Angie's journey in becoming a Bahá'í

When Angie was in her late 20's, some 10 years ago when she was working as a receptionist, she met an older gentleman who came into the office.  He saw that she was frustrated and gave her a book of Bahá'í prayers.  Angie put the little book aside and did not read it. 

About 3 years ago, Angie began to search more directly for "something different."  She investigated a number of faiths, including Christianity and Buddhism, and even studied Islam, but none of them felt quite right for her.  Angie's cousin was also searching and knew about the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, IL.  They decided to visit this place of worship together.

Angie explained how she felt when she first entered the gardens of the Bahá’í House of Worship.

"Immediately I knew that I belonged. I felt comfortable!"

Angie regularly attends devotional gatherings at the Bahá’í House of Worship and brings her 13-year-old son.

"We just like it there,” she explained.

One Sunday, by coincidence, she met the older gentleman who had given her the Bahá'í prayer book some ten years ago.  Angie shared that while cleaning one day, she found the little book he had given her.  She was surprised that she still had it and hadn't been tossed it out during the many moves her family made over the years. 

Recently during a return visit to the House of Worship, Angie asked how to learn more about the Bahá'í Faith and she was given information.  She soon after was connected to the local Bahá’í community and invited to an "Hour of Prayer" and from this gathering Angie began to study with others the book “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” and later also “Arising to Serve.” Her son has been invited to join the junior youth spiritual empowerment group in his neighborhood.  Angie has since registered her declaration to become a Bahá’í and is now an enrolled member.

 

 

"He was ready to declare when he attended our devotional"

Conner, who lives in a small town in North Carolina, inquired about the Baha'i Faith simply by calling 800-22UNITE and saying “Hi there, my name is Conner and I was looking for a local Baha’i community near me.” 

Conner decided to register his belief in Baha'u'llah having researched Baha'i Faith online after learning of it while in high school.  He was raised Catholic, and is excited to learn more.  He plans to attend Community College next year, so he will be moving soon. 

Here is one story about what made this declaration special, as told by the host of a recent prayer gathering. 

“He was ready to declare when he attended our devotional gathering and the Fireside that followed.  He simply asked something like, "What is the process for initiation into the Faith?"  After answering his question, a declaration card was given to him and explained.   He signed it right away, and stated a desire to engage in further study of the Faith when it can be arranged.  We had 16 people in our living room with no seat or room to spare.  We were Baha'i, Christian, Muslim; all together sharing in devotional prayer and discussion, and a meal afterwards. These devotional gatherings are truly wonderful and we are blessed to have such a heartwarming experience.”

 

He wants his children raised to appreciate the many religions of the world

In early July, Jack inquired about the Baha'i Faith by visiting www.bahai.us, because he wants children's classes for his 2 and 6 year old children.  He likes to travel, and has just returned from South Africa.  He knows a little about the Baha'i Faith, because his grandparents are members, although his parents were Muslim and Hindu.  As a youth, he was very involved with the Baha'is, but now that he has settled into his new neighborhood, he is looking for information.  He shared that he wants his children raised to appreciate the many religions of the world and he himself stated he would probably declare, "in his own time." 

Update:  yesterday, Jack returned to www.bahai.us and registered his declaration.   Local Baha'is contacted him to assist him.  Jack is in his middle 30s and is now enrolled as a member.

 

 

"I am 'too American' and not 'Muslim' enough . . I am drawn to the Bahai Faith"

Amelia, contacted the Bahais to learn more about the Faith. She brought along some friends with her when she met over tea. 

I have been searching for a long time now for a place to belong.  I am an American Lebanese woman who was brought up in the Muslim faith.  My parents were very moderate and progressive.  I married a man who was Presbyterian but I converted for the joint effort of raising our children.  However, as the years went on, having tried a few mosques, I feel like I just don't belong.  I am "too American" and not "Muslim" enough.  I have felt very judged and the more I have read find it hard to be comforted by all of the "fear" concepts of the Koran.  I have a deep belief in God and feel that we are all one people which is why I was drawn to learn more of the Baha'i faith.

A Muslim: "I am . . . interested in learning more about the Bahai Faith"

From California a young man inquired today about the Bahai Faith . . . .

"I am a muslim. Interested in learning more about the Bahai faith. What are the practices?"

Her Mormon friend said that what she believes is Bahá’í

Lisa, age 34, learned from her friend, a Mormon, that what she believes is what the Bahá’ís believe, so she investigated further.  She began reading the book God Speaks Again, and before reading it all the way through she realized . . . “I believe this!  I am a Baha'i!”

More about Lisa is shared here by a Bahai who spoke with her directly.

In our phone call today, Lisa shared that, "This is religion for the new times, and it makes sense.  The new Messengers come and teach new things for new times."  As we talked about how she feels, she said, "It did seem a bit odd to register online, to join a religion.  But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.  It's the perfect thing for this religion, and it makes sense with everything I have read.  New Messenger.  New way to join!  Even joining is modern!"

While talking about her registration, I asked her, "While reading in God Speaks Again and learning about Baha'i, do you believe Baha'u'llah is a Messenger from God?"  Her emphatic response was, "It's kind of hard not to.  Everything makes sense." 

Lisa went to a Catholic school growing up.  Her parents encouraged her to read and decide on her own which religion would be hers.  Her mother always said that this life is spiritual preparation for the life beyond. Something her father emphasized was that all religions are a path to God. He died at an early age, but she now wonders if he too was a Baha’i! 

It amazes Lisa that her parents raised her Christian and Moslem (her father was Iranian) and taught many of the concepts she now finds within the Baha'i Faith.

Lisa went online to www.bahail.us and registered herself and her one-year-old son as members of the Bahai Faith. She is eager to meet other members of her spiritual community!

“I realized that I found something progressive”

Eighteen-year-old Sasha shares her journey in finding the Bahai Faith, in her own words.

I remember the stubby young girl who’d carry her bible with her everywhere. Even school. That wide-eyed young girl who passionately proclaimed Jesus Christ to be her Lord and Savior. I also remember when that changed. I remember that young teenage girl who read her Quran whereever she could. Even school. This girl had no problem giving praise to her one and only Creator, Allah, ever since the words of her grandfather changed her beliefs forever. “Why would you worship creation instead of the Creator?” He asked her. And then I remember being lost. I remember not being able to believe any religion and having the piercing of hell fire overcome me. The fear that that choosing no religion would damn me. All because of with what I had already encountered, my heart just wouldn't agree.

I grew up being surrounded by 3 major religions: Christianity, Islam, and Catholicism. Ha, you’d figure that I’d resonate with at least one of them, right? That’s what I thought as well. After eventually realizing that Islam nor Christianity was for me,- Catholicism was never really in the running- I remained religionless through most of high school, deciding that I didn’t need one of those 3 religions to keep my faith in God. But that changed drastically during my senior year. Frighteningly, I found that at times my faith would slip between my fingers and I found it hard to keep believing. My tumultuous family background did nothing to help this matter either. I got to the point of breaking down in February of this year. Eating was a difficulty, and schoolwork became a burden. “How can I worry about this paper when I should be worrying about my soul?” Needless to say, death terrified me.

Thankfully, the extremities of these feelings began to subside as the year went on, and I was able to focus again; I simply went back to my normal thinking, believing in God even without a religion. But then, something amazing happened.

I was a Student Teaching Assistant for a 9th grade English class, and one day I lead a group discussion with half of the class. During the discussion, 3 of my more, em, lively, students joking brought up a “super religion” as they called it, catching my ears immediately. I asked them what it was called, and it was none other than the Baha’i Faith. That same day I went to a Starbucks (I suppose I was feeling a latte of some sorts, haha), consulted the ever-reliable Wikipedia, and devoured its article on the Faith. It was almost hard to believe that a religion like this existed, I even wondered “So where’s the catch??”. But I found none. Instead, I found something that made absolute sense.

I realized that I found something progressive in all of its ideas; the complete unity of humanity, equality for all, value of education and inquiry, the validity of previous religions and science, being positive and active members in our communities - there’s so much more. One thing that I found extremely importantly is the idea that God never leaves us. The idea that He will not do the work for us, but will instead give us the guidance to help us help ourselves. The fact that the religion really surrounds us seeking God because we want to. We seek Him not out of fear of hell, but because we desire His love. That is perhaps the most beautiful thing that I have ever encountered, and with that I found home. I eventually made contact with Bahá’ís in my hometown, finding not only a warm and loving environment, but also great great role models. The Baha’is that I met had all been a part of the faith for at least 10 years and eloquently had extended their knowledge to me and answered any question that I had. Unfortunately, I had to leave that wonderful community behind when it was time for me to reach the next destination point, college.

That brings me to now. I’m a current freshman in college . . . and I’m still trying to incorporate the Faith into my everyday life. But I always remain optimistic. If there’s anything that I always have and always will believe is that God makes things happen for reasons, and those reasons will either be revealed to me, or they won’t. Regardless, God has put me through all of those trials and eventually brought me to the faith that I have been looking for. He’s been so amazing to me! And for that, I give my thanks to Him. I choose to follow the teachings of Baha’u’llah, and I choose to try my very best. The best part is that I’m completely happy. I’m happy that I’ve found my true path to God. It’s the piece that’s been missing to this puzzle that is my whole.

Sasha is now an enrolled member of the Bahai Faith, and the local community is reaching out to her.

 

He is drawn to the principle of unity--"This is the Truth! It is so good!"

Emanuel is now a member of the Bahai Faith!  Here is what he shared about himself with his friends . . .

Born into a Muslim and of Nigerian background, Emanuel always felt that Islam was "forced on him" and he practiced briefly out of respect for his father. He later heard about the Baha'i Faith through Baha'i friends who live in this community.  Last month, he attended the Youth Conference near him, and 2 weeks later, signed a card at a Baha'i gathering.   When he asked if the Baha'is had a card for him to sign, his friends gave him a "very long hug."

Emanuel feels "empowered" by the Baha'i teachings; and when he learned about Baha'u'llah, Emanuel shared, "This is the Truth! It is so good!" He also thought, "How can you deny this - it will change the world!  Why not embrace it?" He is drawn to the principle of unity and the importance placed on family.

Two laws that he spoke about were “no backbiting and no prejudice!"

Emanuel is involved in community life with the Bahais. He attends many devotional gatherings and has already completed the course called “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit;” he is now studying the course called “Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth.”

 

“I . . . accepted that He had already come.”

Patrick, a 20 year old student at a local university, recently registered his declaration online. In his own words, though English is his “third language,” he shares how he learned about the Bahai Faith and his search for a religion that fits with his beliefs. 

I was involved in a lot of problems when I was in high school; stealing, vandalizing, fighting, and disrespecting the school staff. To find a solution [I wanted] to distance myself from these problems.  I started to look into religion, as one of the most influential people in my life guided me [to do]. For instance, I started with Islam for the reason that the most respectful students in my school were Muslim. I was raised as a Catholic, but I never agreed with their teaching, so Islam was the only religion that I saw as an answer. Months after studying Islam, I started to regard myself as a Muslim, and for those months, I was never again caught in any of the trouble I previously faced. But I could not ever become a Muslim because of my religious philosophy. I always believed that there is only one God, and that all the major religion prophets are His messengers, and because of geographical and cultural differences, there messages had to be taught differently.  I also could not spiritually become a Muslim because I do not tolerate gender discrimination as I believe in unity of humanity. For instance, I started Googling for the most peaceful religion, and especially religions that have doctrines similar to my beliefs. During my search, I found the Baha'i Faith. I understood and accepted that [H]e had already came.

After reading about [the] Baha’i Faith, I stopped my research. I felt something that I had never experienced before. Something [that is] hard to explain. I was so surprised that there is a religion that shares some of my beliefs, and for that moment, I knew that Baha'i was the answer. I always believed in unity of religion and humanity, which was what distanced me from being a Catholic. I also believe that God cannot be fully understood by humans, and able for us to create an image of [H]im. I also always believed that there would be another messenger after Jesus (a modern prophet), and after learning about Bahá'u'lla[h] I understood and accepted that [H]e had already came, which is the reason I believe that [H]e is the most recent Manifestation of God, and therefore we must accept and follow the law for humanity that was given to [H]im, for us to follow.