So who can tell me about this?

10/2/2009 5:05:12 PM	So who can tell me about this?
twohawks Bothell, WA age: 70	I am unfamiliar with the Baha'i Faith. Can anyone tell me about it? Meet singles in your area here at DateHookup.com, we're 100% free for everything! Join now!
10/2/2009 5:40:46 PM	So who can tell me about this?
wolfyhp Atascadero, CA age: 36	Quote from twohawks: I am unfamiliar with the Baha'i Faith. Can anyone tell me about it? I have an aunt who is Baha'i so I can tell you a bit. She's got Alzheimers and is now senile, so I don't know that I could ask her much more about it. The Baha'i World Faith was started by a man who called himself Baha'ullah. He is considered an incarnation of God/Allah. It was started as an offshoot of another religion which was an offshoot of Islam (to the best of my understanding.) They believe that there have been many incarnations of God/Allah including (but not limited to); Moses, Jesus, Siddhartha, Baha'ullah, and Krishna. However, that is my aunt's personal list and I'm not sure that all Baha'i subscribe to that list. Beyond that, I don't know a lot. They tend to be accepting of other people's beliefs and paths and they do have their own holy days, but I'm not familiar with them. I'm sure there's a Baha'i organization with a website that would probably have more info. That's about all I've got on this one. Namaste, Rev. Ancient Wolf
10/15/2009 6:22:31 PM	So who can tell me about this?
steveemac Milwaukee, WI age: 43	I'm new to this site, otherwise I would have posted earlier. I am a Baha'i. While there is a lot to tell, the main things are these(cut and pasted, my apologies): Core Beliefs The principle of the oneness of humankind is the pivot around which all the teachings of Baha'u'llah revolve. Baha'u'llah taught that humanity, after a long and turbulent adolescence, is at last reaching a stage of maturity in which unity in a global and just society finally can be established. To this end, the Baha'i Faith prescribes laws of personal morality and behavior, as well as social laws and principles, to establish the oneness of humanity. Baha'is believe: * the purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization * all humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race * work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship * the soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains the presence of God Baha'is practice: * daily prayer and communion with God(there are three daily "obligatory" prayers that the believer can choose from; many choose the short one) * high moral principles, including trustworthiness, chastity and honesty * independent investigation of truth( a big one for me: Baha'i has no clergy; and a fellow Baha'i can't tell you to "just accept it;" as Baha'u'llah exhorts us all to inquire until we understand on our own) * a life dedicated to the service of humanity * fellowship with the followers of all religions * avoidance of excessive materialism, partisan politics, backbiting(gossip), alcohol, drugs and gambling Social principles include: * the abandonment of all forms of prejudice * assurance to women of full equality of opportunity with men * recognition of the unity and relativity of religious truth * the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth * the realization of universal education * the responsibility of each person to independently search for truth * the establishment of a global commonwealth of nations * recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to post them here, or email me here on the site. I've been a Baha'i for almost twelve years, and I can tell you that this Faith doesn't just talk the talk, they walk the walk, as it were...i have never felt pressured, coerced, or shamed to do anything, other than just keep my heart and mind open.
10/16/2009 12:42:30 PM	So who can tell me about this?
ourself Hamilton, ON age: 37	Thank you Stevee. Much appreciated. I like your Way.
10/16/2009 3:17:57 PM	So who can tell me about this?
wolfyhp Atascadero, CA age: 36	Quote from steveemac: I'm new to this site, otherwise I would have posted earlier. I am a Baha'i. While there is a lot to tell, the main things are these(cut and pasted, my apologies): Core Beliefs The principle of the oneness of humankind is the pivot around which all the teachings of Baha'u'llah revolve. Baha'u'llah taught that humanity, after a long and turbulent adolescence, is at last reaching a stage of maturity in which unity in a global and just society finally can be established. To this end, the Baha'i Faith prescribes laws of personal morality and behavior, as well as social laws and principles, to establish the oneness of humanity. Baha'is believe: * the purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization * all humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race * work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship * the soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains the presence of God Baha'is practice: * daily prayer and communion with God(there are three daily "obligatory" prayers that the believer can choose from; many choose the short one) * high moral principles, including trustworthiness, chastity and honesty * independent investigation of truth( a big one for me: Baha'i has no clergy; and a fellow Baha'i can't tell you to "just accept it;" as Baha'u'llah exhorts us all to inquire until we understand on our own) * a life dedicated to the service of humanity * fellowship with the followers of all religions * avoidance of excessive materialism, partisan politics, backbiting(gossip), alcohol, drugs and gambling Social principles include: * the abandonment of all forms of prejudice * assurance to women of full equality of opportunity with men * recognition of the unity and relativity of religious truth * the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth * the realization of universal education * the responsibility of each person to independently search for truth * the establishment of a global commonwealth of nations * recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to post them here, or email me here on the site. I've been a Baha'i for almost twelve years, and I can tell you that this Faith doesn't just talk the talk, they walk the walk, as it were...i have never felt pressured, coerced, or shamed to do anything, other than just keep my heart and mind open. That explains an awful lot to me, thank you. I am Dran Rashar, of a mystery tradition, and we allow our followers to pick their own path to "God" as long as it's within the view of our mysteries. Our Crone High Priestess (of my local circle) is Baha'i also and was before we met her. (the "aunt" to whom I referred.) It makes a lot of sense seeing as some of the Baha'i key principles are also those of the Dran Rashar, especially the worship through serving others and the idea that science and religion should be in harmony, not opposition. Thanks again for sharing. Rev. Ancient Wolf
10/16/2009 7:46:11 PM	So who can tell me about this?
trippy_hare Arvada, CO age: 27	* the abandonment of all forms of prejudice Yet there is still open hostility towards homosexuality. Huh. For the most part, I like Ba'hai. Really I do. They remind me of Hare Krishnas- there's a good message there, really. Though there's a little too much "tooting one's own horn" for my taste.
10/17/2009 4:42:10 AM	So who can tell me about this?
wolfyhp Atascadero, CA age: 36	Quote from trippy_hare: Yet there is still open hostility towards homosexuality. Huh. For the most part, I like Ba'hai. Really I do. They remind me of Hare Krishnas- there's a good message there, really. Though there's a little too much "tooting one's own horn" for my taste. Yeah, that's why I'm not Baha'i myself. It's a beautiful faith for the most part, but it does have some of the prejudices of the past stuck in there like many religions do. For what it's worth, my "aunt" who is Baha'i is very much in support of the gay community and has been volunteering with the gay community for decades.
10/17/2009 10:53:47 PM	So who can tell me about this?
ourself Hamilton, ON age: 37	Trippy; Yet there is still open hostility towards homosexuality. Huh I didn't see anything about sexual orientation. Did I miss something or do you just know from a different source? I saw chastity...
10/18/2009 12:38:16 AM	So who can tell me about this?
trippy_hare Arvada, CO age: 27	"Homosexuality according to the writings of Baha'u'llah is spiritually condemned," Shoghi Effendi, the second and final interpreter of Baha'i teaching For one. Baha'i Teachings on Homosexual Practices by Universal House of Justice Published in American Baha'i 1995-11-23 To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States Dear Bahá'í Friends, The Universal House of Justice has considered your letters of August 27,1993, and September 19,1994, in which you describe the impact of the changing sexual mores and the public debate on homosexuality on some of the members of the American Bahá'í community who are homosexuals. We are instructed to provide the following guidance in response to the National Spiritual Assembly's requests for a clarification of the Bahá'í law on homosexual practices and for assistance in guiding the believers. It is important to understand that there is a difference between the Bahá'í attitude toward, on the one hand, the condition of homosexuality and those who are affected by it and, on the other, the practice of homosexual relations by members of the Bahá'í community. As you know, the Bahá'í Faith strongly condemns all blatant acts of immorality, and it includes among them the expression of sexual love between individuals of the same sex. For two. The Baha'i teachings on sexual morality centre on marriage and the family as the bedrock of the whole structure of human society and are designed to protect and strengthen that divine institution. Baha'i law thus restricts permissible sexual intercourse to that between a man and the woman to whom he is married. (Aqdas, Annotation to paragraph 107, p. 223) for three. Though Bahai doesn't actively pursue and/or seek to eradicate homosexuality, it still condemns it. From my research, it appears that condemning homosexuality is the "party line", but individual members- gay and otherwise- are left to their own devices for reconciling and/or resolving it. Further to that, the elected bodies of Bahai adherent cannot change those laws handed down in holy scripture- thus, CANNOT change the law regarding homosexuality as a sin. This, to me, is only a sign of a greater problem- if they cannot adapt their scriptures, they will only fall more and more behind as global trends inevitably change. In the future, that may lead Bahai to be as bass-ackwards as Wahabiism. http://bahai-library.org/nsa/homosexuality.uk.html http://bahai-library.com/?file=uhj_homosexual_practices http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bah.htm http://bahai-library.org/unpubl.compilations/homosexuality.comp.html [Edited 10/18/2009 12:43:06 AM PST]
10/18/2009 5:52:32 AM	So who can tell me about this?
wolfyhp Atascadero, CA age: 36	Quote from trippy_hare: for three. Though Bahai doesn't actively pursue and/or seek to eradicate homosexuality, it still condemns it. From my research, it appears that condemning homosexuality is the "party line", but individual members- gay and otherwise- are left to their own devices for reconciling and/or resolving it. Further to that, the elected bodies of Bahai adherent cannot change those laws handed down in holy scripture- thus, CANNOT change the law regarding homosexuality as a sin. This, to me, is only a sign of a greater problem- if they cannot adapt their scriptures, they will only fall more and more behind as global trends inevitably change. In the future, that may lead Bahai to be as bass-ackwards as Wahabiism. http://bahai-library.org/nsa/homosexuality.uk.html http://bahai-library.com/?file=uhj_homosexual_practices http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bah.htm http://bahai-library.org/unpubl.compilations/homosexuality.comp.html Yes. And, to me, it is contradictory to the "individual investigation of truth." Seems to me it's almost saying, "You should seek the truth on your own, but only if you eventually agree with us." At any rate, that's only part of why I'm not Baha'i. I respect that it is a beautiful tradition in many ways. I've only met a few people who follow the Baha'i world faith, but the few I have (with one exception) were really open-minded and accepting of people regardless of sexual orientation.
10/18/2009 7:43:15 PM	So who can tell me about this?
ourself Hamilton, ON age: 37	I see. And I agree that seems to go against the other basic tenants of the creed. Odd. I don't understand why this would be so. Some of these Spiritual leaders don't seem to take Love into the equation when it comes to having a significant other. I think they may see homosexuality as being just about sex and since they believe in chastity...
10/18/2009 10:37:08 PM	So who can tell me about this?
steveemac Milwaukee, WI age: 43	"Homosexuality according to the writings of Baha'u'llah is spiritually condemned," Shoghi Effendi, the second and final interpreter of Baha'i teaching Baha'i Teachings on Homosexual Practices by Universal House of Justice Published in American Baha'i 1995-11-23 It is important -for me, anyway- to note that the first two quoted passages were authored by people who are NOT actual prophets of the Baha'i Faith (i.e., The Bab and Baha'u'llah), nor are they even on the same level as Abdu'l-Baha(Baha'u'llah's eldest son, and "The Centre Of The Covenant, as stated in Baha'u'llah's Last Will and Testament). The third quote, The Baha'i teachings on sexual morality centre on marriage and the family as the bedrock of the whole structure of human society and are designed to protect and strengthen that divine institution. Baha'i law thus restricts permissible sexual intercourse to that between a man and the woman to whom he is married. (Aqdas, Annotation to paragraph 107, p. 223) was also written by someone NOT of the above list, but rather was interpreted by someone else; the actual passage -written by the Prophet- is this: It is forbidden you to wed your fathers’ wives. We shrink, for very shame, from treating of the subject of boys. Fear ye the Merciful, O peoples of the world! Commit not that which is forbidden you in Our Holy Tablet, and be not of those who rove distractedly in the wilderness of their desires. To me, "the subject of boys" could mean a lot of things; yes, it could refer to homosexuality-but it could also mean practices of pedophilia; Shoghi Effendi took it to mean homosexuality. Shoghi Effendi(The Guardian) -Baha'u'llah's great-grandson- was named by Abdu'l-Baha in His Last Will And Testament to be the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, and for the Guardianship to pass down through Baha'u'llah's direct line; if/when that was no longer possible, the Universal House of Justice was to take over with the administration of the Faith from then on out. While nobody doubts Shoghi Effendi's love of the Faith -or his devotion to it- somne of his methods may have been questionable; he was human after all, and flawed...it is interesting to note -and it helps me reconcile this particular dichotomy, as well as others- that The Guardian died childless and intestate. Even if Baha'u'llah did intend to condemn homosexuality, one thing that is very, very clear to me as a Baha'i: whatever "sin" might a homosexual be guilty of, s/he that would stand in open judgment of them would be immesurably worse; for -as a Baha'i- I've learned that one's personal relationship with God is, first and foremost, personal...of course, I don't tend to discuss my theories with too many of my fellow Baha'is; just as in any other religion, there are different levels of fervency (is that the right word?), and I don't want to start conflicts. [Edited 10/18/2009 10:39:40 PM PST]
10/18/2009 10:48:55 PM	So who can tell me about this?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 37	Just goes to show how much depends upon interpretation...
10/18/2009 10:49:29 PM	So who can tell me about this?
steveemac Milwaukee, WI age: 43	Further to that, the elected bodies of Bahai adherent cannot change those laws handed down in holy scripture- thus, CANNOT change the law regarding homosexuality as a sin. This, to me, is only a sign of a greater problem- if they cannot adapt their scriptures, they will only fall more and more behind as global trends inevitably change. In the future, that may lead Bahai to be as bass-ackwards as Wahabiism. Actually, the Faith does cover this: one of the main teachings is of "Progressive Revelation," in that God sends new Messengers every so often, so that mankind does get the "updates" as to how to progress in relating to one another. Per the Writings, after at least 1,000 years, the next Manifestation of God will appear; hopefully Baha'is will (still) be open (in mind and heart) enough to recognize Him/Her at that time. As far as changing the actual "law" about homosexuality: perhaps -in time- the Universal House of Justice will, through prayerful contemplation and/or new translations of Baha'u'llah's writings (almost 1 1/4 centuries after His ascension, there are still a fair amount of His works which have yet to be translated), this may change, or at least allow for a gentler understanding of what homosexuality is.
10/18/2009 11:58:45 PM	So who can tell me about this?
trippy_hare Arvada, CO age: 27	Uh-huh, right. Well, according to the online bahai library, homosexuality is seen as inherently wrong, and something that should not be tolerated nor should tolerance of it be taught. Thus, personally, I disagree with that tenet of the faith, though I have nothing against any adherents.