I’d like to say I’ve had a religious awakening, but it’s actually much simpler than that.
This doesn’t say much for me, my college friends, or my college education, but there is this Baha’i temple near the Evanston campus of Northwestern, and I’ve always wondered exactly what went on there. How much? Well, apparently enough to ask a bunch of my friends, who also had no idea, but not enough to actually look it up.
My buddy Tim and I were just up at the local Borders, so I could purchase my really expensive copy of Mojo magazine and there was a meet up group of people discussing the Baha’i religion.
Seizing the opportunity to finally quench this luke warm curiosity that I’ve had all these years we sat down and learned about the Baha’i religion, and by the end of our discussion I was able to tell them with no guile or venom that for my money of all the religions that I ignore, I dislike theirs the least. Actually, I don’t really dislike theirs at all.
As it was explained to me they sort of believe a little of everything, as long as everyone manages to get along. They feel that Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Jesus, and even Mohammad are all part of this golden thread of spirituality and that there are no real differences between the messages of any of them.
Essentially, they believe that everybody is a little bit right and a little bit wrong and that we should all accept the beauty in each other and stop fighting. They were all very nice people and weren’t offended at all by my half genuine interest and the other half of me that fails to take anything all that seriously. They definitely don’t have the aggressive recruiting policies that hinder other religions, and we had a fun discussion about a bunch of topics that included the various scriptures, the after life, persecution of Baha’is, the religious conversion of Tex Watson, and ethnic assimilation.
The Bahai’s were very cool. They don’t argue. They don’t prosetelize. They just want people to get along and enjoy the beauty in the world, which is something I can get behind. It was probably the best religious conversation that I’ve ever had.
I asked them if L. Ron Hubbard and his scientologists were part of the golden thread and they all pretty much agreed that no, those dudes were just wicked crazy.
No, actually that’s a lie, they haven’t a clue what those people believe in either.
So for you all scoring at home. If I were forced under penalty of death to join a church, my ranking is now:
1. Saint John Coltrane Church in San Francisco
2. Any Baha’i Church
3. Whatever other group has the best music
4. All the rest except;
5. Whatever Mel Gibson is currently into
prosyletize. but no matter. correct spelling is not the most egregious thing in my book.
Yes, you guesed it…I’m aslo a Baha’i. I won’t go over territory that was probably covered in your “chance” meeting, but don’t you find it just a little Interesting (is that the word?) that you should just come into Borders and “stumble” accross this group? I believe all things happen for a reason and we are at a place in time where we shoiuld be. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
All the best to you.
ha ha! love this post 🙂 with warmest greetings from a Baha’i blogger
Hi Brad,
A Baha’i friend sent me a link to your blog and I’m amused by your entry. Sounds like you all had a great conversation! 🙂
In the midst of this conversation, I’m sure it was mentioned that Baha’u’llah was the Founder of the Baha’i Faith. I’m just curious…would you agree that He is who He says He is?
I’m intrigued by the fact that you would chose the Baha’i Faith if “forced to under the penalty of death” (as you say) and would encouage you to continue investigating the teachings and history of the Baha’i Faith…for as you know, there are tens of thousands who have been put to death or imprisoned for the only reason that they were members of the Baha’i Faith. This has caused their loved ones great sorrow and loss. But their love for this Faith was so strong they refused to recant and chose to surrender to their persecutors and give their lives rather than deny their love for Baha’u’llah.
You now have my email and I welcome you to write to me at any time. Your observation that Baha’is do not prosetelize is insightful. Our aim is not to convert — we believe that we are living in the time of the arrival of the most great peace that has been foretold in many of the people’s of the world’s traditions. And we believe that it is the teachings of Baha’u’llah that will guide humanity into unity and peace. We do not seek to convert — we are striving to build a better world and welcome all those who are interested in this noble aim to join us.
Wow, Brad! I’m impressed. Your comments are great – and I really enjoyed our discussion. Speaking of the “best music” – I have MANY CDs of music written with Baha’i texts for choirs or soloists, plus CDs of individual Baha’is singing their own compositions. I’d be glad to share them with you and your friends. I hope we meet up again at Borders (although we won’t be there this Saturday, the19th).
Love it, Brad! 😛
I was laughing out loud reading your comments!
We had a great time talking with you and Tim.
Hope to meet up with you again some time.
thanks for the comments! we really enjoyed meeting you and Tim today and our discussion. you had such great questions, i’m looking at some things in new ways! can’t ask for more than that…i also enjoyed your site.