Search found 1375 matches

by brettz9
Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:17 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: A non-bahai view of Baha'ism
Replies: 19
Views: 37723

Dear Matthew, I'll respond here bit by bit to the points you had indicated. A small point: the Shaykhis were a Shi'i sect, but it did not take begin until the early 1800's. As far as Mírzá Yahyá leaving control to Bahá'u'lláh, although he did depend on Him quite a bit (Bahá'u'lláh had raised him and...
by brettz9
Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:33 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: A bahai point of view on non bahai points of vue
Replies: 2
Views: 10987

Dear Matthew, Thank you for sharing with us your own spiritual journey. There is such a stark lack of holiness in this age, it is hard to find any respite from it or avoid being tainted by it to some degree. And it is refreshing to see people take it seriously for its impact whether on our souls in ...
by brettz9
Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:21 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Science and religion
Replies: 10
Views: 24014

Christ's Return

Hello Mathew... For your last point about conditions getting worse until Christ returned, from the point of view of the Bahá'í Faith, Christ's Return, while having already passed in its suddenness and momentousness, was also neglected by the world (as the thief coming in the night whose coming had a...
by brettz9
Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:11 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: A non-bahai view of Baha'ism
Replies: 19
Views: 37723

Dear Matthew, Thank you for sharing with us your understandings and giving us a chance to respond. Although you may not be actively seeking a new system of belief, with your pursuing information from various sources, it seems you are a seeker at least in the sense of being engaged in a general searc...
by brettz9
Thu Aug 26, 2004 7:40 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Re: questions about this religion
Replies: 3
Views: 12260

Re: questions about this religion

Question 3 Are the manifestations truly one person? Or do they just live with the same spirit from God? If they are one person, as Bahai literature sometimes seems to suggest, how does this work? Is it some form of specialized reincarnation? Chapters 38 and 39 of Some Answered Questions by 'Abdu'l-...
by brettz9
Thu Aug 26, 2004 3:27 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Questions about this religion
Replies: 8
Views: 19018

Question 1 How many manifestations have there been so far? I have seen various lists mostly including (Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab, and Bahaullah). Bahá'u'lláh indicates that there have been countless Manifestations of God. We are trying to build a list of t...
by brettz9
Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:22 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Virgin Mary apparitions
Replies: 1
Views: 10143

See http://bahai-library.com/?file=uhj_sabe ... os.html#s2 for a discussion of this topic (from on behalf of the Universal House of Justice).

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Mon Aug 16, 2004 3:48 am
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Our Forums in Farsi!
Replies: 0
Views: 21483

Our Forums in Farsi!

Dear all, You can now opt to view our forums here in Farsi...(and presumably post to them as well, if your browser can type in the appropriate script) Just select "Profile", and change "Board Language" (towards the bottom) to Farsi and then click submit... Please let us know how it turns out. I shou...
by brettz9
Sun Aug 15, 2004 11:39 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Looking for prayer
Replies: 1
Views: 7002

I'm sorry I can't help you with the prayer, but maybe the following would be of interest... "...make a special point of praying ardently not only for success in general, but that God may send to you the souls that are ready. There are such souls in every city..." (From a letter dated 18 March 1950 w...
by brettz9
Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:30 am
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Ongoing Forum Discussions
Replies: 1
Views: 22266

Ongoing Forum Discussions

Dear all, I wanted to let you know that I have started, with Jonah's blessings, a category in the forums here at the bottom of the list at http://bahai-library.com/forum3/ to allow for ongoing discussions pertaining to a particular book or subject (or protagonist). Thus, people should be able to fin...
by brettz9
Sun Aug 01, 2004 2:37 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: When was Qorrat al'Ayn born?
Replies: 7
Views: 16310

Oh, and although I don't know who posted it, the Wikipedia article states on Tahirih, "birth date uncertain. Birth records were destroyed at her execution."
by brettz9
Sun Aug 01, 2004 2:27 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: When was Qorrat al'Ayn born?
Replies: 7
Views: 16310

You said: I've taken the liberty of expanding / correcting the entry; hopefully others will do the same. And your additions looked pretty good to me too, from what I saw and according to my limited knowledge of the subject. You said: The concept of "authoritative" sources for history mystifies me. B...
by brettz9
Fri Jul 30, 2004 1:34 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: mark tobey
Replies: 2
Views: 9649

Searching this site for "Tobey" turned up a posting of someone selling some of his paintings, so maybe he could help you if the contact info is still valid: http://bahai-library.com/wwwboard/messages00/472.html

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Fri Jul 30, 2004 1:31 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: When was Qorrat al'Ayn born?
Replies: 7
Views: 16310

:) You might be interested then that there is now a work of Táhirih's poetry (40 of her poems translated into English): http://www.bahaibookstore.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=409 I was just at a Bahá'í bookstore today and happened to see it. Doing a search at the Bahá'í bookstore online, I found two ot...
by brettz9
Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:07 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: When was Qorrat al'Ayn born?
Replies: 7
Views: 16310

>I can see why Baha'is might want her to be younger than Baha'ullah, or > (maybe) why someone might want them all to have been born in the > same year. Is that it? Or maybe they were simply honest mistakes, or honestly different conclusions based on different sources or indicators? Why the jump to c...
by brettz9
Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:19 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Anyone have any access to the Kitáb-i-Badí'?
Replies: 4
Views: 14722

Dear Pouria, Although I could be mistaken, I seem to remember that the Kitáb-i-Badi' has not been translated since it dealt largely with the now (and here) obscure matter of the prophecies of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh's fulfillment of them. As you may know there are a few references in God Passes By t...
by brettz9
Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:45 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Dream about Bahaullah was different in different books
Replies: 2
Views: 9182

I can't say for sure about your question, but you may be interested to know that this dream is included in a work which Shoghi Effendi translated and annotated (the Dawn-Breakers) on pp. 119-120 and in this version, the dream came to His father (as in the Ruhi series).

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Thu Jul 01, 2004 12:35 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Bábs pentacle
Replies: 1
Views: 8544

Dear Mystic Cloud,

Sorry I don't know enough to answer, but there is one prayer from the Báb translated into English whose original was in the form of a pentacle. See http://www.bahai-library.com/writings/b ... sec-2.html .

best wishes,
Brett
by brettz9
Thu Jul 01, 2004 12:29 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Masturbation
Replies: 54
Views: 95262

Dear Mike, This is the only guidance on the subject which I have seen: "We have found in the Holy Writings no explicit references to masturbation, but there are a number of principles and teachings which can guide a Baha'i to the correct attitude towards it. In a letter to an individual believer, wr...
by brettz9
Wed Jun 23, 2004 12:28 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Bahai faith houses of worship (case of the first house)
Replies: 3
Views: 13053

There is a publicly editable page which includes information on the first Baha'i House of Worship here

A Google search here at Baha'i Library for Ishqábád turned up a number of results (see here )

take care,
Brett
by brettz9
Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:27 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Talks by The Master and description of Africans(blacks!)
Replies: 4
Views: 10584

Most of the references to Africa in this work are to certain (cannibalistic) tribes in Central Africa. The context of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's statements indicate that He is stating that there is nothing inherently deficient with any group in their degree of civilization. On the contrary, He is saying that a ...
by brettz9
Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:24 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Abortion--forbidden, discouraged, or permitted?
Replies: 23
Views: 119347

To balance out the quotations a little bit, there is also the following from the House of Justice: http://bahai-library.com/?file=uhj_legi ... ality.html
by brettz9
Thu May 27, 2004 12:40 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Letter from the House re: description of your artwork?
Replies: 3
Views: 11782

Thank you for your contributions here, Misagh...

best wishes to you,
Brett
by brettz9
Thu May 27, 2004 12:25 am
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Extremely exciting development
Replies: 0
Views: 20927

Extremely exciting development

Dear all, I wanted to share with you all an exciting development here in the works at Baha'i Library Online (as a wiki project). This is not only a ground-breaking opportunity for the Baha'i scholarship community, but, to my knowledge (correct me if someone can tell me otherwise), this is also pione...
by brettz9
Mon May 24, 2004 12:18 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Letter from the House re: description of your artwork?
Replies: 3
Views: 11782

Hi Misagh, The discussion was at http://bahai-library.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?t=39 and the quote was: "You sometimes provide detailed written descriptions of the symbols you use in your paintings; as a practice this could introduce an aspect which could be unduly interpretive of Bahá'í concepts, ul...
by brettz9
Fri May 21, 2004 8:22 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Abortion--forbidden, discouraged, or permitted?
Replies: 23
Views: 119347

One other quote FYI which might not be in other compilations on abortion: "You cite the case of Bahá'ís in other fields of expertise, such as Bahá'í physicians who, you say, "may pursue their professions as Bahá'ís with no prospect of interference by Bahá'í institutions". This is hardly the case. Al...
by brettz9
Mon May 17, 2004 1:15 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Prayer's authenticity
Replies: 1
Views: 10842

Hi there... A search of this site turned up the following letters on behalf of the Universal House of Justice: ""O Lord! Open Thou the door, provide the means...." This is a free translation of part of a prayer revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the friends in Tehran, incomplete, and unfortunately, even er...
by brettz9
Sun May 16, 2004 3:22 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: The next prophet
Replies: 25
Views: 48718

Seal of the Prophets & Future Manifestations

Regarding the interpretation of the verse referring to the "Seal of the Prophets", Bahá'u'lláh address this in His work, the Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude). It is online at http://bahai-library.com/writings/bahaullah/iqan/ (see part II in particular). There are other articles here at http://bahai-...
by brettz9
Sun May 09, 2004 12:23 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Abortion--forbidden, discouraged, or permitted?
Replies: 23
Views: 119347

"Abortion merely to prevent the birth of an unwanted child is strictly forbidden in the Cause. There may, however, be instances in which an abortion would be justified by medical reasons, and legislation on this matter has been left to the Universal House of Justice. At the present time, however, th...
by brettz9
Mon Apr 26, 2004 12:45 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Portraying the Central Figures in Performing arts
Replies: 3
Views: 10721

No problem...

Brett
by brettz9
Sun Apr 25, 2004 3:34 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Apostles and Disciples
Replies: 1
Views: 7375

Dear Childintime, Though I don't know about your questions, you may be interested to know that 'Abdu'l-Bahá lists some qualifications for anyone who might become an "Apostle of Baha'u'llah" in Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 50 at http://bahai-library.com/writings/abdulbaha/tdp/tdpall.html#50 (first ...
by brettz9
Sun Apr 25, 2004 3:28 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Portraying the Central Figures in Performing arts
Replies: 3
Views: 10721

Dear Alex, No, it is not permitted (see below). There was a film called "The Message" about Islam which I think it managed to do a nice job avoiding filming the Prophet, as one example you might be interested to see if you wanted some idea of how it might be done. "An examination of the letters of t...
by brettz9
Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:02 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Baha'i Children's resources
Replies: 2
Views: 9092

by brettz9
Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:07 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Interference in marriage?
Replies: 1
Views: 8481

Dear Misagh, Sorry, no quotes on this one. I would presume from the context that it would be interference of any kind: whether pushing someone on their child (against their wishes) or forbidding their child to associate with or investigate the character of a specific person. Just my thoughts. best w...
by brettz9
Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:03 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Art in general, acting, and stand up comedy
Replies: 3
Views: 12321

There is a nice compilation on the arts if you haven't seen it at http://www.ee.pdx.edu/~pamela/bahai/comp/arts/ . There is also guidance for writers at http://bahai-library.com/compilations/writers.html , for poets at http://www.bahai-library.com/uhj/poets.html#memorandum , on music at http://bahai...
by brettz9
Fri Mar 05, 2004 1:08 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: How should I act as a Baha'i to find inner peace?
Replies: 3
Views: 10762

Dear Act, I think anyone who is open to admit it would say that they have felt like an outsider at times or to struggle with the laws, even while accepting the authority of Baha'u'llah. None of us has the right to judge each other. So while we cannot guarantee someone might post something insensitiv...
by brettz9
Thu Mar 04, 2004 4:45 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Help - what are the fundamental Baha'i beliefs?
Replies: 2
Views: 9078

You can find official introductions at: http://bahai.org/arabic http://bahai.org/persian As far as Russian, there is the official site for the National Spiritual Assembly at http://www.bahai.ru/ which I presume gives or links to introductory information. best wishes, Brett
by brettz9
Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:31 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: psychology vs soul
Replies: 1
Views: 8102

Re: psychology vs soul

Dear Omid, Is there psychological reasons and factors for spiritual problems and sicknesses? I think it is clear that they interact as you say, though Bahá'u'lláh indicates that any problems affecting the body or mind are not actually damaging the spirit (though it is presumably part of its experien...
by brettz9
Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:24 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Unanswered Posts
Replies: 2
Views: 13118

Unanswered Posts

Dear all, Bahá'u'lláh commands the following: "Whensoever ye be invited to a banquet or festive occasion, respond with joy and gladness, and whoever fulfilleth his promise will be safe from reproof. This is a Day on which each of God's wise decrees hath been expounded." (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, paragraph 156...
by brettz9
Wed Feb 11, 2004 12:51 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Drawing a picture of God?
Replies: 2
Views: 9791

Dear Chris, I think that since we are urged to abandon thoughts of ever attaining to conceiving the Unknowable or His Attributes, and are even not to attempt to depict the Holy Manifestations of God, Who represent the Godhead on this physical plane, I believe it is in the spirit of the Writings that...
by brettz9
Sat Feb 07, 2004 3:19 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Permanent Discussions
Replies: 2
Views: 13070

Permanent Discussions

For those here who have a particular interest in a specific book or topic pertaining to the Faith, you might consider adding a link to the thread of interest at the corresponding http://bahai9.com/ site. In this way, anyone browsing the wiki pages can learn about an ongoing discussion (and those dis...
by brettz9
Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:39 pm
Forum: About Baha'i Library
Topic: Volunteer Requests
Replies: 0
Views: 21105

Volunteer Requests

Greetings all, If anyone is willing to help out the Baha'i Library Online wiki site, please let me know! A few mundane, yet useful tasks (as well as less mundane tasks) which anyone could do include the following: 1) Go through systematically all of the Study guides , books , etc. here at Baha'i Lib...
by brettz9
Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:13 am
Forum: Discussion
Topic: When is a Baha'i not a Baha'i?(II)
Replies: 26
Views: 49270

"...He doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. Nor shall He be asked of His doings, whilst all men will be asked of their every deed." Go somewhere else to sow your doubts. We do not give ear here to manifestly vain talk. "Unto the Most Holy Book every one must turn, and a...
by brettz9
Wed Jan 14, 2004 5:28 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Hypnotherapy
Replies: 9
Views: 48635

hypnotherapy

In case anyone comes across any further references (or wishes to edit my headings), I have categorized the Writings discussed in this thread at: http://bahai9.com/wiki/Hypnotism Also, if anyone would like to help build our general collaborative site on medicine, visit http://bahai9.com/wiki/Medicine...
by brettz9
Wed Dec 31, 2003 3:39 pm
Forum: Discussion
Topic: Request for quote from Guardian
Replies: 1
Views: 10126

a few possibly relevant quotations

"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 ac...

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