Clearwater Baha'is

Abdu'l Baha - the son of Baha'u'llah - wrote the following in the wake of World War I "There have issued, from His mighty Pen, various teachings for the prevention of war, and these have been scattered far and wide. The first is the independent investigation of truth; for blind imitation of the past will stunt the mind. But once every soul inquireth into truth, society will be freed from the darkness of continually repeating the past. " (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá) www.bahai.org/r/032543628 Wade Fransson will explore, from the perspectives of the Holy Bible, the Baha'i Writings, and contemporary journalism, the challenge facing all of us in applying this simple principle, and what a difference it could make if we found a way to apply it more consistently.

The Clearwater Bahá’í Center is located off Highway 60 West in Clearwater Florida, adjacent to the Tampa Bay Coastal waters. The Clearwater Bahá’í Community is comprised of many different spiritually minded people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. All humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race. Work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship. The soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains its presence. The purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind, and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.

The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter written December 25, 1938, to the Baháʼís of the United States and Canada, by Shoghi Effendi, describing the role of America in establishing the Most Great Peace. While technically a long-form letter or epistle, The Advent of Divine Justice is commonly published and studied as an independent book. The book lays out a Baháʼí understanding of the unique spiritual destiny of America and the role that American Baháʼís have in ensuring the country is able to fulfill that destiny. Shoghi Effendi describes the North American Baháʼís as “the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers” and says they will play an important part in establishing the Faith around the world. He states that to contribute fully to this process, American Baháʼís must internalize three spiritual prerequisites: “moral rectitude,” “absolute chastity,” and “complete freedom from prejudice.” The book repeatedly references the Tablets of the Divine Plan by ʻAbdu’l-Bahá–which gave an early impetus to the spread of the Baháʼí Faith in North America–and Shoghi Effendi devotes more than half of the book to discussing the attitudes to be adopted and techniques to be used by Baháʼís when teaching the religion.

Learning about the Bible is a lifelong journey for every human being. This learning process begins as a child and continues throughout life as we continue to ask questions and learn more about the meaning of the Holy Bible. It is our prayer that this series of in-depth studies will help you discover more about God and His Word, the Bible. We pray that through these sessions your walk with God will be encouraged and enhanced.

The Human in The Making Foundation is an organization aiming at educating, motivating, empowering, and enabling the individuals, families, and communities and to encourage them to take part in contributing to the advancement of material, intellectual/scientific, and spiritual civilization of humanity. Please join us for this multi-session series hosted by Dr. Habib Riazati and special guest speakers. Sessions will be in English. The purpose of these virtual seminars will be to discuss topics that resonate with each of us. The topics are broad; not religious-based. The focus is on the examination of Truth from philosophical, psychological, scientific as well as various religious perspectives. The seminar is open to all participants from any culture, any background, ALL are welcome! The more diverse the richer the discussion. About The Human in The Making Foundation: THTMF is an organization aiming at educating, motivating, empowering, and enabling the individuals, families and communities and to encourage them to take part in contributing to the advancement of material, intellectual/scientific and spiritual civilization of humanity.

Abdu'l Baha - the son of Baha'u'llah - wrote the following in the wake of World War I "There have issued, from His mighty Pen, various teachings for the prevention of war, and these have been scattered far and wide. The first is the independent investigation of truth; for blind imitation of the past will stunt the mind. But once every soul inquireth into truth, society will be freed from the darkness of continually repeating the past. " (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá) www.bahai.org/r/032543628 Wade Fransson will explore, from the perspectives of the Holy Bible, the Baha'i Writings, and contemporary journalism, the challenge facing all of us in applying this simple principle, and what a difference it could make if we found a way to apply it more consistently.

The Clearwater Bahá’í Center is located off Highway 60 West in Clearwater Florida, adjacent to the Tampa Bay Coastal waters. The Clearwater Bahá’í Community is comprised of many different spiritually minded people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. All humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race. Work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship. The soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains its presence. The purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind, and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.

The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter written December 25, 1938, to the Baháʼís of the United States and Canada, by Shoghi Effendi, describing the role of America in establishing the Most Great Peace. While technically a long-form letter or epistle, The Advent of Divine Justice is commonly published and studied as an independent book. The book lays out a Baháʼí understanding of the unique spiritual destiny of America and the role that American Baháʼís have in ensuring the country is able to fulfill that destiny. Shoghi Effendi describes the North American Baháʼís as “the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers” and says they will play an important part in establishing the Faith around the world. He states that to contribute fully to this process, American Baháʼís must internalize three spiritual prerequisites: “moral rectitude,” “absolute chastity,” and “complete freedom from prejudice. The book repeatedly references the Tablets of the Divine Plan by ʻAbdu’l-Bahá–which gave an early impetus to the spread of the Baháʼí Faith in North America–and Shoghi Effendi devotes more than half of the book to discussing the attitudes to be adopted and techniques to be used by Baháʼís when teaching the religion.

There will be 12 sessions. Soundtrack: Zuhur by Vanda Marie Khadem The Human in The Making Foundation is an organization aiming at educating, motivating, empowering, and enabling the individuals, families and communities and to encourage them to take part in contributing to the advancement of material, intellectual/scientific, and spiritual civilization of humanity. The following is the list of some of the most fundamental principles that are being promoted by The Human in The Making Foundation: 1) Everyone has the right to live a life that is characterized by honor and dignity 2) The purpose of human life is for each individual to dedicate all of his/her resources to the service and the best interest of humanity 3) The honor and dignity of any person are not defined by the color of his/her skin, nor by his/her economical and political status. His/her glory and honor reside in offering an unconditional service to the advancement, justice, peace and unity of all. 4) The importance of the equality of rights and privileges for both men and women 5) The abolishing of the extremes of wealth and poverty and the recognition of spiritual solutions and long-term humanitarian resolutions 6) The harmony of true religion and true science, and balanced relationship between faith and reason. 7) The importance of independent search after truth for every individual and refraining from imitation and blind obedience to anyone More information: https://www.humaninthemaking.org/

The topic of this talk is - My purpose is two-fold: (1) to demonstrate the conflicts between contemporary 'woke-ism' and the Baha'i Writings and (2) to show how the Baha'i Writings offer better intellectual and practical alternatives to work for social justice goals in today's world. As part of my presentation, I shall show how 'woke-ism' creates more problems than it supposedly solves and, thereby, does not provide a positive platform for social, intellectual and spiritual change.

The Clearwater Bahá’í Center is located off Highway 60 West in Clearwater Florida, adjacent to the Tampa Bay Coastal waters. The Clearwater Bahá’í Community is comprised of many different spiritually minded people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. All humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race. Work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship. The soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains its presence. The purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind, and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.

The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter written December 25, 1938, to the Baháʼís of the United States and Canada, by Shoghi Effendi, describing the role of America in establishing the Most Great Peace. While technically a long-form letter or epistle, The Advent of Divine Justice is commonly published and studied as an independent book. The book lays out a Baháʼí understanding of the unique spiritual destiny of America and the role that American Baháʼís have in ensuring the country is able to fulfill that destiny. Shoghi Effendi describes the North American Baháʼís as “the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers” and says they will play an important part in establishing the Faith around the world. He states that to contribute fully to this process, American Baháʼís must internalize three spiritual prerequisites: “moral rectitude,” “absolute chastity,” and “complete freedom from prejudice.” The book repeatedly references the Tablets of the Divine Plan by ʻAbdu’l-Bahá–which gave an early impetus to the spread of the Baháʼí Faith in North America–and Shoghi Effendi devotes more than half of the book to discussing the attitudes to be adopted and techniques to be used by Baháʼís when teaching the religion.

The Bible Explored: A Video/Podcast for Inquiring Minds Learning about the Bible is a lifelong journey for every human being. This learning process begins as a child and continues throughout life as we continue to ask questions and learn more about the meaning of the Holy Bible. It is our prayer that this series of in-depth studies will help you discover more about God and His Word, the Bible. We pray that through these sessions your walk with God will be encouraged and enhanced. Presented by Wade Fransson.

There will be 12 sessions. Soundtrack: Zuhur by Vanda Marie Khadem The Human in The Making Foundation is an organization aiming at educating, motivating, empowering, and enabling the individuals, families and communities and to encourage them to take part in contributing to the advancement of material, intellectual/scientific, and spiritual civilization of humanity. The following is the list of some of the most fundamental principles that are being promoted by The Human in The Making Foundation: 1) Everyone has the right to live a life that is characterized by honor and dignity 2) The purpose of human life is for each individual to dedicate all of his/her resources to the service and the best interest of humanity 3) The honor and dignity of any person are not defined by the color of his/her skin, nor by his/her economical and political status. His/her glory and honor reside in offering an unconditional service to the advancement, justice, peace and unity of all. 4) The importance of the equality of rights and privileges for both men and women 5) The abolishing of the extremes of wealth and poverty and the recognition of spiritual solutions and long-term humanitarian resolutions 6) The harmony of true religion and true science, and balanced relationship between faith and reason. 7) The importance of independent search after truth for every individual and refraining from imitation and blind obedience to anyone More information: https://www.humaninthemaking.org/

If you could know only one chapter of a Holy Book to guide your life – which one would it be? Last week Mr. Wade Fransson discussed how Psalm 1 can provide a solid foundation for your personal spiritual life. Join us for the conclusion of this 2-part series where we will look at how the second Psalm addresses the broad societal implications of individuals either following or not following, the clear powerful guidance provided in the first Psalm. Learn how understanding and sharing these powerful verses can open up a world of dialogue and understanding with anyone who is seeking clarity in these dark times, and provide a basis for a common understanding of how to honor and worship God.

The Clearwater Bahá’í Center is located off Highway 60 West in Clearwater Florida, adjacent to the Tampa Bay Coastal waters. The Clearwater Bahá’í Community is comprised of many different spiritually minded people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. All humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race. Work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship. The soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains its presence. The purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind, and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.

The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter written December 25, 1938, to the Baháʼís of the United States and Canada, by Shoghi Effendi, describing the role of America in establishing the Most Great Peace. While technically a long-form letter or epistle, The Advent of Divine Justice is commonly published and studied as an independent book. The book lays out a Baháʼí understanding of the unique spiritual destiny of America and the role that American Baháʼís have in ensuring the country is able to fulfill that destiny. Shoghi Effendi describes the North American Baháʼís as “the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers” and says they will play an important part in establishing the Faith around the world. He states that to contribute fully to this process, American Baháʼís must internalize three spiritual prerequisites: “moral rectitude,” “absolute chastity,” and “complete freedom from prejudice.” The book repeatedly references the Tablets of the Divine Plan by ʻAbdu’l-Bahá–which gave an early impetus to the spread of the Baháʼí Faith in North America–and Shoghi Effendi devotes more than half of the book to discussing the attitudes to be adopted and techniques to be used by Baháʼís when teaching the religion.

If you could know only one chapter of a Holy Book to guide your life - which one would it be? You could do worse than choosing Psalm 1. Discover how this single Psalm of David provides a depth and richness that can guide your life. Learn how understanding and sharing these powerful verses can open up a world of dialogue and understanding with anyone who is seeking clarity in these dark times, and provide a basis for a common understanding of how to honor and worship God.

The Clearwater Bahá’í Center is located off Highway 60 West in Clearwater Florida, adjacent to the Tampa Bay Coastal waters. The Clearwater Bahá’í Community is comprised of many different spiritually minded people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. All humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race. Work performed in the spirit of service is a form of worship. The soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains its presence. The purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind, and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.

The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter written December 25, 1938, to the Baháʼís of the United States and Canada, by Shoghi Effendi, describing the role of America in establishing the Most Great Peace. While technically a long-form letter or epistle, The Advent of Divine Justice is commonly published and studied as an independent book. The book lays out a Baháʼí understanding of the unique spiritual destiny of America and the role that American Baháʼís have in ensuring the country is able to fulfill that destiny. Shoghi Effendi describes the North American Baháʼís as “the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers” and says they will play an important part in establishing the Faith around the world. He states that to contribute fully to this process, American Baháʼís must internalize three spiritual prerequisites: “moral rectitude,” “absolute chastity,” and “complete freedom from prejudice. The book repeatedly references the Tablets of the Divine Plan by ʻAbdu’l-Bahá–which gave an early impetus to the spread of the Baháʼí Faith in North America–and Shoghi Effendi devotes more than half of the book to discussing the attitudes to be adopted and techniques to be used by Baháʼís when teaching the religion.

In 1921, at the time of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a relatively small Bahá’í community, though grieving, looked to the future with faith and courage, focused on the instructions that had been left by Him, the Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had provided clear guidance for how the Bahá’í community was to grow, develop and increasingly serve humanity. Since that time, the followers of Bahá’u’lláh have been striving, with unimaginable sacrifice, to implement that guidance, reaching the farthest corners of the globe. This film provides glimpses into a hundred years of endeavour and learning, carried out by a burgeoning Bahá’í community, and outlines the journey that has led to the community’s current efforts to contribute to the emergence of a world based on the principle of the oneness of humanity. Terms of use © Bahá’í World Centre, 2022. Subject to the following restrictions this film may be freely reproduced in whole or in part without the need to obtain special permission: The Bahá’í World Centre retains full copyright protection for this film; You acquire no rights to or license over the content other than the limited right to use the film in accordance with these terms; You may reproduce, copy, distribute, publish, or display the film in whole or in part for any non-commercial use [for Bahá’í communities only],but you cannot modify, edit, create derivative works from it or use it in any manner inconsistent with its original intent; This copyright notice must always be attached to any reproduction of this work.

Every follower of Bahá’u’lláh knows well that the purpose of His Revelation is to bring into being a new creation. No sooner had “the First Call gone forth from His lips than the whole creation was revolutionized, and all that are in the heavens and all that are on earth were stirred to the depths.” The individual, the institutions, and the community—the three protagonists in the Divine Plan—are being shaped under the direct influence of His Revelation, and a new conception of each, appropriate for a humanity that has come of age, is emerging. The relationships that bind them, too, are undergoing a profound transformation, bringing into the realm of existence civilization-building powers which can only be released through conformity with His decree. At a fundamental level these relationships are characterized by cooperation and reciprocity, manifestations of the interconnectedness that governs the universe. "...So it is that the individual, with no regard for “personal benefits and selfish advantages,” comes to see him- or herself as “one of the servants of God, the All-Possessing,” whose only desire is to carry out His laws. So it is that the friends come to recognize that “wealth of sentiment, abundance of good-will and effort” are of little avail when their flow is not directed along proper channels, that “the unfettered freedom of the individual should be tempered with mutual consultation and sacrifice,” and that “the spirit of initiative and enterprise should be reinforced by a deeper realization of the supreme necessity for concerted action and a fuller devotion to the common weal.” And so it is that all come to discern with ease those areas of activity in which the individual can best exercise initiative and those which fall to the institutions alone. “With heart and soul”, the friends follow the directives of their institutions, so that, as ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá explains, “things may be properly ordered and well arranged”. This, of course, is not a blind obedience; it is an obedience that marks the emergence of a mature human race which grasps the implications of a system as far-reaching as Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order. (28 December 2010 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors)

The Clearwater Bahá’í Center is located off highway 60 West in Clearwater Florida, adjacent to the Tampa Bay Coastal waters. The Clearwater Bahá’í Community is comprised of many different spiritually minded people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter written December 25, 1938, to the Baháʼís of the United States and Canada, by Shoghi Effendi, describing the role of America in establishing the Most Great Peace. While technically a long-form letter or epistle, The Advent of Divine Justice is commonly published and studied as an independent book. The book lays out a Baháʼí understanding of the unique spiritual destiny of America and the role that American Baháʼís have in ensuring the country is able to fulfill that destiny. Shoghi Effendi describes the North American Baháʼís as “the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers” and says they will play an important part in establishing the Faith around the world. He states that to contribute fully to this process, American Baháʼís must internalize three spiritual prerequisites: “moral rectitude,” “absolute chastity,” and “complete freedom from prejudice.” The book repeatedly references the Tablets of the Divine Plan by ʻAbdu’l-Bahá–which gave an early impetus to the spread of the Baháʼí Faith in North America–and Shoghi Effendi devotes more than half of the book to discussing the attitudes to be adopted and techniques to be used by Baháʼís when teaching the religion.

Every follower of Bahá’u’lláh knows well that the purpose of His Revelation is to bring into being a new creation. No sooner had “the First Call gone forth from His lips than the whole creation was revolutionized, and all that are in the heavens and all that are on earth were stirred to the depths.” The individual, the institutions, and the community—the three protagonists in the Divine Plan—are being shaped under the direct influence of His Revelation, and a new conception of each, appropriate for a humanity that has come of age, is emerging. The relationships that bind them, too, are undergoing a profound transformation, bringing into the realm of existence civilization-building powers which can only be released through conformity with His decree. At a fundamental level these relationships are characterized by cooperation and reciprocity, manifestations of the interconnectedness that governs the universe. "...So it is that the individual, with no regard for “personal benefits and selfish advantages,” comes to see him- or herself as “one of the servants of God, the All-Possessing,” whose only desire is to carry out His laws. So it is that the friends come to recognize that “wealth of sentiment, abundance of good-will and effort” are of little avail when their flow is not directed along proper channels, that “the unfettered freedom of the individual should be tempered with mutual consultation and sacrifice,” and that “the spirit of initiative and enterprise should be reinforced by a deeper realization of the supreme necessity for concerted action and a fuller devotion to the common weal.” And so it is that all come to discern with ease those areas of activity in which the individual can best exercise initiative and those which fall to the institutions alone. “With heart and soul”, the friends follow the directives of their institutions, so that, as ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá explains, “things may be properly ordered and well arranged”. This, of course, is not a blind obedience; it is an obedience that marks the emergence of a mature human race which grasps the implications of a system as far-reaching as Bahá’u’lláh’s new World Order. (28 December 2010 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors) www.bahai.org/r/876815088 https://www.clearwaterbahais.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/12-26-2021-presentation-Part-1.pdf