BAHA'I BELIEVERS INCREASE IN COUNTY

Thursday, November 15, 2001
compiled by Columbian staff

A faith group that has more than doubled its membership in Clark County in the past five years will hold an open house for its newest group Saturday in Washougal.

The Baha'i Faith, one of the faster-growing religions in the world, has more than 200 members in Clark County, up from about 100 five years ago, according to member Joe Schaub. Worldwide, the group has more than 5 million followers.

Those who join, Schaub said, are attracted by the multiethnic foundation of the religion, which advocates gender and ethnic equality and deeper cultural understanding.

"We're interested in racial harmony, and we're one of the most diverse religious groups in the world," Schaub said. "Our theme is unity, unity in diversity."

The Baha'i Faith was founded in 1844 in Iran by Baha'u'llah, a nobleman from Teheran.

According to Baha'i Faith, each of the great religions brought by the messengers of God Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Mohammed and Zoroaster represents a successive stage in the spiritual development of civilization. Baha'u'llah, whose name means Glory of God, is thought to be the most recent messenger.

In Clark County, Baha'i groups hold potlucks and worship sessions in members' homes.

There is no formal church building, nor does the faith have designated clergy members.

Clark County's Baha'i members includes 145 adults, 50 children and 23 young adults, according to Schaub.

BAHA'I GATHERING

WHAT: Clark County's newest spiritual assembly of the Baha'i Faith

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Municipal Court community room, 89 C St., Washougal

INFORMATION: 360-335-1079 for the Washougal group; 360-254-3086 for other Clark County Baha'i groups; www.us.bahai.org for background about the religion