Comments on: Rainn Wilson’s Soulpancake on Oprah

By: Fubar

Fubar — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 07:56:00 +0000

(late response)

A cynical view would be that as long as bahaism is attempting to convert people and take over the world, it is happy that democratic societies exist within which religious minorities are allowed freedoms.

In the unlikely event that bahaism became dominant it would then see no reason for religious freedom, and would curtail it (along with democracy).

bahaism is largely a mythic, medieval religion, and as such, its culture is conformist, and is focused on “saving face”.

most theories of democracy are premised on a rejection of mythic religion in favor of modernist values, such as the use of reason and public debate, however rude, in service of participatory government.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:41:00 +0000

Thanks, D.

By: D.

D. — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:11:00 +0000

My daughter was born enlightened and more highly evolved than many. When she was 12, she was introduced to the Bhah’i faith and was instantly “connected” to spirituality that nourished her. She spent several years immersed in their retreats, activities and participated in Bahai performances at our local high schools. She was happy.

After several years, I decided that I wanted to learn more about the Bahai faith because I respected my daughter’s choices and opinion so much. At that time, I had felt very connected through Unitarian Universalism for nearly a decade. Nevertheless, I asked my daughter to teach me about her faith, excited that I might see through her eyes and share her joy.

To my surprise, she looked a bit ashamed. We talked for hours, and she told me that she loved *most* of her Bahai spirituality, and all her Bahai community; then confessed she had long known that she needed to walk away from it and find a spiritual connectin elsewhere. She went on to explain that their Order clearly did not believe in equality for women or gays, and that that narrow opinion, more than any other, revealed a non-loving hidden agenda that blatantly flew in the face of the natural order.

She had been unable to separate from it because these were her best friends (remember how important that is to us in high school?); but admitted that now that she had said the words out loud, confessing her knowledge of such primitive backward thinking, she did not respect the Bahai organization due to these specific offensive tenets. She said they did not appear capable of evolving in her lifetime regarding such basic and obvious conditions & inherent rights.

It was a sad day for my daughter, her sister, and for both her mothers. There were lots of tears; she mourned it like a death, but never questioned her life’s quest for light and universal love.

I am a mother who can love Amanda for courageously voicing the obvious.

By: Omid Djalili Talks About His Faith With BBC Radio | Baha'i Rants

Omid Djalili Talks About His Faith With BBC Radio | Baha'i Rants — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 18:33:53 +0000

[...] ‘rediscovery’ of the Faith is strikingly similar to the experience of US comedian, Rainn Wilson. I’m sure there is a lesson in there somewhere for Baha’i [...]

By: norbit

norbit — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:34:00 +0000

You make it sound as if hes some devious plotter out to misrepresent things. In truth many Bahais would Not have seen the things you picked up on because you are skewed by Bias against the house of Justices policies (like no women allowed etc), aside from a few small apparent inconsistencies most people of the world WOULD view Bahai as a accepting religion and his interview as honest and balanced. As for democratic that word would usually be applied to politics and can be misrepresented in a thousand ways to suit whatever purpose you would like to argue against the faiths administration. Frankly your anti Administration sentiment shines through as plain as the sun in your apparent ‘analysis’ of Rains interview.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:01:28 +0000

YB,
Congratulations on having read 50 Baha'i books, and thank you for your time. Unfortunately, your teaching-outreach time could be better spent on someone who isn't a third generation (ex) Baha'i. But thanks for reminding me of why I left.

In complete disagreement,
Amanda

By: peyamb

peyamb — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:30:07 +0000

“IF we are homosexual or heterosexual and un married we are not having sex. So there is no need to be homophobic. It is simple as a Bahai'i. If I am not married to you, I shouldn't be having sex with you.”
Not really that simple. Although I can see how fundamentalists in every religions need to package everything into nice neat boxes. You see everything in black and white. More and more, there will be acceptance in society of gay “married” couples, who will raise wonderful kids. These families will look at the Faith and say- you know I don't believe that Bahaullah ever meant that my relationship is wrong. He spoke about the raping of young slave boys- not me. And these couples will ask to be part of the Bahai community. Some local communities have already started acceptign such individuals and not making a big deal of it. Others (probably the one that you live in) are not as accepting. Hopefully one day I will find a local community that is accepting and be able to return as an active Bahai. Til then…I'll worship on my own. Cheers!

By: peyamb

peyamb — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:25:16 +0000

“Study a Faith, on its merrits not on the attraction of a friend, or individual or an interview on Operha”
Amen. And don't judge the Faith based on the beliefs of some of its fundamentalist members (such as yourself). Bahaullah's Words are way greater. This Faith is WAY greater than you. That's why I still consider myself a Bahai, I have read the words and I SO disagree with so much that you have stated. But I accept that literalists such as yourself have a place in the Bahai community (as I guess they do in every religion). But just understand that there are many other Bahais who don't share your narrow views on homosexuality, or women not being allowed to serve on the UHJ, etc. Bahaullah's Faith is for everyone, even if his community may not be at this time in history.

By: yrb

yrb — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:03:34 +0000

Rainn Wilson’s aim is to create a place to really delve into spirituality, religion and all those questions about God, the meaning of life, the universe, everything…

I have been to his site. I find that it misses the mark by a mile. If you want to know about the Baha'i Faith. Read the writings of the Founder of the Faith Baha'u'llah. Read the writings about Administration by Effendi. Go to the source.

If you don't agree with the teachings and the Faith. By all means go be a Great member of anothe Religion based on the study and YOUR understanding of that religions Holy Text.

If your looking for a Religion According to YOU. You may be in a long search. But good luck with that too.

One thing that is for sure. Baha'is are not homophobic. The Baha'i Faith's teachings recognize the natural state of being a homosexual. However, marriage is limited to a partnership/relationship or bond between a man and woman. Sex is limited to between person who are married to each other.

So if you are hetero or homosexual and you are not married you aren't supposed to be having sex. It is simple. There is no greater or lessor violation of the laws.

Women are to be Served, and the Universal House of Justice is the highest level or the greatest burden of servace to the human race. It is perhaps the only all male body that has the duty to Serve Womankind in such a way. Think about that in todays terms and try and project what that can mean in the future. You ladies out there saying this is unfair... try to ask the question why is it this way. It is not that the 9 Men Want the Obligation of Service they have been placed in.

I am a woman, and I have no problem haveing Men being put in the situation of being Servants of Woman and accountable for advancing not only the status of Baha'i Women within their community but Women of the entire planet. Not a problem for me at all.

Study a Faith, on its merrits not on the attraction of a friend, or individual or an interview on Operha. Follow the Faith not the Followers. We will always not measure up. Baha'is are not perfect, we fall short every day. This is one of the many reason we don't have clergy. We are accountable to God. That is a tough audiance. However, God is forgiving if we earnistly are trying to do better each day.

I hope.