Baha'i Faith? Anyone with knowledge on the basic precepts?
I noticed in my new town there was a Baha'i center, and asked my good friend here if she knew anything about it. Being an atheist she admitted she did not -- but did say that every nursing mother in town went there as they are umber-lactivists (pro-breast feeders) when they had a problem breastfeeding. So can someone give me a cliff-notes run-down on the faith? Furthermore, explain the (awesome) pro-breastfeeding stance?
Religion founded in Iran in the mid-19Th century by Baha' Ullah. It emerged from Babism when in 1863 Baha' Ullah asserted that he was the messenger of God predicted by the Bab. Before his death in 1892, he appointed his son 'Abd IL-Baha to lead the community. The writings of the Bab, Baha' Ullah, and 'Abd ol-Baha form the sacred literature. Worship consists of readings from scriptures of all religions. Baha'i faith proclaims the essential unity of all religions and the unity of humanity. It is concerned with social ethics and has no priesthood or sacraments. Because of its 19 initial disciples, it considers the number 19 sacred, and the calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days (with four additional days). Adherents are expected to pray daily, fast 19 days a year, and keep to a strict ethical code. Baha'i has experienced major growth since the 1960s but has been persecuted in Iran since the fundamentalist revolution of 1979.
the Bahia's don't believe in having priests, they believe their religion is set up for beyond the end times. they believe that cell groups of nine is the maximum number for their area, then you have to set up another area when converts join. their calendar months are 19 days. they do not believe in nationalism. they think Baha'ullah is Christ returned and no one noticed. their stories are amazing. they won't tell you sh*t if it was in their mouth. they do not allow alcohol. their religion is persecuted severely in the Middle East. They enjoy helping others from around the world. they will not put down Antone's religion, and they never proselytize.
The Bah??? Faith is centered upon the life and person of the prophet and the revelation he received from God. It emphasizes the unity of God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humankind. Bah??u?Lelah emphasized the importance of motherhood and family life. For further information, see:
The Baha'i Faith is the world's most recent major religion, beginning in 1844. Baha'u'llah lived most of His life as a prisoner of the Persian Government and Ottoman Empire and was eventually banished to the prison of Akka, near Mt. Carmel, near what is today Haifa, Israel. Note: At the time, Israel had not yet been created and was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
Baha'u'llah said that He is the one promised by all the majors religions (and Holy Books) and that He is the Prophet given a new message from God, for all humankind, to help guide us for at least the next 1000 years.
For more information about the Baha'i Faith and its fascinating history, I highly recommend visiting the Official U.S. website at http://www.bahai.us/ or the international website at http://www.bahai.org/.
Sorry, however, there isn't a direct correlation to breast feeding, however, Baha'u'llah did state that we should study the arts and sciences. In this case, science has recently shown that breastfeeding is very beneficial to infants, so I'm wondering if there isn't a very good OB/GYN or other medical professional in the area, who also happens to be a Baha'i, and provides some kind of medical consultation at the center.
Baha'i Faith in bullet points ("Cliffs Notes" version as you requested). We believe (in):
+ In the Oneness of God--not just monotheism, but that the God worshiped by various religions is the same God. The Faith builds on Abrahamic traditions as well.
+ All religions and Manifestations (religious founders) are fundamentally One
+ Complete equality of men and women
+ Eradication of all forms of prejudice and discrimination
+ World Peace: the world can be spiritually and politically united, and wars will become a thing of the past
+ Mankind is fundamentally good, and children are born noble (not into the concept of original sin)
+ Baha'u'llah is our Manifestation and is theologically equal to Jesus, Muhammad, and other Manifestations; he is the fulfillment of the Return of Christ
+ Religion should be the source of unity, not strife and contention
As DanK1958 mentioned, there isn't a direct or explicit correlation between the Baha'i Faith and breastfeeding. It's basically an extension of the philosophies of the Faith and its emphasis on the station/importance of women, children, and the relationship/bond between the two. Breastfeeding is of course natural and beneficial which are things the Faith encourages. I'm sure it would be easy to find some Baha'is who aren't "umber-lactivists" in terms of breastfeeding *in public*, as Baha'is span the liberal-conservative spectrum in terms of what is socially permissible; but I doubt you'd find any Baha'is who aren't supportive of breastfeeding in general. I imagine there are some older Persians in any given community (the Faith started in Iran, so there are Persian Baha'is all over the world) who would be individually uncomfortable with public breastfeeding. On the other hand, I have personally been in a Baha'i meeting with a new mother who had zero problem nursing her baby in all of our presence, and nobody (including her Persian husband, incidentally) blinked an eye. On the "other other" hand, if your local Baha'i community allows breastfeeding in their center, it means that they've already consulted about it and approved the idea--which to Baha'is means that the decision is now unanimous, even if there was disagreement about it at first. In other words, once a Baha'i community makes a decision all its members are expected to support that decision as their own even if they initially disagreed. It promotes unity in the community and discourages discord, backbiting, resentment, undercutting, and so forth.
Baha'i Faith? Anyone with knowledge on the basic precepts?
