Re: The Baha'i Faith is a Theophany
Edward A. Price (eprice@garnet.acns.fsu.edu)
Mon, Feb 20 1995 16:07:13 GMT
afn01637@freenet3.freenet.ufl.edu (Richard Mellman) writes:
> There has been some discussion about what the Baha'is have in mind with
> regard to the future and world government. It should be stated that we
> believe that our religion has tremendous implications for the future of
> the planet and that it's unfoldment is part of a Divine plan....
....
> What form this ascendancy will take we are not sure. We know that the
> basic teachings of the Baha'i Faith makes the acceptance of followers of
> other religions fundamental. But we urge any with the courage to look
> with an unbiased eye at the history and teachings of this remarkable
> movement.
There are a couple of things we do know about future developments. Let
me share some of the points briefly:
1) On the very day Baha'u'llah declared His station as the Promised
Messenger of God, His very first law was that the Baha'i Faith must never
use the sword to to propagate itself. Violence and coercion in any form
has strictly been forbidden from Baha'i practices. There are many
references to this point, but to begin with an interested reader may
consult Adib Taherzadeh's series "The Revelation of Baha'u'llah".
2) In keeping with the first point, Baha'i Teachings declare that the
peoples of the world will themselves eventually recognize the necessity
of establishing a world wide system of government and take steps to make
it happen. Unfortunately, our prophecies also state that mankind is
likely to suffer much before coming to this realization. As Baha'is our
aim is to reduce the suffering by helping to spiritualize first our own
lives and then the lives of our fellow men and women. (This is not meant
to suggest a linear process, only the sense or priority, since both
processes must go hand in hand.) After the peoples of the world have on
their own set up the world wide system, Baha'is will have a chance to
contribute to the spiritualization and the improvement of the system once
the numbers of followers world wide reaches a large enough mass for other
peoples and nations to take notice of our views.
3) All Baha'i teaching activity is based on an attraction rather than a
coercive concept. Consider:
a) We believe in the independent investigation of truth.
b) We are devoted to the abolition of prejudice.
c) We support the harmony of science and religion.
d) Even our internal financial system is voluntary including
Baha'u'llah's version of taxation, Huquq'u'llah, which is strictly
voluntary in nature.
e) While sharing the Faith with everyone is encouraged, even mandated
in Baha'i Teachings, proceletyzing, in the sense of bringing any coercion
on people, is strictly forbidden.
f) Argumentation and debate is not approved, consultation and humility
encouraged.
These are just a few sample thoughts, many more are available.
Hopefully, anyone who learns about these Baha'i principles will realize
the Baha'i idea of world government is very different from and far gentler
than many of the other concepts being discussed in public forums these days.
For the sake of brevity I have not included full notes for the above, but
I would be happy to share references with anyone who wishes to check out
the sources.
I hope people find this helpful.
Ed Price - eprice@garnet.acns.fsu.edu