Non Baha'i Holidays

Livindesert · 12-15-2010, 12:40 AM

O.k. so with Christmas and New Year's comming up I decided to read a bit about non Baha'i holidays. Now most Baha'is I know celebrate Christmas(the secular version of it anyways) so I read up on some quotes from Shoghi Effendi and found this.

Quote:

“As regards the celebration of the Christian Holiday by the believers; it is surely preferable and even highly advisable that the friends should in their relation to each other discontinue observing such holidays as Christmas and New Years, and to have their festival gatherings of this nature instead during the Intercalary Days and Naw-Rúz….”

Now do you think he is refering to the religious Christmas only or the Secualr cultural Christmas holiday? What are your thoughts on this quote? What about those of us that have inter faith marriages?

BruceDLimber · 12-15-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livindesert

What about those of us that have inter faith marriages?

As has already been pointed out, while Baha'is generally don't celebrate the holy days of other religions (if we did, we'd already be busy most of the year!), Baha'is are fully free to celebrate Christmas and other such holy days with their non-Baha'i famlies and friends! Interfaith marriage clearly falls under this circumstance.

Peace, :-)

Bruce

Violet · 07-11-2012, 09:38 AM

I am assuming yes, but Baha'is celebrate secular/cultural holidays, right? Thanksgiving, Canada Day, Kwanzaa, Labour Day?

Rani · 07-11-2012, 07:18 PM

I think the key words in this quote are, 'in their relation to each other'. This quote is talking about what Baha'is celebrate or don't celebrate amongst themselves, not what they do in relation to their non-baha'i friends and relatives.

Indeed, there doesn't seem much reason for a few Baha'is to have a special Christmas celebration if it were just for themselves, as this is a new Dispensation and we have plenty of special Holy Days to observe.

I know I spend Christmas with my family, even though they don't call themselves christian nor do they have a religious affiliation, but for them the day has cultural and family significance.

Now I thought there is a quote that says we are free to participate in the Holy Days of earlier religions, but I can't find it at the moment.

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07-11-2012, 09:38 AM	#3
Violet Junior Member Joined: Dec 2011 From: Canada Posts: 18	I am assuming yes, but Baha'is celebrate secular/cultural holidays, right? Thanksgiving, Canada Day, Kwanzaa, Labour Day?

07-11-2012, 07:18 PM	#4
Rani Senior Member Joined: May 2011 From: Australia Posts: 444	I think the key words in this quote are, 'in their relation to each other'. This quote is talking about what Baha'is celebrate or don't celebrate amongst themselves, not what they do in relation to their non-baha'i friends and relatives. Indeed, there doesn't seem much reason for a few Baha'is to have a special Christmas celebration if it were just for themselves, as this is a new Dispensation and we have plenty of special Holy Days to observe. I know I spend Christmas with my family, even though they don't call themselves christian nor do they have a religious affiliation, but for them the day has cultural and family significance. Now I thought there is a quote that says we are free to participate in the Holy Days of earlier religions, but I can't find it at the moment.