Joanna

Which of the scriptures should I start with? I have 18 books that I have gotten from Project Gutenberg website and would like to know which one I should start with

Is there a reading order to these books or does one just read them as one wishes?

Sen McGlinn

There's no special order. Tell us what you like, what interests you, and get suggestions.

I think that Some Answered Questions should always be at hand (use the contents page to find interesting questions). Try the Four Valleys for a blast. A Traveller's Narrative is not only history, it gives quite a good idea of Abdu'l-Baha's social and political thinking. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, and Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha.

All of these are online at
Baha'i Reference Library

Joanna

Thanks, I got some of them from the Project Gutenberg as well. Can I read them online from the reference library that you linked to?

Also, are there new translations of these texts without all the archaic language (thee, thou, shalt etc)... Are there modern language versions (the kind that use modern day language :P).

I don't mind these old fashioned texts, it's just that having modern day language makes it more easily understood (in my personal view).

Joanna

Is one allowed to interpret what the text is saying? What I mean is, can one interpret things metaphorically or is everything to be read in a very literal sense?

This occurs in all world religions, including in Christianity (there are those who hold a very literal view of the Bible and believe that everything in the bible is written to be interpreted literally).

I myself hold a more metaphorical view of the Bible (I am a Christian) and thus read most holy books with deep respect and longing to understand and hear the words of God, but also with an open mind and heart, and I just want to know if that is OK within Baha'i or if one is expected/supposed to read things literally as is, without any sort of interpretation?

Are there any different versions of the holy books of Baha'i or is that forbidden? In the Christian faith that I grew up in, there are many different versions of the Bible, like King James, NIV and so on...are there things like that within Baha'i as well?

whine of astonsihment

Because there is no clergy in the Baha'i faith, every individual is expected to study and reflect on the Writings, both individually and in group settings, in order to grow and develop in our individual 'understanding' of the teachings. Actual 'authorized interpretation' comes from the writings of the Faith's central figures and institutions (the Bab, Baha'u'llah, Abdul-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice.)
The Writings contain a great deal of metaphor, partly because words are inadequate tools for expressing spiritual realities.

BruceDLimber

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joanna I don't mind these old fashioned texts; it's just that having modern day language makes it more easily understood (in my personal view).

The style of the language depends on the author.

Shoghi Effendi used the Elizabethan style of English for the Writings of the Divine Messengers Themselves, Baha'u'llah and the Bab, because he said this style more accurately reflects the very sophisticated language style of the originals.

'Abdu'l-Baha's work, in contrast, is in modern English.

And in addition to Some Answered Questions (already mentioned), I especailly recommend The Book of Certitude (aka Kitab-i-Iqan), our primary theological work. Yes, it's in Elizabethan style since Baha'u'llah wrote it, but it contains probably the best explanation of what exactly we believe.

I wish you good hunting! :-)

Bruce

Joanna

Thank you, that is something that really interests me, the fact that there are no clergies and that people are meant to understand things on their own. I find that really, really good in fact. I also agree with you that God and the Divine is far from the words we can use in our languages. Words are all we've got, but they can't express God as well as an experience of Divine presence can.

Anyway, thanks for your comment

Joanna

Thank you Bruce, I really appreciate your comment also. I will try and look up the book some answered questions that you mentioned here.

BruceDLimber

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joanna I will try and look up the book some answered questions that you mentioned here.

You may find these sites helpful:

For more information about the Baha'i Faith, please visit:

• The Bahá (click "Writings" for the Baha'i scriptures),
• Bahai Faith | Baha'i Faith | United States Official Website (this site is multilingual), or
• The Bahá'í Faith (this site also has videos and talking books).

To see our scriptures and related materials, including our Peace Statement, Prosperity Statement, Race Unity Statement, and Destiny of America Statement:
• The Baha'i Page at IBiblio (This site has includes a search engine.)
• Bahá'í Library Online (Click "Writings" for our scriptures.)
• Baha'i Reference Library (This site is multi-lingual.)
• www.bahaistudy.org (This also has videos and talking books.)

To use OCEAN, an online collection of the scriptures of many religions, with a searchable concordance:

Interfaith Explorer

To see the many prophecies the Baha'i Faith has fulfilled, visit:

Click on one of the following to navigate further down this page Religious Unity

To view the Baha'i Newsreel:

http://newsreel.bahai.us

There's an excellent group of informal discussion areas about the Baha'i Faith at:

Planet Baha'i (click "Messages").

For information on how the Baha'i Faith has fulfilled prophecies:

Click on one of the following to navigate further down this page Religious Unity

To see an online video of the eight Baha'i temples (one per continent) around the world, including the still-under-construction Chile temple:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2FQAQBI0fg

To enjoy Baha’i-oriented music:

radioNUR: Uniting the World, 1 Song at a Time

To download and view other Baha'i videos:

http://www.us.bahai.org/media/index.html

You may often find "Baha'i Faith" listings in the White Pages of your phone book.

In the USA, you can also phone 1-800-22-UNITE for free information and literature, and—if you like—to find out where the nearest Baha'is are.

I hope this has been helpful and answered some of your questions.

As always, further questions are most welcome!

Best regards, :-)

Bruce

Joanna

Wow Bruce! thank you so much!!!! You're a treasure for sure!

Joanna

Thank you, I will keep that in mind.