Mystical Wonders Discussion Group

d_redant

Baha’i: the World’s Newest Religion!
By Dr Joshua David Stone

One of the world’s newest religions is called the Baha*i Faith. In my research about it, I was very impressed with many of its ideals and concepts. It is a world wide religion of Iranian origin, which holds to the belief that its teacher "Baha*u*llah is the prophet of God for our age.

Although Baha*u*llah is considered the major prophet of this age, actual religion had its first inception from his teacher, Mirza Ali Mohammed, who lived from 1819 to 1850. Mirza was involved with the Sufis which was the more mystical side of the Islamic religion.

He became like the Messiah, or what is called the "Mahdi" for the Sufis. This group became known as the "Babist". The teachings spread rapidly, however, the Persian government heavily persecuted the people involved and Morza Ali Mohammed died a martyr.

Bah*u*llah was his disciple and declared to his followers that he was the next prophet of God that Mirza Ali Mohammed had prophesied about. In the Baha*i’s faith these two men are considered the co-founders, however, Bah*u*llah represents the full culmination of the revelation.

One of the interesting concepts in the Baha*i’s Faith is the concept first of the world and all races and religions being one. The Baha*is acknowledge all the founders of all the religions (Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Confucius, Lao Tse, etc.) as manifestations and messengers of God.

Each prophet is seen as bringing forth from God the message that is needed at that particular time in history. So each century is seen as having a progressive type of revelation. So the Bah*is really believe in all religions. Baha*u*llah is seen as bringing forth the next dispensation of teachings in a long line of great prophets and world teachers.

The key principle or ideal of the Baha*i’s faith is to love and serve humanity, and to work for universal peace and brotherhood. A Baha*i is seen as any person who lives the teachings. In this respect, a person could keep their Christian faith, for example, and still be a Baha*i.

Although the Baha*is believe in a world after, however, their main work is to focus on bringing the kingdom of God on earth now. The teachings are very Christ like, however, they don’t identify just with the Christian religion. They love and respect all religions, all people, and all nations. All people are seen of one race regardless of skin color, creed, or religious affiliation.

Baha*is are taught to be; truthful, hospitable, unconditionally loving, work ethic, sacrifice, service, prayerful, enjoyment of earthly life, acquisition of knowledge, dietary laws, cooperation, equal rights for men and women, help the poor, sick, and disabled, to never hurt others, to always see the good in others, never the bad, no gambling, narcotics or alcohol, holy life, clean minded, no carnal sexuality, good example to the community, modest, humble, self-effacing, selflessness, obedience to God and God’s laws, non-attachment, acceptance, humble, humility, study of Baha*i writings, self supporting, joyous under all conditions, non-judgmental, turn the other cheek, love your enemies, spread the teachings, patience.

Marriage is encouraged in the Baha*i faith, however, chastity before marriage, and absolute faithfulness to one’s partner is seen as essential. Another interesting concept of the Baha*i faith is the belief for the need of a universal language. The idea is that each country throughout the world will keep their main language, however, would learn a secondary language agreed upon by the world community. This would allow all peoples of all countries to have a commonality in language with the rest of the human race.

Baha*is also see true religion and science as always being in agreement. In truth, they are two sides of the same coin. They also believe that society must not permit extremes of wealth or poverty.

Baha*u*llah believed in an economic system based on graduated taxation. When a person was earning just enough to live a comfortable life he or she should not be taxed. The more a person makes over their needs, the more they should be taxed. People who are ill, or have a bad harvest on their farm, for example, should be helped out so no human being should be permitted to live below a certain standard.

The interesting thing about the Baha*i faith is it also delves into social, economic, and political issues. These aspects of society are not seen as separate from the rest of life.

The Baha*i faith also teaches religion without the need for clergy. There is a spiritual assembly that helps to run and organize the community’s affairs, however, clergy aren’t used as a mediator between the person and God.

Divorce in the Baha*is faith is deplored, but is permissible. No guilt is attached to it. After separating, Baha*i followers are not supposed to see other members of the opposite sex with a view to remarry. The teachings suggest a need to strive toward reconciliation with one’s legal partner. After this twelve month waiting period, then the spiritual assembly helps to facilitate divorce proceedings if that is what the couple wants.

Baha*is are also encouraged not to become identified with political figures, political parties and political discussions. The danger here seems to be that of creating separation or lack of unity and love between all people which is so central to the Baha*i teachings. Baha*is also believe in the importance of supporting one’s government and not joining underground movements that might seek to overthrow those in power.

Baha*i youth, however, automatically ask for non combatant military status when registering for military service. All Baha*is are required to write a will and testament so if anything should ever happen, there will be no legal and family friction. Baha*is are expected to educate their children in the Baha*i’s teachings and to also celebrate the nine Baha*is holy days.

The Baha*i faith is very community oriented and it is very clear in the teachings that no man is an island unto himself. In terms of an after life, death is clearly not the end of life. It is seen as a release from an outer shell to a new and even more wonderful world of experience.

Heaven and hell are seen as states of consciousness, rather than as just places. The soul, at birth, is seen as like a bud in a flower that is waiting to grow. Each person’s good and bad deeds and thinking will determine whether it blooms or becomes retarded in its growth.

Summation
The three things that stand out to me, personally, about the Baha*i faith is, first the honoring and recognizing of all prophets of God, and all religions. Secondly, the tremendous focus on universal brotherhood, among nations, religions, and people of all races, creeds and colors. Thirdly, is how the teachings also deal with social, political, economic, scientific, and educational issues of our time.

In our Western culture, there is a very strange and bizarre dichotomy of church and state. Religion and all ramifications of earthly life cannot be separated, in truth. The key is for this integration to take place in a non-biased, non egotistical manner. Religion amd politics have not been able to achieve this state of consciousness.

The Baha*i faith, in my opinion, from the little I have studied it, seems to have taken a giant step in transcending religious bias, in seeking to blend spirituality with some of the pressing social, political, economic and scientific problems of our time.

	Mystical Wonders Discussion Group Forum Index -> General Spiritual Topics	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1