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Don’t Judge a Religion by its Name

Marty Schirn | Mar 6, 2018

The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith.

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Marty Schirn | Mar 6, 2018

The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith.

Sometimes when I mention the Baha’i Faith to people, they respond: “Oh yeah, this city has a synagogue.”

I try to kindly point out that they are thinking of B’nai B’rith, an international Jewish organization.  

In the 1970’s I briefly mentioned the Baha’i Faith and Baha’u’llah to a coworker. Her one word response: “Strange.”

We’ve all heard the expression, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The same can be applied to religion–don’t judge a religion by its name. For example: when Jesus announced his revelation, the title “Christ”—which means “the anointed one”—became the name of the religion “Christianity,” which meant “followers of the anointed one.” That probably sounded very strange to the Jewish majority at the time.

When people hear of a religion they don’t know about or cannot relate to, they may respond in a skeptical or even humorous way. They may show no interest or have very negative feelings about it, or they may even feel frightened by it. 

The truth is that the words “Baha’i” and “Baha’u’llah” might seem strange to those of us living in the Western Hemisphere. When some people hear those words for the first time, they can conclude, “Oh a new foreign Faith from the East” and suddenly lose interest. 

As an example, here was my first reaction to the word “Baha’i”: It was early October, 1965. I was a sophomore at the University of Kansas. The Student Union was going to have their annual Student Union Activities Carnival, which enabled campus clubs to attract new members. 

I was curious, and I always enjoyed being in the Union because it had great places to eat. So I decided to attend the Carnival, held in the Union Ballroom. As I entered the Ballroom, I saw many booths all around. At the opposite end was a map of the world elevated high enough that everyone could see it. On top of the map was a very strange word: “Baha’i.” It didn’t say “Baha’i Club.” It didn’t say “Baha’i Faith.” Just “Baha’i.” 

I thought to myself: “Oh, a new country in Africa.” I didn’t go near the booth because I wasn’t interested in new African countries. 

A month later, I met a student named D.J., who was studying the Baha’i Faith for himself and told me about it. Even then, I did not immediately associate the word “Baha’i” with the booth at the Carnival or with the “Baha’i Faith” because of my erroneous conclusion that “Baha’i” was a new country in Africa. But very soon thereafter I did put two and two together and realized “Baha’i” is the “Baha’i Faith.” 

My purpose in sharing all the above is to convey that just because the name of a religion sounds strange or unfamiliar, we should not unhesitatingly reject it. On the contrary, we should strive to be open to the possibility that it might contain truth. We should at least consider investigating it to discover if indeed it does contain truth. For if it does, we might be missing out on something that can greatly improve our lives! 

An open mind and open heart are essential. Otherwise, we cannot be truly objective in our investigation. 

Likewise, our investigation must be independent—we must not allow other people’s opinions to get in the way. After all, what difference does it make what other people think? In the last analysis, we must all reach our own conclusions and make our own decisions, even if other people disapprove or don’t understand. 

Baha’u’llah wrote: 

O Son of Spirit! 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. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes. – The Hidden Words, pp. 3-4.

Baha’u’llah wrote letters proclaiming his mission to all the rulers and ecclesiastical leaders of his time, including Queen Victoria. Her reported response is noteworthy: “If this is of God, it will endure; if not, it can do no harm.” – quoted by Shoghi Effendi in The Promised Day Is Come, p. 66.

Her granddaughter, Queen Marie of Romania, became the first royal and head of state to become a Baha’i. Here is one of her many powerful personal testimonials: 

… It is a wondrous Message that Baha’u’llah and his son Abdu’l-Baha have given us. They have not set it up aggressively, knowing that the germ of eternal truth which lies at its core cannot but take root and spread.

There is only one great verity in it: Love, the mainspring of every energy, tolerance toward each other, desire of understanding each other, knowing each other, helping each other, forgiving each other.

It is Christ’s Message taken up anew, in the same words almost, but adapted to the thousand years and more difference that lies between the year one and today ….

If ever the name of Baha’u’llah or Abdu’l-Baha comes to your attention, do not put their writings from you. Search out  their Books, and let their glorious, peace-bringing, love-creating words and lessons sink into your hearts as they have into mine. 

One’s busy day may seem too full for religion. Or one may have a religion that satisfies. But the teachings of these gentle, wise and kindly men are compatible with all religion, and with no religion. 

Seek them and be the happier.The Toronto Daily Star, May 4, 1926.

So no matter how strange the words “Baha’i” and “Baha’u’llah” may sound at first, and no matter how unfamiliar you are with the Baha’i Faith, “Search out their Books, and let their glorious, peace-bringing, love-creating words and lessons sink into your hearts as they have into mine.” 

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Comments

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  • Liane Ingram
    Mar 15, 2018
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    Thank you for this. As a fairly new Baha’i, this story reasonates with me, as coming from a mostly Christian home, and many non religious friends, the Baha’i faith is not recognized nor acknowledged in my family or friend “circles”. Your story will help me “open the door” to my newfound faith.
  • Barney Leith
    Mar 10, 2018
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    I first encountered the word "Bahá’í" at the Cambridge (England) University Freshers' Fair in October 1965. In amongst the other religious student clubs and societies, there was a bare table with "Bahá’í" displayed. I thought it had something to do with the song "Bali Ha'i" from the musical "South Pacific". The rather severe looking gentleman at the table answered my questions and invited me to a public meeting. I investigated for some 5 months and came to understand the meaning of the word. Declared my faith in February 1966, when I was just 18. I learned that the gentleman at ...the Bahá’í table was Hand of the Cause John Ferraby, the first Bahá’í I ever met.
    Read more...
  • Rosslyn and Steven Osborne
    Mar 7, 2018
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    I first heard of the Faith in 1970 & even worked next door, but never 'saw', so God sent me something he was sure I'd notice, a horse. A race horse named Baha'i in the 1980s but still it didn't gel. In 1985 I was lost driving and had to stop to read the map, hmm right outside of a closed Baha'i bookshop. Oh says I there's that name of the race horse, I must come back here through the week one day and ask about this name... Okay never found it and it took until 1992 again another State ...and got to asking our mail-run couple why they were going to those specific countries on their upcoming holidays... Baha'i Pilgrimage! Now I spent hours asking a thousand questions before they left...Oh my, our God is patient! I declared in 1993.
    Read more...
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