Tuesday, November 19, 2013

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!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

As I look back ...

As I look back ... My parents used to encourage me to recite Psalm 23 (The Lord is my Shepherd), prior to going to bed every night. I diligently performed this duty until I left for high school in Swaziland at age 13. I never asked why, nor did I need to know why. Those days children simply did what they were told, or they risked being labeled “naughty,” with the usual unpleasant consequences. Through the twists and turns of life, I found myself in the US. It is only after some years spent here in the US that I realized that the Lord, indeed, has been my Shepherd all along – no matter what I did, no matter where I was, no matter what befell me. And now, I can truly pronounce an unreserved “Thank You” to both my father and mother, The Rev. Makepeace Mxolisi Nomvete (born in 1919), and his beloved wife, Mrs. Ruth Mamotabogi Nomvete (born in 1920.) The former passed on to the next world in October, 1992, and the latter in November, 2010. They enabled me to recite Words of God from a very early age. I thank them profusely. What a gift – to learn and recite Holy verses, even when I knew nothing of the meaning nor of the import of those lofty words. I thank them profusely.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201136090101772&set=a.1909965346242.112633.1155099575&type=1&theater