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Kent Johnson
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 Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:26 am Post subject: Kent's Letter |
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This letter is not original, but whoever wrote it did not want to be
identified. In order to allow consideration of this letter I have adopted
it as my own, and made some changes to it to match my beliefs.
I will freely relinquish ownership of this letter should the rightful owner
come forward.
-----------------------------
Allah-u-Abha! dear Friends,
You have been given an extraordinary gift: you are bearers of God's
revelation for today. The following is a humble appeal to beg that you might
arise and manifest the blessings of God among the multitudes of the earth.
For many centuries, religions became mighty through proselytizing - by
speech or by sword - and the uneasy marriage of the powerful with the
clergy. Today, a new method of sharing the bounty of God's new message must
differentiate the Baha'i faith from the religions of old.
It may not work, to try and cause entry-by-troops by simply attempting to
win converts. It seems to some people, wrongly, that the message of
Baha'u'llah is to create a new religion, to attract members, to become the
biggest religion and rule the world. Many are weary of this message and
humanity has suffered it for centuries.
To many it appears the Baha'i faith has simply become one religion among
many. They think too few souls are signing the declaration cards; and there
are too many who disappear into invisibility after a time.
There must be a different way. There is a different way. It may be a better
way.
I ask you to close your eyes and come with me on a journey: a vision of just
a month or a year from now. First, think of the Master. His beautiful smile,
His compassion, His love.
Many of you may believe that it is your duty to bring converts to the Baha'i
Faith. If that is your belief, imagine that He has given you permission to
stop trying to gain converts. You can lower the heavy burden off your back,
you no longer have to try and add lists of names to the rolls of believers.
Do you feel a sense of relief? But, He has not told you to stop spreading
the message of Baha'u'llah.
Now, you have been chosen by God for a very special duty. You, the people of
Baha, have a precious gift: it is the secret to bring about peace and unity
on the earth, the Kingdom of God long awaited.
This secret is not to try and gain converts. It is to share with all the
peoples of the earth - every race, colour, class and creed - the message
that:
"Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one
with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and
fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful
is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth." (Baha'u'llah,
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 14)
This is a new religious message, that people of divers backgrounds can live
together in harmony. It is why the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is open to people of
every faith: temples of unity, in which a Christian, a Jew, a Buddhist, a
Muslim, a Zoroastrian, a Confucian, a Humanist and a Baha'i might sit
side-by-side worshipping the one true God.
It is no secret that all these different religionists do not have to sign a
card and join a club to live in unity. In fact, if you try and make everyone
a Baha'i to achieve unity, it will never happen. There is no reason to
believe the world will become Baha'i. To achieve unity amongst the
bickering peoples of the world show forth the virtues of God and everyone
will flock to those who live that message.
Have faith in your fellow man. The old world order is rolling up, and
already there are so many souls who recognise the fundamental verities of
the Faith even if they do not call themselves Baha'i. They believe in the
equality of human beings; the equality of the sexes; the need for a vision
that embraces the planet; the need for an end to hunger and poverty; and the
need to educate the children of the world. Now, they need to know that God
desires this and will bless any effort to bring it about.
Do not re-invent the wheel. Join together with like-minded souls, whether
Baha'i or not, whether religious or not. Give support to every effort that
manifests the teachings of Baha'u'llah, whether it carries the label
'Baha'i' or not. It is the message that counts, not the name of the
organization preaching it.
"It makes no difference whether you have ever heard of Baha'u'llah or not,"
said our beloved Master, "the man who lives the life according to the
teachings of Baha'u'llah is already a Baha'i. On the other hand a man may
call himself a Baha'i for fifty years and if he does not live the life he is
not a Baha'i. An ugly man may call himself handsome, but he deceives no one,
and a black man may call himself white yet he deceives no one: not even
himself!" (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-
Baha in London, p. 105)
Your mission is not to get a person to sign a declaration card. Your mission
is to show with your lives, with the virtue that you show forth in God's
name to the divers peoples of the earth how to infuse their lives with the
teachings of Baha'u'llah, whether or not they take the step of embracing Him
outwardly as well as inwardly.
But be warned, there are many who currently see the Baha'is as merely
proselytizing their religion. It is a tired method that will obscure the
message of God for today. If Baha'is do not take up the challenge to infuse
the world with the perfume of the Baha'i message, then God will choose and
bless others from among the peoples of the earth who
arise to the challenge.
"Erelong will God raise up the treasures of the earth -- men who will aid
Thee through Thyself and through Thy Name, wherewith God hath revived the
hearts of such as have recognized Him." (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of
the Wolf, p. 21)
I write this letter in a spirit of humble love, that the Baha'is might be
shining exemplars of the spirit of a new age. I have faith in you, my
brothers and sisters. May the blessings of Baha'u'llah be upon you.
Kent |
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Suzanne
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:52 am Post subject: Re: Kent's Letter |
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Kent wrote:
| Quote: | For many centuries, religions became mighty through proselytizing - by
speech or by sword - and the uneasy marriage of the powerful with the
clergy. Today, a new method of sharing the bounty of God's new message must
differentiate the Baha'i faith from the religions of old.
It may not work, to try and cause entry-by-troops by simply attempting to
win converts. It seems to some people, wrongly, that the message of
Baha'u'llah is to create a new religion, to attract members, to become the
biggest religion and rule the world. Many are weary of this message and
humanity has suffered it for centuries.
|
Dear Kent,
There's nothing particularly new in this letter. It's basically what
the Central Figures of the Faith have always said. According to
Baha'u'llah, we are supposed to be "quickeners of mankind" and not
"fishers of men". Baha'u'llah said not to share this precious
message with those who don't want to hear it:
"The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even
as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a
seeker,.."
(Baha'u'llah: Persian Hidden Words, Page: 36)
And Shoghi Effendi said we should be careful lest our attempts to
teach come across as proselytizing.
"Care, however, should, at all times, be exercised, lest in their
eagerness to further the international interests of the Faith they
frustrate their purpose, and turn away, through any act that might be
misconstrued as an attempt to proselytize and bring undue pressure
upon them, those whom they wish to win over to their Cause."
(Shoghi Effendi: The Advent of Divine Justice, Page: 66)
Of course people always do tend to see things, even new things,
through the lenses of their past experiences, so even if great care is
taken not to proselytize, there will always be some who see it this
way in this age if one teaches.
Conversion, of course, is something between a human soul and God. It
isn't in our hands to "win converts". Our only duty is to share the
Message of God with those who want to hear about it, and to live the
Baha'i life, and let others decide for themselves what they will do
about it.
Best wishes,
Suzanne |
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Kent Johnson
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Kent's Letter |
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Hi Suzanne, thanks for being the only one to get back on this important
issue.
| Quote: | Of course people always do tend to see things, even new things,
through the lenses of their past experiences, so even if great care is
taken not to proselytize, there will always be some who see it this
way in this age if one teaches.
|
Being misunderstood is a common problem. I experience probably more than
most because my ideas are not often thought to be main stream. I believe
this letter illustrates that there exists an *us vs. them* dynamic in the
Baha'i Faith that needs to be recognized at least.
It is perfectly acceptable to interpret Baha'u'llah's word as intended for
all humanity as well as for just Baha'is. I tend toward the former
interpretation, as does this letter. And those from within the Baha'i Faith
who tend toward a more corporate structure of religion resist that
interpretation. I often contend that it is those who want to move up the
corporate ladder who tend toward that interpretation, but I try to avoid
reading motives into beliefs.
In any case, this letter says what we all know: Arise and live a Baha'i
life, follow the precepts, advice, and teachings of Baha'u'llah, not just
the laws. If we do so magical things will happen all around us. It is
grace from God that brings these things, and that grace is open to everyone,
not just Baha'is.
The important point is to arise to do God's Will for God's sake, not our
own, raise up our neighbors and friends, make it so knowing us is a good
thing and watch the magic.
The name is not the important part, but of course we would never deny or
hide our religions. The understanding is not the important part, but of
course we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't understand.
The doing is the important part.
--Kent
"Suzanne" <sb.gerstner@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:wrmdneOWBcwIhpLVnZ2dnUVZ_gadnZ2d@giganews.com...
| Quote: |
Kent wrote:
For many centuries, religions became mighty through proselytizing - by
speech or by sword - and the uneasy marriage of the powerful with the
clergy. Today, a new method of sharing the bounty of God's new message
must
differentiate the Baha'i faith from the religions of old.
It may not work, to try and cause entry-by-troops by simply attempting to
win converts. It seems to some people, wrongly, that the message of
Baha'u'llah is to create a new religion, to attract members, to become
the
biggest religion and rule the world. Many are weary of this message and
humanity has suffered it for centuries.
Dear Kent,
There's nothing particularly new in this letter. It's basically what
the Central Figures of the Faith have always said. According to
Baha'u'llah, we are supposed to be "quickeners of mankind" and not
"fishers of men". Baha'u'llah said not to share this precious
message with those who don't want to hear it:
"The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even
as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a
seeker,.."
(Baha'u'llah: Persian Hidden Words, Page: 36)
And Shoghi Effendi said we should be careful lest our attempts to
teach come across as proselytizing.
"Care, however, should, at all times, be exercised, lest in their
eagerness to further the international interests of the Faith they
frustrate their purpose, and turn away, through any act that might be
misconstrued as an attempt to proselytize and bring undue pressure
upon them, those whom they wish to win over to their Cause."
(Shoghi Effendi: The Advent of Divine Justice, Page: 66)
Of course people always do tend to see things, even new things,
through the lenses of their past experiences, so even if great care is
taken not to proselytize, there will always be some who see it this
way in this age if one teaches.
Conversion, of course, is something between a human soul and God. It
isn't in our hands to "win converts". Our only duty is to share the
Message of God with those who want to hear about it, and to live the
Baha'i life, and let others decide for themselves what they will do
about it.
Best wishes,
Suzanne
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Suzanne
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject: Re: Kent's Letter |
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ent wrote:
| Quote: | Being misunderstood is a common problem. I experience probably more than
most because my ideas are not often thought to be main stream. I believe
this letter illustrates that there exists an *us vs. them* dynamic in the
Baha'i Faith that needs to be recognized at least.
|
Dear Kent,
I'm not sure that this letter illustrates the existence of an us vs.
them dynamic in the Baha'i Faith. As far as I can see, it's just one
person's subjective opinions about what needs to happen to spread the
Faith. It may be based on things in the Writings, but the passages
are chosen to support the author's point of view. I do pick up a
definite bias which isn't supported by the Writings. For instance,
this passage:
| Quote: | There is no reason to
believe the world will become Baha'i.
|
I would have to disagree. The Writings do talk about a future Baha'i
World Commonwealth:
"... a sore-tried Faith [must] pass through the successive stages of
unmitigated obscurity, of active repression, and of complete
emancipation, leading in turn to its being acknowledged as an
independent Faith, enjoying the status of full equality with its
sister religions, to be followed by its establishment and recognition
as a State religion, which in turn must give way to its assumption of
the rights and prerogatives associated with the Baha'i state,
functioning in the plenitude of its powers, a stage which must
ultimately culminate in the emergence of the worldwide Baha'i
Commonwealth, animated wholly by the spirit, and operating solely in
direct conformity with the laws and principles of Baha'u'llah.
(Shoghi Effendi: The Advent of Divine Justice, Page: 15)
And these passages:
"When the victory arriveth, every man shall profess himself as
believer and shall hasten to the shelter of God's Faith. Happy are
they who in the days of world-encompassing trials have stood fast in
the Cause and refused to swerve from its truth."
(Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, Page: 319)
"Upon Our arrival," [in Akka]..., "We were welcomed with banners of
light, whereupon the Voice of the Spirit cried out saying: `Soon will
all that dwell on earth be enlisted under these banners.'"
(Shoghi Effendi: God Passes By, Page: 184)
I'm sure this won't happen in our lifetime, and may not happen for
hundreds of years. Only God knows the timing, and I'm sure that not
everybody will be Baha'i.; just as there were Jews and probably other
minorities in Europe when it was mostly Christian, however, I am
convinced, from my reading of the Writings, that at some point in time
it will be the majority religion. However, I'm sure that will come in
stages and the first stage of this would just be for people to all
just recognize that all the world's great religion derive their
inspiration from the same Source. Unity in diversity.
Kent wrote:
| Quote: | It is perfectly acceptable to interpret Baha'u'llah's word as intended for
all humanity as well as for just Baha'is.
|
Of course it is. We've had this discussion before quite a bit.
Baha'u'llah certain does address all of humankind. When He says: "The
tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as
strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one
branch," He doesn't mean just Baha'is. He means all of us. I doubt
there are many Baha'is who don't realize this, though. The central
mission of Baha'u'llah is the unification of the whole human race; not
just the unification of a minority of people.
I tend toward the former
| Quote: | interpretation, as does this letter. And those from within the Baha'i Faith
who tend toward a more corporate structure of religion resist that
interpretation.
|
Now you are structuring Baha'is in an "us vs. them" sort of way.
| Quote: | The name is not the important part,
|
Those who God has prepared to recognise Baha'u'llah would certainly
want to know His name, and would want to read and study and the
Writings and join His Faith.
| Quote: | The understanding is not the important part, but of
course we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't understand.
|
Both head and heart need to be involved in our understanding. As
Baha'u'llah often said, "Ponder this in thy heart..."
Best wishes,
Suzanne
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