longstrangejourney

So, here's a little nugget I found: The fourth principle declares that religion must be in conformity to science and reason. If a religion does not agree with the postulates of science nor accord with the regulations of reason it is a bundle of superstitions; a phantasm of the brain. Science and religion are realities, and if that religion to which we adhere be a reality it must needs conform to the fundamental reality of all things.  https://bahai-library.com/Writings (go to #73)

Here is a portion of a text from the Guardian (Shoghi Effendi): No Guardian of the Faith, I feel it my solemn duty to place on record, can ever claim to be the perfect exemplar of the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh or the stainless mirror that reflects His light. Though overshadowed by the unfailing, the unerring protection of Bahá'u'lláh and of the Báb, and however much he may share with `Abdu'l-Bahá the right and obligation to interpret the Bahá'í teachings, he remains essentially human and cannot, if he wishes to remain faithful to his trust, arrogate to himself, under any pretense whatsoever, the rights, the privileges and prerogatives which Bahá'u'lláh has chosen to confer upon His Son (...) *          *          * Some writings that I have read place the blame on Shoghi Effendi on lack of LGBT rights.  This is understandable, but please hear me out.  Shoghi Effendi died in 1957.  But in the United States anyway, ...

I was randomly looking about the Writings when I ran across the Bab's chronology: The sight of the trials and hardships which her men companions were made to endure stirred in her an irrepressible yearning to disguise herself in male attire and share in repulsing the repeated attacks of the enemy. Donning a tunic and wearing a head-dress like those of her men companions, she cut off her locks, girt on a sword, and, seizing a musket and a shield, introduced herself into their ranks. No one suspected her of being a maid when she leaped forward to take her place behind the barricade. As soon as the enemy charged, she bared her sword and, raising the cry of "Ya Sahibu'z-Zaman!" flung herself with incredible audacity upon the forces arrayed against her. Friend and foe marvelled that day at a courage and resourcefulness the equal of which their eyes had scarcely ever beheld. Her enemies pronounced her the curse which an angry Providence had hurled upon them. Overwhelmed ...

Nine pointed star Credit:  https://8c71a05d-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/galaxyofninepointedbahaistars/home/black%20and%20white%20paisley%20star.gif?attachauth=ANoY7cqarjfI9GFHbwWQH0e3KPW45cWAElYF2sRQBCiI72qos_KFKpyvdb5Odos3CXJdh0tANke9LxTLlkhxdd2Yho8Zug-YGHypWyvCVNcxjv-OaLvyRPDgvM26PB9aIbgVq2-GSFbV-rP7ruKlAHROW9FfRxcxWcaFdH0IWaV0IOj8w-loyMjGmdRzXmuLL1ndLUlHGjIFf2CdtcCjqEvg-Jvq1RuwfOOCW1OErwoZWDm9YCwZvvygGYWYCXnY1V10MRWErwZezweqQidm_77AYRNwJ5UnnA%3D%3D&attredirects=0 As I've approached my 56th birthday, I find that I've gone some twists, turns,  as well as some strange odysseys.  One that is stayed with me is the Baha'i Faith .  As I declared just before I turned  18, I was deliriously happy about it.  As I look back on it, I view it as a smiling neophyte.  I don't look back as some evil; I see it as a necessary passage.  When I was young(er), I viewed the Faith as a good monolith.  As I aged, I saw the...