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"The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens." Baha'u'llah
The Baha'i Faith fulfills the role of affirming the truths of all the
world's major historical religions, as well as many indigenous
spiritual traditions from around the world, while moving them into the
future in a manner consistent with modern science. The Baha'i Faith is
a continuation and fulfillment of the Abrahamic Judeo-Christian-Islamic
religions, while for the first time within this huge stream, equally
affirming the Hindu-Buddhist stream of spirituality. This is achieved
by virtue of the principle of Progressive Revelation, in which the core
principles of God's religion never change, but some of the outward
forms and social rules evolve to fit the needs of the times. The
forward momentum of Progressive Revelation is maintained by a series of
Manifestations of God who further the message, which includes Abraham,
Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Gautauma Buddha, Zoroaster, and others both
known and unknown.
Bahai's believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and that he died
on the cross for all humanity. Jesus is my personal savior. But the
other prophets are also legitimate and each has a function in bringing
the message of God to a particular time and place.
The Baha'i Faith was inaugurated, for the first time in human history,
by a series of two Manifestations, or Prophets, in nineteenth century
Persia, in the heartland of the Shi'ite branch of the Islamic faith.
The "twelver" Shi'ites believe that the rightful succession to Muhammad
was exemplified by the the twelve Imams who were direct descendants of
Muhammad in the early days of the Islamic dispensation. When the last,
or twelfth, Imam mysteriously disappeared, he became known as the
hidden Imam. It was expected that, in the latter days, the hidden Imam
would come again, to be known as the Mahdi, and would reform the faith
and prepare the way for One Who Shall Becoime Manifest.
Baha'u'llah established the Baha'i Faith as a universal religion, in
the long line of Abrahamic religions. He proclaimed the truth of Jesus
Christ as the Son of God and Savior of mankind, the truth of Mohammad
as God's Prophet, and the basic truth of the other major prophetic
figures and founders of religions in human history, including Abraham,
Moses, Jesus, Zoroaster, Buddha, the Bab and others.
Baha'u'llah's son, Abdul Baha, known as the Master, succeeded Him as
head of the faith. Abdul Baha led a saintly life of charity in the
Haifa and Acca regions, and consolidated the Faith. Abdul Baha traveled
to Paris and to the United States, and was honored and revered wherever
he went, winning many adherents to the Faith.
At His funeral in Haifa in 1921, Abdul Baha was mourned and missed by a
crowd of over 10,000, including dignitaries from all faiths and walks
of life, including leading Islamic and Christian clergymen. The saintly
life of Abdul Baha is an inspiration and model for all Baha'is to try
to emulate.
Abdul Baha was succeeded by his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, known as the
Guardian of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi was educated at Oxford in England
and he translated many of the writings of Baha'u'llah from the original
Persian and Arabic to English. Shoghi Effendi also traveled
extensively, and in the United States he laid the corner stone for the
first North American Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois in
the Chicago area. Under the Guardian's stewardship, the faith spread
all around the world and was provided with a functioning Administrative
Order. By the time of His death in 1957, the Faith was securely
established.
Since the passing of Shoghi Effendi, the Faith is led not by a single
individual , but by a universally elected Universal House of Justice,
composed of nine members meeting at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa,
Israel. The Baha'i administration is democratically elected in each
town, country, and finally the Universal House of Justice which is the
first and only democratically elected world-wide institution.
The Baha'i Faith thus represents historical continuity with the world's
great streams of religious and spiritual thought, along with a healthy
evolutionary thrust toward a new age. The Faith recognizes that there
will be yet further stages of Progressive Revelation, and future
Manifestations, as God's will in history can never be shut down.
Baha'u'llah affirms that the next Manifestation will not occur for at
least 1000 years.
The Baha'i World center is now located on Mount Carmel in Haifa in the
immediate region of Baha'u'llah's prison home. This same mountain was
holy from Biblical times, was the scene of the prophet Elijah's
confrontation with the priests of Baal, the home of Elijah's cave on
the side of the mountain, and the subject of Biblical prophecies of the
future messianic age. The Mount Carmel area and the Baha'i World Center
have now been turned into a most beautiful garden spot that attracts
tourism and admiration from all around the world.
Ten Key Principles of the Baha'i Faith:
1. The oneness of God, mankind and religion.
2. The independent investigation of truth.
3. The equality of women and men.
4. Harmony of science and religion.
5. Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty.
6. Universal peace.
7. A world common-wealth of nations.
8. A universal auxiliary language.
9. Spiritual solutions to economic problems.
10. Universal education.
Nine reasons why you may want to become a Baha'i:
1. Because we don't reject the foundations of your beliefs, we renew
them. Bahá'ís celebrate the unity of the world religions - not by
overlooking their differences, but by explaining them from a spiritual,
cultural and historic perspective.
2. Because we offer a sense of Community based on acceptance, not
exclusivity. Bahá'ís consider every person on earth to be members of
one family. There is not "us" and "them;" there is only "us".
3. Because we give you hope for the future. Bahá'ís don't ignore the
world's problems, we explain them in a way that makes sense and offer
solutions that will work.
4. Because we have answers for the hard questions. If you've ever felt
that your questions were unwelcome, you will be pleased to discover
that the Bahá'í Writings not only encourage questions, but contain
answers that you can explore for yourself.
5. Because these teachings will bring you joy. Developing your
spiritual qualities, moving closer to God and working with a loving
community may not bring you an easy life or lots of money, but they
will bring you an inner peace and contentment that will last an
eternity
6. Because you will fall in love with the Bahá'í Writings and their
Author, God's latest (not last) messenger, Bahá'u'lláh. You will also
fall in love with your own highest potential as a noble reflection of
God's light, and begin to love others in that same light.
7. Because you will feel good about yourself, knowing that you are
doing something to make the world a better place. In the Bahá'í
Community you will be working for unity and cooperation between all
people. This is the first step in solving any of the world's problems.
8. Because we are successful. Spiritual principles, sensible laws and
an international administrative system have united millions of members
from virtually every country on earth in a community which fosters
personal growth and global harmony.
9. Because it feels right. In those quiet moments when you stop to
listen to your heart, there will come a time when you will know that
the Bahá'í Community has what you are looking for. Until then, keep
reading, keep praying, and keep coming to activities. We are always
glad to see you.
For more informaion in podcast form, online text and links, go to
AwareTek Podcast Series
Posted by Ron Stephens @ 2006-05-05 13:49:31
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The gap between what we can explain and what we can’t explain is G_d. In previous times, this gap was larger than it is now, and the concept of G_d was an anthropomorphic God. Now, as science has explained more of the physical universe, we need a more sophisticated concept of G_d.
G_d is the purpose, the goal and the meaning of existence.
G_d will always exist.
Posted by Ron Stephens @ 2006-04-30 01:16:29
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