ccolema

Hello All,

My name is Courtney and I want to introduce myself and make sure it is okay that I ask some questions in this forum. I am writing a paper on the Baha'i Faith for a "History of Religion" class I am taking at Linfield College. We are required to ask some questions of people of a faith we are not personally familiar with and compile the research and write a narrative. Would you be okay with me asking some questions? I have always admired the Baha'i Faith, but do not know very much about it.

Thank you

arthra

Ccolema,

Welcome..there's no reason you can't ask questions...It's an open forum.

ccolema

I have a few questions that I would like some personal feedback on.

What do people of the Bahai Faith feel is the biggest purpose in being a part of the faith?

Can anyone join the Bahai Faith?

Is there Education/Training required to becoming a Bahai?

Thank you.

arthra

In my opinion it is helping build the foundations of a new world civilization..Knowing and loviing God is why we were created according to the obligatory prayer.

Anyone can declare to be a Baha'i..there is an administrative procedure to enroll..

There is no training required but the Ruhi program is encouraged as it gives a good summary of the history and spiritual principles.

tonyfish58

Welcome & best of luck with your paper

What do people of the Bahai Faith feel is the biggest purpose in being a part of the faith?

I think that we are helping to build the world anew as promised by all the scriptures of old - This is the day all the prophets of Old would like to been part of. It is a privilege to be part of this

Can anyone join the Bahai Faith?

The criteria is that you believe in Baha'u'llah message for this day - So yes anyone who believes this can join - Interestingly only Baha'is can contribute to the Baha'i Fund.

Is there Education/Training required to becoming a Bahai?

Most Baha'i's never had any training as such - The Faith finds people from many diverse cultures and backgrounds & educational levels. It seems that souls are drawn to it.

After becoming a Baha'i there is a life long study of the writings and in to the Covenant of Baha'u'llah that is eagerly pursued. Baha'u'llah says in "A Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book of Bahá'u'lláh"

Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. Take heed that ye do not vacillate in your determination to embrace the truth of this Cause--a Cause through which the potentialities of the might of God have been revealed, and His sovereignty established. With faces beaming with joy, hasten ye unto Him. This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Let him that seeketh, attain it; and as to him that hath refused to seek it -verily, God is Self-Sufficient, above any need of His creatures.

Regards Tony

BruceDLimber

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccolema What do people of the Bahai Faith feel is the biggest purpose in being a part of the faith?

According to the Baha'i Faith, our purpose here is twofold:
• As individuals we are to acquire the spiritual virtues we'll need both here and in the Next Life.
• In aggregate, we're to carry forward an ever-advancing, spiritually-based civilization.
And the purpose of religion is to show us HOW to go about this!

That said, the specific central goal of the Baha'i Faith is what we call the "Three Onenesses." These are:

• the Oneness of God, Who is known by many different names in the various languages and cultures
• the oneness of humanity, who are all brothers and sisters
• the oneness of religion, each great religion being a stage in a single ever-evolving faith, the Faith of God.

Quote:

Can anyone join the Bahai Faith?

Most assuredly! And all are most welcome to do so! :-)

Indeed, at last count there were Baha'is from over 2,100 different ethnic groups world wide.

Quote:

Is there Education/Training required to becoming a Bahai?

Not to become a Baha'i, no: all that is required is recognition that Baha'u'llah is God's latest Divine Messenger (though not the last--there will never be a last).

But that said, once one becomes a Baha'i, one's spiritual education is ongoing, even among those for whom this is strictly informal rather than through attending classes! And we should ALL endeavor to grow spiritually all our lives (which growth will then continue in the Next Life).

Best regards, and do keep the questions coming: we LOVE 'em! :-)

Bruce

dlherrmann

The purpose of being Baha'i? To help create a new spiritual based civilization which requires a spiritual based life. Conscious and practical spirituality in ones daily life is necessary. Sometimes that can be a great struggle, but in the struggle we grow and from that civilization advances.

Can anyone join the baha'i Faith? Most assuredly. If not, there would be no Baha'is.

Is there training to become a Baha'i? No. The heart recognizes Baha'u'llah as the Messenger of God for this time and the mind follows, or vise versa, or sometimes both at once.
After a person enters the Baha'i community, then the learning REALLY begins! And the Baha'i community is there to practice on. Of course, at the same time you are practicing your new knowledge and virtures on them - they are practicing on you!! We all grow together.

I wish you well on your journey.

p.s. The journey is the goal.

dlh..