Criticism’s root is lack of faith in the system of Bahá’u’lláh. It's hypocrisy must be exposed and confronted for all to see. I think that after all the thought I put into my faith I have established myself as some type of hybrid between a Catholic and a Baha’i. Aspects of the religion that are attractive to some are seen as major difficulties to others. Abdo presented the following list of criticisms of the Baháʼí Faith from a feminist perspective at an annual gathering for Baháʼí studies in 1995: the ineligibility of women to serve on the Universal House of Justice--this is of particular interest to supporters of women priests within the Christian tradition; the intestacy laws in the Kitab-i-Aqdas; the dowry laws with particular reference to the virginity refund clause; the exemption of menstruating women from obligatory prayers and the implication of menstrual taboo; the exemption of women from pilgrimage; the use of androcentric language and male pronouns in texts; the emphasis on traditional morality and family values...[13], According to Juan Cole, the law of not allowing women to serve the Universal House of Justice is misinterpreted. Alain Locke: Faith and philosophy. [11], Juan Cole converted to the Baháʼí Faith in 1972, but later resigned in 1996 after conflicts with members of the administration who perceived him as extreme. Yes, indeed the Baha’i faith is a cult.The Baha’i organization is anti-biblical from numerous vantage points.Here are some of the pointers: Baha’ism denies the uniqueness of … Baha’i Writings Criticism The Kitab-i-Aqdas (the Most Holy Book) is the book of laws written by Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, to be a guide for his followers. (Christianity is number one.) Centers of Learning The Baha’is of the United States operate three year-round conference and retreat centers that offer a wide range of programming for adults, youth and children. (Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Meetings/The Nineteen Day Feasts, pp. There are about six million Bahá'ís in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. The Bahá'í Faith is a religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. Is the Baháʼí view of evolution compatible with modern science? 2. I am not a believer in this faith but am very observant how they behaved.. now i concluded that this religion not worth to even listen. The principles of the Bahá’í Faith clearly define a non-political character, and serve as a guide for conduct in the relations of Bahá’ís with one another, with their fellow men, and in their relations with different departments of the civil government. The Baha'i Faith is now led by the Universal House of Justice (located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel) as provided for in Baha'u'llah's Writings. There are about six million Bahá'ís in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. We all have a right to set forth our views: Let us also remember that at the very root of the Cause lies the principle of the undoubted right of the individual to self-expression, his freedom to declare his conscience and set forth his views. When Criticism and Harsh Words Arise "When criticism and harsh words arise within a Bahá’í community, there is no remedy except to put the past behind one, and persuade all concerned to turn over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith refrain from mentioning the subjects which have led to misunderstanding and inharmony. In Bahai scriptures, God had a greatest name. In this view, it is impossible for either any prophet after Muhammad or any new religion to come into existence, and thus they reject the Baháʼí Faith. Baháʼu'lláh claimed to be a Manifestation of God, which is the Baháʼí term for people like Jesus and Muhammad. [11] Critics[who?] Criticism falls into a few categories: fault with its teachings, the character of its founders, and ongoing conflicts with its administration. We have divided this critique into two parts. H-Bahai encourages scholarly discussion of the culture and history of millenarian and/or esoteric religious traditions originating in modern Iran, such as Shaykhism, Babism and the Baha'i faith, and makes available diverse bibliographical, research, and teaching aids. [18] Under Islamic law a man may have up to four wives, and Baháʼu'lláh wrote in 1873 that a Baháʼí may have two wives. In Bahai faith, every Bahai is to say Allah Abha 95 times everyday. Elder, E.E., Miller, W.M. 1. A Critical Analysis of the Kitáb-i … TAGS: Criticism and apologetics > add tags: About this document (click for more) Abstract: Argument for the need for and practice of academic defense of the Baha'i Faith. Bahá'ís generally believe that the proof of the truth of the religion can be found through independent investigation. There would appear to be a number of likely sources of criticism. Baha’i Media Bank; Baha’i Reference Library; Baha’i World News Service; One Country; The Baha’i Faith; The Kitáb-i-Aqdas; The Life of Baha’u'llah; Table of Contents; About This Site (Universal House of Justice, Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 15-16). The Baha'i faith teaches that Buddha was a 'Manifestation of God' and is ranked alongside other Great Spiritual Teachers such as Krishna, Christ and Muhammad. Browneargued that while they are admirable, they are, in his opinion, inferior to the simplicity and beauty of the teachings of Christ. There are around six million Bahá’ís in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. A Brief Compilation on Criticism; Additional Documents. Miller regards his subject with any affection. When the Ottoman government wished to eliminate the Bábís, they further exiled Baha'u'llah and his followers to Akka, and Subh-i-Azal and his followers to Cyprus, but left several of each in the other's city in an attempt to further stoke conflict. [22], The Baháʼí Faith has had several challenges to leadership, notably at the transitions after the passing of Baháʼu'lláh, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. It’s entirely possible that this person has many fine qualities and still fails in this one area. ... and the criticism of it, concisely put. When a man came on the scene in 1863 who was called Baha'u'llah, he claimed to be that prophet. The Baha'i Faith is in many ways a challenging religion, that raises many controversial and difficult questions. Admonishing the people to uphold the unifying purpose of the Cause, Bahá’u’lláh, in the Book of His Covenant, addresses these poignant words to them: “Let not the means of order be made the cause of confusion and the instrument of union an occasion for discord.” Such assertions emphasize a crucial point; it is this: In terms of the Covenant, dissidence is a moral and intellectual contradiction of the main objective animating the Bahá’í community, namely, the establishment of the unity of mankind. A hostile and uninformed Christian missionary's overview of the Baha'i Faith from 1915; included here for historical interest. While Baháʼí teachings assert that men and women are spiritually equal, author Lil Abdo says that the Baháʼí understanding of sexual equality is different from that of secular feminists. The emergence of feminist theologies within other faith communities means that the Faith may … He further argued that in the case of "Baha'ism, with its rather vague doctrines as to the nature and destiny of the soul of man, it is a little difficult to see whence the driving force to enforce the ethical maxims can be derived."[5]. The official website of the Baha'is of the United States can be found here ... but Proudfit’s work indicates that exposure to harsh criticism also comes into play. Regarding the Baháʼí teachings of peace and unity, E.G. The principles of the Bahá’í Faith clearly define a non-political character, and serve as a guide for conduct in the relations of Bahá’ís with one another, with their fellow men, and in their relations with different departments of the civil government. The word Abha, is actually a Bahai Faith word also, and is of the same root as Baha. But its root is lack of faith in the system of Bahá’u’lláh, i.e., the Administrative Order -- and lack of obedience to Him -- for He has forbidden it! [21] In 1960 Mason Remey announced that he should be regarded as the next Guardian, creating a schism in the Baháʼi Faith. Criticism of the Baha'i Faith I can only speak for myself, but I consider direct and detailed criticism of the Baha'i Faith to be an essential part of the recovery process involved in leaving it. May preserve the needed perspective been controversies and challenges over its teachings and not the.... Putting into practice the administration from this we learn that criticism is a global Faith community, established virtually! Teachings are the criteria for determining `` cults '': 1 claims to promote equality of men women... 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