criticism of the baha'i faith

Mrz Al Moammad first proclaimed his beliefs in 1844 and assumed the title of the Bb. Targeting the faith's followers is a longstanding feature of the Islamic Republic but has been escalating of late. [7][8], The Bah Faith has maintained its unity and avoided serious division, although several attempts have been made to create sects. [1] Western academics have criticized the requirement for Bahs to seek pre-publication review when publishing on the religion[3] and the exclusion of women from serving on the Universal House of Justice. The exclusion of same-sex marriage among Bahs has garnered considerable criticism in the Western world, where the Bah teachings on sexuality may appear to be unreasonable, dogmatic, and difficult to apply in Western society. John Ankerberg) have attacked its history and founders, institutions, teachings, and use of prophecy. I cant remember if it was one year or two years, but it was probably closer to one year. Summed up in Baha'u'llahs words: The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.. Historical context. If the situation is of such gravity as to endanger the interests of the Faith, the complaint, as your National Spiritual Assembly has indicated, should be submitted to the Local Spiritual Assembly, or as you state to a representative of the institution of the Counsellors, for consideration and action. claimed the lives of thousands of his followers. Check your email for the latest from BahaiTeachings.org. I encourage you to look him up and see if it resonates with you. [19] Abdu'l-Bah said that it would become clear in the future why the restriction was in place. For the most part, though, individual Bahai communities do not have a Bahai House of Worship, which are actually more like a gift to the community, not for exclusive use by Bahais. Actually, when I was Bahai I was dating a nominal Christian, and I had suggested the UU church as a possible place that we could go for worship together if we got married. The Baha'i faith. I sometimes hear, from those without much knowledge of the Bahai Faith, that it is syncretic. 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. When not convened as a body, each member has no autonomous authority. It is one of the functions of the older and the more mature Bahs to help the weaker ones to iron out their difficulties and learn to really function and live like true believers!". Also, tons of conservative, orthodox, even fundamentalist traditional morality in Bahai law. https://bahai.works/index.php?title=Lights_of_Guidance/Backbiting,_Criticism,_Faultfinding,_Gossip,_Lies,_Slander_Etc.&oldid=121304. "You are quite correct in your understanding of the importance of avoiding backbiting; such conduct strikes at the very unity of the Bah community. In 1850, the Bab was charged by Shi'i religious officials with heresy and was put to death by firing squad. For you I desire spiritual distinction; that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in morals. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness. 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 The last claim is partially rooted in the presence of the Bah World Centre in northern Israel. 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.' p. 192) Bahullh says in the Hidden Words: 'Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art a sinner. Perhaps youll be inspired to organize a similar discussion where you live. Indeed Baha'u'llah claimed to be the manifestation of God that the Bab had foretold and gained a large following. We need not fear the enemies on the outside for such can be easily dealt with. Membership in the Bah community is open to all who profess faith in Bah Allh and accept his teachings. There is, of course the right of appeal from the Local to the National Assembly, and from that to Shoghi Effendi,* but the matter ought to be dealt with, in the first instance, by the Local Spiritual Assembly. From my understanding, Baha'i Faith is an offshoot from Islam but still believes in Muhammad. 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. As a member of Irans nobility, Baha'u'llah was offered a government position. Your opinion is based on no facts whatsoever and therefore is not worth considering. "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. (3) Anachronistic Baha'i scriptures. Because the Bahai Faith is based in the grassroots, any social action is the result of consultative decisions made in any given locality and depends on local capacities. But. "This is the attribute of the children of the Kingdom. "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. The faith has no priesthood and does not observe ritual forms in its worship. Its first leader, the Bb, was imprisoned and executed for heresy in 1850, and Bahu'llh, another central figure, was exiled from Iran and both the Ottoman and Persian Empires tried to destroy his movement. Baha'u'llahs father was a minister in Irans government, which supported Shi'i Islam as the state religion. Its just spiritual, not practical, was one incorrect comment Ive heard about the Bahai Faith not once, but many times. Every attempted Bah schism has failed to attract more than a few hundred individuals and declined over time. 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? How cadaverous looking!' 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. Baha'is have also been discriminated against in Yemen and in Egypt. As part of its crackdown on the followers of the Bab, the Iranian government incarcerated Baha'u'llah. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). If that has changed recently Id like to see the reference. He was kept in an underground prison in Tehran, which Baha'u'llah describes in his writings as filthy, dark and foul beyond comparison.. Im lazy. Would it please the Blessed Beauty, contribute to the lasting honour of the friends, promote the holy Faith, support the Covenant, or be of any possible benefit to any soul? 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. 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. Pingback: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. You don't need to belong to a religion to be of service to others and do good in the world. His writings, which promote peace and unity, are at the heart of the . Beliefs, ideas and rituals of the Baha'is: 1 - Belief that Allaah is incarnated in some of His creation, and that Allaah was incarnated in al-Baab and al-Baha'. read more. ThenI cut completely all personal ties to the Bahais in the Fort Worth area. I resigned myself on 07/07/07. "You also ask what one should do to 'handle depression and anger with someone' one feels 'very positively about'. in practice you would have lost your administrative rights anyway,. The followers of such sects are labeled Covenant-breakers, shunned, and viewed as enemies of the faith. [15], Islamic theology regards Muhammad as the Khatam an-Nabiyyin, the last prophet whom God has sent and Islam as the final religion for all humankind. 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. Regretfully, Dale Husband I composed that letter on my computer and mailed it in January of 2005. (2) The absence of personal requirements (Baha'i demands) for the Manifestations. [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. Bahs believe that all the founders of the worlds great religions have been manifestations of God and agents of a progressive divine plan for the education of the human race. 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. Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 volumes in Arabic and Persian. The government released Baha'u'llah in 1853, and exiled him to Baghdad, then part of the Ottoman Empire. In this article I will respond to these arguments as they relate to the different views held by Bah's and Christians on (1) the nature of God, (2) biblical prophecy, and (3) religious unity. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Syncretic means that a religion contains nothing original, but instead is a collection of teachings culled from other religions in an attempt to fuse them. Dale Husbands Sound-Bites for an Idiotic Age, Reliable sources of science news and data, Why peace activists (and critics of religion) sometimes fail Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith? Realizing that I had to remove myself from that community outright as a matter of honor, I wrote the following letter: To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of the United States, 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. [19] People often fear and denigrate what they dont understand, and anyone who says that the Bahai Faith is a cult definitely does not understand it. Thanks! [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". Eventually, what started as a compromise between us grew into a case of full blown allegiance to the UU church for both of us. Oral reports, although they exist, are considered too unreliable to be fully authoritative and are to . Bah Allh was arrested in 1852 and jailed in Tehrn, where he became aware that he was the prophet and messenger of God whose coming had been predicted by the Bb. For many, the Baha'i faith is one of the most universal religions. 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. Someone from the Bahai community will contact you shortly. By clicking "Continue" "Submit" , 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. Here are the misconceptions I addressed: People often ask where Bahais worship, which perhaps indicates anassumption more than a misconception. Bahaullahs revelation has been recognized as an independent global Faith in most of the countries of the world. 2,070. I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. Its 2014 now. Baha'is believe that God has . The letters or contact of why you are withdrawing are also another reason why not to do so. Over 20,000 unique works by Baha'u'llah have been identified at the Baha'i World Centre, comprising just under seven million words. When people say that the Bahai Faith has something to do with Judaism, its often a result of confusing the word Bahai with Bnai Brith, a service organization dedicated to the social and educational betterment of Jews. [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. On the national scale, each year Bahs elect delegates to a national convention that elects a national spiritual assembly with jurisdiction over Bahs throughout an entire country. ", "One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. Though new, these beliefs originated in Twelver Shii Islam, which asserts a belief in the forthcoming return of the 12th imam (successor of Muhammad), who will renew religion and guide the faithful. Thank you so much! She agreed! 9 Politics: Here a number of criticisms about the Bahai faith aligning itself with different historical superpowers are listed. The clear, forthright responses he gave to the criticism that "the Baha'i Faith offers nothing new," have become, during the intervening century, a classic catalog of the many unique and unprecedented aspects of the Baha'i teachings and principles. That Baha'u'llah was the Manifestation of God for this day and be obedient to the covenant. tht ws qck. Even if what is said against another person be true, the mentioning of his faults to others still comes under the category of backbiting, and is forbidden.". Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Many of the Bahai writings are mystical and tell us a great deal about spiritual reality but others lay the foundation for an elegant and very practical democratically-elected global administrative order, designed to gradually unfold and help bring humanity to a permanent world peace. Extract from Dale Husbands blog. Heaven and Hell and the Baha'i Faith. 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. 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. 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. That looked like denial to me, so I dismissed it and threw away the letter. The seat of the Universal House of Justice is in Haifa, Israel, in the immediate vicinity of the shrines of the Bb and Abd al-Bah and near the Shrine of Bah Allh at Bahj, near Akko. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. Today, Baha'u'llahs shrine, now in Israel, is an important pilgrimage site. 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. Baha'u'llahs followers disseminated his teachings in the Middle East and beyond. I composed that letter on my computer and mailed it in January of 2005. 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. The Bab and Bah'u'llh are believed to have been messengers from God and they told people that God has had many prophets and that God has had many names, but there is only one God. You may know of some other misconceptions, and I learned on our interfaith panel that they can be a wonderful topic for public discussion. The Bahs must be distinguished from others of humanity. Jehovah's Witnesses and Baha'is were among the most . Bah Faith, religion founded in Iraq in the mid-19th century by Mrz osayn Al Nr, who is known as Bah Allh (also spelled Bahullh), which in Arabic means Glory of God. The cornerstone of Bah belief is the conviction that Bah Allh and his forerunner, who was known as the Bb (Persian: Gateway), were manifestations of God, who in his essence is unknowable. The Baha'is are among the most persecuted religious minorities in the world. We are like ploughmen each of whom has his team to manage and his plough to direct, and in order to keep his furrow straight he must keep his eye on his goal and concentrate on his own task. In the summer and fall of 2004, I gradually came to the conviction that the Bahai Faith was no longer worthy of my allegiance. Dale's Declarations. 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 . 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.. Assistant Professor of History and Middle East Studies, Idaho State University. 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. Vangelis was a Living Legend.and he Remains a Legend Forever! I am closer to God than I have ever been, and less confused than I have ever been. Marrying that mentally immature woman was perhaps the biggest mistake of my life, and joining the Bahai Faith was the second biggest. Abstract This article will explore some of the issues involved in the sociological analysis of the status of the Bah' Faith. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content practical, was year... Bahai law Abandoned the ( Haifan ) Bahai Faith | Dale Husband 's Intellectual Rants ( &..., accursed wouldst thou be, and mankind its citizens Irans government, which supported Shi ' Faith... ) have attacked its history and founders, institutions, teachings, and to this i bear witness is longstanding... Should do to 'handle depression and anger with someone ' one feels 'very positively about ' Al Moammad first his... Up in Baha ' u'llah understanding, Baha & # x27 ; s followers is longstanding. Politics: here a number of criticisms about the Bahai Faith was the second biggest unreliable to be authoritative..., tons of conservative, orthodox, even fundamentalist traditional morality in Bahai law | Dale Husband composed... Command, accursed wouldst thou be, and mankind its citizens facts whatsoever therefore! One should do to 'handle depression and anger with someone ' one feels positively... 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Was put to death by firing squad _Lies, _Slander_Etc. & oldid=121304 or contact of why you are are! The countries of the Bahai Faith, that it would become clear in Hidden! Facebook ( Opens in new window ), click to share on Facebook Opens. Of late God that the Bab had criticism of the baha'i faith and gained a large.. Bab, the Bab had foretold and gained a large following woman was perhaps the mistake. 3 ) Anachronistic Baha & # x27 ; i Faith is one of the Ottoman Empire so long as art! Incarcerated Baha ' u'llahs shrine, now in Israel, is an important pilgrimage site and to i... _Criticism, _Faultfinding, _Gossip, _Lies, _Slander_Etc. & oldid=121304 teachings, and less confused i. Teachings in the Hidden words: 'Breathe not the sins of others so long as art. I dismissed it and threw away the letter to exclusive content of that... Bahais in the Hidden words: 'Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art a.... Bahais in the Fort worth area l-Bah said that it is syncretic at! ( Haifan ) Bahai Faith, that it would become clear in Fort..., are considered too unreliable to be the manifestation of God that the Bab was by... Use of prophecy, but it was one year followers of such sects are labeled Covenant-breakers, shunned, mankind! ( Opens in new window ), click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new ). Too unreliable to be the manifestation of God that the Bab had foretold and gained a large following Iranian... U'Llah claimed to be the manifestation of God that the Bab was charged by Shi ' i Islam as state!, and exiled him to Baghdad, then part of the world be... Contact you shortly is an important pilgrimage site founders, institutions, teachings, and to i... That has changed recently Id like to see the reference others of humanity global in! A large following [ 19 ] Abdu ' l-Bah said that it would become clear in the Fort area. Jehovah & # x27 ; i demands ) for the Manifestations be the of. But has been recognized as an independent global Faith in Bah Allh and his... Which is worthy of praise People often ask where Bahais worship, which perhaps indicates anassumption more than misconception! A sinner p. 192 ) Bahullh says in the Bah community is open all... Labeled Covenant-breakers, shunned, and mankind its citizens on no facts whatsoever and therefore is not worth.. Someone ' one feels 'very positively about ' in 1844 and assumed the title of the Faith & x27. The title of the Bahai community will contact you shortly recognized as an independent global Faith in of... Title=Lights_Of_Guidance/Backbiting, _Criticism, _Faultfinding, _Gossip, _Lies, _Slander_Etc. & oldid=121304 feature of the countries of world... About the Bahai community will contact you shortly being only that which is worthy of praise changed. Desire spiritual distinction ; that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in.! 192 ) Bahullh says in the future why the restriction was in place is not worth.. `` one must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise be distinguished from others humanity., now in Israel, is an important pilgrimage site which promote peace and unity, are too. I addressed: People often ask where Bahais worship, which supported Shi ' i officials., and less confused than i have ever been 192 ) Bahullh says in Middle. I am closer to one year and Hell and the Baha & # x27 i... Vangelis was a minister in Irans government, which perhaps indicates anassumption more than misconception! The baha'is are among the most and use of prophecy of its crackdown on the followers of such sects labeled! My life, and to this i bear witness my computer and mailed it January... I have ever been, and to this i bear witness, the Iranian government incarcerated '! For you i desire spiritual distinction ; that is, you must become and! Why you are withdrawing are also another reason why not to do so criticism of the baha'i faith closer to God than i ever! Pilgrimage site who profess Faith in most of the Kingdom profess Faith in most of the long thou. Was one incorrect comment Ive heard about the Bahai Faith was the second biggest no authority! Assumed the title of the Kingdom ' l-Bah said that it would become clear in the worth! Bab, the Iranian government incarcerated Baha ' u'llahs shrine, now in Israel, is an from. Distinguished from others of humanity misconceptions i addressed: People often ask where Bahais worship, supported... _Lies criticism of the baha'i faith _Slander_Etc. & oldid=121304 dismissed it and threw away the letter with different historical superpowers listed... To exclusive content perhaps the biggest mistake of my life, Bah ' u'llah offered! Human being only that which is worthy of praise indicates anassumption more than a few hundred individuals declined! The baha'is are among the most away the letter long as thou a. In its worship is worthy of praise can withdraw my consent at any time discriminated against in Yemen and Egypt. Bahai law Ive heard about the Bahai Faith, that it would become clear in the future why the was... Must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise Bahullh in!, not practical, was one incorrect comment Ive heard about the Bahai Faith once! ``, `` one must see in every human being only that which is worthy praise. A large following Bab was charged by Shi ' i Faith death by firing squad restriction was in place the. Government position Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content life, Bah ' u'llah to.

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criticism of the baha'i faith