In need Help For A School Paper

jayhawkins · 02-05-2010, 02:56 PM

Hello,

My name is Jay. I'm a college student and I have to do an assignment on a world religion and I chose the Baha'i Faith. However me not being a member of the Baha'i Faith I have not been able to find a person to interview about the religion. I called the office in my city and they told me they would not be sure when I could talk to someone about the faith. My assignment is due in two weeks. So I would like to know is anybody willing to help me. I have a list of about 13-15 questions. The answers don't have to be rigorous. I can post the questions here or in a e-mail. Thank You.

arthra · 02-05-2010, 07:46 PM

Why not post your questions here and see what happens?

- Art

jayhawkins · 02-06-2010, 12:31 AM

1. How long have you been practicing your religion?
2. What drew you to the religion?
3. What do you think draws others to your religion?
4. How important is prayer in your religion?
5. Does your religion have a moral code?
6. Does your religion have an after life?
7. How would you describe your god?
8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith?
9. How does one become a part of your religion?
10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress?
11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
12. How has religion shaped your life?
13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith?

Pollwr · 02-06-2010, 04:16 AM

1. How long have you been practicing your religion?
About 27 years
2. What drew you to the religion?
The belief that all religions come from One God - It seemed to be the only explanation that made sense of the world we live in now and offered a sensible and palatable way forward.
3. What do you think draws others to your religion?
Attraction to the teachings and/or dissatisfaction with their current religion - looking for answers I supose.
4. How important is prayer in your religion?
Very important. We must pray every day and we pray at meetings.
5. Does your religion have a moral code?
yes.
6. Does your religion have an after life?
I think you mean Do you believe in an afterlife? Yes. Sometimes this life is likend to being in the womb and developing in preparation for birth into the next life, without time and space. It is quite an awsome concept and I don't know anyone who really understands what it will be like.
7. How would you describe your god?
How do you describe the Omnipotent and Unknowable?
8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith?
That we are a sect of Islam, that it started in the USA, that we have priests
9. How does one become a part of your religion?
Strictly speaking if someone was to hear or read about the Faith and develop a belief that Bahá'u'llah is the Manefestation of God in this Era, then they would be a Bahá'í. Of course we do have administrative processes that can vary depending on where you are, for people to officially become members of the community. In some places I have lived people have signed a small card, to officially let the Spiritual Assembly know of thier intentions, in other places they have just verbally informed someone and it was noted down at an Assembly meeting. (The Local Spiritual Assembly is an annually elected body that administers the Faith in one area. We do not have priests)
10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress?
I think that it will continue to spread and that it will influence civilization, not just of one area but over the whole world. This is really long term. I doubt this will happen in my lifetime or my children's
11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
There are 9 major holy days in the year. They are mainly anniversaries of events in the lives of Bahá'ú'llah, The Báb and Abdul-Bahá. We don't have many traditions, I don't think. We also cellebrate New Year on 21st March following a 19-day fast. This is preceeded by a period of charity and present giving know as the Intercalary days.
12. How has religion shaped your life?
It has been in my life since I was 15, so it is hard sometimes to see how I would be without it. I supose it has protected me from a lot of things and given me strength in times of hardship. When I say protected I mean that following a moral code can protect you from many situations and dangers that you may otherwise encounter.
13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith?
The challenges - my self, Living in a society that does not really understand the Faith, Making holy days special when everone around does not know or care about them, peer/media pressure on children and teenagers, Sometimes being treated as if you are mentally ill because you hold a religious belief.

I hope this is of some help.

Good luck with your project.

jayhawkins · 02-06-2010, 06:11 AM

Thank You. All the information you provided will be extremely useful.

arthra · 02-06-2010, 04:03 PM

1. How long have you been practicing your religion?

About forty years..

2. What drew you to the religion?

I was attracted to the progressive social and mystical aspects of the Faith..

3. What do you think draws others to your religion?

I suspect they are looking for something to better integrate their lives..

4. How important is prayer in your religion?

Central part.. every day it is obligatory and essential..

5. Does your religion have a moral code?

Most definitely largely based on the Kitab-i-Aqdas.

6. Does your religion have an after life?

Essentially we believe the soul ascends to the spiritual worlds of God.

7. How would you describe God?

God is not describable but can only be known to us through His Messengers..

8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith?

Some think Baha'is are "New Age" and some confuse us with Jewish or Muslim movements.

9. How does one become a part of your religion?

Recognizing Who is the Lord of the Age... Baha'u'llah.

10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress?

Baha'i Faith is widely practised already around the world and is inlfuencing progressive attitudes about peace and elimination of prejudices..

11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?

Baha'is observe Holy Days suchas Naw-Ruz, Ridwan and importants anniversaries in the lives of the Bab, Baha'u'llah..

12. How has religion shaped your life?

One way it has stabilized by earlier life and provided an excellent foundation to educate my children.

13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith?

Baha'is are not well known in most places and some countries the practise of our Faith is outlawed as it was in the old Soviet Union and in Nazi Germany.

jayhawkins · 02-08-2010, 08:55 AM

Thank you for your contribution. The more people that respond the more accurate my accounts of the Baha'i Faith will be. Thanks again.

jayhawkins · 02-09-2010, 03:19 PM

Can anybody elaborate the nonagon shape of the Baha'i Houses of Worship? I was not able to find why this shape is used in the construction of the houses of worship.

Thank you

jayhawkins · 03-03-2010, 10:16 PM

thanks for the help got an A+ on my paper.

lukasali · 03-03-2010, 11:25 PM

I'd be into seeing that paper, if you felt like sharing! The questions you asked are interesting.

joetacoma · 03-04-2010, 06:32 AM

Hi Jay! Here are my responses (I hope I didn't get too long-winded with some of the answers.)

1. How long have you been practicing your religion?

I have been a Bahá'i for over forty years (I was raised Catholic, but left the church at the age of sixteen or so.

2. What drew you to the religion?

In college I became an atheist, and when I learned what an agnostic was I became one of those.

Following that, I began to investigate all the religions, and found that they all seemed to have a common thread, or Cause. When I was introduced to the Bahá'i Faith, I recognized a logical progression and the source of their commonality (One God).

3. What do you think draws others to your religion?

I think for the same reason I was, particularly in these chaotic times.

4. How important is prayer in your religion?

Prayer is essential. In addition to being free to pray spontaneously in our own words, Bahá'u'lláh has revealed hundreds of prayers for such things as forgiveness, mankind, families, steadfastness, etc. Bahá'is are also commanded to recite a daily obligatory prayer, of which we are to choose one of three versions. Here is the 'short' version:

I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth.

There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

--Bahá'u'lláh

5. Does your religion have a moral code?

Yes. All the Prophets (Bahá'is refer to them as Manifestations) have revealed that the nature of God is Holy, and that it is to our benefit both here and in the spiritual realm that we strive to lead a virtuous life.

6. Does your religion have an after life?

Yes.

7. How would you describe your god?

The Prophets describe God as Holy in essence.

8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith?

That it somehow contradicts the Manifestations of the past, and usurps the truth and authority of previous Revealers of God's Will. Every Prophet has been rejected by the followers of previous Dispensations, and Bahá'u'lláh is no exception.

Consider the past. How many, both high and low, have, at all times, yearningly awaited the advent of the Manifestations of God in the sanctified persons of His chosen Ones. How often have they expected His coming, how frequently have they prayed that the breeze of Divine mercy might blow, and the promised Beauty step forth from behind the veil of concealment, and be made manifest to all the world. And whensoever the portals of grace did open, and the clouds of divine bounty did rain upon mankind, and the light of the Unseen did shine above the horizon of celestial might, they all denied Him, and turned away from His face—the face of God Himself…. -Bahá'u'lláh

9. How does one become a part of your religion?

If you believe Bahá'u'lláh is the most recent Manifestation of God, you're a Bahá'i. Administratively, you delare yourself as such, and are officially enrolled in the Faith.

10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress?

I think that as society fragments further, the desire for spiritual answers to mankind's dilemma will lead people in increasing numbers to the Faith.

11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?

I think the important holidays have been mentioned. Right now, we are observing the annual Fast, where we abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset for nineteen days (one Bahá'i month.)

The only tradition I can think of is that we have potlucks for just about any reason!

12. How has religion shaped your life?

It has given me a standard by which I can judge my spiritual progress, or lack of it.

13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith?

Living up to Bahá'i standards, which is the same problem the Apostle Paul had:

For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15

******

I hope this helps, Jay.

Pollwr · 03-04-2010, 07:13 AM

Well done on a good grade.

http://bahaiforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

BruceDLimber · 03-05-2010, 12:33 PM

Hi!

(I'll skip answering the questions since you apparently already submitted the paper and got it back.)

The reason for the nonagon shape of all Baha'i houses of worship (there are currently seven (one per continent, with the eighth and last continental one currently under construction in Chile) have nine sides is this:

Nine is a very significant number to Bahai's, which is why the nine-pointed star is a common symbol of the Faith (as well as the shape of our houses of worship, which, though each is unique, all have nine sides and a dome). This is for two reasons:

Letters in Persian and Arabic have numeric values as well as phonetic sounds. And the value of "Baha" ("Glory") is 2+1+5+1, or nine.

Nine is the highest value expressible as a single digit (in the conventional decimal system). It's therefore used as a symbol of unity.

(You may occasionally hear that the reason is that there are nine living religions in the world. While this is true, it's purely coincidental and has nothing to do with our use of the number nine.)

Best regards, and please feel free to keep the questions coming; we LOVE 'em! :-)

Bruce

joetacoma · 03-05-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayhawkins

thanks for the help got an A+ on my paper.

Great!

(Somehow I missed this post before answering. Doh!)

arthra · 03-05-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayhawkins

thanks for the help got an A+ on my paper.

Excellent Jay! Congratulations!

jayhawkins · 03-06-2010, 12:54 PM

Here is the paper for the individual that would like to read it. Even though the paper has been turned in and graded. I would appreciate any criticism or factual corrections. Its a short paper nothing too extensive.

4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download Baha'i.docx

lukasali · 03-08-2010, 02:00 AM

Thanks for letting us take a look. You seem like a very open minded and fair person, and did a good job representing both the spirit and letter of the Baha'i Faith, in my opinion. Thanks!

jayhawkins · 03-11-2010, 07:44 AM

Thank you all.

sas · 03-23-2010, 07:38 AM

#3
jayhawkins
Junior Member

jayhawkins's Avatar

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 9

From: Chicago, IL

1. How long have you been practicing your religion?
2. What drew you to the religion?
3. What do you think draws others to your religion?
4. How important is prayer in your religion?
5. Does your religion have a moral code?
6. Does your religion have an after life?
7. How would you describe your god?
8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith?
9. How does one become a part of your religion?
10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress?
11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?
12. How has religion shaped your life?
13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith?

Answers:
1. I have been practicing the Baha'i Faith my entire life.
2. I researched many other religions before declaring at age 16. I decided to continue with the Baha'i Faith because I love the teachings and views regarding the unconditional acceptance of all people and the emphasis on treating EVERYONE with kindness, compassion and love. I also love that the Baha'i Faith does not elevate itself above any other religion or belief system. All religions and people are branches from the same tree.
3. I believe that people are drawn to the Baha'i Faith because of its openness and the fact that it teaches that God is all-loving and compassionate. I also believe that people are drawn by the fact that there is no Original Sin.
4. Very important. Prayer is how we commune with God and connect with our soul.
5. Yes.
6. Yes.
7. The creator of the Universe. God is unknowable. I believe that our human minds are unable to conceptualize God. But we can know God through prayer and by reaching a higher spiritual state of consciousness.
8. I think people misunderstand the concept of Progressive Revelation. I also find that people have a hard time understanding that the Baha'i Faith does not elevate itself above other religions. I think most people are used to the idea of a religion believing it is right over all other religions and that it is the last and only true religion. This is not the case with the Baha'i Faith.
9. One can become a Baha'i by contacting their local Spiritual Assembly and declaring their Faith.
10. I believe that the Baha'i Faith is currently struggling while establishing it's administrative order. I believe that when the focus is put back onto Deepening a spark of excitement and spiritual euphoria will be struck again.
11. We follow a different calendar that consists of 19 months, each containing 19 days. Every 19 days we hold a Feast. We have 9 holy days which are work free days. These are reserved for the most important spiritual events in Baha'i history such as the birth of our manifestations, their declarations of faith and their ascensions to the next realm. We celebrate Naw Ruz (New Year), RidVan (a celebration of the days Baha'u'llah spent in the garden of RidVan during his Declaration.), Ayyami-Ha (Intercalary days).
12. It has given me the most positive outlook. Regardless of what happens in my life or what horrible things are happening in the world I can turn to God and feel loved and know that everyone else in the world is loved too. That may sound simplistic but it gives me my hope and allows me to see the world in a positive way. God will never desert me or turn on me. It is my love for God that pushes me to be the best person I can be and to strive to treat absolutely everyone with respect, kindness and compassion.
13. When someone becomes a Baha'i they must investigate and educate themselves about the Faith and all religions. We do not have clergy of any kind so it is the individual Baha'is duty to continually read and understand the writings for themselves.

02-05-2010, 02:56 PM	#1
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	In need Help For A School Paper Hello, My name is Jay. I'm a college student and I have to do an assignment on a world religion and I chose the Baha'i Faith. However me not being a member of the Baha'i Faith I have not been able to find a person to interview about the religion. I called the office in my city and they told me they would not be sure when I could talk to someone about the faith. My assignment is due in two weeks. So I would like to know is anybody willing to help me. I have a list of about 13-15 questions. The answers don't have to be rigorous. I can post the questions here or in a e-mail. Thank You. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

02-05-2010, 07:46 PM	#2
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 733 From: California	Why not post your questions here and see what happens? - Art __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

02-06-2010, 04:16 AM	#4
Pollwr Member Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 84 From: earth Blog Entries: 38	1. How long have you been practicing your religion? About 27 years 2. What drew you to the religion? The belief that all religions come from One God - It seemed to be the only explanation that made sense of the world we live in now and offered a sensible and palatable way forward. 3. What do you think draws others to your religion? Attraction to the teachings and/or dissatisfaction with their current religion - looking for answers I supose. 4. How important is prayer in your religion? Very important. We must pray every day and we pray at meetings. 5. Does your religion have a moral code? yes. 6. Does your religion have an after life? I think you mean Do you believe in an afterlife? Yes. Sometimes this life is likend to being in the womb and developing in preparation for birth into the next life, without time and space. It is quite an awsome concept and I don't know anyone who really understands what it will be like. 7. How would you describe your god? How do you describe the Omnipotent and Unknowable? 8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith? That we are a sect of Islam, that it started in the USA, that we have priests 9. How does one become a part of your religion? Strictly speaking if someone was to hear or read about the Faith and develop a belief that Bahá'u'llah is the Manefestation of God in this Era, then they would be a Bahá'í. Of course we do have administrative processes that can vary depending on where you are, for people to officially become members of the community. In some places I have lived people have signed a small card, to officially let the Spiritual Assembly know of thier intentions, in other places they have just verbally informed someone and it was noted down at an Assembly meeting. (The Local Spiritual Assembly is an annually elected body that administers the Faith in one area. We do not have priests) 10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress? I think that it will continue to spread and that it will influence civilization, not just of one area but over the whole world. This is really long term. I doubt this will happen in my lifetime or my children's 11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion? There are 9 major holy days in the year. They are mainly anniversaries of events in the lives of Bahá'ú'llah, The Báb and Abdul-Bahá. We don't have many traditions, I don't think. We also cellebrate New Year on 21st March following a 19-day fast. This is preceeded by a period of charity and present giving know as the Intercalary days. 12. How has religion shaped your life? It has been in my life since I was 15, so it is hard sometimes to see how I would be without it. I supose it has protected me from a lot of things and given me strength in times of hardship. When I say protected I mean that following a moral code can protect you from many situations and dangers that you may otherwise encounter. 13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith? The challenges - my self, Living in a society that does not really understand the Faith, Making holy days special when everone around does not know or care about them, peer/media pressure on children and teenagers, Sometimes being treated as if you are mentally ill because you hold a religious belief. I hope this is of some help. Good luck with your project. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

02-06-2010, 06:11 AM	#5
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	Thank You. All the information you provided will be extremely useful. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

02-06-2010, 04:03 PM	#6
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 733 From: California	1. How long have you been practicing your religion? About forty years.. 2. What drew you to the religion? I was attracted to the progressive social and mystical aspects of the Faith.. 3. What do you think draws others to your religion? I suspect they are looking for something to better integrate their lives.. 4. How important is prayer in your religion? Central part.. every day it is obligatory and essential.. 5. Does your religion have a moral code? Most definitely largely based on the Kitab-i-Aqdas. 6. Does your religion have an after life? Essentially we believe the soul ascends to the spiritual worlds of God. 7. How would you describe God? God is not describable but can only be known to us through His Messengers.. 8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith? Some think Baha'is are "New Age" and some confuse us with Jewish or Muslim movements. 9. How does one become a part of your religion? Recognizing Who is the Lord of the Age... Baha'u'llah. 10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress? Baha'i Faith is widely practised already around the world and is inlfuencing progressive attitudes about peace and elimination of prejudices.. 11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion? Baha'is observe Holy Days suchas Naw-Ruz, Ridwan and importants anniversaries in the lives of the Bab, Baha'u'llah.. 12. How has religion shaped your life? One way it has stabilized by earlier life and provided an excellent foundation to educate my children. 13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith? Baha'is are not well known in most places and some countries the practise of our Faith is outlawed as it was in the old Soviet Union and in Nazi Germany. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

02-06-2010, 12:31 AM	#3
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	1. How long have you been practicing your religion? 2. What drew you to the religion? 3. What do you think draws others to your religion? 4. How important is prayer in your religion? 5. Does your religion have a moral code? 6. Does your religion have an after life? 7. How would you describe your god? 8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith? 9. How does one become a part of your religion? 10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress? 11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion? 12. How has religion shaped your life? 13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith? __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

02-08-2010, 08:55 AM	#7
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	Thank you for your contribution. The more people that respond the more accurate my accounts of the Baha'i Faith will be. Thanks again. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

02-09-2010, 03:19 PM	#8
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	Can anybody elaborate the nonagon shape of the Baha'i Houses of Worship? I was not able to find why this shape is used in the construction of the houses of worship. Thank you __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-03-2010, 10:16 PM	#9
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	thanks for the help got an A+ on my paper. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-03-2010, 11:25 PM	#10
lukasali Member Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 30 From: USA	I'd be into seeing that paper, if you felt like sharing! The questions you asked are interesting. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-04-2010, 06:32 AM	#11
joetacoma Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 From: Pacific Northwest, U.S.	Hi Jay! Here are my responses (I hope I didn't get too long-winded with some of the answers.) 1. How long have you been practicing your religion? I have been a Bahá'i for over forty years (I was raised Catholic, but left the church at the age of sixteen or so. 2. What drew you to the religion? In college I became an atheist, and when I learned what an agnostic was I became one of those. Following that, I began to investigate all the religions, and found that they all seemed to have a common thread, or Cause. When I was introduced to the Bahá'i Faith, I recognized a logical progression and the source of their commonality (One God). *3. What do you think draws others to your religion?* I think for the same reason I was, particularly in these chaotic times. 4. How important is prayer in your religion? Prayer is essential. In addition to being free to pray spontaneously in our own words, Bahá'u'lláh has revealed hundreds of prayers for such things as forgiveness, mankind, families, steadfastness, etc. Bahá'is are also commanded to recite a daily obligatory prayer, of which we are to choose one of three versions. Here is the 'short' version: I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. --Bahá'u'lláh *5. Does your religion have a moral code?* Yes. All the Prophets (Bahá'is refer to them as Manifestations) have revealed that the nature of God is Holy, and that it is to our benefit both here and in the spiritual realm that we strive to lead a virtuous life. *6. Does your religion have an after life?* Yes. *7. How would you describe your god?* The Prophets describe God as Holy in essence. *8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith?* That it somehow contradicts the Manifestations of the past, and usurps the truth and authority of previous Revealers of God's Will. Every Prophet has been rejected by the followers of previous Dispensations, and Bahá'u'lláh is no exception. Consider the past. How many, both high and low, have, at all times, yearningly awaited the advent of the Manifestations of God in the sanctified persons of His chosen Ones. How often have they expected His coming, how frequently have they prayed that the breeze of Divine mercy might blow, and the promised Beauty step forth from behind the veil of concealment, and be made manifest to all the world. And whensoever the portals of grace did open, and the clouds of divine bounty did rain upon mankind, and the light of the Unseen did shine above the horizon of celestial might, they all denied Him, and turned away from His face—the face of God Himself…. -Bahá'u'lláh *9. How does one become a part of your religion?* If you believe Bahá'u'lláh is the most recent Manifestation of God, you're a Bahá'i. Administratively, you delare yourself as such, and are officially enrolled in the Faith. *10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress?* I think that as society fragments further, the desire for spiritual answers to mankind's dilemma will lead people in increasing numbers to the Faith. *11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion?* I think the important holidays have been mentioned. Right now, we are observing the annual Fast, where we abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset for nineteen days (one Bahá'i month.) The only tradition I can think of is that we have potlucks for just about any reason! *12. How has religion shaped your life?* It has given me a standard by which I can judge my spiritual progress, or lack of it. *13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith?* Living up to Bahá'i standards, which is the same problem the Apostle Paul had: For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15 ****** I hope this helps, Jay. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook Last edited by joetacoma; 03-04-2010 at 07:17 AM.

03-04-2010, 07:13 AM	#12
Pollwr Member Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 84 From: earth Blog Entries: 38	Well done on a good grade. http://bahaiforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-05-2010, 12:33 PM	#13
BruceDLimber Member Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 53 From: Rockville, MD, USA	Hi! (I'll skip answering the questions since you apparently already submitted the paper and got it back.) The reason for the nonagon shape of all Baha'i houses of worship (there are currently seven (one per continent, with the eighth and last continental one currently under construction in Chile) have nine sides is this: Nine is a very significant number to Bahai's, which is why the nine-pointed star is a common symbol of the Faith (as well as the shape of our houses of worship, which, though each is unique, all have nine sides and a dome). This is for two reasons: Letters in Persian and Arabic have numeric values as well as phonetic sounds. And the value of "Baha" ("Glory") is 2+1+5+1, or nine. Nine is the highest value expressible as a single digit (in the conventional decimal system). It's therefore used as a symbol of unity. (You may occasionally hear that the reason is that there are nine living religions in the world. While this is true, it's purely coincidental and has nothing to do with our use of the number nine.) Best regards, and please feel free to keep the questions coming; we LOVE 'em! :-) Bruce __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-06-2010, 12:54 PM	#16
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	Here is the paper for the individual that would like to read it. Even though the paper has been turned in and graded. I would appreciate any criticism or factual corrections. Its a short paper nothing too extensive. 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download Baha'i.docx __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-08-2010, 02:00 AM	#17
lukasali Member Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 30 From: USA	Thanks for letting us take a look. You seem like a very open minded and fair person, and did a good job representing both the spirit and letter of the Baha'i Faith, in my opinion. Thanks! __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-11-2010, 07:44 AM	#18
jayhawkins Junior Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL	Thank you all. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

03-23-2010, 07:38 AM	#19
sas Junior Member Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 12 From: Canada	#3 jayhawkins Junior Member jayhawkins's Avatar Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 From: Chicago, IL 1. How long have you been practicing your religion? 2. What drew you to the religion? 3. What do you think draws others to your religion? 4. How important is prayer in your religion? 5. Does your religion have a moral code? 6. Does your religion have an after life? 7. How would you describe your god? 8. What are some of the misconceptions of your faith? 9. How does one become a part of your religion? 10. How do you think the future of the Baha’i faith will progress? 11. What are the important holidays and traditions of this religion? 12. How has religion shaped your life? 13. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing the Baha'i faith? Answers: 1. I have been practicing the Baha'i Faith my entire life. 2. I researched many other religions before declaring at age 16. I decided to continue with the Baha'i Faith because I love the teachings and views regarding the unconditional acceptance of all people and the emphasis on treating EVERYONE with kindness, compassion and love. I also love that the Baha'i Faith does not elevate itself above any other religion or belief system. All religions and people are branches from the same tree. 3. I believe that people are drawn to the Baha'i Faith because of its openness and the fact that it teaches that God is all-loving and compassionate. I also believe that people are drawn by the fact that there is no Original Sin. 4. Very important. Prayer is how we commune with God and connect with our soul. 5. Yes. 6. Yes. 7. The creator of the Universe. God is unknowable. I believe that our human minds are unable to conceptualize God. But we can know God through prayer and by reaching a higher spiritual state of consciousness. 8. I think people misunderstand the concept of Progressive Revelation. I also find that people have a hard time understanding that the Baha'i Faith does not elevate itself above other religions. I think most people are used to the idea of a religion believing it is right over all other religions and that it is the last and only true religion. This is not the case with the Baha'i Faith. 9. One can become a Baha'i by contacting their local Spiritual Assembly and declaring their Faith. 10. I believe that the Baha'i Faith is currently struggling while establishing it's administrative order. I believe that when the focus is put back onto Deepening a spark of excitement and spiritual euphoria will be struck again. 11. We follow a different calendar that consists of 19 months, each containing 19 days. Every 19 days we hold a Feast. We have 9 holy days which are work free days. These are reserved for the most important spiritual events in Baha'i history such as the birth of our manifestations, their declarations of faith and their ascensions to the next realm. We celebrate Naw Ruz (New Year), RidVan (a celebration of the days Baha'u'llah spent in the garden of RidVan during his Declaration.), Ayyami-Ha (Intercalary days). 12. It has given me the most positive outlook. Regardless of what happens in my life or what horrible things are happening in the world I can turn to God and feel loved and know that everyone else in the world is loved too. That may sound simplistic but it gives me my hope and allows me to see the world in a positive way. God will never desert me or turn on me. It is my love for God that pushes me to be the best person I can be and to strive to treat absolutely everyone with respect, kindness and compassion. 13. When someone becomes a Baha'i they must investigate and educate themselves about the Faith and all religions. We do not have clergy of any kind so it is the individual Baha'is duty to continually read and understand the writings for themselves. __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

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