Can someone enlighten me as to the reference of the Sycamore and the Cedar?

O Shaykh! Peruse that which Isaiah hath spoken in His Book. He saith: “Get thee up into the high mountain, O Zion, that bringest good tidings; lift up Thy Voice with strength, O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings. Lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah: ‘Behold your God! Behold the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him.’” This Day all the signs have appeared. A Great City hath descended from heaven, and Zion trembleth and exulteth with joy at the Revelation of God, for it hath heard the Voice of God on every side. This Day Jerusalem hath attained unto a new Evangel, for in the stead of the sycamore standeth the cedar. Jerusalem is the place of pilgrimage for all the peoples of the world, and hath been named the Holy City. Together with Zion and Palestine, they are all included within these regions. Wherefore, hath it been said: “Blessed is the man that hath migrated to ‘Akká.”

Bahá’u’lláh, "Epistle to the Son of the Wolf", 209

https://oceanlibrary.com/link/bSphJ/epistle-to-the-son-of-the-wolf_bahaullah/

How large should be the Baha'i community? And how is being decided if a local or a national House of Worship should be built, since I noticed some countries may have a local House of Worship but not a national one?

I just finished reading Our Common Humanity: Reflections on the Reclamation of the Human Spirit, by Michael L. Penn. So good! Very interesting discussion of human capacities; psychology and neuroscience perspectives; problems of evil, racism, war; care of the spirit and consultation.

First off, I didn’t grow up Baha’i. From 18-28 I suffered from untreated mental illness and substance abuse. I was homeless, incarcerated, and on the verge of death. I was given grace after much destruction, and after a couple years of stability I discovered the Baha’i Faith. After studying and doing Ruhi, I declared in 2020. I now have a family, practice the Faith to the best of my ability, and try to attend Feasts (although often miss). To my surprise, I was notified today that I was elected to the LSA (~20 members). Just when life was getting “lifey”. I am so grateful for what this journey has given me, and for where it shall lead. Thank you.

Dear friends,

What is justice in the understanding of the revelation of Baha'u'llah? Social justice is an issue that is very close to my heart as a Baha'i and a white southern (Tennessee) trans woman living paycheck to paycheck. If we look around us at the extremes of wealth and debt in society it doesn't seem fair.

I don't like it when people and corporations lie either, whether it's about a current or former employee, or anything at all really. It seems unjust when those who have won at capitalism get to decide who does and doesn't get a job. When I used to be a Christian, it was my understanding that those who bullied me in school would have to give an account of their meanness after their death. In my mind that seemed just, but I also realize our Baha'i faith teaches a much more nuanced understanding of the terms Day of Judgment, Day of the LORD, or resurrection.

What are your thoughts and what gives you solace when you witness injustice and you feel a "righteous anger" well up from within you?

The past year, I’ve been on my spiritual journey reading the writings, various books on the faith, attending ruhi and trying to network with old and new Baha’i circles. All these things have been great for my self-development. I enjoy it a lot. But recently i’ve been feeling really down. I truly do feel like my life is just waiting to start. Basically, I want a wife and kids. I look back on my 20s and shake my head on the time wasted on failed relationships. It just seems so hard to find someone these days. On the rare occasion I meet someone I’m interested in, they’re always married. The dating pool is small. Do I need to go overseas? I heard there’s a marriage prayer? I’m getting tired of waiting

I think that the reasons one would do those things is a quick enjoyment, or to strengthen their ego.

I question whether these things are worthwhile at all, and traps that distract you from lasting happiness and fulfillment.

I brought this up to a friend, and he said "These things can be portals to powerful self growth". He explained that everything in the universe, macrocosmic or microcosmic, has a purpose. We have these impulses and instincts within us, why should be blindly deny them, rather than explore them, understand them, integrate them, and become whole.

I really need to hear if there are counterarguments to this. I'm just trying to figure out my faith in Baha'ullah and how to live my life.

What's the difference between these terms? And: from my last question answered with, spiritual vs criminal law. It would be helpful to have a compilation of the spiritual. I assume the spiritual (law?, teachings?, guidance?) are the stuff we are to study and have our lifetime to absorb? And: So if there isn't a compilation of spiritual, whats the best way to figure if one of the many laws,teachings, guidance are spiritual only? Thank-you PS: What about that which causes voting rights being removed? I assume these are law? and are for now? We really need a book just on of all this!

Some Answered Questions says to reach the station of the seeker, one must renounce all love and hate for people.

Can someone explain more?

Came across this, the laws are not for present society and cannot become used until a true Bahai government is established and function. What does this mean?

Hello! I am in college and wanted to do a presentation on Bahai compared to other religions it may be associated with, and answer these Questions:

1. "What is the connection to Islam and other religions both Historically and In contemporary practice?"

2. "How has Baha'i both preserved and rejected some of the tenants of Islam"

If anyone has any impute so that I'm not just saying "In Islam they do this..but in Bahai faith they do this instead.." over and over, and can actually discuss it, that would be fantastic!

Also, if anyone has links that answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it.

Any input helps!

I'm putting some statistics together for a video I want to make for my TikTok account so if anyone has any better data, please share.

I looked up the statistics on the estimated early growth/adoption rate of Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i Faith and from what I can see they are all very similar from year 0 to 180.

AD - Anno Domini AH - Anno Hegirae (Islamic Calendar) BE - Baha'i Era TEWP - Total Estimated World Population

Christianity

40K - 218K in 150 - 200 AD 0.12% of the TEWP of 170M

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/evangelical-history/how-many-christians-were-there-in-200-a-d/

Islam - 850K in 190 AH 0.4% of TEWP of 220M

DOI 10.1007/s10943-016-0253-41_301825813

Baha'i - 8 million 180 BE
0.1% of TEWP of 8B

The differences in the way these numbers are calculated and the margin of error put them all in the same range as far as I can tell.

I'll edit the post of I can get more accurate numbers. 🙏

Happy ridvan everyone 💝

So it's ridvan and I'm am am going to perform at the ridvan celebration I think on the 9th day ig and the song is "roses roses everywhere as far as you could see in the garden of ridvan" yea I forgot the name but I do not want to use a karaoke but rather play an instrument myself so if anyone who is proficient in Keyboard or piano willing to help me I don't need much just the key notes for the first few seconds and the chords of the song (which should be the same as the tune all all the lines are similar) this might be too much or get ignored it's alr I'll just use the karaoke and sing. Thank you for reading this much And a happy ridvan to you all again 💝

Allah-u-Abha everyone, I am in a tough position currently. I have been debating between the Baha'i Faith and Islam for a while now and I'm unsure. What do I do? I feel stuck and it is really annoying to deal with.

If someone has a cognitive or physical ailment (for example: aspergers/austism, or being a paraplegic) which prevents them from having a steady job or career, can they still be a Bahai, even if they are not able to follow Baha'u'llah's teaching of work and service as an act of worship?

I've been browsing many of the christian Subs and there are many stories of believers abandoning "false ways" and finding god's truth. I was wondering if there are any exchristians, exmulsims or fromer adherence of Judaism or Hinduism who are interested in sharing there stories of converting to this religion? Thanks.

If I remember correctly I think it explained that there was a recurring spirit or spiritual quality that manifested in these women, and that quality had also occurred during other periods of major religious transformation.

I would like to study that more closely. Does anyone know of Baha’i writings that discuss people like these women? Or sources discussing the spiritual qualities of these historically heroic women in general?

That's just part of it. I mean, why would God have let people believe that Jesus was the Son of God, literally, and was crucified and resurrected 3 days later? Why would God allow this if he's just gonna send Bahaullah later? I hope my question is respectful. I just have doubts.

​

Also, to that same point, why would God allow so many religions to come along, confusing us all, and then sending Bahaullah? I don't get it.

Every time I find a calendar for Feast, they seem to not go along with what LSA does. (USA)

When is feast of azamat, and what web source should I be using?

Question mainly directed to those who have children and grandchildren. What is your experience?

This question comes after I noticed the high number of people in their 40-60s after another post I made regarding the age on the subreddit.

Hello everyone! I’m Gnostic but I have a deep interest in all religions! I was wondering if it was okay if I could pray Baha’i prayers? I really like them and think they are beautiful! I hope you all have a nice day! 💜☮️

I get caught off guard when people say this, and struggle with what i can respond back. Most og the people around me is atheist. I am new to the faith

Are we supposed to know it, are we supposed to ignore it?

All insights welcome.

I can't help but to believe that Baha'ullah is the prophesized figure that Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism speak of.

But as an orphan who didn't even have an orphanage or anything supportive (I think this has to do with it), I struggle with approaching esoteric subjects, especially from a Baha'i perspective.

I want the Baha'i mission to be accomplished but how do I approach the Tree of Life as a Baha'i?

Are there any Revelations by the Bab or Baha’ullah that were revealed in English?

Would be interesting to know.

Regarding Sabbatical: An opportunity for self-care. An alternative to withdrawing membership.

I'm wondering if there's a concept like a sabbatical for Baha'is.

Since there is no clergy, I can imagine that for members, being involved in the plans and activities of the Baha'i administration can become wearisome. It feels like all of the weight of the faith rests on our shoulders.

When I was a Christian, I remember my favorite pastors would go on sabbatical and come back refreshed and full of new energy and deeper insights.

Academic institutions invest in sabbaticals for tenured staff because the value proposition is clear: Professors come back from sabbaticals with greater capacity to fulfill their purpose and the goals of the institution.

So it seems to me that each Baha'i could know the signs that they need some space from core activities, signs, and symptoms of burnout, and should take good care of themselves to rest if necessary to achieve their highest capacity for servitude.

Members could volunteer to take a personal sabbatical from core activities rather than withdraw their membership to allow a deeper independent investigation of truth, exploration of their community and careers, and even non-Bahai service opportunities or avenues of spiritual growth.

This idea comes from my observation of members recently expressing wishes to withdraw membership and noticing a theme of feeling burned out in a sense and maybe feeling negative attitudes towards the core activities and the administrative order as a result.

This also comes from my own experience withdrawing membership and then re-declaring.

So, here are my questions for discussion:

What could be the purpose of a sabbatical in the context of the Baha'i Faith?

What are the signs of burnout and the need for self-care?

Is there currently a mechanism for Baha'is who are very active in core activities and feeling burnout to take space as an opportunity for self-care?

What could be the pros and cons of a Baha'i taking a sabbatical?

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts. Allah'u'abha.

Hello Friends. I would like to resign from the Baha'i Faith, I've been a Baha'i for many years but no longer want to be a Baha'i. I haven't decided if I don't believe in Baha'u'llah anymore but I don't necessarily believe in Shoji Effendi, the administration and aspects of how the Faith is run. I'd like to make my resignation simple and I don't want to have a long discussion with my LSA. If I write the LSA do I HAVE to say I don't believe in Baha'u'llah or will they accept withdrawal if I say I don't want to be a Baha'i and don't feel I believe in The Guardian and the Administrative Order?

Some background: I'm Christian (Episcopal specifically). My grandad became Bahai in the 90s-ish, and he passed away a week and a half ago at the age of 94 from complications of Alzheimer's. In the Episcopal tradition, we pray for those who have died, and I am wondering if there are any things I should be aware of so I can be respectful with my prayers.

For example, I'm not sure if people pray for the dead in Bahai tradition, if there is anything in particular I should pray for, etc. I have a few books on Bahai tradition that my Lola gave to me, so I will consult those as well, but thought I'd ask here for more input.

Hey everyone, this past week a thought crossed my mind while reading some of the scriptures. And that thought, or question rather is "Why are the Baha'i scriptures written so differently from the Old and New Testament?". The Old and New Testaments are written more like stories and events with narratives and miracles and such, where as the Baha'i scriptures, to my eyes at least, don't really follow the same style.

I'm not complaining or anything, don't get me wrong. I love reading the Baha'i scriptures even though I do find it a lot more difficult to read and understand which gets frustrating and demoralizing at times, but they're still written beautifully and I like them. I'm just wondering out of curiosity if anyone knows, or if there really is a reason why the Old and New Testaments are written so differently?

Thanks for any replies in advance!