criticism of the baha'i faithcriticism of the baha'i faith

When we did, I left behind at the house most of the Bahai books and other literature I had collected from my eight or nine years as a Bahai. ", "When criticism and harsh words arise within a Bah community, there is no remedy except to put the past behind one, and persuade all concerned to turn over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith refrain from mentioning the subjects which have led to misunderstanding and inharmony. He further argued that in the case of "Baha'ism, with its rather vague doctrines as to the nature and destiny of the soul of man, it is a little difficult to see whence the driving force to enforce the ethical maxims can be derived. There also exist in the Bah Faith appointive institutions, such as the Hands of the Cause of God and the continental counselors. 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. I declared back in 2008 when I was a naive open eyed idealist about the principles without knowing about all the contradictions and stuff. In fact, 41 countries - or around a fifth (21%) of those evaluated - banned at least one religion-related group in 2019, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of laws and policies in effect in 198 countries in 2019, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available. Pingback: Why peace activists (and critics of religion) sometimes fail Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. The followers of such sects are labeled Covenant-breakers, shunned, and viewed as enemies of the faith. Your opinion is based on no facts whatsoever and therefore is not worth considering. Therefore, Baha'u'llahs teachings specifically advocate for racial unity, gender equality, universal education, and harmony of science and religion. It is the world's second-most widespread religion after Christianity, spanning the globe and working to unite it. Bahu'llh's claim of divine revelation is in direct conflict with this common interpretation of Islam. He must be a seeker of the truth, no matter from what source it come. [1][2], The criticism and challenges it has faced vary considerably in different regions of the world. People who leave the religion, transgress community standards, or attack it externally are not considered Covenant-breakers. Summed up in Baha'u'llahs words: The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.. Assistant Professor of History and Middle East Studies, Idaho State University. The criticism and challenges it has faced vary considerably in different regions of the world. [1] | The Bahai Insider, Pingback: Dale Husband: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith Bah Censorship, Pingback: Another reason to despise Michael Shermer | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: A Critical Analysis of the The Kitb-i-Aqdas, Part Three | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: A Conversion to Mormonism | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: Featured in a magazine critical of the Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, At the gate of the garden some stand and look within, but do not care to enter. The Bah Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. She agreed! A third cried out: 'What a stench! Bahais have no clergy, and in every location where they reside, Bahais live according to this administrative order, following the guidance given to them by the Universal House of Justice, the first truly democratic global system of governance. Message and data rates may apply. 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? Your email address will not be published. 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 . On January 18, a court in Iran's Mazandaran province ordered that property belonging to Bahai citizen Sheida Taeed be confiscated and transferred to the "Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order," a committee controlled by . [12], Regarding the Bah teachings of peace and unity, E.G. Thanks for the post. In 1850, the Bab was charged by Shi'i religious officials with heresy and was put to death by firing squad. Membership in the Bah community is open to all who profess faith in Bah Allh and accept his teachings. The global Baha'i community is not just a group of well-meaning people. Bahs believe that all the founders of the world's great religions have been manifestations of God and agents of a progressive divine plan for the education of the human race. I cant remember if it was one year or two years, but it was probably closer to one year. The Bible provides ALL the answers, in my truly humble (!) By clicking "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. Also, the lack of actual places of worship was another big shock. Importantly, the Bahai Faith first emerged in a Muslim culture in what is now Iran, so Islam could be said to be its parent Faith in the same way that Judaism was the parent Faith of Christianity. If some Islamic countries were confused about how to classify the Bahai Faith, why have many of them officially recognized it as an independent religion distinct from Islam since early in the 20th century? 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!". The Christian Grace Network on YouTube November 23, 2022. This must be the point of distinction among you. But this distinction must not depend upon wealththat they should become more affluent than other people. Eventually, what started as a compromise between us grew into a case of full blown allegiance to the UU church for both of us. [27][31], Denis MacEoin, a scholar who had previously been a Bah, criticized what he saw as a threat to the impartiality of the academic field of Bb and Bah studies due to the dominance of practising Bahs in the field. Reading and Reacting to The Gadfly Molehill. After Islamic fundamentalists came to power in Iran in 1979, the 300,000 Bahs there were persecuted by the government. Indeed Baha'u'llah claimed to be the manifestation of God that the Bab had foretold and gained a large following. He was asked 'How shall I overcome seeing the faults of othersrecognizing the wrong in others? The writings and spoken words of the Bb, Bah Allh, and Abd al-Bah form the sacred literature of the Bah Faith. Consider this your only warning!). 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. Quoted in, Last edited on 12 February 2023, at 13:17, Political accusations against the Baha'i Faith, "The Economist explains: The Bahai faith", "Possible Criticisms of the Baha'i Faith from a Feminist Perspective", "The Baha'i Faith in America as Panopticon, 1963-1997", "Fundamentalism in the Contemporary U.S. Baha'i Community", "Bah' Youth and Sexuality A Personal/Professional View", "Missionary as Historian: William Miller and the Bah' Faith", "Marginality and Apostasy in the Baha'i Community", "An Introduction to Bah' Law: Doctrinal Foundations, Principles and Structures", "A Short Introduction to the Bah' Faith", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Criticism_of_the_Bah_Faith&oldid=1138934100, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 13:17. 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. 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. He concluded from this that the Bah' World Faith must be God's religion. But the enemies who call themselves friends and who persistently violate every fundamental law of love and unity, are difficult to be dealt with in this day, for the mercy of God is still great. Do it yourself clergy aka the horrible administrative order, no politics allowed aka also another side effect of the administrative order as a model for the world at large, no alcohol drugs gambling gossip sex outside of heterosexual monogamy aka loads and loads of rules, etc are all drawbacks of being a Bahai. Yes, intermittent fasting has become pretty trendy, for this physical fast is a symbol of the spir, At the beginning of the 20th century, what did a P, One must see in every human being only that which, Every tender heart wonders What can I do to hel, Act in such a way that your heart may be free from, While sorrow and suffering seem to be inescapable, What is the Best Way to Worship? Updates? 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. [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. 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. I understand that I can withdraw my consent at any time. Lights of Guidance Backbiting, Criticism, Faultfinding, Gossip, Lies, Slander Etc. [4][5] These issues may be only marginal to the numerically dominant Bah community outside of Europe and North America. Throughout his life, Bah'u'llah penned over 100 . The first is that they equate Krishna to many other prophets, as if somehow Krishna in either case is the main god or spokesperson or prophet of Hinduism as a monolithic religion. My life and Cheris together are proof that it can work! The stupidity of that idea should be obvious. As a member of Irans nobility, Baha'u'llah was offered a government position. I would later realize how useful those books could have been as weapons against my former religion, but I also was able to find enough online resources for my purposes. The local spiritual assembly has jurisdiction over all local affairs of the Bah community. When not convened as a body, each member has no autonomous authority. Deeds not words are what they demand, and no amount of fervor in the use of expressions of loyalty and adulation will compensate for failure to live in the spirit of the teachings.". Actually, Baha'is have been imprisoned and martyred since their Faith began in Persia, because of the persecution of the powerful Islamic clerics who consider the Baha'i Faith and its progressive principles a threat. That relationship ended long ago and now I am Orthodox, but this post kind of brought up some old memories. The Baha'i Faith, the world's newest independent global belief system, teaches the oneness of God, the unity of humanity , and the essential harmony of religion. This is the conduct and the manner of the real Bahais (Bahs). You must become distinguished for loving humanity; for unity and accord; for love and justice. At the time, I didnt care. [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. I encourage you to look him up and see if it resonates with you. The Bah' Faith is a world religion based on the teachings of Bah'u'llh. They and other UUs are destined to do the work of peace, unity, and freedom that Bahais cannot and will never do! The Quran puts forth the same idea, because along with Muhammad it includes the Old Testament prophets and also Christ. The Nineteen Day Feast, originally instituted by the Bb, brings together the Bahs of a given locality for prayer, the reading of scriptures, the discussion of community activities, and the enjoyment of one anothers company. Thanks! 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. Soon after, early American converts began embracing the new religion. The official website of the Baha'i Faith is: Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest content, 2023 BahaiTeachings.org All Rights Reserved. Goodbye. "The question of dealing with those who call themselves Bahs but who act in ways which we believe to be detrimental to the interests of the Cause is a very difficult one. You don't need to belong to a religion to be of service to others and do good in the world. [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. You will overcome self, you will not even have time to think of the faults of others'. (3) Anachronistic Baha'i scriptures. 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. It has an office on the environment involved in sustainable development. ", "Indeed the believers have not yet fully learned to draw on each other's love for strength and consolation in time of need. Normally, it is possible to describe the situation surrounding a problem and seek help and advice in resolving it, without necessarily mentioning names. And actually the Bahais are far more interested in growing their numbers than spending time and money on charitable work. "This is the attribute of the children of the Kingdom. The Baha'i faith. This page was last edited on 31 December 2020, at 01:55. 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. December 8-10, 1995 (see list of papers from #8) The claim of the Baha'i Faith to uphold the equality of men and women as a principle attracts attention from others who would also claim to be advancing the cause of sex equality, albeit from different perspectives. I am totally convinced that the Bahai 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. The Bah Faith was first mentioned in the United States in 1893 at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Bah's recognize the coming of Bah'u'llh as the latest expression of God's guidance . For many, the Baha'i faith is one of the most universal religions. The ineligibility of women has caused discontent among small but vocal groups of western Bah intellectuals,[5][1] and criticism from others. Baha'is, for example, embrace interracial marriage and education for girls. Before Bah Allh died in 1892, he appointed his eldest son, Abd al-Bah (18441921), to be the leader of the Bahi community and the authorized interpreter of his teachings. Its like Scientology in trying to manage apostasy in this way. 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. Shoghi and the Grandsons of 'Abdu'l Baha; The Guardianship of Shoghi: Losses and Losses; Shoghi in the Will of the Master Abdu'l Baha; New History Society; Early Baha'is. Large-scale persecutions of his adherents, the Bbs, followed. [6], The religion's rise in the Middle East and subsequent movement into the West has given rise to a body of anti-Bah polemic. As part of its crackdown on the followers of the Bab, the Iranian government incarcerated Baha'u'llah. Located there long before Israel became a nation, it happened because Bahaullah had been exiled to the prison city of Akka in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, about 85 years before the state of Israel was founded. 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. The Baha'i Faith explained that away by claiming that while Jesus was indeed a Messenger (or Manifestation) of God, His faith had become corrupted over time and thus most Christians were not truly following him, but the doctrines of men. (6) Some Baha'i errors. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Once they are ADULTS, they should be treated like adults, period. An overwhelming majority of Bbs acknowledged his claim and thenceforth became known as Bahs. The external article completely drops any pretenses of neutrality, blaming certain events (like the attempted assassination of Iranian officials) as done by . Dale's Declarations. (Bnai Brith means children of the covenant.). Baha'u'llahs father was a minister in Irans government, which supported Shi'i Islam as the state religion. It really doesnt matter what one calls oneself, it only matters what ones relationship is to God in reality. (4) The Miller analysis of the Baha'i Faith. As Abdul-Baha, the son and successor of Bahaullah, explained: The original purpose of temples and houses of worship is simply that of unity places of meeting where various peoples, different races and souls of every capacity may come together in order that love and agreement should be manifest between them that all religions, races and sects may come together within its universal shelter. 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.' 2 - Belief in the transmigration of souls, and that reward and punishment happen to the soul only. Extract from Dale Husbands blog. SOLanding, a Possible Cryptocurrency Scam Site? I resigned myself on 07/07/07. If capable, those between the ages of 15 and 70 are required to fast 19 days a year, going without food or drink from sunrise to sunset. Quite controversially, the Bab claimed that his teachings were a revelation from God and predicted that a new prophetic figure, or manifestation of God, would soon appear. I hope that all the believers will attain to this lofty station. 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. In the West, liberals have criticized the Bah Faith for some of its conservative social practices, notably the prohibition on premarital or homosexual intimacy for Bahs. In any case, good luck to you and God Bless. Try making a comment like an adult and I will then treat you like one. Required fields are marked *. Selfless Service to Humanity, Eco-Caskets: The Spiritual How - and Why - of Green Burials, Dr. Anthony Lee and the Excavation of Buried Racial Narratives. I stayed silent about my defection from the Bahai Faith untilOctober 19, 2007, when I posted my first blog entry attacking it. ", "The worst enemies of the Cause are in the Cause and mention the Name of God. They also. Hi, exmuslim atheist here. Do this whenever you are tried through the words or deeds of others. One of the Bbs earliest disciples and strongest exponents was Mrz osayn Al Nr, who had assumed the name Bah Allh when he renounced his social standing and joined the Bbs. Deborah Clark Vance earned a Ph.D. from Howard University in Intercultural Communication and served as Assoc Prof. and Chair of the Dept of Comm & Cinema at McDaniel College. The feasts are designed to ensure universal participation in the affairs of the community and the cultivation of the spirit of brotherhood and fellowship.

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