Apr 12, 2008 (3 days ago) On Defense of Faith: Religion is social |
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
On the House of ‘Abdu’lláh-Páshá: Windows on the world
House of ‘Abdu’lláh-Páshá,
Uploaded on April 8, 2008 by Man United on flickr,
licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic
Baha'i Views: On a World Citizen: Papijoon
There are 25 days between the end of the fast and the end of the tax season. That's when I do my taxes. When I do them, I review what my contributions were to the Baha'i Fund during the previous year. It is also a time to note the status of the National Fund at the end of the Baha'i Fiscal Year. Remember the Fund, friends, remember the Fund.
Tax season is also a time many Baha'is figure out and pay their Huququllah. Only Baha'is can contribute to the Baha'i Fund and pay the Huquq. Just in case you think that this is a "Baha'is only" post, consider the email I got today from a seeker who asked, "And why can’t non-Baha’is give to the fund?" That only the contributions of Baha'is have, for example, built the Houses of Worship around the world is a point of distinction for the Faith, and, apparently, a point of attraction for this seeker. -gw
Tax season is also a time many Baha'is figure out and pay their Huququllah. Only Baha'is can contribute to the Baha'i Fund and pay the Huquq. Just in case you think that this is a "Baha'is only" post, consider the email I got today from a seeker who asked, "And why can’t non-Baha’is give to the fund?" That only the contributions of Baha'is have, for example, built the Houses of Worship around the world is a point of distinction for the Faith, and, apparently, a point of attraction for this seeker. -gw
Let's All Go to the Movies!
5 Reasons You Need to Know About Financial Planning
5 Reasons You Need to Know About Financial Planning
[from the U.S. National Treasurer's Office]
On a Very Good Friday for Five Religions: Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Holi, Naw-Ruz, and Good Friday, too
March 21 will be of special significance this year as the calendars of five different religions will coincide, giving each faith a reason to celebrate the day.
As Muslims celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi (the birth of Prophet Muhammad PBUH) on Friday, Christians will mark the crucifixion and death of Jesus as Good Friday, while Hindus and Sikhs will come together to celebrate Holi, also known as the festival of colours. Meanwhile, Eid-e-Nauroz, the religious festival of members from the Baha’i faith will fall on March 21, which is also a community festival for the Zoroastrians as well as the Ismailis and Iranians.
“For the first time in the history of my life have we been blessed by such a day when people from all different faiths will be celebrating their religious festivals on a single day,” Riaz Ahmed Shirazi, a Baha’i remarked. He prefers calling it a ‘blessed weekend’ and sees it as a sign from God to spread the message of religious tolerance.
Eid-e-Nauroz also marks the Baha’i New Year after the 19-day fast from March 2 to March 20 in the last month of the Baha’i calendar. Nauroz is one of the nine holy days of the year in the Baha’i religion when work is suspended.
The Zoroastrian community as well as Persian speakers and those who trace their roots to Persia will also celebrate Nauroz which marks the first day of spring according to the astronomical vernal equinox. It is a Persian word meaning New (year) day.
On Divine Phenomena: We accept any sign from God to encourage us in our way
Ethiopians looked to the sky and what did they see?
"The ring of light caused by sunlight refracted by ice crystals hung in the sky for almost an hour before it finally faded and disappeared."
Baha'i Views is the place to come for calamitous news of blight and other catastrophes, rings around the sun and other signs from God. Here we sit in wonderment, grateful to God. Thanks to Barmak Kusha for passing on this bit of news from his virtual stomping ground, Northeast Africa. -gw
Churchgoers who had flocked to see the visiting Patriarch of Alexandria, Pope Shenouda, acclaimed the phenomenon as a miracle, or at least a sign of a blessing from God.
Pope Shenouda himself believed it was a signal from above.
"We accept any sign from God to encourage us in our way," he said, "and confirm that we are going right in our way."
Abuna Paulos, the Patriarch of Ethiopia, added his voice to those who believe in signs from God.
"If God reveals himself from the sky," he told a press conference, "we believers do not get surprised. We only rejoice and double our efforts to thank God. Thank you, God, for revealing a sign."
http://nazret.com/blog/index.php?title=sun_halo_wows_ethiopia_amid_poll&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
"The ring of light caused by sunlight refracted by ice crystals hung in the sky for almost an hour before it finally faded and disappeared."
Baha'i Views is the place to come for calamitous news of blight and other catastrophes, rings around the sun and other signs from God. Here we sit in wonderment, grateful to God. Thanks to Barmak Kusha for passing on this bit of news from his virtual stomping ground, Northeast Africa. -gw
Churchgoers who had flocked to see the visiting Patriarch of Alexandria, Pope Shenouda, acclaimed the phenomenon as a miracle, or at least a sign of a blessing from God.
Pope Shenouda himself believed it was a signal from above.
"We accept any sign from God to encourage us in our way," he said, "and confirm that we are going right in our way."
Abuna Paulos, the Patriarch of Ethiopia, added his voice to those who believe in signs from God.
"If God reveals himself from the sky," he told a press conference, "we believers do not get surprised. We only rejoice and double our efforts to thank God. Thank you, God, for revealing a sign."
http://nazret.com/blog/index.php?title=sun_halo_wows_ethiopia_amid_poll&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
On Direct Teaching in the Hilltop Neighborhood: Be Boldfrom Baha'i Views: On a World Citizen:
by
Be bold. Be bold.
Jacqueline Left-Hand Bull, 
Chair of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, was present to go out door-to-door teaching with us on Saturday as we launched our 11th Intensive Phase with 11 teams scattering to different assigned blocks in the Hilltop. Seven more teams went out Sunday.
We've had "entry by troop" in Tacoma before, back in the 90's when
El Rico, Tosca, Robert, and Linda, included in this picture, entered the Faith along with others from a tight-knit group of friends and family.
Our IPG began
with a Reflection Meeting that included several small-group break-out sessions, this being one of them on prayer.
Chair of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, was present to go out door-to-door teaching with us on Saturday as we launched our 11th Intensive Phase with 11 teams scattering to different assigned blocks in the Hilltop. Seven more teams went out Sunday.We've had "entry by troop" in Tacoma before, back in the 90's when
El Rico, Tosca, Robert, and Linda, included in this picture, entered the Faith along with others from a tight-knit group of friends and family.Our IPG began
with a Reflection Meeting that included several small-group break-out sessions, this being one of them on prayer..
We moved 
to the Lewis home for further training in the use of Anna's Presentation and the formation of teams. Then out the door. To be continued.... -gw
to the Lewis home for further training in the use of Anna's Presentation and the formation of teams. Then out the door. To be continued.... -gwOn Another Word for "Unenrolled": Expelled
At the gate of the garden, 
-'Abdul-Baha
There are Not-Yet-Baha'is, Baha'is, and ex-Baha'is. There are billions of Not-Yet-Baha'is. There are millions of Baha'is. The garden gate being designed to work the way it does (we're free to go in or out), there are probably thousands of ex-Baha'is.
The vast majority of ex-Baha'is fit the criteria of "leavetaker," a term used by sociologists of religion. A handful meet the criteria for "apostate," another term used by academics. There are probably less than 100 persons with some sort of on-line presence who are involved in what I call the Internet Anti-Baha'i Society, consisting of apostate Baha'is and others who oppose the efforts of the International Baha'i Community.
Persons expelled from the Baha'i Faith constitute a tiny number of ex-Baha'is. Of these expelled, a mere handful fit the category of Covenant-Breaker, a Baha'i term. The rest, a few dozen, if that, have had their membership removed for reasons of behavior following a long process in which they were invited to change their behavior. Some of these ex-Baha'is have chosen to call themselves "unenrolled." Another word for "unenrolled" is expelled.
For a more detailed discussion of these subjects, check out the article in the academic journal Religion by Momen. -gw
{Photo: "Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C." Uploaded on June 14, 2005 by **Mary** on flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic}
Every day I am having exquisite teaching experiences as part of the Tacoma Intensive Program of Growth. After every doorstep visited there is a story to tell. I have not yet had the time to recount here the details, but I look forward to being able to reflect on them upon the conclusion of the teaching campaign Sunday night. Below is a brief overview written by one of the team members as distributed via email to the Baha'i friends in Cluster 19.
Inspiring us are
the three prisoners of Shiraz. -gw
There have been many exciting and inspiring stories from our teaching efforts over the past few days. There were so many positive experiences. On Saturday there were 28 people (adults, youth and children) that made up 11 teams and on Sunday there were 22 adults,youth and children on 8 different teams. During the week days there have been 3-4 teams going out doing follow up visits and visiting new homes. These are just a few of the stories so far.
At one home when the team went to the door and said they were Bahá’ís, the person at the door excitedly said “I am a Bahá’í!! I never expected Bahá’ís to come to my door. God works in mysterious ways.” Two days later, Bahá’ís went back again.
At another home a woman came to the door and there was another young woman lying on the couch. When the team told the woman at the door that they were Bahá’is, the other woman flew off the couch and said, “I am a Bahá’í!!! Allah’u’abha”” . She had just moved to the area and hadn’t had time to contact the Bahá’ís yet. She had been very busy with school and work but now she isn’t working and will be able to be involved in the activities of the community.
At the home of a Bahá’í in the target neighborhood, some other Bahá’ís came to visit. The visitors included a man, a woman, her son and the son’s girlfriend. The girlfriend was not a Bahá’í but knew some things about the Faith. So, the Bahá’í who’s home was visited asked if he could give her a presentation on the Faith (Anna’s presentation from Ruhi book 6). She agreed. At the end of the presentation, she embraced Baha’u’llah!
At another home the team came across a Vietnamese couple. The couple didn’t speak much English so the team said they would come back with a translator. Two days later, one of the original team members along with another Bahá’í woman and the Vietnamese speaking Bahá’í went back to the house. They were there for about 45 minutes. The English speakers said the Vietnamese couple were very gracious and offered them tea. Everyone seemed happy but the English speakers didn’t understand one word of the exchange. However, phone numbers were exchanged between the Vietnamese Bahá’í and the seekers.
At another home a very radiant man heard part of Anna’s presentation and asked that someone come back any day after 7:00. He said the door would be open. He was very open and responsive to hearing about the Faith.
At another home the team gave part of Anna’s presentation by holding the book up to the window with the person peeking thru the blinds! The person told them to “come back and who is this Baha’u’llah?”
The home of another Bahá’í has many non-Bahá’i relatives living there. The Bahá’í asked the fiancé of his daughter if he would take the time to hear a presentation on the Faith that would take about an hour. This fiancé knew some things about the Faith from talking to the Bahá’í but hadn’t had a comprehensive presentation. The fiancé agreed to take time out from his Easter dinner cooking to listen. As the presenter was getting going, there was a knock on the door. It was the Mormon elders who were teaching this fiancé. As it turns out, the fiancé invited the elders to hear the message of Bahá’u’llah because he said “they need to hear this!”. Other members of the family gathered in the living room to hear the presentation and the quiet that descended on the room was amazing considering all the previous activity and people who were there. One Mormon friend was very agitated and impatient to go, but the other one, along with the fiancé, was enthralled with what they were hearing. The Bahá’í was singing prayers to his baby grandson so the praying for the success of the presentation was very natural. In the end, the fiancé was very excited about what he heard. The presenter is going to start a Ruhi book 1 with him and whoever else wants to come. The next day, some Bahá’is were at that house using it for the headquarters of the Expansion phase and the fiancé couldn’t stop talking about the Faith and the presentation of the previous day. He was still so afire with what he had heard.
One of the team members who is a veteran Bahá’í said that it was “really fun”! For the past 25 years she said she would never do door to door teaching again. When the core team invited people to do direct teaching she decided that she was just going to take photographs. But once she stepped into being part of the team and they started teaching, she said she was filled with joy.
Another team member who was 13 and had never done door to door teaching, reported with a smile when he came back “it was fun!”
Photos by Flitzy Phoebie
Also, please check out my wife's posts so far on the campaign. - gw:
http://flitzyphoebie.blogspot.com/2008/01/little-kindness-travels-long-way.html
Inspiring us are
the three prisoners of Shiraz. -gwThere have been many exciting and inspiring stories from our teaching efforts over the past few days. There were so many positive experiences. On Saturday there were 28 people (adults, youth and children) that made up 11 teams and on Sunday there were 22 adults,youth and children on 8 different teams. During the week days there have been 3-4 teams going out doing follow up visits and visiting new homes. These are just a few of the stories so far.
At one home when the team went to the door and said they were Bahá’ís, the person at the door excitedly said “I am a Bahá’í!! I never expected Bahá’ís to come to my door. God works in mysterious ways.” Two days later, Bahá’ís went back again.
At another home a woman came to the door and there was another young woman lying on the couch. When the team told the woman at the door that they were Bahá’is, the other woman flew off the couch and said, “I am a Bahá’í!!! Allah’u’abha”” . She had just moved to the area and hadn’t had time to contact the Bahá’ís yet. She had been very busy with school and work but now she isn’t working and will be able to be involved in the activities of the community.
At the home of a Bahá’í in the target neighborhood, some other Bahá’ís came to visit. The visitors included a man, a woman, her son and the son’s girlfriend. The girlfriend was not a Bahá’í but knew some things about the Faith. So, the Bahá’í who’s home was visited asked if he could give her a presentation on the Faith (Anna’s presentation from Ruhi book 6). She agreed. At the end of the presentation, she embraced Baha’u’llah!
At another home the team came across a Vietnamese couple. The couple didn’t speak much English so the team said they would come back with a translator. Two days later, one of the original team members along with another Bahá’í woman and the Vietnamese speaking Bahá’í went back to the house. They were there for about 45 minutes. The English speakers said the Vietnamese couple were very gracious and offered them tea. Everyone seemed happy but the English speakers didn’t understand one word of the exchange. However, phone numbers were exchanged between the Vietnamese Bahá’í and the seekers.
At another home a very radiant man heard part of Anna’s presentation and asked that someone come back any day after 7:00. He said the door would be open. He was very open and responsive to hearing about the Faith.
At another home the team gave part of Anna’s presentation by holding the book up to the window with the person peeking thru the blinds! The person told them to “come back and who is this Baha’u’llah?”
The home of another Bahá’í has many non-Bahá’i relatives living there. The Bahá’í asked the fiancé of his daughter if he would take the time to hear a presentation on the Faith that would take about an hour. This fiancé knew some things about the Faith from talking to the Bahá’í but hadn’t had a comprehensive presentation. The fiancé agreed to take time out from his Easter dinner cooking to listen. As the presenter was getting going, there was a knock on the door. It was the Mormon elders who were teaching this fiancé. As it turns out, the fiancé invited the elders to hear the message of Bahá’u’llah because he said “they need to hear this!”. Other members of the family gathered in the living room to hear the presentation and the quiet that descended on the room was amazing considering all the previous activity and people who were there. One Mormon friend was very agitated and impatient to go, but the other one, along with the fiancé, was enthralled with what they were hearing. The Bahá’í was singing prayers to his baby grandson so the praying for the success of the presentation was very natural. In the end, the fiancé was very excited about what he heard. The presenter is going to start a Ruhi book 1 with him and whoever else wants to come. The next day, some Bahá’is were at that house using it for the headquarters of the Expansion phase and the fiancé couldn’t stop talking about the Faith and the presentation of the previous day. He was still so afire with what he had heard.
One of the team members who is a veteran Bahá’í said that it was “really fun”! For the past 25 years she said she would never do door to door teaching again. When the core team invited people to do direct teaching she decided that she was just going to take photographs. But once she stepped into being part of the team and they started teaching, she said she was filled with joy.
Another team member who was 13 and had never done door to door teaching, reported with a smile when he came back “it was fun!”
Photos by Flitzy Phoebie
Also, please check out my wife's posts so far on the campaign. - gw:
http://flitzyphoebie.blogspot.com/2008/01/little-kindness-travels-long-way.html
http://flitzyphoebie.blogspot.com/2008/01/just-counting-my-blessings-here-friends.html
On Circles of Interest and Disinterest: Yours for the blogging
This is a circle of disinterest. 
Doesn't care about blogging, yours or any other hepcat's. Not what the Baha'i International Teaching Center is encouraging us to nurture. It is our circle of interest on the internet that we wish to expand with each and every blog post, as Praveen's marvelous slide show inspires us to do. Take a look, if you haven't already. -gw
Page 9
Blog
– What's it??
An Interactive website
where one person [blogger]
shares information on a
particular topic which is
viewed and responded by
his circle of interest on the
internet.
Page 10
Blogging opens new avenues for sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh.
It is a grassroots participatory undertaking
Page 11
Blogs can serve as an instrument to draw that particular
community of interest to the Revelation and to Bahá’í
community activity
The networking phenomenon associated with blogs allows for
information to reach potentially large numbers of like-minded
people
– What's it??
An Interactive website
where one person [blogger]
shares information on a
particular topic which is
viewed and responded by
his circle of interest on the
internet.
Page 10
Blogging opens new avenues for sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh.
It is a grassroots participatory undertaking
Page 11
Blogs can serve as an instrument to draw that particular
community of interest to the Revelation and to Bahá’í
community activity
The networking phenomenon associated with blogs allows for
information to reach potentially large numbers of like-minded
people
+
Friday, March 28, 2008
Attraction and Harmony
"In short, attraction and harmony of things are the cause of the production of fruits and useful results, while repulsion and disharmony of things are the cause of disturbance and annihilation." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 296)
Know His Own Self
"...man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or to abasement, to shame or to honour, to affluence or poverty." (Baha'u'llah, The Baha'i World, p. 167)
Before Choosing a Partner
Some counsels of 'Abdu'l-Baha addressed to a believer help men and women to reflect on their attitude and the person of their choice.
1) A joyful disposition "...she must be sympathetic, kind-hearted, happy and endowed with a joyful disposition." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
2) A companion and a partner"....She must take an interest in all the problems pertaining to thy life, and be thy companion and partner in every phase of thy existence..." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
3) Everlasting friendship"Before choosing a wife a man must think soberly and seriously that this girl will be his friend throughout all his life. It is not a temporary matter." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
A Mate and Intimate Confident"She is a soul with whom he must associate all the days of his life; she will be his mate and his intimate confidant; therefore, day by day their love and their attachment to each other must increase." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
No Interference"As for the question regarding marriage under the Law of God: first thou must choose one who is pleasing to thee, and then the matter is subject to the consent of father and mother. Before thou makest thy choice, they have no right to interfere." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 118)
Consent of Parents"As we desired to bring about love and friendship and the unity of the people, therefore We made marriage conditional upon the consent of the parents also, that enmity and ill-feeling might be avoided." (Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas)
Eternal Bond"Baha'i marriage is union and cordial affection between the two parties. They must, however, exercise the utmost care and become acquainted with each other's character. This eternal bond should be made secure by a firm covenant, and the intention should be to foster harmony, fellowship and unity and to attain everlasting life." ('Abdu'l-Baha, The Baha'i World Faith, p. 372)
Character and Faith"There is a difference between character and faith; it is often very hard to accept this fact and put up with it, but the fact remains that a person may believe and love the Cause - even to being ready to die for it - and yet not have a personal character, or possess traits at variance with the teachings." (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated October 17, 1944, written on behalf to an individual believer.)
True Baha'i Marriage"The true marriage of Baha'is is this, that both husband and wife should be united both physically and spiritually, that they may ever improve the spiritual life of each other, and may enjoy everlasting unity throughout all the worlds of God. This is Baha'i marriage." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 118)
Tenderness Out of This World"In the same way, when any souls grow to be true believers, they will attain a spiritual relationship with one another, and show forth a tenderness which is not of this world. They will, all of them, become elated from a draught of divine love, and that union of theirs, that connection, will also abide forever." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, pp. 117-8)
***********************************
--
=============================================
.....Every eye which is weeping for the sake of
the love of God is blessed; every ear which is
hearing the divine call is blessed....
~ Abdu'l-Baha
Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1
p. 214
"In short, attraction and harmony of things are the cause of the production of fruits and useful results, while repulsion and disharmony of things are the cause of disturbance and annihilation." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 296)
Know His Own Self
"...man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or to abasement, to shame or to honour, to affluence or poverty." (Baha'u'llah, The Baha'i World, p. 167)
Before Choosing a Partner
Some counsels of 'Abdu'l-Baha addressed to a believer help men and women to reflect on their attitude and the person of their choice.
1) A joyful disposition "...she must be sympathetic, kind-hearted, happy and endowed with a joyful disposition." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
2) A companion and a partner"....She must take an interest in all the problems pertaining to thy life, and be thy companion and partner in every phase of thy existence..." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
3) Everlasting friendship"Before choosing a wife a man must think soberly and seriously that this girl will be his friend throughout all his life. It is not a temporary matter." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
A Mate and Intimate Confident"She is a soul with whom he must associate all the days of his life; she will be his mate and his intimate confidant; therefore, day by day their love and their attachment to each other must increase." ('Abdu'l-Baha, 22nd Dec 1918, to A.S., Star of the West, vol 11, no 1, p. 20)
No Interference"As for the question regarding marriage under the Law of God: first thou must choose one who is pleasing to thee, and then the matter is subject to the consent of father and mother. Before thou makest thy choice, they have no right to interfere." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 118)
Consent of Parents"As we desired to bring about love and friendship and the unity of the people, therefore We made marriage conditional upon the consent of the parents also, that enmity and ill-feeling might be avoided." (Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas)
Eternal Bond"Baha'i marriage is union and cordial affection between the two parties. They must, however, exercise the utmost care and become acquainted with each other's character. This eternal bond should be made secure by a firm covenant, and the intention should be to foster harmony, fellowship and unity and to attain everlasting life." ('Abdu'l-Baha, The Baha'i World Faith, p. 372)
Character and Faith"There is a difference between character and faith; it is often very hard to accept this fact and put up with it, but the fact remains that a person may believe and love the Cause - even to being ready to die for it - and yet not have a personal character, or possess traits at variance with the teachings." (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated October 17, 1944, written on behalf to an individual believer.)
True Baha'i Marriage"The true marriage of Baha'is is this, that both husband and wife should be united both physically and spiritually, that they may ever improve the spiritual life of each other, and may enjoy everlasting unity throughout all the worlds of God. This is Baha'i marriage." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 118)
Tenderness Out of This World"In the same way, when any souls grow to be true believers, they will attain a spiritual relationship with one another, and show forth a tenderness which is not of this world. They will, all of them, become elated from a draught of divine love, and that union of theirs, that connection, will also abide forever." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, pp. 117-8)
******************************
--
==============================
.....Every eye which is weeping for the sake of
the love of God is blessed; every ear which is
hearing the divine call is blessed....
~ Abdu'l-Baha
Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1
p. 214
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Teaching kids to connect in a multicultural world
Throughout the United States Baha’is are inviting spiritual seekers to enrich their spiritual and community life through such activities as prayer gatherings, weekly study of the Baha'i scriptures and classes for the spiritual education and training of children.
When the city council of Monrovia, Calif., recently sought to combat racially charged gang violence in this bedroom community of Los Angeles, it turned to the Monrovia Baha'i Family School as a role model for how people of different cultures can get along in our cross-cultural world.
Whites, Latinos and African-Americans don’t always connect in a friendly way on the streets of Monrovia, but they do on Cypress Street -- home of the Baha'i school, whose students range from kindergarten to high school.
Some students are Baha’is; others come from different faiths. On Wednesday afternoons, they’re all one, says director Joanie Yuille, a lifelong Baha'i and lifelong Monrovian.
The purpose of the many Baha'i schools located throughout the country, is to teach children about the oneness of humankind. This core principle of the Baha'i Faith forms the foundation of the Faith’s other principles, which include equality of the sexes, elimination of prejudice, abolition of extremes of poverty and wealth.
Baha’i schools are populated by children of families who want their children to receive a spiritual education that stresses the importance of diversity and unity. Students also learn the Baha'i concept of progressive revelation -- that the world's major religions are part of a single, progressive process through which God reveals His will to humanity.
“I love that my children are learning about the major religions of the people of the world,” says Elizabeth Marquardt, mother of Marianna, 5, and Thomas, 3, who attend the Flowers of One Garden Baha'i School in Wilmette, Ill. “My hope is that what they are learning will help them be the kind of compassionate and educated global citizens that our world needs.”
To teach the youngest students Baha'i principles, Baha'i schools start by teaching virtues -- “how to be good people,” says Layli Miller-Muro, who founded a Baha'i school in Falls Church, Va. Ms. Miller-Muro also is the founder and director of the celebrated Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church.
The school’s participants represent a cornucopia of cultures and religions: American, Ethiopian, Pakistani, Afghani, Christian and Jewish as well as Baha’i.
“We live in a multiracial, multicultural world, so these classes fit in perfectly,” says Angie Fox, a new Baha'i whose 4-year-old son, Patton Oliver, attends the Baha'i school in Falls Church, Va., which was recently featured on NPR’s Morning Edition.
The Lions and Whales Baha'i School, held on the campus of the Louhelen Baha'i School in Davison, Mich., isn’t as eclectic, at least by Baha'i standards -- participants are white, African-American and Latino -- but its aim is the same as the other Baha'i schools: to celebrate diversity and grow spiritually.
The school takes its name from a quote by Abdu’l-Baha that says God bestows us with the ability to be like “lions roaring in the forest of knowledge and wisdom, and whales swimming in the oceans of life.”
Lions and Whales has upward of 30 students, who meet after school on Wednesdays. Most of its participants are not Baha’is and come from nearby Flint, a town known nationally for being hard-hit by the downsizing of General Motors.
The class serves several purposes: It educates students on Baha'i principles, and after class, provides tutors to help students with homework assigned by their public school. The school also provides a pizza break, where students and teachers mingle.
At 5:30 p.m., everyone takes a pizza break with Barbara and Rick Johnson, co-administrators of Louhelen.
Lions and Whales has been a big success, says Barbara Johnson, who, with her husband, Rick, runs Louhelen. Rather than brag, she points to the comments of students and their families:
“I don’t act bad like I used to, and my report card is better.”
“Lions and Whales is a place you can go without being judged.”
“At first I thought it was just another program that would put me to sleep. Now I know it’s a program that brings people together.”
“It shows them how to behave in society and how to treat people along the way. They care more.” (Grandparent)
“I see (more) love in their eyes. I see some respect that they didn’t have before and a love of saying prayers.” (Grandparent)
And, from one child, “I’m grateful.”
Source URL: http://www.bahai.us/teaching-kids
Throughout the United States Baha’is are inviting spiritual seekers to enrich their spiritual and community life through such activities as prayer gatherings, weekly study of the Baha'i scriptures and classes for the spiritual education and training of children.
When the city council of Monrovia, Calif., recently sought to combat racially charged gang violence in this bedroom community of Los Angeles, it turned to the Monrovia Baha'i Family School as a role model for how people of different cultures can get along in our cross-cultural world.
Whites, Latinos and African-Americans don’t always connect in a friendly way on the streets of Monrovia, but they do on Cypress Street -- home of the Baha'i school, whose students range from kindergarten to high school.
Some students are Baha’is; others come from different faiths. On Wednesday afternoons, they’re all one, says director Joanie Yuille, a lifelong Baha'i and lifelong Monrovian.
The purpose of the many Baha'i schools located throughout the country, is to teach children about the oneness of humankind. This core principle of the Baha'i Faith forms the foundation of the Faith’s other principles, which include equality of the sexes, elimination of prejudice, abolition of extremes of poverty and wealth.
Baha’i schools are populated by children of families who want their children to receive a spiritual education that stresses the importance of diversity and unity. Students also learn the Baha'i concept of progressive revelation -- that the world's major religions are part of a single, progressive process through which God reveals His will to humanity.
“I love that my children are learning about the major religions of the people of the world,” says Elizabeth Marquardt, mother of Marianna, 5, and Thomas, 3, who attend the Flowers of One Garden Baha'i School in Wilmette, Ill. “My hope is that what they are learning will help them be the kind of compassionate and educated global citizens that our world needs.”
To teach the youngest students Baha'i principles, Baha'i schools start by teaching virtues -- “how to be good people,” says Layli Miller-Muro, who founded a Baha'i school in Falls Church, Va. Ms. Miller-Muro also is the founder and director of the celebrated Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church.
The school’s participants represent a cornucopia of cultures and religions: American, Ethiopian, Pakistani, Afghani, Christian and Jewish as well as Baha’i.
“We live in a multiracial, multicultural world, so these classes fit in perfectly,” says Angie Fox, a new Baha'i whose 4-year-old son, Patton Oliver, attends the Baha'i school in Falls Church, Va., which was recently featured on NPR’s Morning Edition.
The Lions and Whales Baha'i School, held on the campus of the Louhelen Baha'i School in Davison, Mich., isn’t as eclectic, at least by Baha'i standards -- participants are white, African-American and Latino -- but its aim is the same as the other Baha'i schools: to celebrate diversity and grow spiritually.
The school takes its name from a quote by Abdu’l-Baha that says God bestows us with the ability to be like “lions roaring in the forest of knowledge and wisdom, and whales swimming in the oceans of life.”
Lions and Whales has upward of 30 students, who meet after school on Wednesdays. Most of its participants are not Baha’is and come from nearby Flint, a town known nationally for being hard-hit by the downsizing of General Motors.
The class serves several purposes: It educates students on Baha'i principles, and after class, provides tutors to help students with homework assigned by their public school. The school also provides a pizza break, where students and teachers mingle.
At 5:30 p.m., everyone takes a pizza break with Barbara and Rick Johnson, co-administrators of Louhelen.
Lions and Whales has been a big success, says Barbara Johnson, who, with her husband, Rick, runs Louhelen. Rather than brag, she points to the comments of students and their families:
“I don’t act bad like I used to, and my report card is better.”
“Lions and Whales is a place you can go without being judged.”
“At first I thought it was just another program that would put me to sleep. Now I know it’s a program that brings people together.”
“It shows them how to behave in society and how to treat people along the way. They care more.” (Grandparent)
“I see (more) love in their eyes. I see some respect that they didn’t have before and a love of saying prayers.” (Grandparent)
And, from one child, “I’m grateful.”
Source URL: http://www.bahai.us/teaching-kids
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
NEW DELHI, 19 March 2008 (BWNS)
-- Every day, the people come. Thousands ofthem. At times it's a constant stream of humanity. Eight thousand people aday, 10,000, sometimes 15,000. On holidays 30,000, even 50,000. And once,150,000.
Yet everyone is calm, orderly, sometimes waiting in line to leave theirshoes in a hidden checkroom and climb the stairs to the building they callthe Lotus Temple. Inside, the mood is one of serenity. Considering the vastnumbers of people who make their way around the property, the peacefulnessperhaps is surprising.
"We are impressed - the discipline," said Ramesh Cheruku, who with his wifeand young son had come from Hyderabad in the south of India for their firstvisit to the Baha'i House of Worship, located in the capital city of NewDelhi.
With more than 4.6 million visitors last year, the temple is one of the mostpopular spots on earth, in a league with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome andnot far behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Many of the visitors are from India, but people come from all over theworld. They are Hindus, Christians, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs,and, of course, Baha'is. There are families, couples, single people,schoolchildren, tour groups.
Many come to see a stunning piece of architecture - and stunning it is.Still, their behavior suggests something more.
"Peace of mind," murmured Reeta Singhai when asked how she felt after herfirst walk through the temple, whose outward form is like a lotus flower. Ithas 27 "petals," arranged in threes so that the structure has nine sides,just like the other six Baha'i houses of worship around the world.
It is exactly this feeling of peace that the public relations director,Shatrughun Jiwnani, mentioned as he pondered the question about what appealsto visitors, most of whom are inside the temple only a few minutes.
"They suddenly find themselves in a place that is quiet," he said. Theypause "and maybe for a few moments look inside themselves."
"You can almost start to hear your own thoughts," agreed Sarang Joshi. Anative of India now living in the United States, he was impressed by what hecalled the "spiritual nature of the building."
"It's really interesting how that's captured by the architecture," he said.
Mr. Jiwnani said most people stay inside for only a few minutes, but such avisit can still be meaningful.
"Maybe two hours of quiet at home means nothing, whereas two minutes in thetemple can move you," he suggested, noting that there are many people whovisit frequently.
"People like it that there are no sermons or lectures here. They are able tobring their own religion and sit and pray or meditate."
To view the photos and additional features click here:http://news.bahai.org/
--30-sw-080319-1-INDIATEMPLE2008-611-S
------------------------------------------------------------Advance release: Please check our website for the final version of this article.------------------------------------------------------------Copyright 2008 by the Baha'i World News Service. All stories andphotographs produced by the Baha'i World News Service may be freelyreprinted, re-emailed, re-posted to the World Wide Web and otherwisereproduced by any individual or organization as long as they areattributed to the Baha'i World News Service. For more information, visithttp://news.bahai.org/.----------------------------------------------------------
Yet everyone is calm, orderly, sometimes waiting in line to leave theirshoes in a hidden checkroom and climb the stairs to the building they callthe Lotus Temple. Inside, the mood is one of serenity. Considering the vastnumbers of people who make their way around the property, the peacefulnessperhaps is surprising.
"We are impressed - the discipline," said Ramesh Cheruku, who with his wifeand young son had come from Hyderabad in the south of India for their firstvisit to the Baha'i House of Worship, located in the capital city of NewDelhi.
With more than 4.6 million visitors last year, the temple is one of the mostpopular spots on earth, in a league with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome andnot far behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Many of the visitors are from India, but people come from all over theworld. They are Hindus, Christians, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs,and, of course, Baha'is. There are families, couples, single people,schoolchildren, tour groups.
Many come to see a stunning piece of architecture - and stunning it is.Still, their behavior suggests something more.
"Peace of mind," murmured Reeta Singhai when asked how she felt after herfirst walk through the temple, whose outward form is like a lotus flower. Ithas 27 "petals," arranged in threes so that the structure has nine sides,just like the other six Baha'i houses of worship around the world.
It is exactly this feeling of peace that the public relations director,Shatrughun Jiwnani, mentioned as he pondered the question about what appealsto visitors, most of whom are inside the temple only a few minutes.
"They suddenly find themselves in a place that is quiet," he said. Theypause "and maybe for a few moments look inside themselves."
"You can almost start to hear your own thoughts," agreed Sarang Joshi. Anative of India now living in the United States, he was impressed by what hecalled the "spiritual nature of the building."
"It's really interesting how that's captured by the architecture," he said.
Mr. Jiwnani said most people stay inside for only a few minutes, but such avisit can still be meaningful.
"Maybe two hours of quiet at home means nothing, whereas two minutes in thetemple can move you," he suggested, noting that there are many people whovisit frequently.
"People like it that there are no sermons or lectures here. They are able tobring their own religion and sit and pray or meditate."
To view the photos and additional features click here:http://news.bahai.org/
--30-sw-080319-1-INDIATEMPLE2008-611-S
------------------------------------------------------------Advance release: Please check our website for the final version of this article.------------------------------------------------------------Copyright 2008 by the Baha'i World News Service. All stories andphotographs produced by the Baha'i World News Service may be freelyreprinted, re-emailed, re-posted to the World Wide Web and otherwisereproduced by any individual or organization as long as they areattributed to the Baha'i World News Service. For more information, visithttp://news.bahai.org/.----------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, March 15, 2008
ROUHANGEZE
Le jazz à sa guise
Elle fait les choses à sa manière. Alors que les autres jeunes de son âge se tournent vers les tendances dans le vent, préférant la tecktonik ou le rock comme influence sonore, la jeune chanteuse emprunte la route du jazz dans un brassage sonore invitant le funk et l’électronique dans sa bulle. Rouhangeze sur le chemin du jazz…
Elle a de l’ambition et croit dans ce qu’elle fait. Elle a renoncé à beaucoup de choses pour garder le cap vers son objectif : faire un album de jazz. Une musique qu’elle découvre grâce à son père «une audiophile restreint et grand amateur de jazz.» Rouhangeze incarne cette nouvelle génération de jeunes, qui cultive un autre arbre de la musique, qui ne pousse que rarement sur le sol mauricien. Ayant abandonné les études pour se consacrer à sa musique, elle ne regrette point ce choix. Celle qui a 16 ans s’est lancée dans la production avec un ami et réalisé l’album du groupe BKS, prendra par la suite une autre route. «Après la fin de ce projet, on s’est plus vu cet ami et moi et depuis je me consacre uniquement à la vocalise,» dit-elle. Troisième à la dernière édition du concours Rêve de Star avec sa chanson You Are, cette chanteuse est tombée dans la marmite du jazz très jeune. «A la maison, mon père nous obligeait à écouter du jazz et à décortiquer la musique.» C’est de cette expérience qu’elle a pris goût à cette musique et l’a ensuite adoptée. Depuis, elle s’est frottée à de grosses pointures de l’univers jazzesque de l’île. Elle a eu l’occasion de jouer avec Jhonny Joseph, Frédéric Grenade, Christophe Bertin, les frères Desvaux, ainsi que Jocelyn Armandine… pour ne citer qu’eux. Avec ces derniers, elle a appris à ne plus «chanter dans la gorge mais dans le ventre.» Avec son compagnon, Chris Jacques qui l’aide dans la réalisation de son premier album, elle vise d’autres milieux que le marché local. Le couple s’est rendu compte de l’indifférence gratuite accordée à cette musique. Sa participation à un concert organisé à l’université de Maurice, atteste ce rejet du jazz par la jeunesse. Certes, ce constat ne peut être généralisé, car il y a bien des jeunes qui s’intéressent et qui jouent de cette musique, mais ils sont en minorité. «Le jazz souffre de sa complexité,» constate Rouhangeze. «Chris a décidé de s’investir dans mon projet. Je devais quitter le pays pour aller jouer en Chine mais je suis restée à cause de Chris.» Elle monte son propre home studio pour enregistrer ses chansons. Celle qui joue du piano, veut se donner le temps qu’il faut avant de sortir son premier opus. C’est la rencontre avec Chris Jacques, il y a neuf mois qui lui donne encore plus l’envie de réaliser son album. «Chris a décidé de s’investir dans mon projet. Je devais quitter le pays pour aller jouer en Chine mais je suis restée à cause de Chris,» ajoute Rouhangeze. De sa musique, elle dira qu’elle «n’est pas vaste mais il y a quelque chose de profond.» Son album aura le parfum jazzique avec une dose de funk entre l’électronique et l’acoustique. «Pour l’heure, j’ai six titres qui sont déjà prêts et cinq autres dans ma tête,» dit-elle avec un léger sourire. L’arrangement du disque sera fait par les musiciens qui l’accompagnent dans ce projet, mais le gros du travail sera assuré par Jocelyn Armandine. Chris Jacques, souligne, que le disque peut sortir en décembre si tout se passe bien. «Mon rôle est de donner à Rouhangeze les moyens qu’il faut pour qu’elle puisse exposer sa musique et son talent.»
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Remote Baha'i school adds two new grades
BUNISI, Papua New Guinea
31 October 2007 (BWNS)
In the remote village of Bunisi in Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea, the age you start school doesn't depend on how old you are - it depends on whether you can handle the hike to and from class.
Each morning, children trek for two hours, walking 2,000 feet down the mountain to the Ikara Primary School. And each afternoon, they hike back up.
Not easy for a 7-year-old.
"By the time the children get to school they are exhausted," said Jalal Mills, a Baha'i familiar with the educational system in Bunisi. "Then they are expected to concentrate in class and learn."
But now the situation is changing, at least for the first and second graders. Last month, the Bunisi Elementary School, which until recently only served preschoolers, added new classrooms.
Operated by the Baha'i community of Bunisi, the school serves students in preschool and now grades one and two from nearly a dozen nearby villages, covering an area with a population of perhaps 1,000 people. The pupils come from different religious backgrounds.
"The people are happy that the Baha'is have helped build a school to provide education for the boys and girls of the area," said Kessia Ruh, who in September traveled by helicopter from Rabaul to attend the inauguration of the new classrooms.
Kessia Ruh, a Baha'i Counsellor invited as a special guest to the inauguration of new classrooms at Bunisi Elementary School in Papua New Guinea, cuts the ribbon at one of the new buildings.
A Baha'i Counsellor, Ms. Ruh said the Baha'is themselves were eager to have outside visitors for the ceremony. "They hadn't had visitors from outside the area, and they wanted other neighboring villages to know that the Baha'i friends from (other places) would come," she said.
The school was started in 1995 by local Baha'is, who were concerned about the lack of educational opportunities for their children. They began with a preschool and spent last year working to add the new classrooms. They hope to expand further, perhaps adding a grade each year. Some 50 Baha'is live in Bunisi, with another few hundred in the surrounding area.
Instruction in the school is in the local language, Umaikana, because that is the norm in the country for the first three years of school. Students pay the equivalent of about US$3 a term and, because it is a government-registered school, public subsidies pay another US$99 per term for each child.
The school has three teachers, offering class for some 75 children in all. Two of the teachers are Baha'is, but most of the students are not. Religious instruction is limited to specified periods, and several religions are taught.
Even for Papua New Guinea, Bunisi is remote. Located 4,600 feet above sea level near the Milne Bay area in the eastern part of the country, Bunisi doesn't appear on most maps - it is just one of many small villages that dot the area. The closest settlement with electricity and running water is Rabaraba, a coastal station reached by a two-day walk through the mountains.
Map shows the location of Bunisi in New Guinea and in the world.
Bunisi itself has no electricity, no running water and no telecommunication services. Most of the people are subsistence farmers.
In addition to Ms. Ruh, other guests of honor at the inauguration were Chief Sigeru Buapa of the Bunisi area and the headmaster of the Ikara Primary School, where older children from the area will continue to attend classes.
All the guests joined in singing and dancing with local residents and hundreds of other visitors from the area who had hiked to Bunisi to participate in the festivities.
The land for the school was donated by the chief.
"Before, I used this land to hunt cuscus, and now I give it for the future generations to hunt
Monday, September 17, 2007
lets pray for peace prevail
Bush setting America up for war with Iran
By Philip Sherwell in New York and Tim Shipman in Washington
Last Updated: 2:29am BST 17/09/2007
Senior American intelligence and defence officials believe that President George W Bush and his inner circle are taking steps to place America on the path to war with Iran, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.
Dick Cheney ('The Man') with George W Bush
Pentagon planners have developed a list of up to 2,000 bombing targets in Iran, amid growing fears among serving officers that diplomatic efforts to slow Iran's nuclear weapons programme are doomed to fail.
Pentagon and CIA officers say they believe that the White House has begun a carefully calibrated programme of escalation that could lead to a military showdown with Iran.
Now it has emerged that Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, who has been pushing for a diplomatic solution, is prepared to settle her differences with Vice-President Dick Cheney and sanction military action.
In a chilling scenario of how war might come, a senior intelligence officer warned that public denunciation of Iranian meddling in Iraq - arming and training militants - would lead to cross border raids on Iranian training camps and bomb factories.
advertisement
A prime target would be the Fajr base run by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force in southern Iran, where Western intelligence agencies say armour-piercing projectiles used against British and US troops are manufactured.
Under the theory - which is gaining credence in Washington security circles - US action would provoke a major Iranian response, perhaps in the form of moves to cut off Gulf oil supplies, providing a trigger for air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and even its armed forces.
Senior officials believe Mr Bush's inner circle has decided he does not want to leave office without first ensuring that Iran is not capable of developing a nuclear weapon.
The intelligence source said: "No one outside that tight circle knows what is going to happen." But he said that within the CIA "many if not most officials believe that diplomacy is failing" and that "top Pentagon brass believes the same".
He said: "A strike will probably follow a gradual escalation. Over the next few weeks and months the US will build tensions and evidence around Iranian activities in Iraq."
Possible flash points: Click to enlarge
Previously, accusations that Mr Bush was set on war with Iran have come almost entirely from his critics.
Many senior operatives within the CIA are highly critical of Mr Bush's handling of the Iraq war, though they themselves are considered ineffective and unreliable by hardliners close to Mr Cheney.
The vice president is said to advocate the use of bunker-busting tactical nuclear weapons against Iran's nuclear sites. His allies dispute this, but Mr Cheney is understood to be lobbying for air strikes if sites can be identified where Revolutionary Guard units are training Shia militias.
Recent developments over Iraq appear to fit with the pattern of escalation predicted by Pentagon officials.
Gen David Petraeus, Mr Bush's senior Iraq commander, denounced the Iranian "proxy war" in Iraq last week as he built support in Washington for the US military surge in Baghdad.
The US also announced the creation of a new base near the Iraqi border town of Badra, the first of what could be several locations to tackle the smuggling of weapons from Iran.
A State Department source familiar with White House discussions said that Miss Rice, under pressure from senior counter-proliferation officials to acknowledge that military action may be necessary, is now working with Mr Cheney to find a way to reconcile their positions and present a united front to the President.
The source said: "When you go down there and see the body language, you can see that Cheney is still The Man. Condi pushed for diplomacy but she is no dove. If it becomes necessary she will be on board.
"Both of them are very close to the president, and where they differ they are working together to find a way to present a position they can both live with."
The official contrasted the efforts of the secretary of state to work with the vice-president with the "open warfare between Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld before the Iraq war".
Miss Rice's bottom line is that if the administration is to go to war again it must build the case over a period of months and win sufficient support on Capitol Hill.
The Sunday Telegraph has been told that Mr Bush has privately promised her that he would consult "meaningfully" with Congressional leaders of both parties before any military action against Iran on the understanding that Miss Rice would resign if this did not happen.
The intelligence officer said that the US military has "two major contingency plans" for air strikes on Iran.
"One is to bomb only the nuclear facilities. The second option is for a much bigger strike that would - over two or three days - hit all of the significant military sites as well. This plan involves more than 2,000 targets."
By Philip Sherwell in New York and Tim Shipman in Washington
Last Updated: 2:29am BST 17/09/2007
Senior American intelligence and defence officials believe that President George W Bush and his inner circle are taking steps to place America on the path to war with Iran, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.
Dick Cheney ('The Man') with George W Bush
Pentagon planners have developed a list of up to 2,000 bombing targets in Iran, amid growing fears among serving officers that diplomatic efforts to slow Iran's nuclear weapons programme are doomed to fail.
Pentagon and CIA officers say they believe that the White House has begun a carefully calibrated programme of escalation that could lead to a military showdown with Iran.
Now it has emerged that Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, who has been pushing for a diplomatic solution, is prepared to settle her differences with Vice-President Dick Cheney and sanction military action.
In a chilling scenario of how war might come, a senior intelligence officer warned that public denunciation of Iranian meddling in Iraq - arming and training militants - would lead to cross border raids on Iranian training camps and bomb factories.
advertisement
A prime target would be the Fajr base run by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force in southern Iran, where Western intelligence agencies say armour-piercing projectiles used against British and US troops are manufactured.
Under the theory - which is gaining credence in Washington security circles - US action would provoke a major Iranian response, perhaps in the form of moves to cut off Gulf oil supplies, providing a trigger for air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and even its armed forces.
Senior officials believe Mr Bush's inner circle has decided he does not want to leave office without first ensuring that Iran is not capable of developing a nuclear weapon.
The intelligence source said: "No one outside that tight circle knows what is going to happen." But he said that within the CIA "many if not most officials believe that diplomacy is failing" and that "top Pentagon brass believes the same".
He said: "A strike will probably follow a gradual escalation. Over the next few weeks and months the US will build tensions and evidence around Iranian activities in Iraq."
Possible flash points: Click to enlarge
Previously, accusations that Mr Bush was set on war with Iran have come almost entirely from his critics.
Many senior operatives within the CIA are highly critical of Mr Bush's handling of the Iraq war, though they themselves are considered ineffective and unreliable by hardliners close to Mr Cheney.
The vice president is said to advocate the use of bunker-busting tactical nuclear weapons against Iran's nuclear sites. His allies dispute this, but Mr Cheney is understood to be lobbying for air strikes if sites can be identified where Revolutionary Guard units are training Shia militias.
Recent developments over Iraq appear to fit with the pattern of escalation predicted by Pentagon officials.
Gen David Petraeus, Mr Bush's senior Iraq commander, denounced the Iranian "proxy war" in Iraq last week as he built support in Washington for the US military surge in Baghdad.
The US also announced the creation of a new base near the Iraqi border town of Badra, the first of what could be several locations to tackle the smuggling of weapons from Iran.
A State Department source familiar with White House discussions said that Miss Rice, under pressure from senior counter-proliferation officials to acknowledge that military action may be necessary, is now working with Mr Cheney to find a way to reconcile their positions and present a united front to the President.
The source said: "When you go down there and see the body language, you can see that Cheney is still The Man. Condi pushed for diplomacy but she is no dove. If it becomes necessary she will be on board.
"Both of them are very close to the president, and where they differ they are working together to find a way to present a position they can both live with."
The official contrasted the efforts of the secretary of state to work with the vice-president with the "open warfare between Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld before the Iraq war".
Miss Rice's bottom line is that if the administration is to go to war again it must build the case over a period of months and win sufficient support on Capitol Hill.
The Sunday Telegraph has been told that Mr Bush has privately promised her that he would consult "meaningfully" with Congressional leaders of both parties before any military action against Iran on the understanding that Miss Rice would resign if this did not happen.
The intelligence officer said that the US military has "two major contingency plans" for air strikes on Iran.
"One is to bomb only the nuclear facilities. The second option is for a much bigger strike that would - over two or three days - hit all of the significant military sites as well. This plan involves more than 2,000 targets."
Friday, September 14, 2007
Scholarship and spirituality blend seamlessly at Baha'i conferencePosted : September 14, 2007 - 4:13pm | Terms : News | Human Interest
Michael Penn, a Baha'i and an associate professor of psychology at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, was headed for the 31st Annual Conference of the ABS (Association for Baha'i Studies-North America) in Ontario, Canada, and found himself seated next to another scholar on the plane.
Michael PennDuring the course of their conversation, Mr. Penn felt moved to share how the spiritual forces of intellect, will and love help shape civilization. "Your ideas are wrong," the man responded, and then proceeded to soliloquize for half an hour on Mr. Penn's "inadequate thinking." This caused Mr. Penn, for all his learning and convictions, to feel very small indeed -- and thankful he soon would be among those who not only welcomed, but sought out, others' opinions.
Indeed, the Association for Baha'i Studies was formed in 1975 to offer scholars an opportunity to present the results of their research and exchange ideas. The Baha'i approach to scholarship encourages people to assume "a humble posture of learning" and opens up dialogue to more than just those with a PhD. Anyone who can demonstrate a serious approach to the study of a subject may apply to present his or her findings at an ABS conference.
This year's ABS conference, "Scholarship and Community Building," offered presentations by Baha'is and non-Baha'is on the intersection of the Baha'i writings with research in the fields of science, literature and the arts. Approximately 1,200 participants came from a variety of backgrounds and ranged in age from a 15-year-old high school junior to an 85-year-old English professor.
Mr. Penn's paper centered on the protection and refinement of the human spirit, inspired by the words of Abdu'l-Baha:
"Verily, Thy lovers, thirst, O my Lord . . . robe them in the garments of learning and knowledge."
Mr. Penn's talk was poetic and incisive, encouraging as well as scholarly, full of hope and meaning, calling humanity to its noble destiny. Using the knowledge of scholar-activists from Confucius and Socrates to present-day thinkers, he emphasized that the development of civilization and knowledge must include the cultivation of spiritual forces that animate the mind and heart.
Mr. Penn concluded by saying he was in the presence, at this conference, of many of the most cultivated minds on this planet. A rousing ovation followed his words, and no listener was made to feel small.
Michael Penn, a Baha'i and an associate professor of psychology at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, was headed for the 31st Annual Conference of the ABS (Association for Baha'i Studies-North America) in Ontario, Canada, and found himself seated next to another scholar on the plane.
Michael PennDuring the course of their conversation, Mr. Penn felt moved to share how the spiritual forces of intellect, will and love help shape civilization. "Your ideas are wrong," the man responded, and then proceeded to soliloquize for half an hour on Mr. Penn's "inadequate thinking." This caused Mr. Penn, for all his learning and convictions, to feel very small indeed -- and thankful he soon would be among those who not only welcomed, but sought out, others' opinions.
Indeed, the Association for Baha'i Studies was formed in 1975 to offer scholars an opportunity to present the results of their research and exchange ideas. The Baha'i approach to scholarship encourages people to assume "a humble posture of learning" and opens up dialogue to more than just those with a PhD. Anyone who can demonstrate a serious approach to the study of a subject may apply to present his or her findings at an ABS conference.
This year's ABS conference, "Scholarship and Community Building," offered presentations by Baha'is and non-Baha'is on the intersection of the Baha'i writings with research in the fields of science, literature and the arts. Approximately 1,200 participants came from a variety of backgrounds and ranged in age from a 15-year-old high school junior to an 85-year-old English professor.
Mr. Penn's paper centered on the protection and refinement of the human spirit, inspired by the words of Abdu'l-Baha:
"Verily, Thy lovers, thirst, O my Lord . . . robe them in the garments of learning and knowledge."
Mr. Penn's talk was poetic and incisive, encouraging as well as scholarly, full of hope and meaning, calling humanity to its noble destiny. Using the knowledge of scholar-activists from Confucius and Socrates to present-day thinkers, he emphasized that the development of civilization and knowledge must include the cultivation of spiritual forces that animate the mind and heart.
Mr. Penn concluded by saying he was in the presence, at this conference, of many of the most cultivated minds on this planet. A rousing ovation followed his words, and no listener was made to feel small.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Chers Amis,
L'Organisation des Nations Unies a proclamé que le "21 Septembre" de chaque année sera la :
" Journée Internationale de la Paix ",
que nous préférons appeler, ainsi :
" Journée Internationale pour la Paix ",
"Journée" au cours de laquelle des actions et des initiatives devraient être prises en faveur de la Paix.
A l'occasion, de la "Journée Internationale pour la Paix" de cette année, qui aura lieu le :
Vendredi 21 Septembre 2007
le "Centre Bahà'i de Nice" (ville au sud-est de la France) lance, au niveau mondial, une :
"Journée de Prières inter-Religieuses",
afin que, pendant 24 heures, les croyants de toutes les religions fassent des Prières pour que la violence et la guerre
diminuent dans le monde et qu'elles soient remplacées progressivement par l'esprit de Paix et d'Amour, et, bientôt, par la Paix promise par toutes les grandes Religions révélées.
Mais, les Prières auront encore plus d'effets, si elles sont accompagnées par des actions concrètes.
" Aide-toi, et le Ciel t'aidera ! ", dit un dicton français.
Nous vous prions donc de bien vouloir faire une ou des Prières lors de cette "Journée" et, si vous avez envie de la partager avec d'autres personnes, l'envoyer à notre adresse : CentreBahaiNice@Absmark.com, afin que toutes les prières soient groupées et retransmises à tous.
Veuillez indiquer, si possible, la source de cette prière (la religion dont elle est issue ou la personne qui l'a rédigée), la langue dans laquelle elle est écrite, ainsi que votre Nom si vous voulez qu'il apparaisse comme "expéditeur" de la Prière.
Seigneur Dieu, fais que ton Royaume qui est au Ciel, s'installe aussi sur la Terre !
Certes, les Hommes ont le libre-arbitre de travailler ou non dans ce sens, néanmoins, aide-les à suivre tes Commandements : ce sont Tes enfants, mais ils manquent d'humilité et de discernement !
Avec nos cordiales pensées,
pour le "Centre Bahà'i de Nice",
.
Rochan MAVADDAT.
–––––––––––––––––––––
Veuillez retransmettre cette information à tous vos amis et correspondants afin
qu'une grande chaîne de Prières puisse être tissée autour du monde !
M E R C I.
- P.S. : Le Vendredi 21 Septembre 2007, le Centre Bahà'i de Nice (24 Rue Maréchal Joffre. Nice, France) organise, à 20 h, une Réunion de Prières inter-religieuses, accompagnées par de la musique inter-culturelle.
Vous y êtes tous les Bienvenus !
« La Terre n'est qu'un seul pays,
et tous les Hommes en sont les citoyens. »
« Le bien-être de l’Humanité, sa paix et sa sécurité
ne pourront être obtenus, si son unité n’est pas fermement établie. »
Écrits sacrés de la Foi Bahà'ie (1863 ).
" AL-SALÂM " calligraphié en arabe = " PAIX ", en français.
= " PEACE ", in English.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
English translation :
Dear Friends,
The United Nations Organisation proclaimed that the “21st of September” of each year will be the :
“International Day of Peace”,
that we prefer to call :
“International Day for Peace”,
a “Day” during which actions and initiatives should be taken in favour of Peace.
On the occasion of the “International Day for Peace” of this year, which will take place on :
Friday, September 21st 2007,
the “Bahà'i Centre of Nice” (city in the south-east of France) will launch, on a worldwide level, a “Day of inter-religious Prayers”, so that, during 24 hours, the believers of all religions pray in order for violence and war to decrease in the world and be replaced gradually by the spirit of Peace and Love, and, soon, by that Peace promised by all the great revealed Religions.
However, the Prayers will have even greater effects, if they are accompanied by concrete actions.
“Help yourself, and Heaven will help you !”,
says a French saying.
We therefore kindly ask you to make a Prayer (or several) during this “Day” and, if you want to share it with others, please send it to our E-Mail address : CentreBahaiNice@Absmark.com, so that these Prayers can be gathered and transmitted to all.
Please, indicate, if possible, the source of the prayer (the religion from which it come, or the person who wrote it), the language in which it is written, as well as your Name if you want it to appear as the “sender” of the Prayer.
Lord God, make that Thy Kingdom, which is in Heaven, be settled also on Earth !
All men have the free-will to work or not in this direction, nevertheless, help them follow your Commandments : they are your children, however they lack humility, discernment soul and understanding !
Warm Regards,
For the “Baha’i Centre of Nice”, France,
Rochan MAVADDAT, General Secretary.
________________
Please forward this information to all your friends and correspondents
so that a large chain of Prayers can be woven
around the world !
Many Thanks !
=> P.S. : On Friday September 21st, 2007, the Bahà’i Centre of Nice (24 Rue Maréchal Joffre. Nice, France) organizes, at 20 hours (8 p.m.), an inter-religious Prayer Meeting, accompanied by inter-cultural music.
You are all Welcome !
« Today there is no greater glory for man than that of service
in the cause of the "Most Great Peace".
Peace is light whereas war is darkness. Peace is life; war is death.
Peace is guidance; war is error. Peace is the foundation of God; war is satanic institution.
Peace is the illumination of the world of Humanity; war is the destroyer of human foundations. »
« The Earth is but one country, and Mankind its citizens ! »
The Baha’i Faith’s Scripture (1863)
Prayers
by Kathleen Lehman
Appeared: 09/07/2007
http://www.planetbahai.org/cgi-bin/articles.pl?article=326
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We Bahá’ís are lucky to have a huge library of prayers revealed to us by the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. We use them all the time, and we love them. But frequently when I pray, I find my thoughts turning to other prayers, written by average folks like you and me. OK, so most of them were saints, and some of them are the greatest figures Christianity has ever known, but they’re sort of “you-and-me” prayers. Prayers that were composed, not by the Great Lights, but by people who, like you and me, daily sought God, occasionally got lost, and wept more often than Jesus did.
People sometimes wrote to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, including prayers they themselves had written. To one Bahá’í, He responded:
The brief prayer which thou didst write at the close of thy letter was indeed original, touching and beautiful. Recite thou this prayer at all times.
(‘Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 66)
To a believer who asked about the form prayer should take, Shoghi Effendi wrote:
In regard to your question: we must not be rigid about praying; there is not a set of rules governing it; the main thing is we must start out with the right concept of God, the Manifestation, the Master, the Guardian -- we can turn, in thought, to any one of them when we pray. For instance you can ask Bahá'u'lláh for something, or, thinking of Him, ask God for it. The same is true of the Master or the Guardian. You can turn in thought to either of them and then ask their intercession, or pray direct to God. As long as you don't confuse their stations, and make them all equal, it does not matter much how you orient your thoughts.
(from a letter dated 24 July 1946 to an individual believer, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, p. 241)
I’ve been thrilled to see prayers written by Bahíyyih Khánum included in some of the recent women’s prayer books. I suppose I should hesitate in calling a member of the Holy Family “average folks”, but Bahíyyih Khánum has a lot more in common with most women than does, say, her big brother. This prayer, which is almost lovely beyond words, was part of a letter written to the Spiritual Assembly of Tabríz the spring after His passing:
O God, my God!Thou seest me immersed in the depths of grief, drowned in my sorrow, my heart on fire with the agony of parting, my inmost self aflame with longing. Thou seest my tears streaming down, hearest my sighs rising up like smoke, my never-ceasing groans, my cries, my shouts that will not be stilled, the useless wailing of my heart.
For the sun of joy has set, has sunk below the horizon of this world, and in the hearts of the righteous the lights of courage and consolation have gone out. So grave this catastrophe, so dire this disaster, that the inner being crumbles away to dust, and the heart blazes up, and nothing remains save only despair and anguish.
Thou seest, O my God, in the midmost of this terrible event, this ultimate calamity, when the devoted never put aside their mourning dress, and the moaning and the tears never cease -- how that malevolent band have, with all their powers, mounted an attack against Thy loved ones who are loyal to the Covenant, even as the assault of wolves upon the flock. They are striving, with all their strength, to bring down the mighty structure of Thy Covenant in ruins, and level Thy strong citadel to the ground, and turn away from Thy straight and clearly-marked path those Thou hast guided aright. O my Lord, I voice my complaint before Thee, and lay bare my griefs and sorrows, and supplicate at the door of Thy oneness, and whisper unto Thee, and weep and cry out.
O my kind Lord! Thou didst make a clear compact and a Covenant explicit and firm, not in veiled and allusive language, that all should turn unto the Centre of Thy Covenant and the Protector of Thy Cause -- so that no doubts whatever would remain for the hostile and the suspicious to exploit; and then Thy lone Servant rose up to lift Thy banner high, and carry the day for Thy Faith. For thirty years He summoned the people unto Thee, publicly, privately, and spread Thy Teachings and Thy principles to every corner, every country of the earth. Night and day, He fostered Thy loved ones in the cradle of divine knowledge and wisdom, and endowed them with the qualities of the spirit. And all this time He bore, at the hands of that evil crew, not once but over and over again, every kind of outrage, and calumny, and oppression. For they were forever lying in wait for Him, were spying on Him at all times from their ambush, attacking Him in whatever manner they chose, swelling with their insolence and pride. And yet, through Thy strong support, Thine overwhelming confirmations, they were the losers in the end, and their strivings came to nothing in this world's life, and all they gained was their own ruin.
Then, O my Lord, Thou didst make Him to ascend unto Thee, to place Him at Thy side, and by this the pillars of joy were shaken to their base, and the hearts of the devoted were terrified, and the smoke of their sorrow overspread the earth. At such a time that hate-filled band, seeing their advantage in the dire event, came in from every highway and byway, advancing on every side to topple over the throne of Thy Covenant, and lead Thy loved ones to perdition. They have laid their very being in ruins and they know not. How far, how very far have they gone in their ignorance!
But the Centre of Thy complete and flawless Covenant, He Who occupies the seat of servitude to Thee in Thine exalted and all-glorious Cause, had written by Thy will and Thy power a Book that shall never be lost nor ever forgotten. Within it by Thy predestinating knowledge and might, He had set forth all that is essential and obligatory for the upraising of Thy Cause in this world below. It is a book in which all things are explained in minute detail, in such wise that no matters whether small or great have been left out. And by Thy will and pleasure He designated therein, in place of His own Person, a Branch grown out from the Tree of Thy holiness, one fresh and tender, verdant and flourishing, arising to serve Thee, dwelling in the groves of Thine eternity, and Thine immortal gardens. And he, after turning to Thy gracious countenance and through Thine ancient succour, is inviting the people unto Thee and unto Thy Covenant, sound and firmly-established, and is spreading Thy commandments and Thy doctrines throughout Thy land, and guiding Thy servants to the path that leads aright.
O my God, I beg of Thee by all the days which Thy Light, the Centre of Thy Covenant, did spend in scattering Thy sweet scents abroad, and by all the nights when that delicate and fragile Being rested not, but kept the long vigils, crying out unto Thee, expending His efforts to guard Thy Cause and Thy dear ones, exerting His utmost to spread out Thy bounties and bestowals -- while the malevolent, comfortable against their pillows, rested in their beds -- I entreat Thee, by the ordeals He endured, for the sake of exalting Thy Word, at the hands of those who join partners to God, and the deniers, and the deserters, to keep Thy loved ones safe from the arrows of the calumniators, and the doubts of those who mislead and betray. Hold them fast, then, in the gardens and groves of Thy Covenant and Testament, and make them to enter the pavilions of Thy good pleasure, and shelter them in the refuge of Thy protection, and cast upon them the glance of Thy mercy's eye, and guard them from deviation and schism. Make them to live in unity and harmony, one with the others, and aid them to serve Thy Faith and to spread Thy Teachings far and wide.
Verily Thou art the Living, the Eternal, the Watchful, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
(Bahíyyih Khánum: The Greatest Holy Leaf, p. 125)
Overwhelming. I hear in this prayer not only the love of a human being for her brother but the weeping of the Maid of Heaven. I’m looking forward to listening to more of Bahíyyih Khánum’s words, whenever we get them, although I’ve become resigned to the likelihood that most of them were spoken to other women who may or may not have made note of them; their fragrance long ago vanished on the breeze.
When I think of the long and painful roads that some of us travel before we reach a home in the Faith, this prayer of St. Augustine comes to mind. Augustine was a wild and crazy youth who was the despair of his Christian mother, Monica, who nevertheless prayed constantly for him. Eventually Augustine had his moment of clarity, and the rest is history. In his Confessions, written around the year 400 C.E., he wrote this prayer, which has become a classic:
Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new; late have I loved Thee: for behold Thou wert within me, and I outside; and I sought Thee outside and in my unloveliness fell upon those lovely things that Thou hast made. Thou wert with me, and I was not with Thee. I was kept from Thee by those things, yet had they not been in Thee, they would not have been at all. Thou didst call and cry to me to break open my deafness: and Thou didst send forth Thy beams and shine upon me and chase away my blindness: Thou didst breathe fragrance upon me, and I drew in my breath and do now pant for Thee: I tasted Thee, and now hunger and thirst for Thee: Thou didst touch me, and I have burned for Thy peace.
(Augustine of Hippo, Confessions)
Hmm, there’s something familiar about that “ancient Beauty”!
St. Francis of Assisi, who lived from 1181 to 1226 (and whose memory is perpetuated in stone and bronze in gardens ‘round the world), composed prayers of exquisite simplicity. The prayer usually called the Canticle thanks God for the material world—fire, water, the sun, moon, and stars, air and wind, death, and so forth—and inspired the movie Brother Sun, Sister Moon. My favorite prayer of St. Francis’s is this one:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
You might have seen that prayer; it’s popular and appears in many places. If only more people would pay attention!
St. Patrick, who lived in the fourth and fifth centuries C.E., had the right attitude toward the Manifestation:
Christ, be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord,
Salvation is of the Lord,
Salvation is of the Christ,
May your salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.
This prayer of Patrick’s always makes me think of the long prayer of the Báb invoking God’s protection “from what lieth in front of us and behind us, above our heads, on our right, on our left, below our feet and every other side to which we are exposed”. It’s also quite a teaching challenge to be “Christ in every eye that sees me” and “Christ in every ear that hears me”. While we want the Manifestation to go with us, we also need to remember that we are representing Him to others. We don’t want to appear anything less than (in Patrick’s day, anyway) Christlike.
Interfaith prayer books are now beginning to appear with some regularity, and I think they’re great. They should be in every Bahá’í library. The words we use in approaching God are universal. And there are marvelous prayers that people have written over the ages.
I’d like to leave with this one. It was turned into the song “Day By Day” in the musical Godspell; a catchy tune contemporary with a rock version of the Lord’s Prayer and Jesus Christ Superstar, during the ecumenical revival of the early 1970s. The prayer, however, was composed in the thirteenth century C.E. by St. Richard of Chichester. St. Richard, of course, writes of Christ, but you are free to substitute a different Manifestation.
Thanks be to Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou hast given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may we know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly; for Thine own sake.
Amen. So be it.
http://www.planetbahai.org/cgi-bin/articles.pl?article=326
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