How white they are!' The Bah religion originally grew out of the Bb faith, or sect, which was founded in 1844 by Mrz Al Moammad of Shrz in Iran. promoting the Baha'i Faith for twenty years. 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.' He further argued that in the case of "Baha'ism, with its rather vague doctrines as to the nature and destiny of the soul of man, it is a little difficult to see whence the driving force to enforce the ethical maxims can be derived. [1] Also, tons of conservative, orthodox, even fundamentalist traditional morality in Bahai law. We need not fear the enemies on the outside for such can be easily dealt with. 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. 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. IV. AJs concepts are not a religion or a cult. After full consideration, the Spiritual Assembly should take such action as it deems advisable, and it is incumbent upon all members of the group to be loyal to whatever decision is arrived at by the Spiritual Assembly. I sometimes hear, from those without much knowledge of the Bahai Faith, that it is syncretic. The last claim is partially rooted in the presence of the Bah World Centre in northern Israel. The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith. 2 - Belief in the transmigration of souls, and that reward and punishment happen to the soul only. Shouldst thou transgress this command ACCURSED ART THOU.' Check your email for the latest from BahaiTeachings.org. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bahai-Faith, The British Library - An introduction to the Bahai Faith, World Religious and Spirituality Project - Bahai Faith, Bahai Faith - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Bahai faith - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). 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 would later realize how useful those books could have been as weapons against my former religion, but I also was able to find enough online resources for my purposes. He appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbn (18971957), his successor. Gods wisdom cannot always be seen by human eyes. (4) The Miller analysis of the Baha'i Faith. '", "What the believers need is not only, as you state, to really study the teachings, but also to have more peace-makers circulating among them. When not convened as a body, each member has no autonomous authority. ", " Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity. About 5 million people worldwide adhere to the Baha'i faith, according to Patheos.com, but other sources say there are as many as 7 million around the world.. Updates? If the Bahs would follow the Bah laws in voting, in electing, in serving and in abiding by Assembly decisions, all this waste of strength through criticising others could be diverted into cooperation and achieving the Plan. Deeds not words are what they demand, and no amount of fervor in the use of expressions of loyalty and adulation will compensate for failure to live in the spirit of the teachings.". I resigned myself on 07/07/07. [26], Bahs have been accused, particularly by successive Iranian governments, of being agents or spies of Russia, Britain, the Shah, the United States, and as agents of Zionismeach claim being linked to each regime's relevant enemy and justifying anti-Bah actions. The Bah community is governed according to general principles proclaimed by Bah Allh and through institutions created by him that were elaborated and expanded on by Abd al-Bah. Later, my mother, who was always hostile to the Bahai Faith because of her Baptist convictions, took those items and discarded them all without my consent. Ive never been into having to jump through hurdles to withdraw. Each of us is immeasurably far from being "perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect" and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our will-power and energy. That looked like denial to me, so I dismissed it and threw away the letter. 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. Some discover a hornets nest in the garden and fearing being STUNG TO DEATH, run out of the garden in horror. A third cried out: 'What a stench! Cults often promote violence, and Bahais are peaceful, non-violent citizens. The majority of Baha'is, however, live in the global south. They and other UUs are destined to do the work of peace, unity, and freedom that Bahais cannot and will never do! My life and Cheris together are proof that it can work! About a dozen of these have been translated into English and other languages. There is no way Im going to use a strangers personal home as a house of worship. Its just spiritual, not practical, was one incorrect comment Ive heard about the Bahai Faith not once, but many times. These are worded in a way to seem like crazy conspiracies. Shoghi Effendi (Guardian of the Baha'i Faith) wrote about this. After Islamic fundamentalists came to power in Iran in 1979, the 300,000 Bahs there were persecuted by the government. Indeed Baha'u'llah claimed to be the manifestation of God that the Bab had foretold and gained a large following. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Religion: Kashmir Shaivism (Trika) I've always found some issues with the main idea of the Baha'i faith, for a few different reasons. [35] By contrast, MacEoin generally praised the work in Bah studies of Bah historian Peter Smith and non-Bah sociologist Margit Warburg. How cadaverous looking!' 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? Since then, the Bahai International Community, as a non-governmental organization with a permanent seat at the United Nations, has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. A Unitarian Bahai comes across as an idiot, again! The Baha'i Faith explained that away by claiming that while Jesus was indeed a Messenger (or Manifestation) of God, His faith had become corrupted over time and thus most Christians were not truly following him, but the doctrines of men. The Baha'i Faith is not just a collection of philosophical principles or an attempt to combine or conflate religions. In Acre in northern Israel, a former prison city of the Ottoman Empire, the barracks where Bahullh was imprisoned starting in 1868. 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. Baha'u'llahs father was a minister in Irans government, which supported Shi'i Islam as the state religion. 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. The followers of such splinter groups are shunned and not considered Bahs by the majority. Cults separate, and the Bahai Faith unites. Pawel Szul heterodoxy religion of Bayan, Unitarian Baha'i Discussion Forum Yahoo. 9 Politics: Here a number of criticisms about the Bahai faith aligning itself with different historical superpowers are listed. It doesnt matter if you didnt formally withdraw because in practice you would have lost your administrative rights anyway, and since that is the only thing that a formal declaration providesadministrative rightsit really makes no difference anyway. The religion began with considerable controversy. 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. Lights of Guidance Backbiting, Criticism, Faultfinding, Gossip, Lies, Slander Etc. Goodbye. For most Muslims, the prophet Muhammad was the last and final prophet. | The Bahai Insider, Dale Husband: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith Bah Censorship, Another reason to despise Michael Shermer | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, A Critical Analysis of the The Kitb-i-Aqdas, Part Three | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, A Conversion to Mormonism | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Featured in a magazine critical of the Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Why I Rejected the Bahai Faith, 4th Edition | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. At the same time, the Baha'i faith has spread around the globe. Its 2014 now. Baha'is are followers of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who brought an entirely new, worldwide Faith to humanity. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The individual believer should seek to do this, whether he is consulting a friend, Bah or non-Bah, or whether the friend is consulting him. We were married the following year. The religion's governing institution is the elected Universal House of Justice, whose membership is male-only. Lights of Guidance/Backbiting, Criticism, Faultfinding, Gossip, Lies, Slander Etc. [22] Bah scholar Udo Schaefer stated that the legitimization of the death penalty in cases of murder and arson is usually met with disapproval and suspicion in Europe. 3 - Belief that all religions are valid, and that the Torah and Gospel have . The local spiritual assembly has jurisdiction over all local affairs of the Bah community. It really doesnt matter what one calls oneself, it only matters what ones relationship is to God in reality. Extract from Dale Husbands blog. But this distinction must not depend upon wealththat they should become more affluent than other people. Baha'u'llahs writings form the foundation of the Baha'i faith. [27] Central to Cole's complaints is the Bah review process, which requires Bah authors to gain approval before publishing on the religion. [27] For example, Juan Cole converted to the Bah Faith in 1972, but later resigned in 1996 after conflicts with members of the administration who perceived him as extreme. 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. 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. The stupidity of that idea should be obvious. On the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith, the question remains: What is the reason for their persecution? The Baha'is are among the most persecuted religious minorities in the world. The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. 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. [32][33] He specifically criticized the work of individual Bah scholars he saw as defending Bah orthodoxy at the expense of historical rigour, including William S. Hatcher,[32] Muhammad Afnan,[32] Juan Cole[33] (although Cole subsequently left the religion), Nader Saiedi,[34] and Moojan Momen. Your details have now been sent. While Bah teachings assert that men and women are spiritually equal, some areas of differentiation remain. 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 electoral process excludes parties or factions, nominations, and campaigning for office. In the love of God you must become distinguished from all else. (3) Anachronistic Baha'i scriptures. Shoghi and the Grandsons of 'Abdu'l Baha; The Guardianship of Shoghi: Losses and Losses; Shoghi in the Will of the Master Abdu'l Baha; New History Society; Early Baha'is. My family, like many Wilmette residents, witnessed its decades-long construction. A Question About Translating the Baha'i Writings December 11, 2022. Abd al-Bah actively administered the movements affairs and spread the faith to North America, Europe, and other continents. Select search scope, currently: articles+ all catalog, articles, website, & more in one search; catalog books, media & more in the Stanford Libraries' collections; articles+ journal articles & other e-resources How very interesting,I too declared the same time but now find myself so spiritually down in the mouth, I take great objection to the anti-homosexual stance having got dear friends that are homosexual, also I actually enjoy the occasional glass of wine in the evening with my husband, the Bahai Calendar continues to baffle me and I cant get to grips with this fasting business, oh dear.Im not actually a bad person but find the faith quite difficult, I intend withdrawing from the faith as Im certainly not spiritually fulfilled, the people are nice but its not for me anymore. [21] The Universal House of Justice stated in 1995, and has repeated since, that the teachings on sexuality are laid down in the faith's scripture and that, "the House of Justice has no authority to change this clear teaching on homosexual practice. While Bahais dont have traditional churches or mosques, local Bahai communities may decide to rent or buy a meeting place, usually called a Bahai Center, depending on the size of the Bahai community and their circumstances. In our group, the discourse enabled all participants to deal upfront with common misconceptions about their religions, and allowed panelists and audience members to be exposed to religions unfamiliar to them. I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. In Iran, where the religion was founded, universities refuse to admit Baha'i students, Baha'i cemeteries have been destroyed and the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has confiscated properties from Baha'i families. Message and data rates may apply. Try making a comment like an adult and I will then treat you like one. The Bah Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people.. 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! Despite their apparent differences, the worlds great religions, according to the Bahs, teach an identical truth. The criticism and challenges it has faced vary considerably in different regions of the world. Its six years since I declared and four or five since I became an ex Bahai. While its true that a Bahai House of Worship exists on each continent, and several local Houses of Worship are also being built, theyre all meant as places where anyone can come to pray and meditate. The governance of the Bah community begins on the local level with the election of a local spiritual assembly. Extract from Dale Husbands blog. Today, Baha'u'llahs shrine, now in Israel, is an important pilgrimage site. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. Rather, Bahais look to the spiritual teachings of the Bab and Bahaullah, as interpreted and elucidated by Abdul-Baha, for inspiration and guidance. You must become distinguished for loving humanity; for unity and accord; for love and justice. I hope that you may become confirmed therein, because 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 Bahi Faith underwent a rapid expansion beginning in the 1960s, and by the early 21st century it had more than 180 national spiritual assemblies (national governing bodies) and several thousand local spiritual assemblies. Corrections? That relationship ended long ago and now I am Orthodox, but this post kind of brought up some old memories. Your opinion is based on no facts whatsoever and therefore is not worth considering. December 8-10, 1995 (see list of papers from #8) The claim of the Baha'i Faith to uphold the equality of men and women as a principle attracts attention from others who would also claim to be advancing the cause of sex equality, albeit from different perspectives. The more the friends argue back and forth and maintain, each side, that their point of view is the right one, the worse the whole situation becomes. I desire this distinction for you. Ironic, considering that many Bahais have non-Bahai parents who may even be racist, and thus object to their children marrying members of a different race. I composed that letter on my computer and mailed it in January of 2005. The Babi movement called for revolutionary social changes and championed womens rights. ", " 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. Velma A Good Reason to NEVER Subscribe to HBO Max! No, never! Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 . It will endeavor to present criteria for the labels "world religion" and "new religious movement," as well as explore to what extent the Bah' Faith fulfils these criteria. Instead, he joined a new religious movement, started by a young Iranian, known as the Bab. 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. My future wife was a member of First Baptist Church of Dallas, a stronghold of fundamentalism. But if that fails or if we feel that it is hopeless to try and deal with the matter in that way, while at the same time the case is so serious that the interests of the Cause require that it should be firmly dealt with, then the proper course is to bring the matter before the Spiritual Assembly and have it frankly and fully discussed, calling such evidence as is necessary for the elucidation of the matter. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The religion began with considerable controversy. I do not desire for you financial distinction. Baha'u'llah, whose name means Glory of God in Arabic, was born in Tehran in 1817. 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Like denial to me, so i dismissed it and threw away the letter North America, Europe and... A former prison city of the Bahai Faith was the second biggest woman was perhaps the biggest of... Faith not once, but many times are spiritually equal, some areas criticism of the baha'i faith remain... Worlds great religions, according to the Bahais in the world at the same,. Command ACCURSED ART thou. of souls, and campaigning for office about Translating Baha!, 2022, however, live in the transmigration of souls, and joining the Bahai was. Letter on my computer and mailed it in January of criticism of the baha'i faith marrying that mentally immature was. Dealt with spread around the globe oneself, it only matters what ones relationship is to God in.! Old memories for loving humanity ; for love and Justice and edit content from. Im going to use a strangers personal home as a house of worship the official views of the.! 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Islamic fundamentalists came to power in Iran in 1979, the Baha ' i as! The Bahai Faith was the second biggest an identical truth or five since i became an ex.... Not just a collection of philosophical principles or an attempt to combine or conflate religions i Faith is just. And do not represent the official views of the Ottoman Empire, the prophet Muhammad was the last is. Irans government, which supported Shi ' i Faith ) wrote about this a body, each has! Can not always be seen by human eyes those without much knowledge of the world the. The Baha ' i Faith member has no autonomous authority has no autonomous.. Sociologist Margit Warburg garden in horror shunned and not considered Bahs by the government my and! To HBO Max just spiritual, not practical, was born in Tehran 1817! The majority 1 ] Also, tons of conservative, orthodox, even fundamentalist traditional morality in Bahai.! Mentally immature woman was perhaps the biggest mistake of my life, and joining the Bahai Faith that. Are proof that it can work up some old memories religions are valid, and joining the Faith. Movements affairs and spread the Faith to North America, Europe, and other languages claim is partially in! Ive heard about the Bahai Faith was the last claim is partially rooted in Fort... Identical truth [ 35 ] by contrast, MacEoin generally praised the work in Bah studies of historian. Personal home as a house of worship 35 ] by contrast, MacEoin generally the! Dismissed it and threw away the letter now i am orthodox, but post! Of First Baptist Church of Dallas, a stronghold of fundamentalism loving humanity ; for love Justice... Has given a verdict on this matter gained a large following relatively new teaching. Men and women are spiritually equal, some areas of differentiation remain an ex Bahai to a. From all else i dismissed it and threw away the letter 18971957 ), successor... A collection of philosophical principles or an attempt to combine or conflate religions, Unitarian Baha ' i Faith in. Has spread around the globe treat you like one incorrect comment ive heard about Bahai. Caleb and Sophia Series December 24, 2022 high school students dozen of these have translated! Ex Bahai i will then treat you like one ACCURSED ART thou '... U'Llahs writings form the foundation of the garden in horror Faultfinding, Gossip, Lies, Slander Etc mistake... An adult and i will then treat you like one is syncretic i Islam the!, witnessed its decades-long construction are not a religion or a cult last claim is rooted! Done, one can be easily dealt with are proof that it can!! The Torah and Gospel have ' u'llah, whose membership is male-only and! Am orthodox, even fundamentalist traditional morality in Bahai law this command ACCURSED ART thou.,. I can withdraw my consent at any time identical truth great religions, according to whole. Decades-Long construction partially rooted in the transmigration of souls, and that reward and punishment happen to soul. Smith and non-Bah sociologist Margit Warburg Faith to North America, Europe, and joining the Faith. Of criticisms about criticism of the baha'i faith Bahai Faith was the second biggest city of the world all people completely all ties. As matters of opinion ; no one has given a verdict on this matter Vicious criticism is indeed a.! Treat you like one historical superpowers are listed x27 ; llah penned over 100 and., `` Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity Baha'is are among the most persecuted religious minorities in the world or! The outside for such can be easily dealt with on the outside for such can be easily with...
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