Making Sense of the Increasing Chaos Around Us

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Making Sense of the Increasing Chaos Around Us
by faryarm
10-Dec-2008
 

You don't have to be a News freak to be aware of the unfolding chaos and uncertainty, around the world; from the financial crisis, to cholera outbreaks in Southern Africa, to bomb attacks, and piracy.

What happens in Iran, here in the USA or anywhere around the world, is the result of total breakdown in every area of human life.

As a Bahai, however, I have since I independently became one, read the writings of Baha'u'llah Which warn caution humanity about its future and the road it has to take to achieve harmony and Global peace.

I like to offer te following as some food for thought and reflection in an attempt for the average, even non religious to make some sense of the seemingly unprecedented challenges we are to face in the coming months and years..

I like to quote the following from www.bahaiperspectives.com:

In October 1985, the Universal House of Justice released a statement, addressed to the peoples of the world, entitled “The Promise of World Peace”. It was written “out of a deep sense of spiritual and moral duty”, to bring to the attention of the world “the penetrating insights first communicated to the rulers of mankind more than a century ago by Baha’u’llah, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith”. I recently re-read the 14-page statement, to try and get some perspective on what’s happening around me. It is a succinct, visionary document which gives a clear analysis of the historical forces that have led us here and I would like to share with you some of the passages I found particularly illuminating.

The House of Justice first sets the scene with this description of the world (of the world in 1985, but equally applicable to today):

The winds of despair”, Bahá’u’lláh wrote, “are, alas, blowing from every direction, and the strife that divides and afflicts the human race is daily increasing. The signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing order appears to be lamentably defective.” This prophetic judgement has been amply confirmed by the common experience of humanity. Flaws in the prevailing order are conspicuous in the inability of sovereign states organized as United Nations to exorcize the spectre of war, the threatened collapse of the international economic order, the spread of anarchy and terrorism, and the intense suffering which these and other afflictions are causing to increasing millions.”

The discussion then takes on the effects of various ideologies and dogmas, and religion, on the state of the world:

No serious attempt to set human affairs aright, to achieve world peace, can ignore religion. … Writing of religion as a social force, Bahá’u'lláh said: “Religion is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein.” Referring to the eclipse or corruption of religion, he wrote: “Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness, of justice, of tranquillity and peace cease to shine.” In an enumeration of such consequences the Bahá’í writings point out that the “perversion of human nature, the degradation of human conduct, the corruption and dissolution of human institutions, reveal themselves, under such circumstances, in their worst and most revolting aspects. Human character is debased, confidence is shaken, the nerves of discipline are relaxed, the voice of human conscience is stilled, the sense of decency and shame is obscured, conceptions of duty, of solidarity, of reciprocity and loyalty are distorted, and the very feeling of peacefulness, of joy and of hope is gradually extinguished.

what are your thoughts ?

Sincerely

Faryarm

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Marjan Zahed Kindersley

Addendum

by Marjan Zahed Kindersley on

This blog. What a load of convoluted messy piffle.

How anyone can get from cholera to Baha and Ethics beats all logic. Even female logic!

Thanks, though, it's almost amusing. Unfortunately, my time is rather limited and precious to discuss it.


Marjan Zahed Kindersley

Mehdi, I'd like to add the following

by Marjan Zahed Kindersley on

"What I was asking is what do you believe in? "

 

that takes too long to discuss here, but it might help if you looked up the origins of the word belief (to hold dear ie not factual, but emotional) and the definition of belief (accept as true, have faith in. again not factual ).

"What
is your answers to those questions that religions have tried to answer?
Do you think we live once and die for ever?"

 

Of course, " ke in sabze... farda az khake to ..." I can't remember the Khayyam

And anyway, what does "forever" mean?   religion has an uncanny way of proposing questions to itself. Sometimes it's quite amusing, other times most tedious. 

 

"If so, do you think there
is still a point to life?"

 

There isn't one. Nature doesn't "think". The purpose of life is a human metaphysical/psychological proposition and subjective ie doesn't exist in objective reality.

what I find very interesting at the moment is studies in Eudemonia in neurology

 

"How? If 50 years from now it absolutely does
not matter what I did, then why would I care about such concepts as
right and wrong, pride, honesty, justice, etc? "

Of course it matters. every human has influence and choice. Even though in a predetermined universe the choices that are made are determined.

"Why would I want a
better world? "

on a very basic level to survive with as little pain as possible. Also, there are bioligical reasons for certain behaviours which are essential to the survival of the species.

 

"How can we define what a better world is? Wouldn't it be
a world that is our slave and serves us? how do you define such
concepts?"

 

That depends on the individual's subjective value judgments.

I don't understand that question about the world slave and serving.


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Baha'i Assemblies

by Ramin Zadeh (not verified) on

Mr.A1,

Baha'i assemblies are democratically elected bodies. they are elected every year and as a Bahai your vote is voluntary, secret and there is no nominations, so completely different from a clerical system.
After all we need somebody to organise the affairs the Baha'i community, such as weddings, funerals, teaching activities etc.

Secondly Baha'u'llah was born a Muslim and being wealthy was expected to have more than one wife. he in fact was married to his first wife in his teenage years as was the norm for his time. He became a messenger of God at age of 35, he was already married to his wives.
All new Baha'is who had (or Have) more than one wife, do not have to divorce them. as was the case with my own grandfather.
however Baha'is are not allowed to have more than one wife normally.
so I hope that answer your questions.

Ramin


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Tahereh

by Anonymous I. (not verified) on

You have assemblies, don’t you? It’s a same thing. Religion is religion. You’re following the ideas of the usual suspects.
Just a question; Bahaollah had three wives. Does that mean your men can have multiple wives too? You are telling me I’m making statements bigger than myself, that’s fine, but I find you gullible.


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Religion vs Politics

by YT (not verified) on

How many religions must one nation TRY mixing with politics before they learn these two do not mix???

1. The influence, and control of the governmental activities, and eventual corruption of Zoroastrianism contributed to weakness of [Sassanid Empire] and [Yazdegerd III (632–651)].

3. Christianity and Dark-Ages. Does anyone remember Spanish Inquisition?????( no punt intended toward any Christian friends)

2. Although a Muslim, I do not see any need to bring to anyone's attention the fact that what IRI has done to our country

Now that we have not had enough disasters created by RELIGION (of any shape or form) ruling the country, lets try a third, and why not?????

in a nutshell ladies and gentleman:

Religion + Politics = DISASTER

Respectfully
-YT


Tahirih

Anonymous I., you are misinformed or pretending to be!!!

by Tahirih on

We have no clergy in bahai faith to tell us what to do???!!!

Before making statements bigger than yourself, get the facts straight :)))

Tahirih


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Tahirih

by Anonymous I. (not verified) on

I post videos of scientology because you need to see the similarities. You guys have become a cult like any other cults including Islam, Christianity, Judaism and the rest of the gang. At least I don’t hear anybody bragging about their religion like you guys do.

Just dump the clergymen like the nuclear waste; they are bad for you. You don’t need a bloodsucker to tell you what’s good, what’s bad.
Now keep writing all the mumbo jumbo like a shjarehnameh; it’s all pointless.

L. Ron Hubbard just waved at me from his flying saucer. I hope I find his image on a piece of toast and sell it on e Bay to Tom Cruise for million dollars.


Mehdi

Crush: Let me see if I get it right

by Mehdi on

So what you are saying is that you just know what's right and wrong? You don't need to know what's the purpose of life, for example. You don't need to know why you have compassion. You are just something that is that way and there is no reason for it. Just like a tool that is designed for some specific purpose and can only do that and has no other choice. Something within you instructs you what to do and you follow that command. And you are not even interested to know why that is or where it comes from or what is the point of it or anything? Am i correct?

If that is correct, then I guess you have no clue, really, why you hate religion. Right? 


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

how am i avoiding your answer? lol. morality ?

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

It has nothing to do with religion. don't kill, don't lie don't steal don't cheat on your spouse. bla bla bla. what else do you need to know? my blood type? my menstrual cycle? Get a life Mehdi. I hate religion. All religion. It doesn't mean I eat babies for breakfast.

morality is relative. good and bad that is. I don't think being gay is bad. I think people who hate gays are bad. There's one example for you. I don't need a priest or a rabbi to tell me differently.


Mehdi

Crush: oh, that looks bad :)

by Mehdi on

You are avoiding an answer. Ohhhhhhhh. Not like you! Come on, what do you have to lose? Stop telling me what you don't believe in. tell me what you do believe in? How do you define "morality?" Come on, if you are no different than a table, how do you define morality? Where does science define it? Could you please show me the reference on that?


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

Mehdi, if you have to look to religion for right and wrong....

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

I feel sorry for you. You are the one who compared gays to animals and rocks.

Gay marriage in Tehran 

'Nuf said. I'll repeat it for you since you didn't read what I wrote. I believe in science i.e. proof. As for morality, I don't think religion is a guide for morality. 


Mehdi

Anonymous (anti-religionist ?)

by Mehdi on

See my question to Crush below. How would you answer? Or do you have no answer?


Mehdi

Crush: I didn't get an answer

by Mehdi on

You still simply state that you don;t believe in religion. What I was asking is what do you believe in? What is your answers to those questions that religions have tried to answer? Do you think we live once and die for ever? If so, do you think there is still a point to life? How? If 50 years from now it absolutely does not matter what I did, then why would I care about such concepts as right and wrong, pride, honesty, justice, etc? Why would I want a better world? How can we define what a better world is? Wouldn't it be a world that is our slave and serves us? how do you define such concepts?


Tahirih

Anonymous I., what are you afraid of?

by Tahirih on

What are your motives?Why do you want to silence us?

You do not like new ideas, do not read this blog, but why wanting others to stop thinking? Why are you causing distractions? Why don't you post a Bahai on you tube talking about Bahais rather than posting Scientology and causing confusion?

Your tactics sounds very familiar ...?

Tahirih


faryarm

Please no more Ritual, dogma, superstition, clergy...and...

by faryarm on

Agreed.. 

Please no more Ritual, dogma, clergy...and...

please know about the subject before you make irrelevant remarks.

faryarm 

 

 


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The jehovah’s witness of cyberspace

by Anonymous I. (not verified) on

Any chance you guys get you have to let the world know how awesome your religion is.

Watch the future of Rainn Wilson


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Please no more new religion!

by Anonymous irani (not verified) on

We have enough of a mass with some of wars that have religious base as is and we do not need a new religion that add to this volatile world conflicts.Even with religion like Christianity that talks about peace and love we have seen that when it come to world domination they forget about their slogan.


faryarm

Mehdi...Your are point is well taken.

by faryarm on

 

Dear Mehdi,

Dig Deeper your points are valid, mankind's suffering of all the wars and afflictions of the last 160 years could have been avoided.

Baha'u'llah brought HIs message over 160 years ago...Had humanity, namely us Iranians, who still refuse to see the light , and  the first recipient of His message been receptive to His teachings, the world would be a vastly different and peaceful place, not to mention Iran would not be  in the hands of these bloodthirsty oppressors today.

As a result of such rejection, He states:

“Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition and that of your dependants."

 

that peace and harmony will eventually come to the world, but not before mankind goes through , first realizing the need for unity, leading to a "Lesser Peace" where nations will willingly  after a world wide conflagration achieve political unity, a kind of world commonwealth of nations. He states that this will come about without any religious belief or doctrine.

 

Unity of Nations and the Lesser Peace:

Shoghi Effendi refers to Bahá'u'lláh addressing "all the kings of the earth, summoning them to cleave to the Lesser Peace, as distinct from that Most Great Peace which those who are fully conscious of the power of His Revelation and avowedly profess the tenets of His Faith can alone proclaim and must eventually establish:"[1] In the words of Bahá'u'lláh:

Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition and that of your dependants.

O rulers of the earth! Be reconciled among yourselves, that ye may need no more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and dominions. Beware lest ye disregard the counsel of the All-Knowing, the Faithful.

Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of them that comprehend. Should anyone among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice.[2]

This Lesser peace will be followed by  a more distant long cherished human dream of The Most Great Peace, where a far more spiritually evolved humanity will establish Global Governance based on principles of Humility, Love and Justice...Imagine! 

Every day we live is an opportunity to bring about change; but change needs to come with actions, not words; it needs to come as a united concerted effort in one common cause. 

In an article in 2002 in Iranian.com, Iqbal Latif wrote:

The vision of future held by members of the Bahai community, however little it may be understood as yet by the majority of the planet's inhabitants, refutes the idea of encroaching darkness; the Bahai vision is, in contrast, one of great promise. The Bahai vision amongst the contemporary revolutionary thoughts is viewed...as marking the last and highest stage in the stupendous evolution of man's collective life on this planet. 

The emergence of a world community, the consciousness of world citizenship, the founding of a world civilization and culture...should, by their very nature, be regarded, as far as this planetary life is concerned, as the furthermost limits and the cutting edge in the organization of human society, this is the vertical limit and Iranians can be proud of the fact that such a global visionary as Baha’u’llah was born in Tehran. He will be considered as one of the greatest visionary of the 19th century and Iranians should definitely take pride in that. "

faryarm 

 


 

 The Consciousness of World Citizenship, 

As Expressed by Presidential Candidate Obama.

     

 


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

Let me clarify

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

I <Marge> do not see meaning in religion. I don't deny that any of you, whatever your religion, find some meaning. What I don't like, is when you think that people who do not share that sense, just haven't thought about it enough or opened their minds. I have sat in all the places of worship. You'd be surprised where I been. Temple (several), 2 mosques, 3 catholic churches, 2 Protestant churches, 1 Bahai "center" which was really just an event that included some Bahai ritual/service/prayers in a conference room in memory of a beloved woman who I knew. I am ashamed to say I have even paid to have 1. my palm read 2. my fortune told based on tea leaves and tarot cards. All of it is fake in my opinion. 

But that is not to say that people can find comfort and fun in it. People find comfort in fiction all the time - Ayn Rand is a great example for me here. She wrote stories and people are trying to live them still. Google ayn rand cults. Even political parties are inspired by her stories. I love the Bible, Koran and even the Tibetan book of the Dead. I like them for their story value. The stories are great. But as a guide for my life, I can't abide. 

 Not only do I see religion as a crutch, comfort - but i do acknowledge some people find guidance and peace in it. That's fine! Either way, I don't care. I don't praise or oppose. But I most appreciate what some religious charities do. I abhor the Catholic Church. I have a long list of reasons (one is their stance on abortion and pointing fingers when they covered up child abuse and molestation by their own officials), but they also do a lot of good like feeding homeless and giving shelter. But if they didn't exist, that charity would still happen in my opinion. People are not lunatics just because they don't have religion, in fact, I think some people are less looney tunes when they do not. No offense, again. I don't mean to offend any of you who have religion. 

 


faryarm

LOL...Sorry!

by faryarm on

Dearest Pagan.. 

Sorry.. 

..But now anyone that didnt know about Obama's,  does...!

faryarm 


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

Another century another prophet

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

Mehdi, thanks for being so interested in me. No I do not think life is pointless just because I think religion is a crock. I don't think religion offers any extra meaning - just the promise of afterlife? miracles? Sorry but I don't believe it. That's not derogatory. That's my life view. I prefer science and reality, not fake hooey theories and promises. I don't like it when anyone bashes people based on their religion either. Calling people names because they believe in God is as bad as persecuting people because they don't believe! Good day to you Mehdi. <makes peace sign>


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To Mehdi

by Religionisbullshit (not verified) on

Aha, so theory of nonexistence of god is fake but yours is not. To me that imaginary guy upstairs thing is a fake. Read your comment well before you call others idiots. You believe in god because it's an easy way of explaining things. "why there are diseases? Oh because god created them, that's why".


Mehdi

Crush: what is your views?

by Mehdi on

You make a number of statements about "these religion things" with a bit of derogatory attitude but you offer no alternative. What do you think life is all about? Is it all pointless and a waste of time? Does it really matter what we do in life? How?


Mehdi

Two points I'd like to make

by Mehdi on

1) Baha’u’ lllah apparently became possessed of a chunk of knowledge somehow. From what I understand, at some point he all of a sudden found himself to know things for which he had not gone to school or trained for. Now it seems that he attributes this unexpected knowledge to God. But I don't know why he thinks that way. Is it just an assumption on his part or is there other details about why he felt that way? I mean, to me, there could be other explanations, although those explanations may seem just as unlikely to some. For example, if one considers the concept of re-incarnation, with all the un-answered questions about it, it could explain why for some unknown reason he recovered some previously forgotten information from his previous lives. The main point I want to make is that it would be very productive if we did not make assumptions and simply stated that we don't know the reason for something.

2) I don't really like religions kind of promising a period of pain and misery for mankind. I think they should make it clear that such a period will only happen if we as a group do not change the course of events. Such a doom is not necessarily going to happen but it will happen if things don't change. It's a very bad hypnotic suggestion to give to people that they must have a period of extreme disasters. People are likely to create it just to make sure their prophets were correct (this has been done before).


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

LOL Faryarm I was referring to me as the pagan

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

Earth wind and fire ;)

Even this blog is not immune from conflict. This anonymous person is an example. Religion just divides.... even with a message like yours or Bahai faith's. Good luck you ya. 


faryarm

OBAMA' is no Pagan ! HIs Faith was Revealed when...

by faryarm on

OBAMA'S FAITH in God was revealed when a prayer penned on a  piece of paper, which he stuffed into the Western Wall, when he visited Jerusalem.

Its contents were revealed, when a seminary student , decided to do the unthinkable and pull it right back out and sell it to the press.

The Prayer read:

Protect my family and me. Forgive my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.

Obama is no Pagan !

With the world he is facing, I doubt any mortal would want to be without that connection...

Best :)

faryarm

 

 


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A77

by Seagull (not verified) on

Brainwash may refer to:

"Brainwashing, the application of coercive techniques to change the values and beliefs, perceptions and judgments, and subsequent mindsets and behaviors of one or more people."

The Applicatin of coersive techniques!! sounds familliar A77. Your kinds technique!
It actually takes lack of courage, MENTAL LETHARGY and fear in order to get brain-washed.
And the coersive techniques do just that and its all done to control the subject. So next time you get the urge to jump without thinking, is your chance to catch the guy in the pilot seat up there.


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

NO. You're not naive nutcracker. Neither is this author

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

I would never call anyone those names. I don't attack anyone here. Although I did go off on that Deceiver schlub. Anyway. This religion/God thing comes down to a feeling. I don't feel that happy warm feeling you do with God. I don't have that connection. You do. I'm not judging you or this guy, just telling you how I react when someone tells me about this stuff. I don't deny the power of faith - not the power to actually affect events - to make people feel good. I just don't get it. Maybe I'm naive? I just get that feeling from other stuff, like science geeky poo. Shalom chica. Also, I'm very sorry about your nephew. I understand, again, how prayer and faith can play an important role in someone's life especially in those instances. I just don't have the ability to see that power, and I'm not going to seek it. I see other, dare I say better avenues for achieving that inner peace, like praying to my pagan idols Obama and Biden ;)


Tahirih

Anonymous77 do not worry!!

by Tahirih on

You say:

""as if birdflu, bugs and bombs weren't enough


now it's baha after us too.""

You are in the depths of hate , anger and despair, no one can reach you there. Have a lonely, angry and hatefull life:)))

And now you can leave a comment under your registerd name, if you forgot it, let me know I remind you what it is:)))

Tahirih


American Wife

chickie poo

by American Wife on

You're absolutely right. And I'm probably the last person to discuss religion... I mean REALLY discuss it, because that's pretty much how it is with me. I think God pretty much washed her hands of us. I think she's sitting up there watching and waiting. I do believe in miracles. But then something really really bad happens and I'm like "where are you NOW?".  My sister lost her son about 10 years ago... her beautiful 15 year old son.  I just couldn't understand why.  She says faith kept her going.  I was happy for her because I couldn't conceive of being able to go on if I lost my son.  But it works for her and for that I'm willing to give her a little benefit of the doubt.  So... does my faith come automatically because I was raised with it?  Or, if push comes to shove, will I believe at that "crucial" moment.  I don't know.  I do know that just having a faith in God has helped me.  And yes, I'm somewhat of a hypocrite.  I don't go to Mass every Sunday.  I pray when I want or need something and then I conveniently get busy with the rest of my life.  My husband feels the way you do.  He believe in himself, not a deity of any kind.  And the pragmatist in me leans that way as well.  But then I think... what do I want to believe in?  And I want to believe in God. 

Mick said it best:  "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you'll get what you need".   I think that's my God.

You're being too nice with me.  If it were anyone else you'd be calling them a naive nutcracker spouting meaningless bullshit.... LOL

peace out girl