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Baha'i encourages cooperation between religions
TREVOR WILLIAMS For The Red & Black
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: News
Throughout history, conflicts about religion often have scarred the world, but one on-campus organization promises unity in an arena where dissension often has reigned.
The Baha'i Association at the University is dedicated to fostering community among members of the Baha'i faith and those who want to learn more about this relatively new world religion, its members said.
Baha'i faith originated in modern-day Iran in 1844, when a man who became known as the Bab began proclaiming that a prophet was to come who would give the world its newest revelation from God.
"(Baha'is) believe that all religions come from the same source," said Sohayl Moshtael, an employee in the office of the University's chief information office and faculty adviser for the association.
Baha'i believes these other religions arose when God the Creator, who promised he would never leave humanity without guidance, sent messengers into the world to proclaim truth throughout the generations.
The messengers, called "manifestations of God" by Baha'is, dispensed wisdom in accordance with humanity's spiritual maturity at their respective points in history.
"Looking at God is like the sun in the sky. These manifestations, these messengers, are like the mirrors that you put in front of the sun. And when you look in the mirror, you see a reflection of God," said Moshtael, who has been affiliated with the Baha'i Association since he came to the University 22 years ago.
Although the group has remained small, it has managed to survive all these years despite the fact that attendance has dwindled to a handful of people at times, Moshtael said.
This semester, attendance at the meetings averaged about eight or nine people, said Caleb Gilleland, a fourth-year international affairs major from Cumming who serves as the vice president of the association.
The 14 or 15 Baha'is associated with the University supplement the 40 or so Baha'is in the Athens area, Moshtael said.
The Baha'i Association at the University is dedicated to fostering community among members of the Baha'i faith and those who want to learn more about this relatively new world religion, its members said.
Baha'i faith originated in modern-day Iran in 1844, when a man who became known as the Bab began proclaiming that a prophet was to come who would give the world its newest revelation from God.
"(Baha'is) believe that all religions come from the same source," said Sohayl Moshtael, an employee in the office of the University's chief information office and faculty adviser for the association.
Baha'i believes these other religions arose when God the Creator, who promised he would never leave humanity without guidance, sent messengers into the world to proclaim truth throughout the generations.
The messengers, called "manifestations of God" by Baha'is, dispensed wisdom in accordance with humanity's spiritual maturity at their respective points in history.
"Looking at God is like the sun in the sky. These manifestations, these messengers, are like the mirrors that you put in front of the sun. And when you look in the mirror, you see a reflection of God," said Moshtael, who has been affiliated with the Baha'i Association since he came to the University 22 years ago.
Although the group has remained small, it has managed to survive all these years despite the fact that attendance has dwindled to a handful of people at times, Moshtael said.
This semester, attendance at the meetings averaged about eight or nine people, said Caleb Gilleland, a fourth-year international affairs major from Cumming who serves as the vice president of the association.
The 14 or 15 Baha'is associated with the University supplement the 40 or so Baha'is in the Athens area, Moshtael said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Jeff
posted 5/01/07 @ 10:13 AM EST
This is the same nutty group that has predicted the end of the world and great catastopies for years, even pinpointing actual dates...and then nothing happens. (Continued…)
Also Jeff
posted 5/01/07 @ 4:21 PM EST
Jeff,
You seem to be mistaken about this. Baha'is are not expecting any catastrophes.
- Also Jeff
Wendy
posted 5/02/07 @ 12:23 AM EST
Jeff,
Perhaps you're thinking of one of various Christian sects who have made such predictions. Baha'is, who are not a sect of any religion, don't believe the world is going to end, though we may have some troubles before we finally get it together. (Continued…)
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