Historical Dictionary of the Baha'i Faith


Book Description

Growing out of the teachings of the B_b, who introduced the idea of the coming of a great prophet (the one promised in the scriptures of all the world's major religions), the Bah_'' Faith was founded by Bah_'u'll_h, when in 1866 he publicly declared that he was the One the B_b prophesized. The 2nd edition of the Historical Dictionary of the Bah_'' Faith presents a general historical overview of both B_b' and Bah_'' religions, as well as a theological overview of the Bah_'' Faith, from their inception in the mid 19th century to the middle of 2005. It presents biographical details of the Founders and Central Figures along with numerous leaders and pioneers, most of the basic principles and precepts, as well as aspects of its organization and administration. Through the use of photographs, a list of acronyms, a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on nearly every aspect of the religion, and appendixes listing the genealogy of the Founders, statistical information, and lists of apostles, disciples, Hands of the Cause, Knights of Bah_'u'll_h as well as of more than 930 believers who have contributed to its growth and development, this book is a fundamental tool for finding information on all things related to the Bah_'' Faith.




The Bahá’í Faith and African American History


Book Description

This book examines the intersection of African American history with that of the Bahá’í Faith in the United States. Since the turn of the twentieth century, Bahá’ís in America have actively worked to establish interracial harmony within its own ranks and to contribute to social justice in the wider community, becoming in the process one of the country’s most diverse religious bodies. Spanning from the start of the twentieth century to the early twenty-first, the essays in this volume examine aspects of the phenomenon of this religion confronting America’s original sin of racism and the significant roles African Americans came to play in the development of the Bahá’í Faith’s culture, identity, administrative structures, and aspirations.




The Ascent of Society


Book Description

In The Ascent of Society: The Social Imperative in Personal Salvation, author John S. Hatcher answers questions that have been explored by spiritual seekers for many yearshow does personal spiritual development translate into social experience? Is there a social imperative connected with individual spiritual growth? Is involvement with others necessary for one to evolve spiritually? This penetrating study describes the objective of personal spiritual growth as an ever-expanding sense of self that requires social relationships in order to develop. Hatcher focuses on the Bah belief that human history is a divinely guided process in which spiritual principles are gradually and progressively expressed in social institutions. He demonstrates that the aspirant to spiritual transformation cannot view personal health and development as being possible apart from the progress of human society as a whole.




Citizens of the World


Book Description

Citizens of the World deals with the Baha’is and their religion. While covering the historical development in sufficient detail to serve as a general monograph on Baha’i, emphasis is laid on examining contemporary Baha’i, with the Danish Baha’i community as a recurrent case. The book discusses Baha’i religious texts, rituals, economy, everyday life, demographic development, mission strategies, leadership, and international activism in analyses based on primary material, such as interview studies among the Baha’is, fieldwork data from the Baha’i World Centre in Israel, and field trips around the world. The approach is a combination of history of religions and sociology of religion within a theoretical framework of religion and globalisation. Several general topics in the study of new religions are covered. The book contributes to the theoretical study of globalisation by proposing a new model for analysing globalisation and transnational religions.




The World of the Bahá'í Faith


Book Description

The World of the Bahá’í Faith is an outstanding guide to the Bahá’í Faith and its culture in all its geographical and historical diversity. Written by a distinguished team of international contributors, this volume explores the origin of this religion and contains substantial thematic articles on the living experience of the global Bahá’í community. The volume is organised into six distinct sections: Leadership and Authoritative Texts Theology Humanity Society The Contemporary Bahá’í Community History and Spread of the Bahá’í Community These sections cover such themes as the afterlife, artistic expression, Bahá’í institutions, devotional life, diversity, economics, education, the environment and sustainability, family life, gender, human nature, interfaith relations, international governance, law, marriage, peace, persecution, philosophy, race, science and religion, scripture, spirituality, and work. The development of the Bahá’í Faith is outlined in ten regional articles. This volume provides an authoritative and accessible source of information on all topics important to the Bahá’í Faith. The World of the Bahá’í Faith will be essential reading to students and scholars studying world religions and comparative religion. It will also be of interest to those in related fields such as sociology, political science, anthropology, and ethics.




Progressive Revelation,


Book Description

Some of the fundamental questions that millions have asked throughout mankind’s history is “If God exists, who is He? how can I know Him? is it possible to imagine Him? how can I talk to Him? Is God another of our mental categories and, therefore product of our imagination, a figment of our brain chemistry, or does God really exist and has communicated with us in a verifiable and objective manner revealing to us who He really is? If such communication has already occurred, then, in what manner has it happened? If it already occurred, what has God revealed about Himself that helps us understand who He is; what is His ultimate Essence? We hope the reflections presented in this book will provide a satisfactory answer that fills our daily pilgrimage with optimism until we attain the presence of our Creator.




The Baha'i Faith


Book Description

Explore the history, teachings, structure and community life of the world-wide Baha'i community-what may well be the most diverse organized body of people on earth-through this revised and updated comprehensive introduction (2002). Named by the Encyclopedia Britannica as a book that has made "significant contributions to the knowledge and understanding" of religious thought, The Baha'i Faith covers the most recent developments in a faith that, in just over 150 years, has grown to become the second most wide-spread of the independent world religions.




Eve Nicklin: She of the Brave Heart


Book Description

Eve Nicklin was among the first American Bahá'í pioneers to South America. Armed with an unreserved love for humanity, for five decades she spread the all-embracing teachings of the Bahá’í Faith with unswerving dedication and zeal, settling in twelve cities within six South American countries. A gifted educator, Eve attracted people from all walks of life, from the university professor to the peasant and simple folk, whether a dignitary or a commoner, rich or poor, both the young and the old. Whenever someone was required to settle in the southernmost and freezing tip of the continent or in the very heart of the Andes - Eve was always the first to joyfully accept the call. Her life was characterised by a strong belief that the Bahá'í teachings were the means to achieve world unity, universal peace and the brotherhood of all faiths.




Twelve Principles


Book Description

The book investigates the twelve Baha'i principles and teachings. The novelty of these teachings--as is claimed by Baha'is--and the actions of Baha'i leaders such as Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha with respect to these teachings are also researched.