Bah?'? Community of Walton County

[ronfrazer]

If you are looking for a new religion, and particularly if you're interested in the idea that all the major religions are part of a unified divine plan--that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are like the first three chapters of the same book--then we invite you to explore the Bah?'? Faith.

The Bah?’? Faith is a world religion whose purpose is to unite all the races and peoples in one universal Cause and one common Faith. Bah?’?s are the followers of Bah?’u’ll?h, Who they believe is the Promised One of all Ages. As you know, the traditions of almost every people include the promise of a future when peace and harmony will be established on earth and humankind will live in prosperity. We believe that the promised hour has come and that Bah?’u’ll?h is the great Personage Whose Teachings will enable humanity to build a new world. In one of His Writings, Bah?’u’ll?h says:

“That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.”

You can find more about us at the international site--www.bahai.org, the US site--www.bahai.us, or our panhandle site--www.emeraldcoastbahais.org

If you'd just like to chat or find out about weekly events, call Ron Frazer in Santa Rosa Beach at 850-543-2129.

 

[seagrovegirl]

Sounds very similar to the Gnostic faith, peace, love, harmony and a loving God. Non-denominational, loves all people regardless of race, sexual orientation, income or past faith.

 

[ronfrazer]

There are really many differences between the Bah?'? Faith and Gnosticism. We are not an amalgam of different religions but a separate religion with its own scriptures that respects all the older religions as having a divine origin. We also believe that "evil" is simply the absence of good just as darkness is the absence of light. We don't believe in sin, evil or satan as a distinct entity; all such terms refer to our own ignorance or selfishness.

 

[Joel S]

Does Baha'i have a Prophet founder?

 

[ronfrazer]

Yes; Bah?'u'll?h, an Arabic phrase meaning "The Glory of God" founded the Bah?'? Faith in 1863. He spent the last 40 years of his life as a prisoner of the Turkish government. He wrote the equivalent of 100 books while in prison, many of His writings being in the form of letters to people asking questions. You can read about his extraordinary life here.

 

[Rudyjohn]

If you are in Chicago, our Baha'i Temple is a must see. Located in one of the most exclusive, near north suburbs (Wilmette) right on beautiful Lake Michigan. Very short drive from the city. It's open to the public all day long.

I attended a wedding of 2 lovebirds - one Jewish, the other Christian. This was the perfect spot for their marriage.

.

 

[Joel S]

Christianity united with Judaism or Islam?

I don't understand how Christianity could be united with Judaism or Islam. What do you mean by "United"?

 

[ronfrazer]

That's a great question.

The clergy of all three religions portray their religion are the supreme religion. Baha'u'llah explained that Holy Book of each religion contained social teachings that were addressed to just the people to whom the Messenger was sent as well as spiritual teachings that were eternal. The clergy of all the religions have historically mixed the two and turned very simple religions into very complicated religions. When Baha'is say that the world religions agree and will eventually be united, we aren't saying that the clergy will come to a common understanding, we're saying that the people of the world will eventually see that all the major religions have a common central thread of truth, that just as Europe is slowly giving up the nationalist ideas that have created endless wars for the last 2000 years, the religions of the world will see the common spirituality in each religion and celebrate the cultural differences rather than see those differences as a reason to start wars or crusades to convert the other religions to their own understanding.

In this country we are focused on the primary importance of Jesus, and He is very important as the Son of God and personal saviour--I believe that as a Baha'i--but His station is not in conflict with Muhammad as the Apostle of God, as He liked to refer to Himself. They were both Messengers of God who were sent to specific people at different times so their messages differed somewhat due to the social problems that existed in those societies. Eventually the world will put the various religions in their proper historical context and we'll all be able, while practicing our personal religion, to celebrate the unique qualities of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Keep in mind that the Bah?'? Faith has no clergy so I'm just an ordinary person sharing my understanding.