Baha’i: one of the world’s fastest growing religions
by Chika Oduah, Medill News Service on 06/11/10
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Members of the local Baha’i community share views on spirituality and world peace. Chika Oduah/MNS
Founded in the mid-19th century, the Baha’i faith is the youngest of the world’s major monotheistic religions. Many scholars say it is the second-most widespread faith, after Christianity.
The religion’s founder, Baha’u'llah promoted a message of oneness and unity. Today, there are more than 6 million Baha’is. The Baha’i community in Washington, D.C. is growing. More than 2,000 local Baha’is share their faith by making efforts to achieving social justice.
Coriolano Correa
Jun 19th, 2010
Very nice presentation of our beloved Faith. With warmest love, Cori
Moses Gicheru
Jun 19th, 2010
great info on that clip!
Moses
HARUN AL-RASHID SALEH
Jun 20th, 2010
VERY GOOD MESSAGE TO THE WORLD. HARUN.
Jawad Jalal (Mr)
Jun 20th, 2010
“Baha’i: one of the world’s fastest growing religions”
I wonder why.
Are other religions no good anymore?
Or, do Baha’i offer something other religions cannot offer – like love, unity, no clergy, all races are accepted, giving to local communities practical help but not money, humility etc … Also. would it be that Baha’i is the religion of this Day? 14, 20 etc … centuries ago religions are simply old and DO NOT suite present day global society.
The fast spread of Baha’i just makes you think.
Very soon I must investigate it thoroughly.
Jawad Jalal
Harry
Jun 20th, 2010
I found that Bahai’s seeks unity of all the religions. Now these days main cause of the wars are based on religion. I hope this new Bahai religion to bring back all the mankinds together with love. God is one, all the religions are one.
janet shimuli
Jun 21st, 2010
That’s encouraging. Our beloved faith is growing so first because all Baha’i s are privileged to spread this wonderful message regardless of their gender, age, race, nationality etc. And we know very well, we are just but God’s instrument while teaching but He Himself doweth as He willeth. Friends lets move forward there is no time to loose. The world is sick and we know we have the medicine to heal the searching souls outside there.
CORI CORREA
Jun 21st, 2010
The “independent investigation of truth” is one of chief Baha’i principles.
Abu Salma
Jun 21st, 2010
Since you are not a prophet,
follow the way!…
Since you are not a sultan,
be a subject!
Since you are not a captain,
take not yourself the helm!…
Listen to the text, be silent !
Since you have not become God’s tongue,
be an ear!
- Rumi
Abu Rashid
Jun 21st, 2010
ONE SONG
All these religions, all this singing
One song.
The differences are just illusion and vanity.
Sunlight looks different on this wall
than it does on this wall,
and a whole lot different
on this wall over here,
but it is still sunlight.
We have borrowed these clothes,
these time and space personalities,
from a light,
and, when we praise,
we put it back in.
Just as one man can be a father to you
brother to another and uncle to yet another,
what you are searching for has many names
but one existence.
Stop looking for one of the names.
Move beyond attachment to names.
Every war and conflict between human beings
has happened because of some disagreement about
the names.
It’s such unnecessary foolishness
because just beyond the arguing,
where we are all one people,
there is a long table of companionship
beautifully set
and just waiting for us to sit down.
Jalallud’din Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks
Aaron Karns
Jun 21st, 2010
Thank you for this wonderful summation of the Baha’i Faith. Very simple yet very beautiful.
Shahrokh
Jun 22nd, 2010
And now concerning thy question regarding the nature of religion. Know thou that they who are truly wise have likened the world unto the human temple. As the body of man needeth a garment to clothe it, so the body of mankind must needs be adorned with the mantle of justice and wisdom. Its robe is the Revelation vouchsafed unto it by God. Whenever this robe hath fulfilled its purpose, the Almighty will assuredly renew it. For every age requireth a fresh measure of the light of God. Every Divine Revelation hath been sent down in a manner that befitted the circumstances of the age in which it hath appeared. Baha’u'llah – Gleanings, page 82
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/
Farida
Jun 22nd, 2010
Well it is good to know that there is such a determined effort to find answers to the purpose of life in service to humanity and in changing social reality by applying spiritual principles both individually and collectively. This humble posture of learning which is a beautiful characteristics of the efforts of Bahais is truly worthy of our attention. The beauty of what the Bahais do is the seamless fashion in which they involve all people in their efforts at building communities based on principles of justice and equality. This resonates so much with the thought processes and aspirations of the peoples of the world, no wonder it is a fast growing religion.
basma moussa
Jun 22nd, 2010
very nice article & it is true that it is one of fastest growing religion
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Jun 22nd, 2010
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Jun 22nd, 2010
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Floria
Jun 23rd, 2010
Thank you Chika for this most wonderful, heart warming report. The world is rapidly going through destruction of human dignity. Your report brings hope of survival in a better path.
Aryanian
Jun 23rd, 2010
The Baha’i faith is one of the world’s fastest growing religions, agreed.
Are the Bahai’s fast enough to teach their Faith with utmost speed ?
Best,
Aryanian
in Finland
wafaa H,Halim
Jun 23rd, 2010
Very good message for human kind….regards
Rahmaja
Jun 23rd, 2010
To Aryanian in Finland:
You ask if the Bahai’s are teaching their Faith with utmost speed ?
I am almost sure Aryanian when I say yes to your question above because I watched the Baha’is offering their valuable Message to the peoples of the world in different parts of planet earth. Baha’is are not great in number and as you know there are 6,8 billion non-Baha’is living on our only plant.
Dear Aryanian … I am deeply sure that if you offer to help the Baha’is in their crucial work towards humanity they will welcome you and others with open arms. Rahmaja.
FaramarzFZAREEY@YAHOO.COM
Jun 23rd, 2010
“Were man to appreciate the greatness of his station and the loftiness of his destiny he would manifest naught save goodly character, pure deeds, and a seemly and praiseworthy conduct..” (Bahá’u’lláh)
Kasthoori Anbalagan
Jun 23rd, 2010
O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.
– Bahá’u’lláh
John Butler
Jun 24th, 2010
It is always a great pleasure to see how my Bahai brothers and sisters are working for the faith around the world. May Baha’u'llah confirm you with His blessing in the work you are undertaking.
With Bahai love from Wales,
John
Kerry
Jun 24th, 2010
Thank you for sharing this wonderful message of our beloved Faith, which is an uplifting message of hope in an often desparing world.
Beautiful to see the thriving and diverse community over there in Washington. Though we are far apart, we all feel the same human emotions and share the same desire for love, contentment and unity.
Kerry, also from Wales, UK
Hoda Isa
Jun 24th, 2010
Dear Friends,
I have found in Sufism the deeper meaning of all religions. Lately, I found out that there is a spiritual knowlege that has been established in India by Brahma Kumaries are explaining new truth about the origion of human beings, and how we all came from the same tree. This has been said by many religions, but not with the clarity and logic that Brahma Kuamries talk. I advice you all to check this knowledge out… it does not counter any of the known religious beliefs.
maria chouchtari
Jun 24th, 2010
All religions are one. That is the reply.
We still read with words and letters but their meaning get better and better as we improve our vocabulary and search for new meanings and better understandings.
A child, a youth, an Adult in progress…still learning,
a village, a city , a country, the world in evolution.
We need to get to know each other. A better understanding of who we are and why we were created. All different yet so much alike.
There is no conflict with different flowers of one garden.
Truth is one. The Messengers are one, they teach different subjects
at different levels according to our understanding.
We still welcome knowledge and are grateful to all our teachers.
Past and present. We have acquired new knowledge across the ages and yet in essence all virtues speak the same language.