Former Atheist Teaches Religion
Today we learn that there is a former atheist, Mr. Nader
Saiedi, who teaches religion at the University of California, Los Angeles, the
City of Angels. He spotted some contradictions in his own religion when it
comes to what you and I may call “common sense.” And so his quest began. Today
he is a respected academic and he teaches the Bahá’í Faith at UCLA. His proper
title is Professor Nader Saiedi. Isn’t that a remarkable transformation – atheist
to professor of religion? Wow! Wooooow!! Check this out:
And today’s featured article on the main page of Bahaikipedia
(http://bahaikipedia.org/Main_Page)
opens thus:
“The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes
the unity of
humanity transcending all divisions of race, nation,
gender, caste, and social class, while celebrating its diversity. Bahá’u’lláh wrote:
"The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá adds
that the "unification of mankind" has now become "the paramount
issue and question in the religious and political conditions of the
world." For Bahá’ís, the unity of humanity is not a distant prospect, but
a present reality.”
And a featured quote on that same page simply says The
best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if
thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid
thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and
shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. -Bahá’u’lláh, The
Hidden Words.
And on Wikipeadia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahai),
if you should search for the word Bahá'í (or Bahai), you will be greeted by
this:
“The Bahá'í Faith (Arabic: بهائية Baha'iyyah) /bəˈhaɪ/[1] is
a monotheistic religion emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind.[2] Three
core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the unity
of God, that there is only one God who is the source of
all creation; the unity of religion, that all major
religions have the same spiritual source and come from the same God; and the unity of humanity, that all humans have
been created equal, and that diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy
of appreciation and acceptance.[3] According to the Bahá'í teachings the
human purpose is to learn to know and love God through such methods as prayer,
reflection, and being of
service to humanity.”
I particularly
like the part about reflection and service. And Oh, how much we all need justice
in this contingent world!
