During the last Baha’i National Convention, Bill Davis addressed the convention attempting to re-direct their attention away from the NSA’s own annual report, which presented an honest assessment of the situation on the ground in Baha’i communities in the US, to the letter from the UHJ directing Baha’is to “stay the course”.
Towards the end of the remarks Bill Davis says (4:37):
“We do not want to find ourselves pushing a rewind button and arguing over core curriculum and Ruhi.”
The reason that excerpt stands out for me is that it means there were disagreements over Ruhi and core curriculum with some obviously feeling very strongly against it. And so much so that the NSA as a body wrote that letter basically calling both Ruhi and core curriculum, bunk. But the UHJ came down on them like a tonne of bricks. Sending an enforcer to oversee the National Convention from the ITC as well as erasing the NSA’s own annual report and replacing it with their own.
I’ve uploaded the annual report for the largest Baha’i community in Canada. The most interesting part is Appendix 5 on page 3 which outlines the results of the implementation of the core activities for the past 5 Baha’i years, from 2004 to 2008.
I thought it may be fruitful in our discussions of Ruhi, the core curriculum and their acceptance by the community. According to the data in this report, there are
It is fascinating that after so many years and after such an intense focus and increasing insistence upon these rote activities, it has only resulted in about a third of the community to complete Book 1 of Ruhi and less than a tenth to complete Book 7.
Book 5 is also especially rejected/ignored by the community since only a handful have completed it. Book 5 is Raising up Animators of Junior Youth Groups. It may be because it was once a part of Book 3 and in 2005 inserted as its own ‘Book’.
“We welcome the decision of the Institute…to move the book currently occupying the fifth position in the sequence to a set of courses branching out from Book 3 for preparing Baha’i Children’s class teachers and to insert in the fifth place a new book for raising up animators of junior youth groups.”
- Letter from the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, 28 December 2005
Or perhaps because it is a specialized ‘course’ only a few people are interested to take it or need to take it to become ‘junior youth animators’.
In most communities, Ruhi is presented as a cumulative course and an individual can only take a subsequent book or course if they have done a previous one. So the fact that only about a hundred or so out of more than 1500 Baha’is (adults and youth) is very telling.
It is well known and accepted that for almost all Baha’i communities, there is a range of accuracy when it comes to membership data. The larger the community, the more difficult to get a truly accurate measure of membership. So instead of the 1560 number which includes all adults and youth, a more accurate number would be those with “good” addresses who still consider themselves Baha’is.
So lets be kind and estimate a more accurate measure of the population of Baha’is in this community by going with the number of people who have contributed to the Fund at least once during the year. This isn’t a perfect qualifier but it does mean that we are counting those who are, at minimum, involved with the community emotionally and physically. That number is roughly 40% or roughly 620 people. That gives us about 21% of these ‘active’ members having done the full Ruhi courses.
Is that a “success” or “failure”? Ultimately that will depend on your views about Ruhi and your built in biases. Some will say that is a resounding success while others will see it as utter failure. Since the conclusion relies on what or how we define success or failure, it is open to debate.
Personal I think that it would be a stretch to call this a success. After all, the active membership of the community would as easily and exuberantly take up tether ball or bird-watching if they were directed to do so in the same fervor and intensity that the ITC and UHJ has pushed Baha’is to take up Ruhi.
For me, among other measures, success should be demonstrated by how many regularly inactive Baha’is are drawn to Ruhi and finish it. After all, they are 60% of the community. As well, I have to wonder, if Ruhi is the bees knees, why haven’t 100% of ‘active’ Baha’is completed it. It has been ongoing for, what? 8 years now. How many years will it take to convince the most loyal and active membership? And if Ruhi can not hold their attention or inspire these most loyal and devoted Baha’is, what hope does it have for the less active? the less devoted?
While the above example comes from one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in the world, we have another from a very different part of the world which shows remarkably similar levels of rejection for Ruhi. I say this because many believe that while Ruhi may be ineffective for western cultures, it is useful for less developed ones.
From the international convention held recently to elect the membership of the Universal House of Justice, we have official reports that in India, more than 80,000 people have completed a Ruhi course, and some 6,000 people have completed all seven books in the series.
That number may seem amazingly large… until you consider that there are by some accounts 1.8 million Baha’is in India. So let’s see, that would mean that less than 4.5% have done one single Ruhi course and about 0.0033% have done all 7.
Another idea is that while there may have been growth in devotional meetings and other worship related social events, how do we know if this was brought about as a consequence of Ruhi or core curriculum? how do we separate causation with just correlation?
Finally, what no one can answer is what benefits and successes the community has given up by diverting attention to this end. How many individual initiatives were ignore? how many unrelated projects were sidelined in the single-minded quest to press everyone to walk in lock-step? Take a look at this 1987 document full of recommendations for the revitalization of the American Baha’i community.
I wonder how many more years of this we will have to endure until this latest fad is finally dropped for its obvious ineffectiveness and rejection by the Baha’i community?
The problem is that there is group think gripping the highest levels of Baha’i administration. This is not the same as unity. For unity allows diversity of thought, action and methods. Instead, through the trend of ITC members being elected to the UHJ, and then turning around and appointing ITC members… we have now a situation where there are many individuals at the highest levels of office who have a very personal vested interest in the success of Ruhi.
It is not an impartial question or concept. It is deeply embedded and deeply part of their contribution to the Baha’i world community. For it to be seen to have failed, or for them to admit that it has failed or been rejected by the membership, is not just a simple realization. It means accepting that their contribution has fallen short. Most people simply can not take that. Compound that by several like minded individuals and you have: group think.
No where is the death grip of group-think more apparent than the categorical denial by the UHJ/ITC of the report prepared by the NSA. Who is more adept at gathering, analyzing and reporting what is going on within a community? the community itself? or a body that is half-way around the world?
Read this doc on Scribd: Core Curriculum Statistics THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF TORONTO ANNUAL REPORT RIDVAN 164 – RIDVAN 165 21 April 2007 – 20 April 2008 APPENDIX 2 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS DURING PAST YEAR These include the following events, listed chronoligically, some of which were called by the National Spiritual Assembly or the Baha’i Council: • Meeting with Mr. Siamak Hariri regarding the Chile Temple project, June 2007 • BNASAA seminar on “Spirituality and Sexuality”, September 2007 • Meeting of Counsellor Dan Scott with parents and teachers of children’s classes, October 2007 • Regional institutional conferences, May and November 2007 • National Memorial Service for Hand of the Cause of God ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa, December 2007 • Winter School on “Divine Civilization” – December 2007 • Meetings in English and Persian with representative of the National Spiritual Assembly regarding the National Fund, February 2008 • Symposium on spiritual education of children and junior youth, March 2008 • Course on public speaking, January – February 2008 APPENDIX 3 COMMUNITY STATISTICS (as of 16 April 2008) Baha’i population: 1744 Adult Population: 1440 Youth Population: 120 Junior Youth: 41 Child Population: 131 Unknown Age: 8 Moved into Toronto: 51 Transferred out of Toronto: 20 Enrolments: 44 Youth Affirmations: 13 Child Registrations: 9 Marriages: 12 Deaths: 5 Births: 11 Resignations: 1 International Pioneers: 8 Pioneers within Toronto: 16 Travelling Teachers: data not available Assembly Meetings: 42 APPENDIX 4 LIST OF APPOINTED AGENCIES DURING B.E. 164 Assembly Appointed Agencies During Past Year Care Committee CABS (Campus Association for Baha’i Studies) Centre Management Committee Cluster Growth Committee Counseling Committee – East Counseling Committee – West Debriefing Taskforce (for pioneers) Deepening Committee Elections Taskforce External Affairs Committee Feast Committees (6 committees) Fundraising Taskforce (for Centre Renovation Debt) Funeral Resources Hiring Taskforce Holy Day Committee Information Technology Coordinator Integration Committee Toronto List Monitor (listserv) Muslim Enrolment Taskforce Newsletter Persian Gatherings Committee Pre-Marriage Preparation Taskforce Seasonal Schools Sector Teams/contact persons Statistics Team Number serving on agencies: 114 To contact the above agencies: see newsletter APPENDIX 5 STATISTICS ON THE CORE ACTIVITIES OVER 5 YEAR PERIOD Number of core activities and of attendance in core activities for each year shown: Junior Youth Program No. 3 Att. 23 Seekers No. 18 Devotional Gatherings Att. 55 Seekers Data as of: No. Ridvan 2004 Ridvan 2005 Ridvan 2006 Ridvan 2007 Ridvan 2008 62 Study Circles Att. 500 Seekers 7 Children’s Classes No. 10 Att. 70 Seekers 39 236 17 15 75 4 34 25 350 19 148 6 9 55 6+ 4 15 3 32 242 50 40 156 34 25 146 65 6 58 29 54 271 28 45 122 30 24 126 42 5 32 13 29 261 62 Total number who have taken Ruhi books by the date shown: Date as of: Ridvan 2004 Ridvan 2005 Ridvan 2006 Ridvan Book 1 422 Book 2 277 Book 3 158 Book 4 177 Book 5 3 Book 6 107 Book 7 117 Tutors Animators 466 305 188 201 3 158 134 482 449 322 311 195 193 225 228 11 32 171 169 147 149 94 149 13 32 2007 Ridvan 2008 503 326 214 249 41 183 130 Note: The data in the above table is somewhat inaccurate for earlier time periods (2004 and 2005). If a person moved into Toronto from out of province, having already completed books in the main sequence – the institute does not keep record of his/her time of arrival, or the start/end dates of the books they have completed. For this reason, a person who has just moved into Toronto may be counted in previous time periods, since we have no means of separating them. APPENDIX 6 QUOTATIONS RELATED TO ASSEMBLY’S ROLE IN THE FIVE YEAR PLAN 1. None of the accomplishments of the individual or the community could be sustained without the guidance, encouragement and support of the third participant in the Plan—the institutions of the Faith. It is heartening to see to what extent the institutions are promoting individual initiative, channelling energies into the teaching field, underscoring the value of systematic action, fostering the spiritual life of the community and nurturing a welcoming environment. In helping the community to remain focused on the aim of the Plan, they are learning in practical terms what it means to maintain unity of vision among the friends, to put mechanisms in place that facilitate their endeavours and to allocate resources in accordance with priorities wisely set…While tending to needs of this kind, the institutions find themselves increasingly capable of directing the thrust of the effort exerted by the generality of the believers towards the prosecution of the central tasks of the Plan. (Universal House of Justice, December 27, 2005, paragraph 17) 2. The role of the Local Spiritual Assembly is, like that of all other institutions, an evolutionary one, which will develop in relation to the processes of growth. Although observations in this area are still rather preliminary, certain broad conclusions are already discernible. Where Local Assemblies have acquired the new vision of growth and adjusted to the requirements of operating within the context of the cluster, they have greatly enhanced the teaching work. Conversely, where there has been resistance to the new realities, the process of growth has been adversely affected. (International Teaching Centre, Reflections on Growth #10, paragraph 11) 3. If the potential for growth is to be realized, however, it is imperative that the two movements which lie at the heart of the current series of global Plans receive further impetus from your institution by your eliciting the heartfelt support of the believers, ensuring that energies are not dissipated and making resources available as needed. In addition, as the elected representatives of the body of believers, your members will need to work shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Bahá’ís in the forefront of activity, sharing their challenges and providing an example of wholehearted participation. At this critical moment in the fortunes of the Faith, no believer, whether veteran or newly enrolled, can regard passive acceptance of the activities of the Plan as an adequate response to the needs of the hour. (Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly) 4. Beyond these considerations, the leadership role of the Spiritual Assemblies—be they national or local—is of profound importance. It has been observed in many clusters that the processes of growth are greatly enhanced where this leadership role is exercised through the Assemblies’ constant effort to maintain the vision of growth before the believers, allowing for the two essential movements to impact priorities, avoiding unnecessary distractions, providing the necessary resources, and reinforcing the plans and initiatives at the cluster level. Further, the dynamic force of individual example as the members of Assemblies themselves become personally involved in the cluster activities, actively supporting the efforts of the cluster agencies, is imperative. (International Teaching Centre, Reflections on Growth #10, paragraph 17) 5. In other instances, particularly in the context of intensive programmes of growth, Local Assemblies with a high level of functioning are rising to the challenges created by the programme. Such Assemblies have effectively reinforced the cluster plan formulated by the cluster agencies and assumed responsibility for certain elements of the endeavour within their own area. (International Teaching Centre, Reflections on Growth #10, paragraph 13) 6. Over the past four and a half years, as the believers throughout the world have striven to pursue the aim of advancing the process of entry by troops, it has become increasingly clear that the close of the present Five Year Plan will mark a decisive moment in the unfoldment of the historical enterprise on which the community of the Greatest Name is embarked. The elements required for a concerted effort to infuse the diverse regions of the world with the spirit of Bahá’u'lláh’s Revelation have crystallized into a framework for action that now needs only to be exploited. Our 26 December 1995 message, which focused the Bahá’í world on a path of intense learning about the sustained, rapid growth of the Faith, described in general terms the nature of the work that would have to be undertaken in meeting the challenges ahead. As a first step, Bahá’í communities were urged to systematize their efforts to develop the human resources of the Cause through a network of training institutes. While every national community took measures to create institutional capacity to perform this essential function, it was not until the outset of the Five Year Plan that the significance of a well-conceived programme of training became widely appreciated. The introduction of the concept of the cluster made it possible for the friends to think about the accelerated growth of the community on a manageable scale and to conceive of it in terms of two complementary, reinforcing movements: the steady flow of individuals through the sequence of institute courses and the movement of clusters from one stage of development to the next. This image helped the believers to analyse the lessons being learned in the field and to employ a common vocabulary to articulate their findings. Never before have the means for establishing a pattern of activity that places equal emphasis on the twin processes of expansion and consolidation been better understood. Indeed, so consistent has been the experience with intensive programmes of growth, implemented on the basis of this understanding in divers clusters, that no cause for equivocation remains. The way forward is clear, and at Ridvan 2006 we will call upon the believers to steel their resolve and to proceed with the full force of their energies on the course that has been so decidedly set. In presenting to you the features of the coming Five Year Plan, the subject of your deliberations in this conference, we will review the record of recent accomplishments of the Bahá’í world and indicate how current approaches, methods and instruments should be carried to this next stage. What the analysis will make evident is that the wholehearted response of the individual believer, the community and the institutions to the guidance they received five years ago has raised their capacity to new levels. The continued development of this capacity will remain essential to the aim of advancing the process of entry by troops – the focus of the Bahá’í world through the final years of the first century of the Formative Age. (The Universal House of Justice, 27 December 2005, To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, paragraphs 1-3)
[quote comment=""][ You both like to point out how haughty you think this or that person is. Why?
-------------
Why anon? Because I don't want this religion to be some fundamentalist closed group of people who are told to groupthink. Or do you not care if the Faith because a bunch of sheep following some big-headed leaders (kind of like you see with evangelicals on tv). I have no problem that I have ego sometimes, but I'm also not trying to fool people with a sense of piety telling them what is right and wrong.[/quote]
P what you talk about is not what I experience or even can begin to imagine. So as I am sure you can understand why I disagree with you. I host Ruhi, devotions–my favorite, and I have been through the core curriculum training and the underlying message that I get with these is there is such a degree of flexibility and freedom in how we carry them out. You want to invite some people over for a devotions? Great! No one tells me what to read or how to read. Same goes for Ruhi. I like to think of it as very open source–in the technological sense. Someone can have a Ruhi that is sit and repeat and frankly those are boring. Someone with a little imagination can put together a very cool program with arts incorporated, music, and the chance for the participants to express their feelings in their own strengths. I am telling you man, get back into the game and you will see what I am talking about. Things are very open to play around with. As long as your intentions are pure, have fun!
If you see it as rote then change it. Book 7, the one to help people become tutors talk about the danger of becoming routine and how to avoid patterns. Be open, artistic, fluid, experiment–if we are not then yes Ruhi becomes a mind numbingly dull exercise.
One thing is for sure, negativity never produced anything.
annonymouz
[quote comment=""][ You both like to point out how haughty you think this or that person is. Why?
-------------
Why anon? Because I don't want this religion to be some fundamentalist closed group of people who are told to groupthink. Or do you not care if the Faith because a bunch of sheep following some big-headed leaders (kind of like you see with evangelicals on tv). I have no problem that I have ego sometimes, but I'm also not trying to fool people with a sense of piety telling them what is right and wrong.[/quote]
P what you talk about is not what I experience or even can begin to imagine. So as I am sure you can understand why I disagree with you. I host Ruhi, devotions–my favorite, and I have been through the core curriculum training and the underlying message that I get with these is there is such a degree of flexibility and freedom in how we carry them out. You want to invite some people over for a devotions? Great! No one tells me what to read or how to read. Same goes for Ruhi. I like to think of it as very open source–in the technological sense. Someone can have a Ruhi that is sit and repeat and frankly those are boring. Someone with a little imagination can put together a very cool program with arts incorporated, music, and the chance for the participants to express their feelings in their own strengths. I am telling you man, get back into the game and you will see what I am talking about. Things are very open to play around with. As long as your intentions are pure, have fun!
If you see it as rote then change it. Book 7, the one to help people become tutors talk about the danger of becoming routine and how to avoid patterns. Be open, artistic, fluid, experiment–if we are not then yes Ruhi becomes a mind numbingly dull exercise.
One thing is for sure, negativity never produced anything.
P
Well anon, consider yourself lucky. Obviously many of us haven’t experienced the same as you or else we wouldn’t be “ranting” online, now would we? Oh yeah, I forogt it’s solely because of our egos that’s why.
Anon said: “I am telling you man, get back into the game and you will see what I am talking about.”
Umm, well I’d have to first declare that I have a spiritual disorder which I am waiting for medicine to help me overcome before I can “get back into the game” as you suggest. But that’s been discussed thoroughly on another thread so no need to start it up here. I’ll pass- thanks. Besides, for now, I think I’ve found my home online.
P
Well anon, consider yourself lucky. Obviously many of us haven’t experienced the same as you or else we wouldn’t be “ranting” online, now would we? Oh yeah, I forogt it’s solely because of our egos that’s why.
Anon said: “I am telling you man, get back into the game and you will see what I am talking about.”
Umm, well I’d have to first declare that I have a spiritual disorder which I am waiting for medicine to help me overcome before I can “get back into the game” as you suggest. But that’s been discussed thoroughly on another thread so no need to start it up here. I’ll pass- thanks. Besides, for now, I think I’ve found my home online.
http://www.bahairants.com Baquia
[quote comment="61038"]Often times, in my own case, I have found that when I do not like something, I find ways of tearing it down and discrediting it, rather than finding things I can learn from it to improve myself.[/quote]
In the case of Ruhi, it is Baha’u'llah who doesn’t like it, not me. I simply follow what Baha’u'llah said regarding taqlid.
http://www.bahairants.com Baquia
[quote comment="61038"]Often times, in my own case, I have found that when I do not like something, I find ways of tearing it down and discrediting it, rather than finding things I can learn from it to improve myself.[/quote]
In the case of Ruhi, it is Baha’u'llah who doesn’t like it, not me. I simply follow what Baha’u'llah said regarding taqlid.
ep
the reality is that bahai culture has turned away from the very intellectual integrity and honesty that bahai scripture (inconsistently) exhorts its followers to observe. everything you say in “defense” of the bahai mainstream-tribal-groupthink mentality is a testimonial to this fact.
re: “One thing is for sure, negativity never produced anything.”
AnonZZZ,
welcome back.
your absurd rhetorical tactics appear to have remained the same: any dissent, criticism or non-conformism is equated with some spiritual inadequacy or deformity.
please note: people know that this is an old ruse used by fanatics to deflect attention from the substance of what the critics are saying. in other words – it is pure false posturing.
ep
the reality is that bahai culture has turned away from the very intellectual integrity and honesty that bahai scripture (inconsistently) exhorts its followers to observe. everything you say in “defense” of the bahai mainstream-tribal-groupthink mentality is a testimonial to this fact.
re: “One thing is for sure, negativity never produced anything.”
AnonZZZ,
welcome back.
your absurd rhetorical tactics appear to have remained the same: any dissent, criticism or non-conformism is equated with some spiritual inadequacy or deformity.
please note: people know that this is an old ruse used by fanatics to deflect attention from the substance of what the critics are saying. in other words – it is pure false posturing.
“it is moderately tightly, but intelligent discussion is
always encouraged.”
fwiw~ I was one of the original (if minor) sponsors of the above site. It was originally an independent site, and still has a lot of excellent material, but it is no longer independent from the AO’s tentacles, IMO.
The “moderation” process has been taken over by fanatics. Any deep ciriticism of bahai will be attacked viciously, with a shocking disregard for intellectual honesty.
“it is moderately tightly, but intelligent discussion is
always encouraged.”
fwiw~ I was one of the original (if minor) sponsors of the above site. It was originally an independent site, and still has a lot of excellent material, but it is no longer independent from the AO’s tentacles, IMO.
The “moderation” process has been taken over by fanatics. Any deep ciriticism of bahai will be attacked viciously, with a shocking disregard for intellectual honesty.
FJR
“O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day, ere thou art summoned to a reckoning.”- Baha’u'llah
Ultimately, my biggest problem with intellectual discussion online, in a medium such as this, is that there is something lost in the typed response medium. Ultimately, before most of the viewers have even read my comments, there is a large chance that they already know what they believe, and will approach my post based on how it relates to what they believe. There simply is not the opportunity to demonstrate your beliefs, and to exemplify your character, the person who is speaking, over the internet. That is no means meant to sound arrogant, as if I might sway someone if we were to consult in person, but I do believe that there is no substitute for real, human interaction.
Ultimately, there will always be those who criticize the Administrative Order, and I do believe that independent investigation of the truth is extremely important. That entails that individuals will ASK QUESTIONS, when they find a situation they are not clear on. However, one area where many people I notice struggle is the process of asking a question, then fairly evaluating the responses. Rather than being caught in the dichotomy of one believing they are absolutely right, and others are wrong, we must recognize that each perspective is based out of some truth.
I believe it was Abdul Baha who said that the belief of the individual that they are totally right, and another is totally wrong is the single greatest barrier to unity.
As for the reference to taqlid, Baquia, I believe you are misinterpreting Baha’u'llah’s intention in the quotation. While it is definitely warned that any individual gain too large an influence, and individuals always independently discern what is true, there also must be institutions to provide guidance, as Baha’u'llah and Abdul-Baha repeatedly state. If you would like to further discuss the subject, you are more than welcome to bring it to the forums to which I have linked.
Ultimately, many people on the internet already know what they believe and are not looking to change or enhance their perspectives. Every individual must walk their own path, and I only hope that when the hour strikes, every believer can honestly say that they did all in their power to work towards the unity of mankind.
FJR
“O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day, ere thou art summoned to a reckoning.”- Baha’u'llah
Ultimately, my biggest problem with intellectual discussion online, in a medium such as this, is that there is something lost in the typed response medium. Ultimately, before most of the viewers have even read my comments, there is a large chance that they already know what they believe, and will approach my post based on how it relates to what they believe. There simply is not the opportunity to demonstrate your beliefs, and to exemplify your character, the person who is speaking, over the internet. That is no means meant to sound arrogant, as if I might sway someone if we were to consult in person, but I do believe that there is no substitute for real, human interaction.
Ultimately, there will always be those who criticize the Administrative Order, and I do believe that independent investigation of the truth is extremely important. That entails that individuals will ASK QUESTIONS, when they find a situation they are not clear on. However, one area where many people I notice struggle is the process of asking a question, then fairly evaluating the responses. Rather than being caught in the dichotomy of one believing they are absolutely right, and others are wrong, we must recognize that each perspective is based out of some truth.
I believe it was Abdul Baha who said that the belief of the individual that they are totally right, and another is totally wrong is the single greatest barrier to unity.
As for the reference to taqlid, Baquia, I believe you are misinterpreting Baha’u'llah’s intention in the quotation. While it is definitely warned that any individual gain too large an influence, and individuals always independently discern what is true, there also must be institutions to provide guidance, as Baha’u'llah and Abdul-Baha repeatedly state. If you would like to further discuss the subject, you are more than welcome to bring it to the forums to which I have linked.
Ultimately, many people on the internet already know what they believe and are not looking to change or enhance their perspectives. Every individual must walk their own path, and I only hope that when the hour strikes, every believer can honestly say that they did all in their power to work towards the unity of mankind.
ep
[quote comment="61075"]“O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day, ere thou art summoned to a reckoning.”- Baha’u'llah
[/quote]
FJR – bahai, like most religions, affirms the basic value of honesty and truth. it also calls up humanity to engage in self-examination.
so far so good.
unfortunately bahai culture is frequently dishonest. some of the folk versions of bahai are absurdly hostile to any expression of nonconformism. in such an atmosphere, exploitation begins to brew. all failures are projected onto the lowly followers, the leaders cultivate a false sense of perfection, and create a set of false interpretations designed to shield themselves from criticism. any further criticisms results in a vicious cycle of conflict and scapegoating where the critics are accused of being spiritually inferior or deficient. when they get angry about such accusations, this is then held up as “proof” that the abusive/corrupt leaders (or their apologists) are “right”, and the critics “wrong”.
in the end, the failed leaders are of course shown to be the main source of error.
this is an old, corrupt game that the leadership of all religions has descended into from time to time. it “all about attachment” – power, to importance.
it is a sign of the need for a new paradigm, etc.
ep
[quote comment="61075"]“O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day, ere thou art summoned to a reckoning.”- Baha’u'llah
[/quote]
FJR – bahai, like most religions, affirms the basic value of honesty and truth. it also calls up humanity to engage in self-examination.
so far so good.
unfortunately bahai culture is frequently dishonest. some of the folk versions of bahai are absurdly hostile to any expression of nonconformism. in such an atmosphere, exploitation begins to brew. all failures are projected onto the lowly followers, the leaders cultivate a false sense of perfection, and create a set of false interpretations designed to shield themselves from criticism. any further criticisms results in a vicious cycle of conflict and scapegoating where the critics are accused of being spiritually inferior or deficient. when they get angry about such accusations, this is then held up as “proof” that the abusive/corrupt leaders (or their apologists) are “right”, and the critics “wrong”.
in the end, the failed leaders are of course shown to be the main source of error.
this is an old, corrupt game that the leadership of all religions has descended into from time to time. it “all about attachment” – power, to importance.
it is a sign of the need for a new paradigm, etc.
Joe
Ruhi is a tool that can be used and abused. I wasn’t around when Ruhi started so I’m still trying to get an idea what it’s all about but one thing I’ve noticed is that I have people trying to force me to do it and telling me I’m no good or talking down at me because I haven’t done it. Some people are thinking that it gives them a license to control others and feel superior to them and this is similar to priesthood which we don’t have. I just ignore the person but they are very coercive and try to intimidate me and insult me to get me to take courses. I have already done Book 1 and almost finished book 2 but not going through this tutor. This person has already accused me of being insincere to the House of Justice and in my own mind I laugh back because they are attacking me and accusing me not knowing that I’m already doing the courses!! How pathetic and fickle-minded that without any knowledge of whether I’ve done any Ruhi courses or am doing any that a tutor who has ‘done all 7 books’ is only too willing to fault-find, intimidate and harrass and falsely accuse!!!! I’m going to keep laughing everytime I meet this person because they are making a fool out of themselves before myself and God and when I’ve finished about 5 of the books then I’ll tell them I’ve just about done the course and that they should be more concerned about their own spiritual growth if all they can do is intimidate and threaten.
Joe
Ruhi is a tool that can be used and abused. I wasn’t around when Ruhi started so I’m still trying to get an idea what it’s all about but one thing I’ve noticed is that I have people trying to force me to do it and telling me I’m no good or talking down at me because I haven’t done it. Some people are thinking that it gives them a license to control others and feel superior to them and this is similar to priesthood which we don’t have. I just ignore the person but they are very coercive and try to intimidate me and insult me to get me to take courses. I have already done Book 1 and almost finished book 2 but not going through this tutor. This person has already accused me of being insincere to the House of Justice and in my own mind I laugh back because they are attacking me and accusing me not knowing that I’m already doing the courses!! How pathetic and fickle-minded that without any knowledge of whether I’ve done any Ruhi courses or am doing any that a tutor who has ‘done all 7 books’ is only too willing to fault-find, intimidate and harrass and falsely accuse!!!! I’m going to keep laughing everytime I meet this person because they are making a fool out of themselves before myself and God and when I’ve finished about 5 of the books then I’ll tell them I’ve just about done the course and that they should be more concerned about their own spiritual growth if all they can do is intimidate and threaten.
farhan
Joe wrote : Ruhi is a tool that can be used and abused. I wasn't around when Ruhi started so I'm still trying to get an idea what it's all about but one thing I've noticed is that I have people trying to force me to do it and telling me I'm no good or talking down at me because I haven't done it.
Joe, I have seen what you describe, and even worse. These are learning problems. A mass of previously inactive and inexperienced individuals were enabled into the field of service; the more experienced believers thought that they were not needed in this field, mistakes were made and we have learnt from them and moved forwards in huge steps. Here in France things have advanced immensely and the newly acquired talents are producing wonderful fruits; I have posted documents on the Ruhi pitfalls somewhere on this blog.
http://intensedebate.com/people/farhan farhan
Joe wrote : Ruhi is a tool that can be used and abused. I wasn't around when Ruhi started so I'm still trying to get an idea what it's all about but one thing I've noticed is that I have people trying to force me to do it and telling me I'm no good or talking down at me because I haven't done it.
Joe, I have seen what you describe, and even worse. These are learning problems. A mass of previously inactive and inexperienced individuals were enabled into the field of service; the more experienced believers thought that they were not needed in this field, mistakes were made and we have learnt from them and moved forwards in huge steps. Here in France things have advanced immensely and the newly acquired talents are producing wonderful fruits; I have posted documents on the Ruhi pitfalls somewhere on this blog.
Pingback: Time for Ruhi to Show Us the Money: Part I at Baha’i Rants