Baha'ism has set forth a system of civil government. Claiming to be a revelation from God, it has enunciated the laws and regulations of the future State. It approves of constitutional monarchy as the best form of government, and permits republics. But this monarchy will be limited not so much by its constitution as by the law of Baha'ism and its hierarchy. Baha, in the "Kitab-ul-Akdas," the Book of Laws, directs that Baitul Adl, houses of justice, be established in every place, with nine or more members, all Baha'i men, who shall be Trustees of the Merciful, Administrators for God. In the thirteenth, of the "Glad Tidings" he says:
"The affairs of the people are placed in charge of the men of the House of Justice. They are daysprings of command (divine agents, representatives of God). They may execute what they deem advisable. It is incumbent upon all to obey them. Their souls will be inspired with divine aspiration. God will inspire them with what He willeth."
With them will lie the interpretation of points of doctrine. They must decree and judge according to Baha'i revelation. "They must gaze day and night towards that which hath been revealed from the horizon of the Supreme Pen." They shall rule by divine right. Their authority shall be absolute. Abdul Baha restates the words of Baha: [n 1 "The House of Justice must be obeyed in all things." "It is the centre of true government." "The Law of God will be invested in them, and they will render decisions." "All judgment will be from the standpoint of God's laws." "Its decisions and commands will be guarded from mistake. It will have conferred upon it infallibility." The House of Justice will have local councils, national ones, and an international one. Of the latter, Abdul Baha said in an address in New York:
"A universal or world House of Justice shall be organized. That which it orders shall be the Truth in explaining the commands of Baha'u'llah and shall be obeyed by all. All men shall be under its supervision."
Its functions are not confined to matters of faith, for Abdul Baha continues: "The House of Justice is endowed with a political as well as a religious aspect.
It embodies both aspects, and is protected by the preserving power of Baha'u'llah himself." In the political aspect it will be supreme. "The separation of the Religion and the State can only be temporary," says Dreyfus, "a momentary stage. For the present the two spheres are separate. When Baha'ism triumphs they will be united." "The House of Justice will have under its control almost the whole administration, and naturally will take the place of our municipal councils. Such has been Baha Ullah's intention. Further he clearly aims not only at a municipal House of Justice, but also at a legislative one, sitting as a national parliament and as an international tribunal." Remember that all the members are to be Baha'is. So Remey says, "There will be a union of Religion and the State -- the governments of the nations. The material laws of men will be founded and enforced according to" Baha'ism. In this politico-religious regime, the political will be subject to the religious. "The kings and rulers of the world," says Abdul Baha, "will find their true authority under the rulings of the House of Justice. It will decide between kings and kings." Baha addressed letters to kings with arrogant assumption of authority to control the civil powers.
The Houses of Justice will have large financial powers. They shall inherit all property of those dying without heirs, and one-third of that of those dying childless. One-third of all fines for crimes shall go to them. For example, in case of murder, two-thirds of the blood money shall go to the family of the murdered and one-third to the House of Justice. A tithe of nineteen-hundredths shall be given into their hands. They shall act as trustees for minors and incapables, and as a Poor Board.
They shall have civil jurisdiction, "to settle material difficulties between believers," for the protection of men, for the preservation of human honour. "If any man refuses to educate his children, the House of Justice shall do it at his expense," and "shall order all the negligent to pay" and use police powers to enforce it.
They must also interpret and administer criminal law, for Baha has "revealed" a code of laws and regulations concerning material as well as spiritual things. Abdul Baha says, "The revelations of Baha'u'llah contain all the great laws of social government." "The laws cover all points and questions of national administration." For example, in the "Kitab-ul-Akdas," the punishment for theft is prescribed: for the first offense, exile; for the second, imprisonment; for the third, branding "thief" on the forehead, "lest other countries accept him." For adultery a fine is to be paid to the House of Justice,
and for the second offense, double of the fine. Arson is made punishable by burning, etc. This fiat legislation of Baha'u'llah is to be imposed upon the parliaments of all nations. "All legislative and administrative functions," says Dreyfus, "shall assume a sacred character" under the control of the Baha'i House of Justice.
In brief, Baha'ism would set up in each town, in every country, ruling councils, and a central one universal in its sway, composed entirely of Baha'is, clothed with supreme authority, because God-given, over kings, parliaments, and peoples; councils infallible and absolute, superior to appeal or protest; deciding and exacting obedience in every department of the life of humanity -- religious, domestic, social, educational, financial, judicial, and political. It would be not an imperium in imperia, but an Empire over all. It would be a priestcraft [2] such as the world has not yet seen--a religious-political regime in which kings and presidents will go not to Canossa but to Acca, and alike hold the stirrups of Baha'i justices, and laws of parliaments will be subject to revision and veto by the Baha'i House. In it is the certainty of priestly oppression when fallible men set up their judgment as God's. The Baha'is claim to have no priests and no hierarchy. It is a question of names. Their system and laws contain the real thing, full-fledged, men mediating God's will. We may call it a Baha'iarchy, if they prefer.
Abdul Baha, recognizing the objections that will be made to the political functions of the Baha'i justices, and foreseeing difficulty with Governments, has, for the time being, directed that in America and Europe the name "House of Spirituality" or "House of Consultation" be used. But change of name does not alter the reality or change the "revelation" of Baha. The House of Justice (central) is to be set up when Abdul Baha dies, and it will assume its functions gradually as opportunity and expediency demand. Already orders have gone forth prohibiting the interpretation of the words of Baha or personal expositions of them. Already the fiat has interdicted the publication, by a Baha'i, of a tract, book, or translation on the Baha'i religion without submitting it to the censor at Acca.
The effect of the working of the Baha'i system may be realized by imagining it as set up in Persia. Suppose, for example, that the small minority of Baha'is now in Persia should become a majority, with a Baha'i Shah. Baha'ism would become the established religion. "Houses of Justice" would come into operation. What of those who remain Moslems and Christians? Fortunately Baha has abolished the law of the Bab that required their expulsion from the chief provinces of Persia and the confiscation of their property. But either the other religions must be judged by Baha'i courts, or separate courts must be set up for them. This would perpetuate the double system of courts, the urfi or civil and the shari or religio-civil courts. The latter would be entirely Baha'i and either lording it over or in conflict with the civil administration. This would be a continuation of the present confusion of Persian conditions, only with the Baha'is in control. What might the minority expect? The oppressions and anathemas received by the old Baha'is from the followers of Abdul Baha Abbas give the answer. Fortunately for the world, the universal reign of Baha'ism is not to be realized, neither is the prophecy of Abdul Baha to be fulfilled which says "that the flag of Baha'u'llah will overcome every other flag and all rulers will do homage to it."
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Saeed Malekpour: Prisoner of the day | Lawyer says death sentence suspended | Dec 03 |
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Abdollah Momeni: Prisoner of the day | Activist denied leave and family visits for 1.5 years | Nov 30 |
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Habibollah Golparipour: Prisoner of the day | Kurdish Activist on Death Row | Nov 28 |
Credit where credit is due (again)
by Sen McGlinn on Tue Sep 29, 2009 06:32 AM PDTThe "author" has omitted to mention that he is not the author. The blog entry is simply copied from a book by a Christian missionary, Samuel Wilson, entitled "Bahaism and its claims"
//bahai-library.com/books/bahaism/bahaism6.ht...
starting on page 141 in chapter 6. Wilson wrote his book in 1915. I've discussed the book in the literature review section of my book Church and State from page 269. Wilson conflates the Bahai Universal House of Justice with the International Tribunal, on the basis of an incorrect translator's footnote to Abdu'l-Baha's book Some Answered Questions. The foonote was wrong, and Abdu'l-Baha later clarified the point:
[Baha’u’llah’s] plan is this: that the national assemblies of each country and nation – that is to say parliaments – should elect two or three persons who are the choicest men of that nation, and are well informed concerning international laws ... The number of these representatives should be in proportion to the number of inhabitants of that country. ... From among these people the members of the Supreme Tribunal will be elected... ( Selected Writings of Abdu’l-Baha 306.)
However Abdu'l-Baha's explanation came after Wilson had published his book. Wilson thought that the Tribunal was a religious body, to be elected by the Bahais. Naturally he didn't like the idea.
Abdu'l-Baha had previously written a short book advocating the separation of Church and State, with particular reference to the Iranian and Ottoman states, entitled the Resaleh-ye Siyasiyyeh. The electronic text is item 6 here. In this work Abdu'l-Baha sets out religious reasons requiring the separation of church and state, and also historical examples from Persian and Ottoman history showing the pragmatic necessity of separating the two. It is also a beautiful example of Persian prose. (My English translation is available here.) But Wilson did not know of this book, and he got the wrong end of the stick.
Good researchers will be guided by the current state of the art, and by original sources, not by outdated secondary materials.
~~~~~~~
What I can do, is keep my arm
from bringing others any harm.
How can I give the enviers ease?
They are themselves their own disease.
(Sa'di, Gulestan 1:5)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//senmcglinn.wordpress
"even should they combine to assist one another."
by Bahai Believer (not verified) on Tue Jun 30, 2009 04:39 AM PDT"Thus doth the Nightingale utter His call unto you from this prison. He hath but to deliver this clear message. Whosoever desireth, let him turn aside from this counsel and whosoever desireth let him choose the path to his Lord.
O people, if ye deny these verses, by what proof have ye believed in God? Produce it, O assemblage of false ones.
Nay, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, they are not, and never shall be able to do this, even should they combine to assist one another."
- Baha'u'llah
Friends please visit the below link.
by Mona Tahiri on Mon Jun 29, 2009 07:41 AM PDTTahirih, you are not. We need not form any world government. We don't want to rule the world. What we want is universal peace and for this we are working.
Read this latest message of UHJ
//iranian.com/main/blog/mona-tahiri/messa...
I think bahais should be
by Alirezaa (not verified) on Mon Jun 29, 2009 03:17 AM PDTI think bahais should be given a chance. As far as i know they respect human rights and are good people.
Is this true is Bahaei religion ?
by Raheel (not verified) on Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:54 PM PDTIn the "Kitab-ul-Akdas," the punishment for theft is prescribed: for the first offense, exile; for the second, imprisonment; for the third, branding "thief" on the forehead, "lest other countries accept him." For adultery a fine is to be paid to the House of Justice, and for the second offense, double of the fine. Arson is made punishable by burning, etc.
WRONG
by Marg Bar Khamenei (not verified) on Sun Jun 28, 2009 06:09 PM PDTThe comment written by the anonymous DEATH TO THE DICTATOR with the subject tag NA SHAH, NA SHAYKH, NA MOJAHED, NA BAYT'UL-'AL is the same poster as the artist formerly known hereabouts as NUR, so obviously your theory about Ravian Bilani being NUR and those others you associated with him is completely wrong!
Ignoring the election they stole in broad daylight and their clumsy attempt to cover it up, the regime mullahs are also saying presently that all the protestors and protests over the past two weeks have been inspired by foreign powers, when we know it to be absolute BS. The value of associating Ravian Bilani with NUR is the same as those statements presently being shamelessly made by the regime mullahs against the National Uprising and Green Revolution. Obviously the Baha'i herd mentality has a lot in common with that of the Khamenei/Ahmaghinejad fascists.
//www.wahidazal.blogspot.com/
MARG BAR DIKTATOR-HA! NA SHAH, NA SHAYKH, NA MOJAHED, NA BAYT'UL-'ADL! ALLAHU AKBAR! MELLAT RAHBAR!
PS! "Ravian Bilani" is not Baha'i.
by Ana1 (not verified) on Sun Jun 28, 2009 06:29 AM PDTThe blogger is anti-Baha'i.
He tries to spread poisons aganist Baha'is.
//brez268.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/poison_...
Same desperate blogger with different names.
//iranian.com/main/member/ravian-bilani
//iranian.com/main/member/mona-tahiri
//iranian.com/main/member/covenant
//iranian.com/main/member/nur
Na Shah, Na Shaykh, Na Mojahed, Na Bayt'ul-'Adl
by DEATH TO THE DICTATOR (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:21 PM PDTThis is the only viable clarion call for a future secular democratic Iran, which is over the horizon as we speak. A secular political system must divest itself of all ideology whatsoever. A revolving door of technocrats not ideologues of any sort is what Iran needs if we are to finally get it right.
Respect all religions, enshrine their protection in law under a future constitution, but do not under any circumstances prefer one over the other. This was the fundamental mistake of the original 1905 Constitution of Iran where it specified "Ithna 'Ashari Shi'ism" as the official state religion.
As such the mullahs must be sent back to the mosques and madrasas and out of any possibility of holding political power. Same with the Baha'is. Give them protection under the the post-IRI constitution, but do not allow them political power. A system of meritocracy works best, not ideological preference.
Future (Baha'i Inspired) Government in Iran
by neh (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 05:43 PM PDTRather than assume that the number of serious errors contained in this article spring from a deliberate attempt to distort the Teachings of the Baha’i Faith, pray let us don the mantle of our Exemplar and at least consider that the motivation of the writer is merely one of honest misunderstanding. It is in that same attitude of friendly and respectful dialogue that I offer the following corrections and clarification of the more flagrant errors:
While it is correct to state that “Houses of Justice” (currently called “Spiritual Assemblies”) are to be established in every locality, it’s membership is made up of both men and women, freely elected by the entire body of adult (21 and older) believers. Baha’i elections are undertaken after prayerful reflection without nomination, lists of candidates, or electioneering of any kind.
“Local” and “National” Spiritual Assemblies are elected annually following the criteria stated above, however the “Universal House of Justice” – the supreme governing body of the Baha’i Faith, which is located on God’s Holy Mountain, (Mount Carmel in present-day Israel), is elected once every five years by the entire membership of the World’s 182 National Spiritual Assemblies. Service on that single body, the Universal House of Justice, is restricted to that of men.
It is correct to state that the Universal House of Justice is “charged with the affairs of the people”. That they are “the Trustees of God among His servants and the dayspring of authority in His countries” however it is entirely incorrect to state: “with them will lie the interpretation of points of doctrine.
The members of the House of Justice have NO right of interpretation – their role is limited to that of legislation based upon the Holy Writings. “Interpretation” of the Holy Revelation was invested in ‘Abdu’l-Baha, by Baha’u’llah, and conferred upon Shoghi Effendi as Guardian, by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s life as “Exemplar” of the Faith, His interpretive Writings and The “Guardianship” which rests upon the prolific wealth of exposition that Shoghi Effendi left us, guides the members of the House of Justice in all their deliberations.
It must be readily acknowledged that fallacious and conflicting interpretation of previous holy scripture has, over the millennia, inflicted much harm and heartbreak upon peoples everywhere as the pure Message of the Prophet which we call “religion” became subjected to finite understanding and broke into schisms created by multiple egos and antipathies. The Covenant of Baha’u’llah guards His Faith against that pitfall of the past..
Referencing “Dreyfus” and “Remey” in the article makes it clear that the Writer has sought to gain understanding of the Baha’i Faith from NON-Baha’i sources such as those referenced above, ‘Abdu’l-Baha reassured humanity: “This is a Day that shall not be followed by night.” and He gave a cogent perspective when He wrote:
“The tests of every dispensation are in direct proportion to the greatness of the Cause, and as heretofore such a manifest Covenant, written by the Supreme Pen, hath not been entered upon, the tests are proportionately more severe. These trials cause the feeble souls to waver while those who are firm are not affected. These agitations of the violators are no more than the foam of the ocean, which is one of its inseparable features, but the ocean of the Covenant shall surge and shall cast ashore the bodies of the dead, for it cannot retain them……. This foam of the ocean shall not endure and shall soon disperse and vanish, while the ocean of the Covenant shall eternally surge and roar.”
‘Abdu’l-Baha goes on to clarify that by the figurative use of “dead bodies” is meant the souls that are deprived of the Spirit of God and are lost in passion and self, and are seeking leadership.
I fear this rebuttal has become overlong, so rather than targeting each and every published error, I will limit my further remarks to one – that of advising that Baha’u’llah makes it clear that enactment of His Book of Laws (the Kitab-i-Aqdas ) is intended to be a gradual unfolding. It is meant not only for today, but for the edification of a future, more spiritually attuned, humanity. It must also be read in context. For example, Baha’u’llah’s Laws of inheritance are subject to the individual’s own desire; ie – Baha’is are free to leave their worldly goods to whomever they desire – it is only if and when one fails to obey the injunction to write a Will, that the Aqdas’ Laws of Inheritance would (in future) come into effect.
The Faith of Baha’u’llah is like a fruit-laden tree standing ready to feed a starving humanity. Who goes hungry by choice? One can readily find access to its valid and untainted fruit by clicking on www.bahai.org.
the name says it all
by Sen McGlinn on Sat Jun 27, 2009 03:04 PM PDTLighten up guys. This fellow calls himself Ravin’ baloney. He’s not intending us to take anything he says seriously. His pen-name tells us he’s pulling our collective legs. For example, he wrote:
> In the thirteenth, of the "Glad Tidings" he says:
> "The affairs of the people are placed in charge of the men of the House of Justice.
But what Baha’u’llah actually says is that the ‘amuur-e mellat, the affairs of the mellat, of the Bahai religious community, are in the hands of the House of Justice. Christianity has its priests and councils, Judaism its Rabbinate, Islam has its ulama, and the Bahai community has its House of Justice.
Ravin’ baloney says:
> With them will lie the interpretation of points of doctrine.
But in fact, the House of Justice are not allowed to decide on matters of doctrine: that’s the job of scripture and the Guardian. The UHJ writes: “Unity of doctrine is maintained by the existence of the authentic texts of Scripture and the voluminous interpretations of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, together with the absolute prohibition against anyone propounding "authoritative" or "inspired" interpretations or usurping the function of Guardian.”
According to Ravin’ baloney, Abdu’l-Baha says: "The House of Justice ... is the centre of true government." But that’s just baloney, not anything Abdu’l-Baha really wrote.
"The separation of the Religion and the State can only be temporary," says Dreyfus, "a momentary stage. For the present the two spheres are separate. When Baha'ism triumphs they will be united." But Dreyfus is not in a position to lay down the law on what the Bahai teachings are. Baloney also quotes Mason Remey and various anonymous sources. Don't cut no mustard. Everyone can read what Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi really wrote on the subject, here
//senmcglinn.wordpress.com/compilations/churc...
among other things, Abdu’l-Baha wrote:
“Should they place in the arena the crown of the government of the whole world, and invite each one of us to accept it, undoubtedly we shall not condescend, and shall refuse to accept it.” ( Tablets of the Divine Plan 51)
and Shoghi Effendi wrote:
“Theirs is not the purpose, while endeavoring to conduct and perfect the administrative affairs of their Faith, to violate, under any circumstances, the provisions of their country’s constitution, much less to allow the machinery of their administration to supersede the government of their respective countries.”
(Shoghi Effendi, in The World Order of Baha’u'llah 66.)
Ravin’ baloney says that the Houses of Justice will inherit all property of those dying without heirs – omitting to mention that this law applies only to Bahais, who are supposed to write wills and are free to leave 100% of their estates to a foundation for blind dogs if they wish.
Ravin’ baloney says the House of Justice will have police powers, but Baha’u’llah says: “The instruments which are essential to the immediate protection, the security and assurance of the human race have been entrusted to the hands, and lie in the grasp, of the governors of human society. This is the wish of God and His decree….” . (The Lawh-e Ashraf, in Gleanings, CII 206-7.)
Ravin baloney has fulfilled the promise of his name. This is comedy, and does no harm. Those who want to know what the Bahai Faith really teaches will go to the writings of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, not to a parody like RB.
~~~~~~~~
What I can do, is keep my arm
from bringing others any harm.
How can I give the enviers ease?
They are themselves their own disease.
(Sa'di, Gulestan 1:5)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Email: Sen.Sonja[at]Casema.
I feel very sorry for you Ravian Bilani
by Babak SD (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 01:15 PM PDTRavian Bilani is a play on the name of a very educated, intelligent, decent human being, Dr. Kavian Milani, a physician and a scholar who writes informative articles in Farsi about the Baha'i' Faith, mostly on various internet sites.
Since the poster Ravian Bilani could never have a civil, logical and fact based discourse with Dr. Milani, he has to resort to posting under a made up name, pretend to be a Baha'i' and then post crudely changed Baha'i' text as part of his attempt to misinform his fellow Iranians.
I feel sorry for the poster Ravian Bilani, who in my mind is an uneducated, cowardly individual who has to hide his identity to attack Dr. Milani and Baha'i's as well as insulting millions of decent educated non Baha'i' Iranians inside and outside Iran.
Suspicious
by Omid95 (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 01:01 PM PDTRavian,
Are you the same person who made those pictures with photoshop? I think so...In any case it is clear that you have read some of the Baha'i writings but have never really sat down and talked to a few Baha'is to see what we really believe. For the most part your analysis is juvenile and of the caliber of some mediocre seminariaian in Qom. In any case, one thing is for sure, your IRI of Iran is quickly become the manifestation of pure evil and no one is foolish enough to believe their regurgitated bull. That is of course you and your baseej buddies. Instead of sitting at the feet of some idiot mullah, try reading a real book--David Held perhaps? Go ahead and google him.
Since I could remember I often hear the term Zionism and the name of my Faith, the Baha’i Faith, used in the same sentence by people who are responsible for abuse against the Baha’is. I have been thinking and trying to figure out how and why this assumption could be reached by the clerical regime in Iran. So, this post will try to lay out the facts for those curious individual who are wondering what to think.
So, lets start by laying out the facts, indisputable facts.
Zionism is a term referred to the theological and political movement of establishing a Jewish state. Guess what, it has happened and its probably not going anywhere regardless of your own views. Zionism was a strong movement that did reach its goal when the state of Israel was established in 1948. The movement to even exist today as an active transnational movement would be redundant because it has already accomplished its goal!
To be a spy or agent of a state or party means to actively work in gaining information for that state or party.
The Baha’is are the largest religious minority in Iran with some 300,000 believers spread through out the country. It is also a world wide religion with follows in every country from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. It is an organized religion with its administrative headquarters in Haifa, Israel. Its headquarters have been there since the late 1800s.
Baha’is are apolitical and do not associate themselves at all with any kind of political movement or candidate. It is forbidden by Baha’i law for any enrolled Baha’i to engage in partisanship or run for political office. However, there have been Baha’is working in various offices of government in civil roles and military roles since the Faith began in many countries, i.e. department of agriculture or something most often times boring…
Baha’is are loyal and submissive to the government in which jurisdiction they fall as citizens. Here is a list of some prominent past and present Baha’is
Baha’is, just like any other religion have been dismissed by the religion that came before it as being untrue, irrelevant, satanic yada yada yada.
The official Baha’i view is best described here, from the official Baha’i website…
‘The Changeless Faith of God’
When Bahá’ís say that the various religions are one, they do not mean that the various religious creeds and organizations are the same. Rather, they believe that there is only one religion and all of the
Messengers of God have progressively revealed its nature. Together, the world’s great religions are expressions of a single unfolding Divine plan, “the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future.”
People from all of the major religious backgrounds have found that the promises and expectations of their own beliefs are fulfilled in the Bahá’í Faith. Bahá’ís from Native American, African and other
indigenous backgrounds, similarly, find in the Bahá’í teachings fulfillment of prophetic visions.
For Bahá’ís of Jewish background, Bahá’u'lláh is the appearance of the promised “Lord of Hosts” come down “with ten thousands of saints.” A descendent of Abraham and a “scion from the root of Jesse,” Bahá’u'lláh has come to lead the way for nations to “beat their swords into plowshares.” Many features of Bahá’u'lláh’s involuntary exile to the Land of Israel, along with other historical events during
Bahá’u'lláh’s life and since are seen as fulfilling numerous prophecies in the Bible.
For Bahá’ís of Buddhist background, Bahá’u'lláh fulfills the prophecies for the coming of “a Buddha named Maitreye, the Buddha of universal fellowship” who will, according to Buddhist traditions, bring peace and enlightenment for all humanity. They see the fulfillment of numerous prophecies, such as the fact that the Buddha Maitreye is to come from “the West”, noting the fact that Iran is West of India.
For Bahá’ís of Hindu background, Bahá’u'lláh comes as the new incarnation of Krishna, the “Tenth Avatar” and the “Most Great Spirit.” He is “the birthless, the deathless,” the One who, “when goodness grows weak,” returns “in every age” to “establish righteousness” as promised in the Bhagavad-Gita.
For Bahá’ís of Christian background, Bahá’u'lláh fulfills the paradoxical promises of Christ’s return “in the Glory of the Father” and as a “thief in the night.” That the Faith was founded in 1844 relates to numerous Christian prophecies. Bahá’ís note, for example, that central Africa was finally opened to Christianity in the 1840s, and that event was widely seen as fulfilling the promise that Christ would return after “the Gospel had been preached ‘to all nations.’” In Bahá’u'lláh’s teachings Bahá’ís see fulfillment of Christ’s promise to bring all people together so that “there shall be one fold, and one
shepherd.”
For Bahá’ís of Muslim background, Bahá’u'lláh fulfills the promise of the Qur’an for the “Day of God” and the “Great Announcement,” when “God” will come down “overshadowed with clouds.” They see in the dramatic events of the Bábi and Bahá’í movements the fulfillment of many traditional statements of Muhammad, which have long been a puzzle.
Baha’i prophecies and goals indicated that one day there will be peace among the nation’s and war as we know it in its conventional sense will fade away and mankind will focus on its collective abilities. We also believe that there is not going to be some catastrophic Judgment Day and the End of the World through Armageddon. These events to us have happened already but in a more symbolic manor. Just like all the prophecies of past religion have come to pass. Of course, there are un-educated people who really want to see things with there own eyes and will deny anything to the contrary. This is simply arrogance.
Now, to address the accusation directly about Iranian Baha’is being spies of Israel. It is easy to draw conspiratorial conclusions to fit ones own world view. And, indeed I can see how some Islamic regimes
draw these conclusions. But, it is against the very core of being a Baha’i to conspire against ones government, even if that government is the 3rd Riech. And yes there were Baha’is in Germany at the time. Most of them fled or were thrown into concentration camps. Baha’is would rather be executed, which many have, than take part in being agents against there own government.
In a poetic passage, Bahá’u'lláh described the actions of the moral individual and urged His followers to live accordingly:
Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich,
an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto
them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.
So, in conclusion we as Baha’is are friends of all people and are loyal to the governments to which jurisdiction we fall under, be it the USA, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia or China or North Korea. We see the
World as one planet and its people as one (and in my view, dysfunctional) family. Yes, when our governments fight agaisnt each other, Baha’is have been sometime been caught in the middle. There was one incident in Vietnam where a Viet-cong patrol fought and won a battle against an American patrol. Somehow there was a Baha’i on each side, the American was about to be executed and said “Allah’u'Abha” as his last words and his would be executor responded with Allah’u'Abha, a Baha’i invocation meaning God is the Most Glorious. Needless to say the Baha’i was not executed but taken as a POW.
We work for and are all about peace, human rights, tolerance, understanding, harmony and equality or the sexes. Dont forget it and don’t be fooled.
PS- There are no Baha’is actually who are citizens of Israel, Baha’is live there but only have work visas and are forbidden from teaching or promoting the Faith in Israel. So, if you thought, “what about if there are Israeli Baha’is, could they be Zionist agents?” The answer is…Impossible.
ALERT!!!!!COVENANT BERAKER Ravian Bilani
by Silent Night (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 12:37 PM PDTto every he is either a Covenant breaker
or he is an agent or the IRNI masquerading as a Bahai
Please, people Ravian Bilani is not a Bahai!!
by Tahirih on Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:14 AM PDTHe is a Bahai setize, this is a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the latest situation in Iran. Bahais have no plan to rule anywhere.
One of Bahai faith's principles is separation of state and religion.
I have to say that they must have heard the chants of " Bahai , Bahai hemayatat mekonim" and Mr Bilani's bosses are spreading venom against innocent Bahais.
I leave you to God Mr Bilani!
Tahirih
Not so fast Mr. Ravian Bilani
by nemah (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:10 AM PDTDear Mr. Ravian Bilani, obviously you have no idea what Bahai Faith is all about. First, it's not Baha’ism, it's Bahai Faith, second, House of Justice and its administration is separated from government to begin with, third, it teaches unity, equality of man and woman, global peace, harmony, and many many other tenants that will sooner or later cure the ills of today’s societies. You need to drop your prejudices and stop your Islamic propaganda against unity, peace and harmony, you just may be enlightened, if you are truly seeking, and there is no cure for arrogance and ignorance these days, except knowledge.
All the best.
Bilani is misquoting and distorting Baha’i Faith
by Marco Oliveira (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:50 AM PDTRavian Bilani is just misquoting and distorting Baha’i teachings.
The Baha’i Faith doesn’t want to replace governments. In the Tablet to the King Baha’u’llah wrote: "It is not Our wish to lay hands on your kingdoms". But, nevertheless, the Founder of Baha’i Faith presented good advices on how to govern a country. For example, in Tablet to Queen Victoria, He praised representative democracy:
"We have also heard that thou hast entrusted the reins of counsel into the hands of the representatives of the people. Thou, indeed, hast done well, for thereby the foundations of the edifice of thine affairs will be strengthened, and the hearts of all that are beneath thy shadow, whether high or low, will be tranquillized."
Notice how Bilani avoided these basic quotes!
Ravian you are a joke and
by Jafari (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:28 AM PDTRavian you are a joke and fake. This is your own islamofascism dream. This is not Baha'i tinking it is a akhund islamic cultish brain at work.
The Bahai Faith is a noble religion.
'Abdul Baha Says :
by Badi19 (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:16 AM PDT"that the flag of Baha'u'llah will overcome every other flag and all rulers will do homage to it."
"Daily Lessons at Acca" (Goodall and Cooper), p. 72.
Response to Behnam
by sasssa (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 09:55 AM PDTMr.Behnam please wake up. The Bahai faith is the second most widespread religion and the fastest growing religion so we must be doing something right. Plus the number 1 goal from bahais is "Unity of Mankind". All I ask you to do is simply read about the Bahai faith and find out for your self what its all about before you come to this kind of conclusion. If you dont know what to read I will happily help you find a book.
Thank You
I cant believe this garbage
by hasani (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 09:48 AM PDTI cant believe this garbage is allowd to be published. The writer started with the term "Baha'ism" which doesnt even exist. Please review things before you publish them.
Ok, Ravian is bad, but can
by crimson (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 09:41 AM PDTOk, Ravian is bad, but can someone dispute what he is saying objectively? Isn't what he states the Bahais ultimate goal to govern not just Iran, but the world?
BTW, this is just rhetorical, no answer needed.
ENOUGH!!!
by Free Iran (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 09:19 AM PDTStop trying to take advantage of the situation for selfish purposes and to advance and impose your personal beliefs and agenda... Iran can and will go only in one direction...DEMOCRACY...true democracy is something all people vote for together and all parts of socieity are represented, Bahais included...not another religion based government imposed on people by one group alone.. we've had enough of this kind of 30 year atrocity...ENOUGH!!!
Please, people Ravian Bilani is not a Bahai!!
by Tahirih on Sat Jun 27, 2009 08:35 AM PDTHe is a Bahai setize, this is a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the latest situation in Iran. Bahais have no plan to rule anywhere.
One of Bahai faith's principles is separation of state and religion.
I have to say that they must have heard the chants of " Bahai , Bahai hemayatat mekonim" and Mr Bilani's bosses are spreading venom against innocent Bahais.
I leave you to God Mr Bilani!
Tahirih
only one thing to say
by capt_ayhab on Sat Jun 27, 2009 07:43 AM PDTWith due respect to your belief, I have only one thing to say.
Religion + politics = DISASTER
-YT
Sorry bahais
by Behnam_a (not verified) on Sat Jun 27, 2009 07:30 AM PDTWe need no Bahai government, baha'i is a cult and is associated with anti-islamists. This cult has been created just to create more divisions among iranians. We need UNITY and no more CULTS. So sorry baha'is.
Darius
by Adib Masumian on Sat Jun 27, 2009 06:33 AM PDTRavian is not a Baha'i. He is posing as an overzealous, imprudent Baha'i with the intention of increasing disdain towards Baha'is on this site.
No More ...
by darius on Sat Jun 27, 2009 05:49 AM PDTI guess ,you have no clue, do you?
Iran need a civil and people founded government to provide ,equal right for every one, protect peoples belief and way of life with no prejudice , create unity amongst all Iranians regardless of color, religion and ethnic background .A government that provides a secure
and correct path for a society that doesn't have to pour into streets
every 20 to 30 yrs and get shot at, jailed and masacared.
No to you, no to Islam ,Christian,Jews or any religious zealotor any political doctrine or philosophy that claims to be the only way to salvation and betterness.
Your first mistake is to create and establish monopoly that you have the only solution,wrong.
Solution is a governemnt that does not take side with you, a muslim, a christian or else , but relies on practice of a law that
secure , every ones right to live in peace , have free access to criticise or confront them with no fear of repraisal .