I have become increasingly interested in the Bah?'? Faith. Having studied it for a couple of months now, I have fallen in love with the religion. I honestly believe it is the true religion of the world. Now then, should I convert? How do I tell my friends and family if I do convert?
Do as you please. The Baha'i Faith encourages you to continue in your own faith as well. It is not something that says "either or". If you are Catholic you can continue being Catholic and also Baha'i if you want. They encourage your spiritual growth no matter where you are.
You know, its really HARD nowadays DETECT which religion is real. I personally am Catholic and I feel as God is the only God and all others are fake. But dint get me wrong, I've had my doubts as well. Having so many religions out there, its IMPOSSIBLE to know which one is the REAL ONE. :-(....Wish ya the best. I truly hope you find the REAL path.
Why wouldn't you? If you truly understand the Baha'i faith and agree with its precepts then I would think you would have to convert to be true to yourself and your understanding of the world. My only words of caution are those given to me by several rabbis as I was beginning my conversion process (to Judaism): be aware that you are joining a much misunderstood minority religion. In some parts of the world, the Baha'i are the subject of horrible persecution. Some Muslims consider Baha'i a heretical sect of Islam that should be treated accordingly, for example. Other people's impressions are very positive based on the religion's major principles . . . most people have no idea what Baha'i is. As such, I would argue that you should only convert if you feel you "must" . . . after all the Baha'i believe in the unity of religion.
As for how, when, and whether to discuss this with friends or family . . . this is best discussed with those who may have been down the same path of conversion and/or those who are experienced members of your future community.
i would like to share with you that i have read some of the Book of the Bah?'? Faith. i checked it out of the library about 8 years ago and i was very impressed with the writings that i found there. in addition i have met some brothers and sisters from the Bah?'? Faith and have a contact that happens to be one. i have nothing but the highest good to say about them... and they are a reflection of the beauty of this Religion.
i am a Muslim revert working on my faith daily.
warm regards and good luck with your spiritual growth and understandings...
To answer your first question: as you may know, one of the principles of the Baha'i Faith is independent investigation of truth. If you keep investigating you will find the answer to this first question. It's a matter of searching your soul - your heart & mind. Go to the original sources (Baha'is Writings) and don't listen to most people's opinions (such as most of the responses on this bog) because they have NOT done any serious investigation and are hindered by their own limited understanding and prejudices. Remember that throughout history, whenever a new religion was revealed, the established clergy, and the masses who followed that clergy, rejected the new religion and persecuted it severely. It is the same today.
As to your second question, one of the other responses was right on. Find someone else who is in your situation and how they handled it. Unity is the most important principle of the Baha'i Faith and most of the time it's best to reveal things according to others' capacity to hear something.
Should I convert to the Bah?'? Faith?
