(Quoted in Star of West, Vol. gss t ws mr lk prf tht yr prblms l lss n pltcs nd rlgn nd mre n mntal hlth sss? They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. My life has changed in ways that I had hoped the Bahai Faith would help me do, but in 35 years has not. In the summer and fall of 2004, I gradually came to the conviction that the Bahai Faith was no longer worthy of my allegiance. If he looks to this side and that to see how Tom and Harry are getting on and to criticise their ploughing, then his own furrow will assuredly become crooked. https://bahai.works/index.php?title=Lights_of_Guidance/Backbiting,_Criticism,_Faultfinding,_Gossip,_Lies,_Slander_Etc.&oldid=121304. Bah Allh was subsequently confined by the Ottomans in Adrianople (now Edirne, Turkey) and then in Acre in Palestine (now Akko, Israel). Please select which sections you would like to print: Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ThenI cut completely all personal ties to the Bahais in the Fort Worth area. I am closer to God than I have ever been, and less confused than I have ever been. Christian and Islamic authors (e.g. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); After years of investigation and soul-searching, I have finally come to the sad understanding that I can no longer bring myself to believe in Bahaullah or any of the institutions established in His name, including the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. He appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbn (18971957), his successor. Thus you will grow, become more perfect. Its like Scientology in trying to manage apostasy in this way. In fact, the first school for girls in Iran was established by the Baha'is. In a Tablet to an American friend the Master wrote: 'The worst human quality and the most great sin is backbiting, more especially when it emanates from the tongues of the believers of God. Bah World News Service Bah' International Community, has confiscated properties from Baha'i families. I stayed silent about my defection from the Bahai Faith untilOctober 19, 2007, when I posted my first blog entry attacking it. Thanks! The religion's governing institution is the elected Universal House of Justice, whose membership is male-only. He taught there is one God and one human family, and that the great religions of the world represent successive stages in the spiritual evolution of human society. For the first few months of our marriage, Cheri and I shared a home with my parents, until we had enough money to move out on our own. Membership in the Bah community is open to all who profess faith in Bah Allh and accept his teachings. Ive never been into having to jump through hurdles to withdraw. A Unitarian Bahai comes across as an idiot, again! Yes, the Road to Serfdom is Indeed Paved by Conservatives, you Libertarian Idiot! You will overcome self, you will not even have time to think of the faults of others'. Bahais have no clergy. Gods wisdom cannot always be seen by human eyes. This body applies the laws promulgated by Bah Allh and legislates on matters not covered in the sacred texts. Bahs believe in the oneness of humanity and devote themselves to the abolition of racial, class, and religious prejudices. Bahais believe in the agreement of science and religion; and accept that religion must have practical benefit for humanity in fact, Abdul-Baha said, otherwise it would be preferable to have no religion. 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. Jehovah's Witnesses and Baha'is were among the most . Unfortunately, not only average people, but average Bahs, are very immature; gossip, trouble-making, criticism, seem easier than the putting into practice of love, constructive words and cooperation. In 1852, two years after the execution of the Bb, a fringe element in the . The religion officially formed in 1863, but a Shiite Muslim man in Iran began paving the way in 1844 by announcing a new prophet was to come - after Muhammad. A Question About Translating the Baha'i Writings December 11, 2022. Baha'u'llahs writings form the foundation of the Baha'i faith. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. After Islamic fundamentalists came to power in Iran in 1979, the 300,000 Bahs there were persecuted by the government. "You ask in your letter for guidance on the implications of the prohibition on backbiting and more specifically whether, in moments of anger or depression, the believer is permitted to turn to his friends to unburden his soul and discuss his problem in human relations. More than one person has said Bahais arent involved in social action. Nothing could be further from the truth. 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.' His son and successor, Abdu'l-Baha, traveled to Europe and the United States to spread the faith. 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? Do this whenever you are tried through the words or deeds of others. In the love of God you must become distinguished from all else. Lights of Guidance Backbiting, Criticism, Faultfinding, Gossip, Lies, Slander Etc. [14] For example, the perspectives of Subh-i-Azal, Mrz Muhammad Al, and Mason Remey, the most prominent covenant-breakers of the religion, were all upheld by Miller in an attempt to show its adherents as deceived, its teachings superficial or irrelevant, and its administration "a dictatorship". I have been studying AJ Millers teachings for 17 months now. 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. Oral reports, although they exist, are considered too unreliable to be fully authoritative and are to . Abstract This article will explore some of the issues involved in the sociological analysis of the status of the Bah' Faith. In any case, good luck to you and God Bless. "The only way jealousy or petty attitudes can be overcome is by the love and tact of the teacher; these are not things that can be solved by a 'ruling'.". opinion. The condemnation of backbiting could hardly be couched in stronger language than in these passages, and it is obviously one of the foremost obligations for Bahs to set their faces against this practice. "Abdul-Bah does not permit adverse criticism of individuals by name in discussion among the friends, even if the one criticizing believes that he is doing so to protect the interests of the Cause. [19] ", "The worst enemies of the Cause are in the Cause and mention the Name of God. ", "He feels that you should do your utmost to call the attention of the friends to these large things, and real triumphs, and away from their personal differences and petty pre-occupations. It is not an ordinary distinction I desire: not scientific, commercial, industrial distinction. The Universal House of Justice suggests that you call to mind the admonitions found in our Writings on the need to overlook the shortcomings of others, to forgive and conceal their misdeeds, not to expose their bad qualities, but to search for and affirm their praiseworthy ones, and endeavour to be always forbearing, patient, and merciful. I hope that all the believers will attain to this lofty station. Its just spiritual, not practical, was one incorrect comment Ive heard about the Bahai Faith not once, but many times. [21], In the Kitb-i-Aqdas, Bahu'llh prescribed the death penalty both for intentional arson and murder. You don't need to belong to a religion to be of service to others and do good in the world. Baha'is have also been discriminated against in Yemen and in Egypt. Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 . [3][9], Christian author and missiologist Ed Stetzer rejects the Bah Faith as a syncretic combination of faiths,[10] while Christian author John Ankerberg points to discrepancies between faiths to contradict the idea of unity of religion.[8]. It has an office on the environment involved in sustainable development. Baha'is believe that God has . Also, tons of conservative, orthodox, even fundamentalist traditional morality in Bahai law. 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. (2) The absence of personal requirements (Baha'i demands) for the Manifestations. The Orthodox Bah Faith is an extremely small Bah sect that was formed in 1960 by Mason Remey, and subsequently was the name used by one of his disputed successors, Joel Marangella.The sect is defined by a belief that the Guardianship of Shoghi Effendi (1921-1957) continued with further appointees, whereas the mainstream Bahs follow a line of leadership that transitioned to . In the early 21st century there were nine Bah houses of worship: in Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Germany, India, Panama, Samoa, the United States, and Uganda. We need not fear the enemies on the outside for such can be easily dealt with. '", "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. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Its six years since I declared and four or five since I became an ex Bahai. 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. Whenever you recognize the fault of another, think of yourself! Shoghi Effendi (Guardian of the Baha'i Faith) wrote about this. According to Bah' belief, there have been individuals throughout history who were Manifestations of God, who founded major world religions and had certain supernatural powers, such as the ability to prophesy. When Bahaullahs son and successor Abdul-Baha visited North America in 1912, he modeled an example of social action when he told Bahais to racially integrate even in cities which were segregated at that time; and to also apply the Bahai principle of the equality of the sexes to their lives. [11], Bah authors have written in response that the contradictory teachings are either social laws that change from age to age, as part of a progressive revelation, or human error introduced to the more ancient faiths over time. She has published in anthologies, textbooks, peer-reviewed academic journals, radio and magazines; presented papers at numerous By clicking "Sign up", I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and consent to receive communications (email, telephone call, or text message) from Bahaiteachings.org about news, events and offers, including via automated technology and/or prerecorded calls or messages to the number and email provided above, even if my number is a mobile number or is currently listed on any state, federal or corporate Do Not Call list. He teaches that God is a loving Parent who never uses threats or fear or guilt or shame in relating to Her/His children. Subsequent public protests and mob violence claimed the lives of thousands of his followers. I do not desire for you financial distinction. These are worded in a way to seem like crazy conspiracies. ", "an unwise act or statement by a Bah in one country could result in a grave set-back for the Faith there or elsewhereand even loss of the lives of fellow believers. "On no subject are the Bah teachings more emphatic than on the necessity to abstain from fault-finding and backbiting while being ever eager to discover and root out our own faults and overcome our own failings. [7][8], The Bah Faith has maintained its unity and avoided serious division, although several attempts have been made to create sects. Now is certainly not the time for any man to think of himself, or busy himself with the weaknesses of his brother; but, rather each and every Bah must concentrate on the tasks ahead and be reborn in the service of Bahullh. Consider this your only warning!). 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. IV. Pingback: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith? Thank you so much! One must expose the praiseworthy qualities of the souls and not their evil attributes. Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 volumes in Arabic and Persian. Baha'is are followers of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who brought an entirely new, worldwide Faith to humanity. The members of the Hands of the Cause of God were appointed by Bah Allh and Shoghi Effendi. Goodbye. If we allow our attention and energy to be taken up in efforts to keep others right and remedy their faults, we are wasting precious time. I desire this distinction for you. 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