 on RTÉ Radio 1. … The archives are available at:http://www.rte.ie/radio1/alivingword/1179969.html. … Canon Patrick Comerford is Director of Spiritual Formation, the Church of Ireland Theological College

http://revpatrickcomerford.blogspot.com/2008_07_18_archive.html

RTÉ is a Public Service Broadcaster, a non-profit making organisation owned by the Irish people. RTÉ is Ireland’s cross-media leader, providing comprehensive and cost-effective free-to-air television, radio and online services, which are of the highest quality and are impartial, in accordance with RTÉ’s statutory obligations

http://www.rte.ie/about/index2.html

Thumbnail photo: Baha’i summer school, Ireland, uploaded on August 8, 2005 by nur_light on flickr

New York, 17 July 2008 - Secretary-General’s remarks at the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Thank you, Mr. President of the Assembly of States Parties, Mr. President of the Court, Mr. Prosecutor of the ICC, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,I am honoured to welcome you here at United Nations Headquarters to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

This milestone provides an occasion for celebration as well as for reflection. The creation of the ICC is unquestionably one of the major achievements of international law during the past century. But this young Court remains a work in progress; a fragile part of a crucial and ongoing effort to entrench international law and justice.

This fight against impunity started in earnest with the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda. These courts pioneered the emergence of international criminal justice, and the enforcement of international humanitarian law.

Their ground-breaking work led to the establishment of other forums to fight impunity. The hybrid courts established in Sierra Leone and Cambodia benefited from the experience of the original tribunals, and demonstrated the growing reach of international criminal law.

The success of these ad-hoc tribunals demonstrated the international community’s determination to address international crimes, and provided the path to a permanent forum for investigating and prosecuting these crimes - the International Criminal Court.

http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp

Today is a special day, the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the ICC. Baha’is should take notice and celebrate, given the involvement of the Baha’i community in the promotion of this Court. Justice and peace, peace and justice. Those were watchwords in the household I grew up in. They continue to be watchwords in the community I embraced as a young man, that same Baha’i Community. -gw

The U.S. Bahá’í U.N. Office encourages people to join thousands around the globe in preparing vigils and observations for the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon recently called on all “…governments, communities and individuals to start preparing concrete activities” in recognition of the day. To answer this call, the U.S. Bahá’í U.N. Office, a non-government organization (NGO) that represents the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States at the U.N., encourages religious individuals and communities to commit to holding a 24-hour peace vigil on Sept. 21. Participants can register their commitments and view those of others around the globe at http://www.idpvigil.com/commitments/commitmentCenter.html.

Peace is a central focus in the Bahá’í teachings. Bahá’u'lláh, the Founder of the Faith, proclaimed that one of God’s purposes in sending the Prophets is to “ensure the peace and tranquility of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established.”

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations.

• Learn more about the International Day of Peace Vigils.
• Read the Universal House of Justice statement, The Promise of World Peace.
• Learn more about the U.S. Bahá’í U.N. Office (requires login).

http://bahai.us/node/494

Who said people don’t notice highway “adoption” signs? This blogger did, and then went to the Baha’i website. He posted about it, and a bunch of folks came on with their impressions of the Faith. -gw

Ever heard of the Baha’i Faith ?

Tue, Jul 15, 2008 Recent Topics, Religion

Today, I was driving on Highway 1 and part of it was ‘adopted’ by the Baha’i folks. I remembered hearing about them cause the actor playing Dwight on The Office is a member. So I went to their website.  …

Best comment… -gw

I wouldn’t be so quick to cast perjorative sarcasm their general way: they’ve suffered more martyrdoms in the Muslim Middle East than we Christians. Look it up. Theologically synthentic, yes. As repugnant a theology as some of our “Christian” sects that shall remain AKA, no. Locked in an existential closet and given two doors: Bahai or Unitarian/Scientology/Episcopalian (what’s that?)…. I’ll turn the knob towards the Bahaullah.

http://www.geraldnaus.com/?p=10599

Photo: Uploaded on June 1, 2005 by sillydog on flickr, lcensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic