2008 Woodie Awards
Baha'i community a growing presence at Homewood
Issue date: 10/2/08
While Baha'i is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, its representation at Hopkins is very small. There are an estimated eight or nine practicing Baha'is between all of the affiliated Hopkins campuses.
If not for the presence of practicing Baha'is in the surrounding Baltimore community, there would be virtually no representation of the Baha'i faith on campus.
Though Baha'i is growing worldwide, the "local spiritual assembly" of Baha'is in Baltimore only includes approximately 75 people. However, Baha'i includes all races and peoples.
Pete McGraw, a recent convert to Baha'i, noted, "Wherever the Baha'i seem to be present, there seems to be a very diverse following body."
The Baha'i faith is relatively new to the world. It was founded in the mid-1800s in what is now Iran by a nobleman named Bahá'u'lláh. Baha'is believe that Bahá'u'lláh is the last in a string of prophets from God. These prophets include Jesus Christ and Mohammed. In many ways, Baha'i builds upon Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
However, the main focus of the Baha'i faith is unity between all people, races and faiths. To Baha'is, God is the only God, and all humans are his people.
Baha'i is unique in that there are no weekly services and no ministers. The closest things that approximate any regular service are the 19-Day Feasts and the weekly class meetings that are held here on campus. 19-Day Feasts are a unique part of the Baha'i faith. Every 19 days, according to the Baha'i calendar, the Baha'i community gathers for prayer, feasting, socializing and administrative activity. These feasts are designed to increase the unity among members of the community. The more regular meetings are learning classes.
On Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Schaffer Hall, a portion of the Baltimore Baha'i community gathers on campus to discuss and learn about their faith. Classes begin with the community joined in prayer and spiritual songs.
If not for the presence of practicing Baha'is in the surrounding Baltimore community, there would be virtually no representation of the Baha'i faith on campus.
Though Baha'i is growing worldwide, the "local spiritual assembly" of Baha'is in Baltimore only includes approximately 75 people. However, Baha'i includes all races and peoples.
Pete McGraw, a recent convert to Baha'i, noted, "Wherever the Baha'i seem to be present, there seems to be a very diverse following body."
The Baha'i faith is relatively new to the world. It was founded in the mid-1800s in what is now Iran by a nobleman named Bahá'u'lláh. Baha'is believe that Bahá'u'lláh is the last in a string of prophets from God. These prophets include Jesus Christ and Mohammed. In many ways, Baha'i builds upon Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
However, the main focus of the Baha'i faith is unity between all people, races and faiths. To Baha'is, God is the only God, and all humans are his people.
Baha'i is unique in that there are no weekly services and no ministers. The closest things that approximate any regular service are the 19-Day Feasts and the weekly class meetings that are held here on campus. 19-Day Feasts are a unique part of the Baha'i faith. Every 19 days, according to the Baha'i calendar, the Baha'i community gathers for prayer, feasting, socializing and administrative activity. These feasts are designed to increase the unity among members of the community. The more regular meetings are learning classes.
On Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Schaffer Hall, a portion of the Baltimore Baha'i community gathers on campus to discuss and learn about their faith. Classes begin with the community joined in prayer and spiritual songs.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Adib
posted 10/03/08 @ 7:49 AM EST
Nice article; I would, however, like to note that we do not believe Baha'u'llah is the last in a line of messengers, rather the most recent. We do not believe in the finality of revelation from God. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 10/03/08 @ 4:38 PM EST
Thanks for the informative article! Could you do more on different topics in the Baha'i Faith?
Ms. Capponi or her editors may be interested in the media style guide I found at http://news. (Continued…)
Anna Steffes
posted 10/04/08 @ 7:34 AM EST
The "absence of ministers" or clergy does not mean there is no structural administration in place. It does not mean that "no higher authority can tell what of the holy texts to believe" as Bahais believe all holy scriptures including their own. (Continued…)
Post a Comment