Having Faith In Tower Hamlets

This list is by no means definitive, but it covers a broad range of core Bahá’í – book list topics. If you would like to see any other books added to the list, we would be pleased to consider your recommendation.

Bibliography of English Language Works on the Bahá’í and Bahá’í Faiths 1844-1985. By W Collins. (published byGeorge Ronald, London, 1990)

The Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion. By WH Hatcher and JD Martin. (published by Harper and Row, San Francisco, 1984)

A Short Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith. By MA Momen. (published by Oneworld, Oxford, 1997)

A Short History of the Bahá’í Faith. By P Smith. (published by Oneworld, Oxford, 1996)

These sites direct students and teachers towards comprehensive sources of information on the Bahá’í faith. Each site carries more links to other web-based educational resources, many relevant to the national curriculum.

www.bbc.co.uk/religion
www.re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk
www.citezenship-pieces.org.uk
www.request.org.uk
www.theresite.org.uk

(The Inter Faith Forum is not responsible for the content of these web sites. If you have any concerns about any site, please contact us. If you would like to suggest any other links, we would be happy to consider your proposal.)

These are addresses to other websites. They have more information about the Bahá’í faith in Tower Hamlets, this country and all over the world.

www.bbc.co.uk/religion
www.bahai.org
www.bahai.com
www.bahai-faith.org
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

(The Inter Faith Forum is not responsible for the content of these web sites. If you have any concerns about any site, please contact us. If you would like to suggest any other links, we would be happy to consider your proposal.

Questions people often ask…

Do Bahá’ís believe in Christ?
Certainly. Baha’u’llah himself taught that Christ was one of God’s Manifestations, a being who is beyond man’s understanding.

What about heaven and hell?
To Bahá’ís, heaven is nearness to God while hell is distance from Him. Both are spiritual conditions rather than places.

What else does the faith say about life after death?
Baha’u’llah explained that everyone has a soul, which is born when we are conceived. When we are alive, it is important that our soul develops spiritual qualities. That’s because when we die, our soul leaves the physical world and enters God’s spiritual world, where it continues to grow.

Where would I find my local Bahá’í church?
You won’t because Bahá’í communities do not have clergy or churches. Instead, followers elect councils known as Spiritual Assemblies to look after the affairs of the faith in their community. Meetings are often held in homes or Bahá’í centres.

The first Bahá’ís in England were recorded around the turn of the nineteenth century. The country’s very first Bahá’í was probably Marion Miller, who converted to the faith in 1894 in Chicago before coming to England the following year. She taught the faith to her aunt, a Miss M Brown, who converted around 1896-1897.

They were followed by two highly influential Bahá’ís: Miriam Thornburgh-Cropper and Ethel Rosenberg. Miriam Thornburgh-Cropper was an American who had moved to London by 1898. Through her teaching, Bath-based Ethel Rosenberg declared her faith in 1899, becoming the first English woman to convert in her native land. The pair became the real foundation of England’s Bahá’í community.

Miriam Thornburgh-Cropper was part of the very first pilgrimage of western Bahá’ís to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Akka. Miss Rosenberg was closely associated with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. She was also a very important figure in the early development of the English community.

Over the next few years, a growing number of other Britons converted and a Bahá’í group began in London in 1914. The Bahá’í leader Abdu’l-Bahá visited Britain in 1911, and over the Christmas/New Year period in 1912/3.

As the pace of conversion rose, a Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly for England was constituted in 1922. It was followed by spiritual assemblies in London, Manchester and Bournemouth and a National Spiritual Assembly for Great Britain in 1923.

A decline in the 1920s was followed by a revival during the mid-1930s, when a magazine was launched along with a publishing trust and summer schools. The National Spiritual Assembly was placed on a firm legal footing and more people converted, including the well-known potter Bernard Leach.

The number of local spiritual assemblies also grew. By 1963, there were 50, by 1974 there were 102 and by 1992 the figure had grown to 200.

Meet Ria Garcia. A Filipino-American born into a strong Catholic family, she now lives and works in London. She has been a Bahá’í for two years, having first learned about the faith almost five years ago. Here, she talks about what it means to follow her faith in Tower Hamlets and how her beliefs influence her life in the borough.
What’s the best thing about your faith?
In three words: unity in diversity.
The Bahá’í Faith emphasises the oneness of humankind, and this is manifest in so many ways. Here are just a few examples that spring to mind: the unity found among the different Messengers of God from the same single Source; the strong connections with others inside and outside the Bahá’í community; the diffusion of Bahá’í teaching to people around the world; the immediate beauty found in the commonality of difference.
It is difficult to pinpoint what is best about the Bahá’í Faith. In fact, to do would serve it an injustice. I will simply say that it is easy to fall in love with the Faith because of the reasons above – among many others.

How close are you to other members of the Bahá’í community where you live?
I am one of fifteen Bahá’ís in my community within Tower Hamlets.
Bahá’í communities are not set-up in the same way all over the world. Rather, their make-up is specific to the layout of their area and local needs. In London, for example, Bahá’í communities are first organised by borough, then cluster (encompassing several boroughs) progressing to representatives at a national level across the UK.
Because the Bahá’í Faith is still in its infancy, there are not as many Bahá’ís as other religions. Worldwide, there are around five million of us.
Although the faith is still growing, all Bahá’ís are quite close to each other. I frequently take part in numerous spiritual and social activities with the rest of the Bahá’ís in Tower Hamlets. Because we do not have a centre for gatherings as such, we meet in each other’s homes. This allows us to get to know each other very well. We also get to know quite a few of each other’s friends who are not Bahá’í, helping to expand our circle. I consider the Bahá’ís in my community as my brothers and sisters – my family in London.
Needless to say, I am closer to the Bahá’ís in Tower Hamlets because they live nearby. However, Bahá’ís tend to have close friendships with other Bahá’ís throughout London and, indeed, in many places throughout the world. For example, I engage in service projects with other Bahá’ís in Hackney and Islington. I also keep in touch with Bahá’ís I met in Boston. My experience of forming friendships with other Bahá’ís so easily is not unusual.

How do your friends and colleagues react when you talk to them about your faith?
The Bahá’í Faith is still young (less than 200 years old) with only a few believers compared to the world’s other major religions. Whenever a friend or colleague discovers that I am Bahá’í, they are usually intrigued. I get asked a lot of questions about how different my religion is from other religions, its history, how I learned about it, and what made me choose it (having been raised Catholic). I find that many people are genuinely interested in knowing more about the Bahá’í Faith because it is something that they have not heard of before.
When I speak to someone who practices a religion, they are especially surprised that Bahá’ís also respect and believe the teachings taught by the other Messengers from God – Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, and Muhammad – and recognise them individually as coming from one God. I think that most people, whether they are interested or not, think that the Bahá’í Faith is, at least, refreshing.
People are taken by the ease with which we accept other religions, stripping away differences that would divide ‘us’ from ‘them’ to create a spiritual community that is universal.

What is the biggest misunderstanding you have heard about your faith?
The Bahá’í Faith is a major world religion in its own individual right. One of the fundamental beliefs we share is that of ‘progressive revelation’. Let me explain. Since the beginning of human existence, all the Messengers from God – Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, and Muhammad – came at a specific time in humanity’s development. God ‘progressively revealed’ Himself according to humanity’s maturity. For example, Jesus brought Christianity although he was a Jew. He taught the same fundamental principles of love, unity and peace as Abraham and Moses, but he built upon the previous Messenger because humanity was at a different stage in its life.
Given the above, people tend to think that Islam was the major world religion that came before the Bahá’í Faith. Next, they tend to misunderstand and presume that the Bahá’í Faith is an ‘offshoot’ of Islam. It is not. In the same way, Christianity is not an ‘offshoot’ of Judaism but a separate major world religion. The same applies to the Bahá’í Faith and Islam. The Bahá’í Faith is the latest religion in which God has revealed Himself once again to those living in this day and age. It brings together two Manifestations – Baha’u’llah and the Bab. It is internationally recognised as a distinct world religion by such bodies as the United Nations, the US and UK governments.

Which Bahá’í person that you have met has had the biggest influence on your life?
Every Bahá’í continues to make a strong impression on my life. I only became a Bahá’í two years ago after being raised in a Catholic family and attending Catholic school. Because the Faith is still very new to me, I ask loads of questions. My favourite is the question I ask of people who did not grow up in a Bahá’í family: ‘How did you learn about the Faith? What made you decide it is for you?’ I am amazed by their leap of faith into a religion that is relatively unheard of. I am touched by how they embrace the Faith as a precious jewel, remaining protective and caring towards it while eager to share its brilliance and give to others.
I am equally moved by the Bahá’ís – whether they grew up in a Bahá’í family or not – who dedicate their lives to serve the Faith. I meet Bahá’ís who come from all over the world – China, Ghana, Israel and elsewhere – simply to volunteer their time for a few months or a few years to participate in service projects. I encounter Bahá’ís who are so enthusiastic about serving, always making plans to be of further help. The sacrifices they make so willingly to further the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith greatly influence me. What’s more, the spirit in which these sacrifices are made, with such purity of heart, inspire me everyday.

Is there anything you read when you’re looking for inspiration?
I find the words from any and all of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith inspiring – the Bab, Baha’u’llah, and Shoghi Effendi. Knowing the individual life histories from which they wrote inspires even greater emotion whenever I read their texts. The Gleanings, which is a compilation of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings, is particularly affecting because of the wide range of topics that it covers.
As Bahá’ís, we are encouraged to read the Holy Writings as much as possible for guidance in our everyday lives and dealings with others and the world at large. Whatever dilemma I may have, whatever questions or despondency, I consult the Holy Writings of the Bahá’í Faith’s Central Figures as well as praying. Prayers in themselves are very inspirational because the act of praying is a conversation with God.
“There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God.” Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah

Bahá’í Community of the United Kingdom
27 Rutland Gate
London SW7 1PD

Tel:

Contact:

The Information Officer
Email: oea@bahai.org.uk

What do Bahá’í believe?

Creating unity worldwide is of fundamental importance in the Bahá’í Faith. Once unity is a reality, world peace will follow.

They believe that there has only ever been one religion and one God, even though people have called Him by different names.

Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, Jesus and Muhammad are all regarded as messengers of God. They promised the coming of another great messenger who would bring peace to the world. To Bahá’ís, that messenger is Bahá’u’lláh – the founder of their faith.

Key Bahá’í beliefs were set out in various talks given by one of Bahá’u’lláh’s successors, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. These beliefs include:

• One god
• Unity of mankind
• Harmony of science and religion
• Equality of opportunity for men and women
• Elimination of all prejudice
• Universal compulsory education
• Abolition of extremities of poverty and wealth
• Establishment of a world government
• Progressive revelation

Knowing God

Bahá’ís strive to fulfil their personal potential by fostering a close relationship with God. According to Bahá’í thinking, God transcends gender with an essence that is infinite and unknowable.

Bahá’ís diversity

Bahá’ís are proud of the fact that their religion has survived for over 150 years without dividing into any distinct traditions or sects. They believe their religion will remain united forever.

How Bahá’í developed

The Bahá’í Faith was established in Persia (now Iran) on 23 May 1844 as a new religion, distinct from the Shi’a tradition of Islam already established there.

In the last five decades, the Bahá’í Faith has expanded significantly across the world – despite the fact that Bahá’ís are not allowed to proselytise. Today, the Bahá’í Faith is the world’s second most widespread religion after Christianity (source: Encyclopaedia Britannica).

The development of the faith can be traced through the lives of four key people:

The Báb

Originally known as Siyyid Ali-Muhammad, the Báb was born in Shiraz, Persia, in 1819 and was a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In 1844, he declared himself God’s messenger and proclaimed the coming of Greater One, who would bring a new age of civilisation based on world peace.

Bahá’u’lláh

In 1863, Bahá’u’lláh declared himself to be the One promised by the Báb. His mission fulfilled the promises made by the messengers from other religions. He died in Akka in 1892 and was buried at nearby Bahji, now the Bahá’í Faith ’s most sacred shrine.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

As Bahá’u’lláh’s son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was appointed in his father’s will as the authorised interpreter of Bahá’í teachings. Born in 1844, he died in Haifa in 1921.

Shoghi Effendi

Following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá death, his grandson, Shoghi Effendi became Guardian of the Faith, with the authority to interpret the scriptures. He died in 1957. Six years later, the Universal House of Justice – now based in at the Bahá’í World Centre, Haifa – became the Bahá’í Faith ’s guiding body.

Bahá’ís leaders

The Bahá’í Faith has no priests or clergy, either professional or voluntary.

Local Spiritual Assemblies are the key Bahá’í organisations. Each assembly has nine members who are elected annually by secret ballot. Electioneering is strictly forbidden in the Bahá’í Faith. Assemblies decide on the affairs of the local Bahá’í community through consultation.

How Bahá’í worship

Prayer/worship

The Bahá’í Faith has no set worship services or priests. Most Bahá’í meetings take place in people’s homes or in Bahá’í centres. There are seven Bahá’í houses of worship worldwide, and followers of all religions are invited to pray there.

Bahá’ís are obliged to say one of three daily prayers known as the ‘obligatory prayers’. They vary in length and must be recited in different ways. In addition, Bahá’ís are expected to read from the scriptures every morning and evening. There are Bahá’í prayers for all kinds of occasion and purpose including marriage, death, assistance, meetings and spiritual growth.

While praying, Bahá’ís turn towards Bahji in Israel, the burial place of Bahá’u’lláh.

Diet

Bahá’ís are not governed by specific dietary regulations.

Consuming alcohol or habit-forming drugs is strictly forbidden.

Fasting

During the Bahá’í month of ‘Alá (2-21 March), Bahá’ís abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

God

Bahá’ís believe in a single, unknowable and infinite God.

Core beliefs

The Bahá’í Faith was founded in 1844 in Iran.

Origins

• Humans are a single people with a common destiny
• God progressively reveals his will to successive generations by sending Manifestations of Himself from time to time. These include Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, the Prophet Mohammed and Bahá’u’lláh
  Statistics
• There are approximately six million Bahá’ís in 235 countries. Of these, 6,000 Bahá’í live in the UK, including Tower Hamlets.

Diversity

The Bahá’í Faith remains a single, united movement.

Worship

The Bahá’í Faith has no set worship services or priests. Most Bahá’í meetings take place in people’s homes or Bahá’í centres.

Bahá’ís are obliged to say one of three daily prayers known as the ‘obligatory prayers’. They believe that prayer is a conversation with God and food for the human soul.