About our faith

[Bahai.Lifter]

Source: The Bennington Banner
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_13733722

About our faith
Posted: 11/06/2009 11:00:36 PM EST

Jane McDay

I am constantly surprised at the frequency with which I encounter people who have never heard of the Baha'i Faith. This in spite of regular news clips about the persecutions of the Baha'is in Iran by the Iranian government and the seven members of the faith held in Evin prison since March of 2008 because of their beliefs.

Is it that people are adhering to the old adage, "don't talk about religion or politics," or could it be that folks fear that asking a simple question may ensnare them in a conversion attempt? Since Nov. 12 is the birthday of Baha'u'llah, I want to take this opportunity to explain a little about the Baha'i Faith merely for the information of those who know nothing about it.

To begin with, what is a Baha'i? A Baha'i believes in God and is a follower of Baha'u'llah (pronounced 'Baha-oo-La'). Baha'u'llah, whose name means "Glory of God," is the prophet-founder of the Baha'i Faith.

In addition, a Baha'i recognizes and accepts the station of Baha'u'llah as the Promised One of all religions as well as the founder of the Baha'i Faith. This acceptance comes after personal investigation and conviction. A Baha'i is submissive to the teachings of Baha'u'llah and obedient to the divine institutions established by Baha'u'llah to administer the affairs of his faith.

A Baha'i is a lover of all mankind and an upholder of the central principle of the Faith: The oneness of mankind. A Baha'i recognizes the essential unity of religions, such as those founded by previous divine educators, including Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad and the Bab.

Also, a Baha'i strives to remove from his life all forms of prejudice -- racial, religious, or social. A Baha'i adheres to principles of moral rectitude. A Baha'i regards men and women as having equal status. A Baha'i acknowledges the basic harmony of religion and science. A Baha'i engages in the attainment and promotion of knowledge, in acquiring a means of livelihood, and in serving humanity. A Baha'i works toward world peace by encouraging the establishment of religious unity and world government. A Baha'i is obedient to recognized governments and does not become involved in political affairs.

One of Baha'u'llah's first principles is personal and independent investigation of truth -- that is, no one should accept another's opinion or interpretation of the Word of God without investigating for him or herself whether the subject contains the spark of truth[.] Baha'u'llah teaches that religion is progressive, each successive revelation of the major prophets building on the teachings of the past to bring mankind ever closer to the ultimate goal of unification of the planet and the establishment of world peace. The spiritual teachings of each of these religions include a variation of what many of us know as "The Golden Rule," basically, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

In addition to their spiritual teachings, each of the religions has taught social principles and laws pertinent to the times and civilizations in which they were revealed. The extreme differences so apparent among the religions today are the result of interpretations and dogmas attached to the original teachings by subsequent leaders of the religions, causing the establishment of many subdivisions, or sects, each with its own set of rituals and rules. The essential teachings of Baha'u'llah for this time are that there is only one God, known by many different names, there is one race, the human race, and that the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens. It is the bringing of these truths to fruition that is the goal of the Baha'i Faith.

Baha'u'llah has provided a blueprint in his many writings for a world commonwealth which the Baha'is across the world are implementing in the conduct of their own religious and social affairs. From the time Baha'u'llah revealed his message, he was taken prisoner by the governmental and religious leaders in Iran and kept in prisons, dungeons, and banishments across Iran, Iraq, and finally to the prison city of Akka in the Ottoman Empire for the rest of His life. He suffered terribly there, and referred to Akka as "The Most Great Prison."

Nevertheless,through Baha'u'llah's words and his writings his following grew. In one of his tablets he wrote: "Remember my days during thy days and my distress and banishment in this remote prison. And be thou so steadfast in my love that thy heart shall not waver, even if the swords of the enemies rain blows upon thee and all the heavens and the earth arise against thee."

This is the faith and the fortitude being shown by the Baha'i prisoners in Evin prison in Iran today. Baha'u'llah also wrote about his sufferings: "The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty.

"He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. We have accepted to be abased, O believers in the unity of God, that ye might prosper and flourish. He who hath come to build anew the whole world, behold how they that have joined partners with God have forced him to dwell within the most desolate of cities."

Baha'u'llah died in 1892. His shrine, which we consider the holiest spot on earth, is located near the city of Akka.

Jane McDay is a member of the Bennington Baha'i Community.

[Large_Emu]

brb, being brainwashed.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by Large_Emu

brb, being brainwashed.

I fail to see how learning about a religion is the same as "being brainwashed." It's just part of being a well-rounded and knowledgeable person.

[Large_Emu]

Originally Posted by Bahai.Lifter

I fail to see how learning about a religion is the same as "being brainwashed." It's just part of being a well-rounded and knowledgeable person.

I was just speaking generally about it.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by Large_Emu

I was just speaking generally about it.

Learning about religion certainly cannot be considered "brainwashing." If it were, then universities wouldn't offer world religion courses, for example.

[Harbinger]

Originally Posted by Bahai.Lifter

Learning about religion certainly cannot be considered "brainwashing." If it were, then universities wouldn't offer world religion courses, for example.

Learning about religion is fine. It's telling people that the nonsensical writings of a 2000 year old book are the inerrant words of an omniscient being. That's brainwashing.

[jackfast1]

unfortunately, if i made a thread, with poll:
"does anybody read posts by 'bahai lifter' that are over two sentences long?"
it would probably be deleted...

[Harbinger]

Originally Posted by jackfast1

unfortunately, if i made a thread, with poll:
"does anybody read posts by 'bahai lifter' that are over two sentences long?"
it would probably be deleted...

i would vote no

[jackfast1]

Originally Posted by Harbinger

i would vote no

as would i...

[JAGERBOY]

Originally Posted by jackfast1

as would i...

Yeah but you can't get mad at him. He's doing what true Christians should be doing, spreading the "good" word. If Christians TRULY believe that folks are going to go to hell if they aren't saved/believe in Jeezus, then they should be doing everything possible to spread the word. That said, I generally don't read Bahai.Lifters novels either. He needs to find a better way of spreading the "good" news.

[Harbinger]

Originally Posted by JAGERBOY

Yeah but you can't get mad at him. He's doing what true Christians should be doing, spreading the "good" word. If Christians TRULY believe that folks are going to go to hell if they aren't saved/believe in Jeezus, then they should be doing everything possible to spread the word. That said, I generally don't read Bahai.Lifters novels either. He needs to find a better way of spreading the "good" news.

I totally agree, I don't read his posts because their long winded and about a subject I have no interest in. It's obvious he's very passionate about his beliefs and I think he's a nice guy with our best interests at heart 'from his point of view' I'm just not interested.

[Large_Emu]

Originally Posted by Harbinger

I totally agree, I don't read his posts because their long winded and about a subject I have no interest in. It's obvious he's very passionate about his beliefs and I think he's a nice guy with our best interests at hart 'from his point of view' I'm just not interested.

plus what he says is probably purposefully long winded as to cover-up all the holes in it.

[jackfast1]

Originally Posted by JAGERBOY

Yeah but you can't get mad at him. He's doing what true Christians should be doing, spreading the "good" word. If Christians TRULY believe that folks are going to go to hell if they aren't saved/believe in Jeezus, then they should be doing everything possible to spread the word. That said, I generally don't read Bahai.Lifters novels either. He needs to find a better way of spreading the "good" news.

Originally Posted by Harbinger

I totally agree, I don't read his posts because their long winded and about a subject I have no interest in. It's obvious he's very passionate about his beliefs and I think he's a nice guy with our best interests at heart 'from his point of view' I'm just not interested.

yes, BL is a nice sincere fellow, who i take pains not to insult or ridicule too harshly (please take note NSB)...however, repeated requests for cliffs have been ignored.

Originally Posted by Large_Emu

plus what he says is probably purposefully long winded as to cover-up all the holes in it.

i think that this is true of the ballula...

[JAGERBOY]

Originally Posted by Harbinger

I totally agree, I don't read his posts because their long winded and about a subject I have no interest in. It's obvious he's very passionate about his beliefs and I think he's a nice guy with our best interests at heart 'from his point of view' I'm just not interested.

Yup.

Originally Posted by Large_Emu

plus what he says is probably purposefully long winded as to cover-up all the holes in it.

Hmmm, could be. Maybe he knows that if he responds with a super long post, people will just ignore it. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt though as he seems like a sincere guy.

Originally Posted by jackfast1

yes, BL is a nice sincere fellow, who i take pains not to insult or ridicule too harshly (please take note NSB)...however, repeated requests for cliffs have been ignored.

Agreed.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by Harbinger

I totally agree, I don't read his posts because their long winded and about a subject I have no interest in. It's obvious he's very passionate about his beliefs and I think he's a nice guy with our best interests at heart 'from his point of view' I'm just not interested.

I can assure you, this is nothing as "long winded" as in our door-to-door teaching (no Jehovah's Witness). Of course, in that case the person we're speaking with is very interested, so there isn't any issue there.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by Harbinger

Learning about religion is fine. It's telling people that the nonsensical writings of a 2000 year old book are the inerrant words of an omniscient being. That's brainwashing.

Someone can simply choose to ignore it -- it's a free country. IMHO the proper way to believe is through independent investigation of truth, and not by having someone force his views on others. But it helps learning different viewpoints, especially if one considers himself a seeker of truth.

[neuralshock]

Originally Posted by Bahai.Lifter

I fail to see how learning about a religion is the same as "being brainwashed." It's just part of being a well-rounded and knowledgeable person.

Yes, people have the choice not to take those courses. It is a bit hard to shut your ears off when people talk about their faith all the time though.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by neuralshock

Yes, people have the choice not to take those courses. It is a bit hard to shut your ears off when people talk about their faith all the time though.

It's a bit easier if one doesn't actively go to a religion forum, for starters.

[neuralshock]

Originally Posted by Bahai.Lifter

It's a bit easier if one doesn't actively go to a religion forum, for starters.

It is a Religion/Politics forum and I have no problem with your faith.

I am constantly surprised at the frequency with which I encounter people who have never heard of the Baha'i Faith.

Statements like that are nonsense though, if we learned every possible bit of history, we would just be learning history all our lives.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by neuralshock

Statements like that are nonsense though, if we learned every possible bit of history, we would just be learning history all our lives.

The point of the author is that the Baha'i Faith has been mentioned many times in the news, including CNN and BBC. Editorials also have even been written which mention Baha'is, and in many other articles it is mentioned at least in passing. The United States government has also mentioned it, as have governments throughout the world, human rights organizations, etc. Some famous people who are Baha'is like comedian Rainn Wilson have also spoken about the Faith a lot as well.

[Large_Emu]

2 star thread, would read to my children so we could have a good laugh together.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by Large_Emu

2 star thread, would read to my children so we could have a good laugh together.

That won't help your children.

[MontelWilliams]

Originally Posted by Bahai.Lifter

That won't help your children.

and neither will your religion

oh snap

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by MontelWilliams

and neither will your religion

oh snap

It will -- have seen it work with my own eyes. I.e., Baha'i children's classes (for Baha'i and non-Baha'i children alike).

[Large_Emu]

why do you choose to follow your religion as opposed to another faith?

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by Large_Emu

why do you choose to follow your religion as opposed to another faith?

As a Baha'i, I believe there is only one religion of God. Therefore, I choose to follow His Religion. Baha'is acknowledge the Divine origin of the great religions. We really don't look at things in terms of the "right" or "wrong" religion, because His Religion is really only one. However, revelation is progressive, so God continues to send Manifestations to earth to "update" His Teachings for new times. I acknowledge the previous Manifestations of God (e.g., Abraham, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Bab, etc.), and additionally I recognize Baha'u'llah (www.bahaullah.org) as the Manifestation of God for today.

[Bahai.Lifter]

Thanks for the support Whoda. It's curious that some individuals are extremely opposed to the views of others, yet nonetheless of their own accord they choose to read the posts. If it were me, personally, and I really didn't like what someone was posting, I'd simply ignore such posts. Sounds like the logical thing to do in such a case. Or not go to a religion forum if religion is hated so much. I wouldn't try get him to stop expressing his viewpoint which everyone is entitled to. As long as someone isn't posting criminal things or something extreme like that, he should be free to express his viewpoint, and his love for God, especially on a religion forum.

[potatoe]

Is their an adavantage to lifting Bahai's as oppose to weights?

[Bahai.Lifter]

Originally Posted by potatoe

Is their an adavantage to lifting Bahai's as oppose to weights?

Well, yeah, more "free weight" I'd assume.

[NeAbuZe]