Wednesday, January 31, 2007

On Africa: Serving and Yearning

"Sarmad, Me, & Mr. Kabisa
at the Baha'i National Centre"
Uploaded on March 26, 2006
by I Give Up On Hate! on flickr

hleyoung has always wanted to go to Africa. Bryan of I Give Up on Hate just got back. -gw

I went to a Baha'i service today. It wasn't a real service--just a Baha'i fellowship/potluck thing. I certainly liked the people. I am interested in learning more about the faith. I think world religions are fascinating, even if I don't really belong to one anymore. We got to listen to a college kid who did a year of service to the Baha'i faith in Tanzania. He did a slide show of his pictures, and it was awesome. I have always wanted to go to Africa....

hleyoung, "I Went to a Baha'i Service Today,"My Invincible Summer: Distractions from Gross Anatomy

I know that I must do what's right
Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti

Toto, "Africa"

On More Mentions of the Baha'i Faith: Random or Not

According to my unscientific research, general awareness of the Faith continues to increase, popping up daily in "random" blog entries. -gw

Three of my most favorite people in the world ARE...Republicans (so was Abraham Lincoln), some are Baha’i’s (go look it up), one is a Jesuit, another a Presbyterian minister, a Unitarian-Universalist (look that one up too) and another of my dearest is a Moslem – a convert, no less.


Oh I forgot to tell you about the crazy old guy who worked with us!! He says we're in the wet cycle of the earth! every twenty years we go from drought to wetness. In the year 2012 when the mayan calender ends thats when Jesus will come back! Well if you're Baha'i you're 160 years off more or less. He'll be 80 years old when the dry cycle starts up and the ozone is burned up because the world is recycling itself and he suspects about 10% of the population will survive because we can adapt. It'll be kind of like the flood with Noah, cleansing and rebirth he says. Finally, the left and right lanes are the safest on the highway because you have the shoulders. And this is what the old man graced me with at seven in the morning.


Thank you, DJ Sabzi, for teaching a whole bunch of people crowded into a lightly smelly underground room that hiphop artistes who adhere to the Baha’i faith can also be funny....


Despite the ridiculous name, PoIP [CNet] isn't such a bad idea. Attendance at places of worship have decreased, partly because of loss of faith, partly because of busy lives. PoIP, or Pray Over Internet Protocol (though it should probably be "Prayer") lets prayers be broadcast over speakers. ... Marginalized faith groups that are spread out over the world (for example, the Baha'i) could synchronize their prayer.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

On Conversion: First Dates, Now Weights

Sergey
You may remember the post here with regard to converting dates involving the Baha'i calendar. Here is help from Sergey for converting weights involving a Baha'i unit of measure. -gw

A new exotic unit has been added today to weight conversion page. It is called mithqal and it was suggested by our site visitor. The unit is mentioned in Baha'i Faith texts.I thought this unit deserves inclusion into our conversion page and put it just below Biblical units.
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Sunday, January 28, 2007

On a Baha'i Perspective on the Environment: A Seeker's Inquiry and Lev's Elucidation

In a recent email to me as part of her investigation of the Faith, a reader makes several observations related to the environment. She distinguishes between religion and spirituality and sees the "Big 3" religions, at least, as being essentially anti-environment. What is the Baha'i position toward the environment? Lev's post "Carbon Cycles" provides a marvelous Baha'i view on the subject. -gw

Wintegreen: The three contemporary BIG 'religions' (Chiristian, Judaism and Islam) seem to put Mankind as the top of some perceived order. Whereas 'spirituality' reflects a constant awareness of a primal relationship to all things and the equality all things share. ...

For people who live in natural environments that are full of wildlife and extensive flora, a spiritual connection to ALL things is a natural perceptual response to 'being part' of something rather than 'being a part' from the environment.

Lev: The regional sustainability seminars were held at Baha’i schools around the country in commemoration of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. For myself, it was an opportunity to dig into what the Baha’i Faith has to say about sustainability. (An added bonus was getting to meet Baha’i organic gardeners, farmers and foresters.) Historically, there is a potential disconnect between environmentalism and the faith community, which goes something like this: Am I of the world, or am I of God? If I am of God, I owe no allegiance to the world, or its creatures. Furthermore, the special attention paid to human beings seems to place us above other organisms and systems in creation. If I am more important than the sea urchin, the burr oak and the prairie grass, so the argument goes, then what great harm is there in destroying a few habitats? In other words, the centrality of humankind in the revealed religions of the world seems to excuse the environmental havoc we have wrought on other organisms.

Like many conflicts between secular and religious perspectives, this is an oversimplification and an inflated/invented binary opposition. We are both material and spiritual, and the Writings make it clear that humanity’s material well-being relies upon that most humble of substances: In ... a tablet revealed by Baha’u'llah and addressed to Shaykh Muhammad Taqíy-i-Najafí (the Son of the Wolf), He writes, “Every man of discernment, while walking upon the earth, feeleth indeed abashed, inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing which is the source of his prosperity, his wealth, his might, his exaltation, his advancement and power is, as ordained by God, the very earth which is trodden beneath the feet of all men. There can be no doubt that whoever is cognizant of this truth, is cleansed and sanctified from all pride, arrogance, and vainglory” (Baha’u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 44). While the importance of the spiritual station of human beings is reiterated in the teachings of Baha’u'llah, we are also reminded that all of our health and security depends on the earth, that extremes of materialism will lead to ruin, and that we have a duty to show kindness to animals (whether a domesticated pet or an endangered keystone species).

As we address what the Baha’i Faith has to say about environmental sustainability, the concept of unity must take a central role. The Baha’i Faith is fundamentally concerned with recognizing the unity of humankind. Unity is a spiritual reality between human beings, but also encompasses the absolute oneness of creation. Abdu’l-Baha, the son of Baha’u'llah, writes: “Reflect upon the inner realities of the universe, the secret wisdoms involved, the enigmas, the inter-relationships, the rules that govern all. For every part of the universe is connected with every other part by ties that are very powerful and admit of no imbalance, nor any slackening whatever” (Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 157). If I take Abdu’l-Baha’s words as Truth, then I cannot replace an entire prairie ecosystem with invasive species and then expect interlocking systems to behave as though nothing has changed.


At its root, the principle of unity must encompass environmental sustainability. If we are truly unified, in the sense of ubuntu (I am human because you are human, and my actions have an effect on you), then every act of pollution, every product that puts organochlorines and dioxins into the food chain is an affront to this most sacred guidance: Be united.

Environmentalism was my religion for 7 years. When I first investigated becoming a Baha’i, I had trouble figuring out how to marry these two parts of myself. It helped when I read Abdu’l-Baha’s elucidation of the difference between the physical world and “the world” as all those things which distract us from our spiritual journey. If you want, I can try to find that reference over the next few days. I read it when I was first investigating the faith, and it helped me see that my love for the world of creation was not the same as being drowned in a “worldliness” that distracts from the Search for the Beloved. After studying the Writings at the sustainability seminar, I can now go a step further, and state that I no longer see a disconnect between serving humanity as a Baha’i and working to live in a more sustainable world. The two goals are coincident and entangled.

Lev, "Carbon Cycle," anonymous cowgirl

{Re-posted with permission}

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Image at top: "New Deal mural located in the old St Johns Post Office Building. Entitled "Development of St Johns" painted in 1936 by John Ballator (Eric Lamade and Louis DeMott Bunce, assisting). The Portland Baha'i Center now occupies the building. Thanks to Merat Bagha for the pictures." Uploaded on January 4, 2007 by jimmywayne22 on flickr
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Other photos from the Baha'i Media Bank:
1. "Programs of the Barli Development Institute, located in Indore, India, have the ultimate goal of assisting women to be equal partners in the development of their communities. Activities in a wide variety of areas, including literacy, environmental preservation, health, and nutrition, all serve to further this end."
2. "Participants from the “Clean Dam, Live Water” campaign in Évora, Portugal."
3. "A Bahá’í public gardening project in Bucharest, Romania."

Saturday, January 27, 2007

On the Baha'i Faith as a Path: Maeve Finds a Place for Prayer, Free of Clutter

Maeve made a recent trip to Nicaragua to visit Baha'i friends. Another stop along the way. -gw



In college I looked all over to find my place. I took philosophy classes, eastern religion classes, went to church, and mass, and Hillel, joined a fratenity, and a psychology of spirituality class. And all of those were important. Heck, I met a good friend and roommate in the Eastern religion class. But when I finally accepted the Baha’i faith, I found my place. And the thing is, that was just the beginning. The faith was a path I stepped onto. And that path led me all over, and finally to Nicaragua where I felt at home in my friends’ house in San Ramon. It was the first time I lived in the house where the majority of people were Baha’i, which meant small things like respect for prayer. At home it’s almost like I have the pray in secret. I mean, prayer is a deeply personal act anyway, but at home I fear interuption. In Nica, it was understood. That, and the house was simple. Since my friends are only living there a year, they decided to be minimal.... And that was refreshing since I don’t think I’ve ever lived in a place that wasn’t full of clutter. It’s like I attract it, am too attached to the material, and it was nice to be free from it.

Maeve, "The Journey," Peace in Pieces {Re-posted with permission}

Read Maeve's piece"Nicaraguan Reunion" in Baha'is of Cental Jersey. -gw

Thursday, January 25, 2007

On a Baha'i Funeral and a Baha'i Wedding: Practical, mystifying, intense, and beautiful

jjbass sang at a Baha'i funeral and the leatherguychi went to a Baha'i wedding. -gw

Baha'i services are interesting to a non-Baha'i. Baha'i is so practical and common-sensical in so many ways, and so mystifying in others. But I've never really felt like an outsider. I'm more comfortable with Baha'i's than I am in many Christian churches.


I slept until around noon and then it was time to get ready for the wedding. I showered and got dressed and headed to Baha'i temple. The ceremony was very intense. They had readings from the Bible, the Koran, and many others. It was just beautiful.

http://leatherguychi.livejournal.com/102863.html

On Ruhi as a University Curriculum: Kat Chimes In


Kat's Quest, a new blog, followed by an excerpt. -gw


The Department of Science Education and Theoretical Philosophy [of Bari University], impressed by an Italian Bahá'í who would give guest lectures at the university, invited the Bahá'í lecturer to offer classes to the students in its department! This lecturer decided to present Ruhi Institute Book 1 as a unique educational model worthy of emulation (!!).

On Baha'i Views on Baseball: Thinking Greene

I got an email last week from MLB Bloggers inviting me to become a member. I'm honored. The only baseball-related stories I've run out of 572 posts have been a couple that have mentioned Khalil Greene, the Baha'i who plays shortstop for the Padres. But if you like, call me Mr. Baseball Knowledge. Spring training is just around the corner. -gw

"Greene Giant," uploaded on October 29, 2006 by brianwallace on flickr

Dear blog author:

We recently came across your site,
bahaiviews.blogspot.com, while searching for bloggers who blog about Major League Baseball.

A small group of us have started a new site called
MLB Bloggers. Our intent is to bring Major League Baseball bloggers closer together, and make a positive contribution to the Internet community.

Would you be interested in joining
MLB Bloggers? Please take a few minutes to have a look at what we are trying to do, and if you are interested, there is a sign up page to get the ball rolling. We would greatly appreciate your support in this endeavour.

If you do not feel that your blog would be a good fit for
MLB Bloggers, but are a Major League Baseball fan, come visit us and one of our member bloggers. You can also check our FAQ Section to learn more about MLB Bloggers.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on
MLB Bloggers.

Craig Cantin
MLB Bloggers
info@mlb-bloggers.com

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

On Baha'is in the Blogosphere: A grassroots participatory undertaking

"State of the Blogosphere," uploaded on September 14, 2006 by Muli Koppel
Another remarkable paper that was distributed at the recent Baha'i Social and Economic Devlopment Conference in Orlando, Florida, in addition to Baha'i Participation on the Internet, already referenced in a previous post here, was entitled Blogging and the Bahá’í Faith: Suggestions and Possible Approaches. Here are three paragraphs from the section on "Blogging and the Five Year Plan." -gw

The remarkable growth of the “blogosphere”—an arena primarily for individual initiative—offers opportunities to explore Bahá’í teachings and Bahá’í community activity through a personal lens that has previously not been available. Because of its unique interactive aspects, blogging opens new avenues for sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh. The networking phenomenon associated with blogs allows for information to reach potentially large numbers of like-minded people.

In some respects, individual blogging mirrors in the Internet space the “friends, family, neighbors and co-workers” approach of the core activities now at the heart of Bahá’í community expansion and development. It is a grassroots participatory undertaking. Even if only a handful of friends and acquaintances read one's blog, that blog can serve as an instrument to draw that particular “community of interest” to the Revelation and to Bahá’í community activity. Thus, a thousand such small blogs might be just as effective as a few highly visible blogs.

Because the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh provides insight into all areas of human life, the range of possible blog themes is vast—for example, sharing stories and experiences that have spiritual significance; correlation of the Bahá’í teachings with contemporary social challenges; presentation and exploration of the Creative Word; our spiritual purpose and how one’s relationship with Bahá’u’lláh allows one to navigate the challenges of life; basic beliefs of the Faith; community and family life; artistic expression and Bahá’í identity; the pursuit of moral excellence; the relationship of the Faith with other religions; the Bahá’í vision of the future; the model of the Bahá’í administrative order; defense of the Faith; social action; experiences with core activities, youth year of service, or pioneering, etc.

"Blogosphere en la ACM," Uploaded on December 11, 2004 by fernand0 on flickr

Monday, January 22, 2007

On Being Back from a Baha'i Youth Conference: I wouldn't be a fangirl

In her email giving me permssion to re-post this, Cenedra said she didn't think this entry was very "inspirational," but I find her enthusiasm to be precisely that. -gw

I'm back and the youth conference was awesome!! ... There were so many people there. Like 600 Baha'i Youth x_X Wow. Though we were at Latrobe Uni Bundoora Campus, which is huge and out in woop-woop and could more than comfortably accomodate us. I met lots of new people and spent much time with my Melbourne Uni Baha'i Society friends. I'm a bad spendthrift when I'm having a good time, and this conference was no exception--I spent no less than $95 on merchandise and shirts and stuff. The money all goes to the Fund and charities and stuff so I was even more encouraged (one dude bought an auctioned hoodie for $1200!!! ...) but still... ;_;
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There was a Baha'i singer there called Devon Gundry who Rajiv had waxed lyrical about before but I never really paid much attention. But you know what? He's actually awesome! He's a great person and has an awesome voice and is so great live... and he's cute :3 And because of that I was so determined not to fangirl over his music. I shunned him and ignored him for the first part of the conference. ...I WOULDN'T BE A FANGIRL. But I ended up squeeing with Rajiv anyway (especially at the last concert oh dear) and buying his CD and a t-shirt (which was just a general Baha'i t-shirt, but they were from America and the designs were funky). AND OMG RAJIV RECORDED AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS I WAAAAANT IT!!! So yes. Not a fangirl.
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{Re-posted with permission}

On a Warmly Appreciated Contribution: Mistress Redpen Is Proud of Her Mom

Only Baha'is can contribute to the Baha'i Fund. Mistress Redpen writes, " I'm non-Baha'i myself, but I certainly appreciate and support that faith. :)" While Mistress Redpen, or Elissa, is not a Baha'i, her mother is. According to Elissa her mother contributed financially to the recent restoration of the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. It took more than 40 years to complete the initial construction of the temple, beginning in 1912 when 'Abdu'l-Baha visited North America. One of the reasons it took so long was because of the fewness of Baha'is during those years who could contribute the necessary funds. There are many times more Baha'is today than then. It's still the case that the amount of a personal contribution is not considered significant, but universal participation and sacrificial giving is. Mistress Redpen is proud of her mom. -gw
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This morning, the Treasurer for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i faith came to visit my mother and deliver something to her. Mom, being the terribly modest (unnecessarily modest, in my opinion) woman she is, thought that perhaps he was hand delivering a receipt.
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A receipt! *amused eyeroll*
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Needless to say, Mark and I dismissed that. Humble and accessible people that these Baha'i are, you still don't have folks in positions like that hand delivering receipts. Receipts get mailed. This was going to be something special, but Mom had no idea what it could be, despite the fact that she's contributed significantly to her faith in many ways. (Mom is a natural go-getter to begin with, and further "thanks" to Grandma, she feels she can never do enough, or that what she does is never "good enough." *sigh* But don't get me started on Grandma.)
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Anyway: Mark and I were right. What he was hand delivering was a special framed photo/lithograph that was also a plaque, recognizing Mom for her contributions toward the the restoration of the Wilmette (IL) House of Worship. (Although Mom is technically correct that her contributions were a "drop in the bucket" compared to how much the entire thing costed, they were still rather significantly large. I'm not going to quote figures publicly, though.)
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Mom read what was printed on it, and was happily overwhelmed. It brought tears to her eyes. As of right now, that picture is now hanging on the wall behind her chair, in a blank space that I'm glad we hadn't filled yet.
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{Re-posted with permission}

Thursday, January 18, 2007

On a Momentous Occasion: Kenny Signs His Card

Last night (Tuesday 16th January) I finally did the thing that has probably been in me all my life, I recognised my true faith, and became a Baha'i'. This doesn't mean any great changes to my life, as I have already been practicing as a Baha'i for at least 6 months, it is now with a new year upon me that I felt it was time to make that step and make things official!
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A picture of this momentus occasion for you all:
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Welcome, Kenny, welcome. -gw

On the Effort to Establish a Baha'i Blog Portal: bahainine.com

Word to Baha'i bloggers from David via justportillo on the effort that has the support of the Baha'i International Teaching Centre to establish a Baha'i Blog Portal. -gw














Go over to bahainine.com to vote on your favorite look for the website, but more importantly if you have a blog take a minute to register it, and pass this [message] on to any Baha'i bloggers you know.
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Wednesday, January 17, 2007

On Baha'i Blogging: Facilitating the formation of communities

"Blogging," uploaded on January 14, 2007
by obLiterate on flickr
Rick explains why reading blogs of other Baha'is matters to him. -gw

Not only is the Baha'i content interesting for other Baha'is, the information he gives about where he lives helps me to gain a broader outlook on issues that affect people in other parts of the world. I believe that helps me be a better person.

Rick, "Another Baha'i Blogger," Not Buggin's Here
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"Stillness,"Uploaded on January 11, 2006 by shapeshift on flickr
Here are the first two paragraphs of a remarkable paper entitled "Baha'i Participation on the Internet" that was made available at the recent Orlando Baha'i SED conference. -gw

The Internet is one of this age’s most revolutionary and transformative technological developments. New terms, such as wikis, RSS, podcasting, blogs, FOAF, VoIP, and folksonomies, while virtually unknown a few years ago, are rapidly becoming common currency among millions of Internet users. These new forms of communication technology represent major social trends that offer new ways of sharing Bahá’í perspectives, precepts, and experiences.

As existing institutions and social practices disintegrate around us, the Bahá’í teachings indicate that there is a parallel process at work of creating new structures and tools that enable unifying patterns of collective life to emerge. The Internet appears to be playing a catalytic role in breaking down longstanding geographic, cultural and institutional barriers while facilitating the formation of new communities of interaction that are increasingly global in nature.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

On Neat Lawns and Perfectly Spaced Houses: MT Experiences Culture-Shock

"Bahai'i temple samoa," Uploaded on October 17, 2005 by Pearce81 on flickr

mt830 left Samoa after serving the Baha'i Faith there and visited Auckland, New Zealand, sharing her impressions on her blog. -gw

When I first arrived, I unsurprisingly did a good deal of white-person-staring. There are so few white people in Samoa, I've gotten in the habit of being surprised when I see one, but here there are white people everywhere. As I was driving into the city, I stared at the huge highway, the neat suburban lawns, the perfectly spaced houses. I keep thinking somehow they looked empty. I guess after six months in Samoa, everything looks different.

mt830, "Back to Civilization.....Brrrrr!," LiveJournal

On Being Integrated into the Baha'i Community: No more stealth mode, happy to be serving

Blogging since at least early 2004, Lacey is a premiere Baha'i blogger. -gw

"Laycita," Uploaded on March 15, 2006 by toastforbrekkie on flickr

Myk and I are being integrated into the Baha’i community at warpspeed now. He’s been appointed to something and I’ve been appointed to something else. No more “stealth mode” for us, I guess. That’s okay, we’re really happy to be serving again.

Lacey, "Mostly good news," lay-c.com is in houston: No really, I’m not kidding.

On Seals and Crofts: Barry Richman's Tribute

The blogger of Barryland, musician Barry Richman, offers a detailed tribute to the music of Seals and Crofts for his "daily" blog entry. -gw

The lyrics were literate, and often referred to the Baha'i Faith. A line (from East of Ginger Trees) that quoted from their scripture is never far from my mind: "Be lions roaring in the forest of knowledge, whales swimming in the oceans of life." That struck me, because they seemed to be such masters at everything they touched. Listening to them, I wanted to be remarkable. That very song ends with an insistent, simple rhythm that has threaded its way through my own compositions; I use it whenever I want to symbolize God's calling of us to a new place.

barrybrake, "don't fly away," Barryland

Monday, January 15, 2007

On TravelBlogging in South Africa: Strange to feel at home so far away

TravelBlog is a one-stop site for travel journals. What a great idea! Martij5 posts on attending a Baha'i devotional in South Africa. -gw

Yesterday we went to a Baha'i devotional and were finally able to spend some time with local residences. Usually devotionals in the states or the ones I have been to last about 15 minutes to a 1/2 hour max. The one we went to here was about an hour long and there was alot of singing. there were about a dozen of us but it felt like a lot more because we were in a very small hot flat. I enjoyed it a great deal and it was strange to feel at home so far away

On the Baha'is of Pune: We had one seeker who declared his Faith in Blessed Beauty

Another blog has popped up in India to tell the story of one community's Intensive Program of Growth. -gw

Last Staruday we had Fireside at Baha'i Center Parmar chambers. The total nuber of participants were 10 to 15 in number The fire started off with a devotional meeting, prayers were chanted both in Hindi and English by Nava and Hoda. Immediately after the devotional we formed English and Hindi/Marathi groups where particiapants were brifed about the Bahai Faith in the form of presentation. We had one seeker who declared his Faith in Blessed Beauty.
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"ganesh_intersection." uploaded on January 14, 2007 by mhizzle on flickr

Sunday, January 14, 2007

On Nate and Ruhi: This is (Baha'i) Vegas BABY

I am loving Nate's blog. Ruhi is clearly big in his life, if his profile and posts are any indication. -gw

Ruhi in Vegas

The Ruhi Institute is changing Baha'i Culture- and its amazing to see it happen.

But it couldn't have been a more fun lunch and we were made to feel like part of the family.

never in his life had he seen a group of youth and adults Running to morning prayers.

SO I have been invited to attend a Bible Study.

The Baha'i I visited became a Baha'i this past month. He is in his Eighties.

What we have done is put the quotes on CD. We have employed a studio to make a great recording- I had two super readers knock it out

Our Chior couldn't be any better if were we composed of highly trained professional Gondoleers... Because that is pretty much what we are.

I love the Baha'is- And I can't imagine how even by looking at the Choir--- seeing that we represented all the backgrounds and collors- some measure of interest could not be raised.

I want to describe to you the care and attention our hosts showed us. When we came in- everyone came up- greeted us- told us how much that they were glad we could come.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

On Religion: No one religion is correct, none supportive of premarital sex

In the Heartland Mike speculates that he might become a Baha'i. Katrina responds. -gw

I think I am more Buddist than Christian, even though I was brought up through a Christian school as a Lutheran. No one religion is correct. Maybe I shall become a Baha'i. http://www.bahai.org/ I have never been to one of their churches, there is one down the road.....

"Sie end of nacht thoughts ," The Original Andrew Denis on MySpace

my friend mike is baha'i - the only downside I heard him mention was they're not supportive of premarital sex, but then again, what religion really is?

Comment by Katrina on "Sie end of nacht thoughts," The Original Andrew Denis on MySpace

On the Changing Times Conference: Josh's First-hand Report

We are given a glimpse, both in words and pics, of what the recent Changing Times conference was like through this blog entry by Josh, an 18 year-old Baha'i Year of Service Youth working at the Townshend International School. -gw

This conference was the best conference that I have ever been to.

Josh, "Winter Break," Joshua's Space

On a Baha'i in the Peace Corps: Peaceful Core

Peaceful Core is a Baha'i in the Peace Corps whose blog entries and pictures on Live Journal provide the reader with the delicious, if vicarious, feeling of actually being in Tanzania. -gw



On Little Details about the Baha'i Faith: Off the top of her head

"Off The Top Of Her Head,"Uploaded on December 10, 2005 by dzgnboy on flickr

Lisa is a student at St Olaf's in Minnesota. She has been doing a lot of reflecting on religion on her blogs. -gw

Alicia had her Baha'i prayer last night and she explained what her faith was exactly. It's amazing how much of the history and little details that she knows right off the top of your head. I wonder how many people of other faiths know that much of theirs. It was very interesting. There is a Baha'i Temple near Chicago and if we visit Chicago over Easter, I'm hoping we can go visit the Temple.

Lisa Duel, "12th January, 2007. 4:23 pm. " Les Chuchotements d'Espoir

On the Importance of Diversity: It's The Difference

"Truth by consensus" is how Wikipedia is defined in Time magazine's end of the year edition. Now that is a Baha'i concept. John Hopkin's Master's in Public Heath student Wade Schuette extoles the importance of diversity and the book The Difference by Scott E. Page. - gw


Can a crowd of average people be smarter than experts? "Yes, but only if they are very diverse" is the latest academic resarch finding.



Friday, January 12, 2007

On Going to Baha'i Functions: A great way to get fashion tips

Going to Baha'i functions is a great way to get fashion tips, too.

Renee, "Why do I enjoy looking at the Myspace profiles of European women? Click to find out!" on MySpace

On Negative Perceptions of Baha'is: They are like some sort of soppy kindergarten teacher

Sometimes the arguments offered to disparage the Faith are so bad they're good. Librarian John from Australia seems to provide a suitable entry to this category. His post reminds me of the accusation made of Baha'is that "they suffer from terminal niceness." I'll take that as a complement. -gw

"My Kindergarten Picture," uploaded on

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So, to my mind, the Baha'i are like some sort of soppy kindergarten teacher (lets call her Miss Honneysweet) standing up in front of the class and settling the arguments by saying "you're all right" and "lets all be friends". it's nice and you'd feel bad making fun of her, but in any argument we can't all be right.

John, "Help! My chakra fell into my chai tea," Hyperactice Librarian: The rants and howls of a librarian, blessed by by Bacchus with the gift of ADHD

"Howl," Uploaded on July 24, 2006 by CaptPiper on flickr