Just before noon today, Ali Velshi, a correpondent on CNN posed this question: Should Americans be learing more about the various religions? I was pondering a similar question in my head all morning. That inquisitive attitude toward the teaching of religion had been inspired by the viewing of a YouTube clip, one made about one year ago.
In that clip, a reporter asks Iran's leader about the treatment of the Baha'is in Iran. He responds with another question. He asks the reporter if anyone in the audience can name the prophet associated with the Baha'i Faith. He knew that Americans were generally unfamiliar with that prophet, and indeed with the principles of the Baha'i Faith.
Now it so happens that Abdu'l-Baha's father was the founder of the Baha'i Faith. I would like to see more people becoming aware of that fact. Their awareness would force the leader of Iran to frame a more respectable answer to any question about the treatment of Baha'is imprisoned in Iran.
Sue C.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thoughts on Treatment for a Criminal Act
Yesterday they executed a woman in the State of Virginia. The last time that a woman was executed in Virginia it was the year 1912, and Abdu'l-Baha was here in the United States. I was wondering what Abdu'l-Baha might have said about such an act.
I decided to look at the prayers for the departed that had been written by Abdu'l-Baha. I have decided to post one of those prayers in this blog:
O Thou forgiving Lord!
Although some souls have spent the days of their lives in ignorance, and became estranged and contumacious, yet, with one wave from the ocean of forgiveness, all those encompassed by sin will be set free. Whomsoever thou willest thou makest a confidant, and whosoever is not the object of Thy choice is accounted a transgressor. Shouldst thou deal with us with Thy justice, we are all naught but sinners and deserving to be shut out from Thee, but shouldst Thou uphold mercy, every sinner every sinner would be made pure and every stranger a friend. Bestow then Thy forgiveness and pardon and grant Thy mercy unto all.
Thou art the Forgiver, the Lightgiver and the Omnipotent.
--Abdu'l-Baha
I decided to look at the prayers for the departed that had been written by Abdu'l-Baha. I have decided to post one of those prayers in this blog:
O Thou forgiving Lord!
Although some souls have spent the days of their lives in ignorance, and became estranged and contumacious, yet, with one wave from the ocean of forgiveness, all those encompassed by sin will be set free. Whomsoever thou willest thou makest a confidant, and whosoever is not the object of Thy choice is accounted a transgressor. Shouldst thou deal with us with Thy justice, we are all naught but sinners and deserving to be shut out from Thee, but shouldst Thou uphold mercy, every sinner every sinner would be made pure and every stranger a friend. Bestow then Thy forgiveness and pardon and grant Thy mercy unto all.
Thou art the Forgiver, the Lightgiver and the Omnipotent.
--Abdu'l-Baha
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Thoughts on the Life of a Small Child
I have not written in my blog recently. I have been busy watching a new serial on one of the Persian satellite TV stations. It takes place during the time when Abdu'l-Baha was a small boy.
I do not know too much about his life at that time, before his father was put in prison, and then banished from Persia. I have read one story about a time when Abdu'l-Baha was asked to guard the family's sheep, while his father was attending to more important matters. According to that story someone told Abdu'l-Baha that his father always gave the shepherds a gift, whenever he checked on the condition of his flock.
Abdu'l-Baha did not have any gift, so he thouhgt hard about what he could give them. He decided to give them the sheep. His father was a bit amazed at his son's generosity, but he did not indicate any note of displeasure. He simply remarked jokingly that his son was apt to give away just about anything to those who deserved it.
Sue Chehrenegar
I do not know too much about his life at that time, before his father was put in prison, and then banished from Persia. I have read one story about a time when Abdu'l-Baha was asked to guard the family's sheep, while his father was attending to more important matters. According to that story someone told Abdu'l-Baha that his father always gave the shepherds a gift, whenever he checked on the condition of his flock.
Abdu'l-Baha did not have any gift, so he thouhgt hard about what he could give them. He decided to give them the sheep. His father was a bit amazed at his son's generosity, but he did not indicate any note of displeasure. He simply remarked jokingly that his son was apt to give away just about anything to those who deserved it.
Sue Chehrenegar
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thoughts Concerning an Important Anniversary
On the eve of the ninth Anniverasary for Sept 11, 2001, I would like to quote a passage written by Abdu'l-Baha. It can be found in the book Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha Abbas.
"My only joy in this swiftly passing world was to tread the stony path of God and to endure hard tests and all material strife. For otherwise this earthly life would prove barren and vain; and better would be death. The tree of being would produce no fruit; the sown field of this existence would yield no harvest. Thus it is my hope that once again some circulstances will make my cup of anguish to brim over and that beauteous Love, that Slayer of souls, will dazzle the beholders again. Then will this heart be blissful; this soul be blessed."
posted by Sue Chehrenegar
"My only joy in this swiftly passing world was to tread the stony path of God and to endure hard tests and all material strife. For otherwise this earthly life would prove barren and vain; and better would be death. The tree of being would produce no fruit; the sown field of this existence would yield no harvest. Thus it is my hope that once again some circulstances will make my cup of anguish to brim over and that beauteous Love, that Slayer of souls, will dazzle the beholders again. Then will this heart be blissful; this soul be blessed."
posted by Sue Chehrenegar
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thoughts on Sharing Information
This morning I got an email that related to the sharing of information. There was a quote from Abdu'l-Baha in that email. I would like to share it with the readers of this blog:
Follow thou the way of thy Lord, and say not that which the ears cannot bear to hear, for such speech is like luscious food given to small children. However palatable, rare and rich the food may be, it cannot be assimilated by the digestive organs of a suckling child. Therefore unto every one who hath a right, let his settled measure be given.'Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it.' Such is the consummate wisdom to be observed in thy pursuits. Be not oblivious thereof, if thou wishest to be a man of action under all conditions. First diagnose the disease and identify the malady, then prescribe the remedy, for such is the perfect method of the skilful physician. (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 269)
Follow thou the way of thy Lord, and say not that which the ears cannot bear to hear, for such speech is like luscious food given to small children. However palatable, rare and rich the food may be, it cannot be assimilated by the digestive organs of a suckling child. Therefore unto every one who hath a right, let his settled measure be given.'Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it.' Such is the consummate wisdom to be observed in thy pursuits. Be not oblivious thereof, if thou wishest to be a man of action under all conditions. First diagnose the disease and identify the malady, then prescribe the remedy, for such is the perfect method of the skilful physician. (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 269)
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