Religious truth is relative, Divine Revelation is progressive

....The Revelation, of which Bahá'u'lláh is the source and center, abrogates none of the religions that have preceded it, nor does it attempt, in the slightest degree, to distort their features or to belittle their value. It disclaims any intention of dwarfing any of the Prophets of the past, or of whittling down the eternal verity of their teachings.

It can, in no wise, conflict with the spirit that animates their claims, nor does it seek to undermine the basis of any man's allegiance to their cause. Its declared, its primary purpose is to enable every adherent of these Faiths to obtain a fuller understanding of the religion with which he stands identified, and to acquire a clearer apprehension of its purpose. It is neither eclectic in the presentation of its truths, nor arrogant in the affirmation of its claims. Its teachings revolve around the fundamental principle that religious truth is not absolute but relative, that Divine Revelation is progressive, not final.

Unequivocally and without the least reservation it proclaims all established religions to be divine in origin, identical in their aims, complementary in their functions, continuous in their purpose, indispensable in their value to mankind.

Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 57

Dayspring - UK's Bahá'í magazine for children

Dayspring is written for children between the ages of five and twelve, though it may be suited to some younger and older children as well.

It is available on subscription to anyone who would like copies. This site carries examples of some of the articles that have appeared over the last few years.

Dayspring Magazine On-line was created as a resource for those who are interested in the Bahá’í education of children.

Bahá'ís and "real" problems

Bahá'ís are often accused of holding aloof from the "real problems" of their fellowmen. But when we hear this accusation let us not forget that those who make it are usually idealistic materialists to whom material good is the only "real" good, whereas we know that the working of the material world is merely a reflection of spiritual conditions and until the spiritual conditions can be changed there can be no lasting change for the better in material affairs.

The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. 334

Bringing problems upon ourselves

In considering the effect of obedience to the laws on individual lives, one must remember that the purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next. Here one must learn to control and direct one's animal impulses, not to be a slave to them. Life in this world is a succession of tests and achievements, of falling short and of making new spiritual advances. Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but one can witness, again and again, that the soul who steadfastly obeys the law of Bahá'u'lláh, however hard it may seem, grows spiritually, while the one who compromises with the law for the sake of his own apparent happiness is seen to have been following a chimera: he does not attain the happiness he sought, he retards his spiritual advance and often brings new problems upon himself.

Universal House of Justice 6 February 1973

New volume of Bahá'í sacred writings published

A new volume of selected writings by Baha'u'llah, entitled "The Tabernacle of Unity," has been recently translated and published in English.

Find out more from the Bahá'í World News Service

The Great Challenge - Independent Investigation of Reality

Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One. The Call of God hath been raised, and the light of His countenance hath been lifted up upon men. It behoveth every man to blot out the trace of every idle word from the tablet of his heart, and to gaze, with an open and unbiased mind, on the signs of His Revelation, the proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of His glory.

Great indeed is this Day! The allusions made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as the Day of God attest its greatness. The soul of every Prophet of God, of every Divine Messenger, hath thirsted for this wondrous Day. All the divers kindreds of the earth have, likewise, yearned to attain it.

Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 10

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

King James Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

King James Bible, Matthew 7:15-20

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

King James Bible, Galatians 5

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

King James Bible, Ephesians 5:8

....is it not thy clear duty to investigate this Cause, to inform thyself of the things that have befallen Us, to judge with equity, and to cleave unto justice?

Bahá’u’lláh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 192

The first principle Bahá'u'lláh urged was the independent investigation of truth. "Each individual," he said, "is following the faith of his ancestors who themselves are lost in the maze of tradition. Reality is steeped in dogmas and doctrines. If each investigate for himself, he will find that Reality is one; does not admit of multiplicity; is not divisible. All will find the same foundation and all will be at peace.

Bahá’í Scriptures, p. 276

The first teaching of Bahá'u'lláh is the duty incumbent upon all to investigate reality. What does it mean to investigate reality? It means that man must forget all hearsay and examine truth himself, for he does not know whether statements he hears are in accordance with reality or not. Wherever he finds truth or reality, he must hold to it, forsaking, discarding all else; for outside of reality there is naught but superstition and imagination.

Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 62

....it is our duty in this radiant century to investigate the essentials of divine religion, seek the realities underlying the oneness of the world of humanity and discover the source of fellowship and agreement which will unite mankind in the heavenly bond of love.

Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 144

Ponder a while. What is it that prompted, in every Dispensation, the peoples of the earth to shun the Manifestation of the All-Merciful? What could have impelled them to turn away from Him and to challenge His authority? Were men to meditate on these words which have flowed from the Pen of the Divine Ordainer, they would, one and all, hasten to embrace the truth of this God-given, and ever-enduring Revelation, and would testify to that which He Himself hath solemnly affirmed.

Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 82

O ye that have strayed and lost your way! The Divine Messenger, Who speaketh naught but the truth, hath announced unto you the coming of the Best-Beloved. Behold, He is now come. Wherefore are ye downcast and dejected? Why remain despondent when the Pure and Hidden One hath appeared unveiled amongst you? He Who is both the Beginning and the End, He Who is both Stillness and Motion, is now manifest before your eyes.

Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 168

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

The Warwick Leaflets for enquirers

Over 40 information leaflets from the UK about the Baha'i Faith grouped under the following headings:

Basic facts
Baha'u'llah
Other religions and the Baha'i Faith
Spritiual concepts
The Baha'i life
A Baha'i View
Social issues
General interests

The Authors, Warwick Bahá'í Assembly, grants permission to print off single copies for personal use. They ask that you use the commercially available printed versions for general use.

Bahá'í in finals to design new emblem for Parliament

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Amal Ma'ani-Hessari, Creative Director of www.dawntide.com, has been chosen, from over 2000 entrants, as a finalist in a competition to design a new emblem for the Parliament of South Africa. Amal (43) joined 19 other finalists in Cape Town at the Lanzerac Manor for an intensive four-day workshop.

Amal was immediately inspired after seeing an advert for search for a new emblem, to replace the old coat of arms in a drive to change Parliament's image.

"I focused on bringing about the representation of the Parliament as a source of unity," he said.

Amal sees "Parliament as the leading light in Africa; the goal of which he would love to see as bringing together a group of individuals who are elected for the quality of their character and varying talents in offering 'African Solutions to African Problems' and striving for equality and unity in diversity."

He chose the theme Unity in Diversity for his design.

The theme is "a perfect example to the rest of the world as well as our own local government representatives, of how a group of individuals' diverse colour, ethnicity, differing religious and cultural backgrounds and upbringing can successfully work together in bringing about the betterment of this beautiful, diverse and unique country that we all live in", he said.

The finalists are a representative mix of South Africa's racial and cultural make-up, but not without an exotic element. Representatives from almost all nine of the provinces were represented with Amal representing KwaZulu-Natal. Amal is a former religious refugee from Iran and was expected to add an international flavour to the design process. Amal was born in Iran and brought up in Tehran until the age of 14 when his family were forced to move to the United Kingdom because of the political turmoil in Iran.

Amal qualified as a Graphic Designer in 1986 and has considerable international xxperience in marketing, design and public relations. Three years ago he emigrated to South Africa with his wife and their four children. He has since become a permanent resident in the city of Pietermaritzburg and heads the creative team at www.dawntide.com, inspired publishing and www.logoshop.co.za; both under the One Circle International umbrella, a strategic management, branding and I.T. company.

Amal is a Fellow of the internationally-recognised Chartered Society of Designers (FCSD) as well as a member of the South African Association of Professional Designers.

Every aspect of Amal's life is inspired by his deep faith in God. He is a member of the Msunduzi Bahá'í Community - this is a faith which believes in a single world community believing in the oneness of God, the oneness of religion and the oneness of mankind regardless of our cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. The Bahá'í Faith comprises what is very likely the most diverse and widespread organised body of people on earth. Bahá'í's believe in the unity of mankind - hence Amal's inspiration when he submitted his emblem design to the South African Parliament who were calling for the emblem to reflect "that Parliament is responsive to the needs of the people, and is driven by the ideal of realising a better quality of life for all the people of South Africa."

When not designing, Amal commits his leisure time to painting (he is also an internationally-recognised artist), producing music, relaxing with his wife, Sharon and their four children (Naseem, Shomaise, Daunya and Zarrin) and promoting the Bahá'í work within the Msunduzi Bahá'í Community. Amal has recently graduated as a qualified tutor of the Ruhi Institute. This process actively encourages social and economical development projects for adults, youth and children, around the world.

The new emblem for the South African Parliament will be revealed
early next year.

The Youth Enrichment Programme

Hearing the news today of the tragic death of a learner at a school in Johannesburg, who was killed by another learner at the same school impressed upon me the urgent need for programmes in schools which will help develop moral values, social skills and spiritual virtues in the learners. One such programme is the Youth Enrichment Programme (YEP) which has been developed by the Bahá'í inspired Royal Falcon Education Initiative in South Africa. The following introduction is taken from RFEI's website.

School is the main frontline institution for most adolescents, at a time when they are making important moral and social choices in their lives. Spending between six and eight hours a day in school, they are exposed to the influence of their teachers, the school curriculum, and their schoolmates. Reports from many parts of the country however, reveal a disturbing picture of the school environment in which they spend so much of their time. Many schools have been affected by AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, violence, theft, disruptive behaviour and other problems.

It is unfortunate that the schools, where noble characteristics, virtues, knowledge and good citizenship are to be learned, should face such serious challenges. Many parents and educators have now realised that teaching our young people academic subjects alone is not enough. Far too often, the teaching of moral values and life skills has been relegated to a secondary position. It needs to be considered as basic, along with the languages, sciences and other core subjects. It is often argued that moral education should permeate the curriculum, in different subjects, in all that is said and done in the school, rather than be confined to a narrow space in the curriculum. Realistically though, the pressing need now is for a model of developing virtues and social skills which can be readily implemented in schools, and indeed by a variety of youth groups, religious or otherwise.

The Youth Enrichment Programme has been specifically developed to respond to this need, in a way which complements the schools curriculum. YEP is designed to promote knowledge and understanding relevant to life in a multicultural society, and to empower the youth morally, socially and intellectually.

Presently YEP is being used in schools and other institutions in South Africa and neighbouring countries and it is hoped that it will become more widely used in other countries.

For further information about the Youth Enrichment Programme, its objectives and methods, implementation and facilitator training visit the Youth Enrichment Programme website or download the YEP information brochure or by email at info@yep.org.za

Bahá'í youth portal Australia

I have recently become aware of a great website for youth (thanks Jennifer).

An initiative of the National Youth Committee of the Bahá'ís of Australia, THEHEYDAY.COM is a site for Bahá'í youth or young at heart and their friends. It is a site with a difference: It's a webmag, search engine, news source, shop, discussion forum, study and resource centre and more, all in one snazzy and funky space.

Statistics of the Bahá’í world community

The most recent statistics including numbers of National Spiritual Assemblies, localities where Bahá’ís reside, languages into which Bahá’í Writings are translated etc.

A prayer for humanity

O Thou kind Lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock. Thou hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household. In Thy Holy Presence they are all Thy servants, and all mankind are sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered together at Thy Table of Bounty; all are illumined through the light of Thy Providence.

O God! Thou art kind to all, Thou hast provided for all, dost shelter all, conferrest life upon all. Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and faculties, and all are submerged in the Ocean of Thy Mercy.

O Thou kind Lord! Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home. May they all live together in perfect harmony.

O God! Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.

O God! Establish the Most Great Peace. Cement Thou, O God, the hearts together. O Thou kind Father, God! Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of Thy love. Brighten our eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance. Delight our ears with the melody of Thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of Thy Providence. Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art the One Who overlooketh the shortcomings of all mankind.

'Abdu'l-Bahá