article on plight of Baha'is in Iran
I don't generally write on religious topics. Most of my friends know I am Baha'i. While I am willing to answer any of their questions, I don't go out of my way to talk about it. I respect their religious choices. And I respect them.
http://www.forward.com/articles/then-they-came-for-the-bahai-02039/
However, I was just a sent a link to this article written by a Jewish woman regarding the plight of Baha'is in Iran. While the persecution is nothing new, it was touching to read of someone of a different faith speaking on behalf of mine. It gives me hope that if other voices join ours, that one day there will be religious freedom even in Iran. While there were a couple people in the comments still saying that Muhammad taught His believers to kill unbelievers, saying those who believed otherwise were starry eyed hopefuls, most were gratified by the article. I can't say for 100% assurance who is right, but as a Baha'i, I've been brought up to respect Islam and all other world religions. Muhammad was still a Manifestation of God by my own teachings, and we respect His place in advancing civilization.
The Bab and Baha'u'llah have the teachings needed to take civilization to the next level. I sincerely believe this. That's why I choose to be a Baha'i, not simply because my parents were also. Fifteen is considered the Age of Maturity, the age we can choose whether to follow our parents beliefs or to take a different path. Mankind has reached its own Age of Maturity. It is time to take responsibility for how our actions impact those around us locally, nationally, and globally. It's time to take a stand against intolerance and injustice, no matter where it occurs. It is hard to know how to help those who live far away, but we can pray and write to our leaders to act on our behalf for the sake of those suffering terrible hardships. If everyone does one tiny act towards that goal, all of those tiny acts will snowball into one mighty effort. It has happened before; it will happen again. Posting this is my first tiny act, to share this with all of you who have read this. I hope you will read the article and share it with even one other person.
http://www.forward.com/articles/then-they-came-for-the-bahai-02039/
However, I was just a sent a link to this article written by a Jewish woman regarding the plight of Baha'is in Iran. While the persecution is nothing new, it was touching to read of someone of a different faith speaking on behalf of mine. It gives me hope that if other voices join ours, that one day there will be religious freedom even in Iran. While there were a couple people in the comments still saying that Muhammad taught His believers to kill unbelievers, saying those who believed otherwise were starry eyed hopefuls, most were gratified by the article. I can't say for 100% assurance who is right, but as a Baha'i, I've been brought up to respect Islam and all other world religions. Muhammad was still a Manifestation of God by my own teachings, and we respect His place in advancing civilization.
The Bab and Baha'u'llah have the teachings needed to take civilization to the next level. I sincerely believe this. That's why I choose to be a Baha'i, not simply because my parents were also. Fifteen is considered the Age of Maturity, the age we can choose whether to follow our parents beliefs or to take a different path. Mankind has reached its own Age of Maturity. It is time to take responsibility for how our actions impact those around us locally, nationally, and globally. It's time to take a stand against intolerance and injustice, no matter where it occurs. It is hard to know how to help those who live far away, but we can pray and write to our leaders to act on our behalf for the sake of those suffering terrible hardships. If everyone does one tiny act towards that goal, all of those tiny acts will snowball into one mighty effort. It has happened before; it will happen again. Posting this is my first tiny act, to share this with all of you who have read this. I hope you will read the article and share it with even one other person.