"Baha'i might fulfill our needs"

Jennifer first discovered the Baha'i Faith by driving past the Baha'i House of Worship located in Wilmette Illinois.  Here is what that discovery now means to her.

I passed the Baha'i temple and thought it was absolutely beautiful.  I googled what it was . . . I didn't even know a religion like this existed. It is exactly what I believe essentially.  I was raised Greek Orthodox, and I enjoyed it, but I just feel like I am not exclusively Christian.  In fact, I am simply in support of all religions and anybody working towards peace.  I have a 3 month old baby and would love to introduce religion into her life and think Baha'i might fulfill our needs.

"God has sent me to you . . ."

Jack simply shared this . . .

I’ve prayed for guidance and god has sent me to you. I’ve never heard about you from any other source.

"Lots of people are ready for this"

Jerry, age 30, who inquired about the Baha'i Faith, then later registered his formal declaration to become a member, shared this about him beliefs.

Lots of people are ready for this; the world is becoming ripe for this message. I already have come to all of the exact same conclusions in my own religious-free spiritual development. Thank God Baha'u'llah has come.  I have often wondered how this truth would get out to the masses  . . . He was a master teacher. Looking very forward to having a life as an active participant within the Baha'i faith. Excited!! Never thought this would happen! :)

Jerry is connecting with the Baha’is near him and has already been invited to participate in local activities.

The Baha'i Faith "is so nourishing, and I cannot get enough of it"

Recently, Keith contacted by Baha'is having visited a website about the Baha'i Faith.  Here is how Keith described his journey thus far.

I have been a spiritual wonderer for over three decades and haven't found a spiritual home, but if I ever did have a permanent spiritual home, it is with Baha'i.  I've been investigating and learning for a little over 2 weeks.  It is so nourishing, and I cannot get enough of it.

Upon receiving communication from two Baha’is, Keith shared what he enjoyed about the explanation of the core tenets of the Baha'i Faith, which were shared concisely and clearly.

I bet I'm not the only one who has ever said this but -- the Baha'i faith appears very common-sensical.  What I mean by that is for people who have belonged to other faiths or religions; [they] are used to an incredibly complex and difficult set of principles and tenets that are sometimes fuzzy, unclear, and just plain odd.  

To each principle, Keith shared his own thoughts . . .

In having studied many different religions, I can't say that I've ever come across principles like the ones in the Baha'i faith:  personal investigation [of truth] (this is typically frowned upon in other religions), oneness (unfortunately, this is never the case with religions that shun or damn others), unity of science and religion (who would ever think that these subjects could intertwine?), equality of women (this is simply unheard of), [and] universal education (I don't know if I have ever encountered education being a goal of a religion/faith).  If the world was filled with Baha'is, or friends of Baha'is, it would be a much safer, happier, and educated world in which to live.

I cannot find one principle that is listed in those 9 that I disagree with or have issues with.  They are all beautiful and they all resonate with me as true.  

Thank you both so much for going out of your way to correspond with me and make me feel 'at home.

Keith is now connected with some Baha'is who live near him and shared this comment in an email, “Even though things have been very busy, I never forget to think about my new home in the Baha'i faith”.

 

 

At age 13, he investigated the Bahai Faith online using words from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

When he was 13 years old, Marcus investigated the Baha'i Faith online using particular words that resonated with him from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas!  At 16 years old, he went to a youth leadership camp and met a Baha'i there who presented an overview on the Baha’i Faith.  When he was 18 years old, he returned to the camp and met the sister of the Baha’i he met previously who also presented the Faith to her fellow campers.  At 19 he returned to the camp again and met another Baha'i, with whom he became good friends. 

Marcus shared that on the seventh day of his visit to a summer session at one of the national Baha’i schools, it was then that he realized that all the spiritual ideas which he carried within him were brought by Baha'u'llah, and with this realization, he decided to become a member of the Faith.   

Marcus and a Baha'i are studying together “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” and he continues studying the Baha'i writings and prayers online.  Marcus is 21 years old.

At age 16, he explained, "we're trying to change the world, and I want to help"

Jay grew up in a Baha'i home.  He was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and when he was a young child he lived in Uganda.  He remembers attending Baha’i children's classes and classes as a junior youth at the Temple in Uganda!  He said it was very peaceful there with large flowers.  

"The Baha'i Faith has been a part of me all my life.  I like the Faith so much.  We're trying to change the world and I want to help," he explained.  

Jay is participating in a study group on “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit”.  His mother also just declared her belief and became a member of the Baha’i Faith.  Jay currently lives with family members who were pioneers to Tonga and are tutoring a study group.  Jay just turned 16!

He found the Baha'i Faith "captivating" at age 17

Jake is a senior in high school who also plays the baritone sax.   He was an atheist for a few years and was looking online and came across the Baha'i Faith. He shared with me that the Faith makes sense to him and is what he has believed all his life.  He shared that there is truth is all religions; one is not better or more important than another.  He found the Faith "captivating" and he is happy to be part of something. His mother is very supportive of his discovery.  

He understands that Baha'u'llah is the most recent Manifestation and that another will come "ere a thousand years".  We discussed the importance of prayer and reading from the Holy writings.  We discussed the three obligatory prayers. I told Jake about the youth gathering scheduled for his area, and encouraged him to attend.

He is now enrolled as a member of the Baha'i Faith.