Clearwater Baha'is

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 the 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 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.

At this time of year, Christians reflect on the Virgin Birth of Jesus. The book of Matthew opens with this scene, which we'll briefly review, including an interesting perspective from the book of Daniel, prophesying not only his coming but the role of the Wise Men from the East. But the real story comes near the end of the Book, as Jesus explains, right before his trial and crucifixion, that He would return "in his glory". We'll explore this passage from Matthew 25 in-depth, uncovering lessons that will surprise seekers both inside and outside the Baha'i community.

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.

Treading the spiritual life with practical feet is about, exploring the mystical and practical application of being a Bahá’í, a personal perspective. One of the things I always loved about the Bahá’í Faith is the way it relies on the community in support of an individual's spiritual life. Here are ordinary people who have taken on the responsibility of working together to bring progress to their neighborhoods, and their communities all while also providing a way for individuals to develop their spiritual lives deeply and personally, by helping them find ways to apply their principles to everyday life. We all know how hard it is to find time in our busy daily schedules to do that, and my admiration for those who do this goes up every time I see it happening. This personal exploration is so important to each person, and to which belongs to a core of individuality, an essential self which only they can truly live.

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 essential harmony of science and religion is a core principle of the Baha'i teachings. Although this principle makes for a profoundly interesting topic in philosophy, it is far more than that. Current events should make clear the crucial importance of articulating the extent and warrant for belief in scientific knowledge, and trust in each other to apply that knowledge in ethical and value-preserving ways. In this talk, Roger Neyman will briefly present some key intellectual and spiritual aspects of the principle of harmony, how a failure to apply these has fostered distrust and despair, and outline key elements of the path forward to hope and empowerment of fresh approaches. For more information on the subject of the Harmony between science and religion please join us for this presentation! However, until then please visit this article which discusses the subject more in depth: https://bahaiteachings.org/essential-harmony-religion-science/ contact info: rpneyman@wilmetteinstitute.org

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.

[00:00:00] George Via: First Period - The Ministry of the Báb - 1844–1853 [00:00:08] Chapter I - The Birth of the Bábí Revelation [00:00:15] May 23, 1844, signalizes the commencement of the most turbulent period of the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Era, an age which marks the opening of the most glorious epoch in the greatest cycle, which the spiritual history of mankind has yet witnessed. No more than a span of nine short years marks the duration of this most spectacular, this most tragic, this most eventful period of the first Bahá’í century. It was ushered in by the birth of a revelation whose bearer posterity will acclaim as the "Point round whom the realities of the Prophets and Messengers revolve,” and terminated with the first stirrings of a still more potent Revelation “whose day," Bahá’u’lláh himself affirms, "every Prophet hath announced," for which, "the soul of every Divine Messenger hath thirsted," and through which, "God hath proved the hearts of the entire company of his Messengers and Prophets." Little wonder that the immortal chronicler of the events associated with the birth and rise of the Bahá’í revelation has seen fit to devote no less than half of his moving narrative to the description of those happenings that have during such a brief space of time, so greatly enriched, through their tragedy and heroism the religious annals of mankind. In sheer dramatic power in the rapidity with which events of momentous importance succeeded each other, in the Holocaust which baptized its birth, in the miraculous circumstances attending the martyrdom of the One Who had ushered it in, in the potentialities with which it had been from the outset so thoroughly impregnated, in the forces to which it eventually gave birth this nine-year period may well rank as unique in the whole range of man's religious experience. We behold, as we survey the episodes of this first act of a sublime drama, the figure of its Master Hero, the Báb, arise meteor-like above the horizon of Shíráz, traverse the sombre sky of Persia from south to north, decline with tragic swiftness and perish in a blaze of glory. We see His satellites, a galaxy of God-intoxicated heroes, Mount above that same horizon, irradiate that same incandescent light, burn themselves out with that self-same swiftness, and impart in their turn an added impetus to the steadily gathering momentum of God's nascent Faith. Let your vision be world-embracing…” — Bahá’u’lláh

Baha’i scriptures offer a treasure trove of wisdom. The sheer wealth of these texts staggers the imagination; For Baha’u’llah, nearly 20,000 unique works have been identified, comprising over six million words. For the Bab, over 2,000 unique works have been identified, comprising almost five million words. For Abdu’l-Baha, over 30,000 unique works have been identified, comprising over five million words. That’s one big "Bible"! In ancient times the people of America were, through their northern regions, close to Asia, that is, separated from Asia by a strait. For this reason, it hath been said that crossing had occurred. There are other signs which indicate communication. As to places whose people were not informed of the appearance of Prophets, such people are excused. In the Qur’án it hath been revealed: “We will not chastise them if they had not been sent a Messenger.”1 Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablet to Amir Khan is remarkable, and unique in the history of religions because it authenticates the appearance of Messengers of God — i.e. "culture heroes," "wisdom bearers," "Prophets of God" — to ancient North America. This is one good example of Baha’i universalism. The "Tablet to Amir Khan" offers no names of any of these Native American Messengers of God. But we don’t have to look far to find them. Let me give one example: Deganawida, "the Peacemaker." There is a Baha’i prophecy regarding the future of Native Americans. In what has been characterized as the sole "specific racial prophecy in all of the Baha’i scriptures," ‘Abdu’l-Baha gives us this glimpse into the future: attach great importance to the indigenous population of America. For … there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world. Perhaps this prophecy will become realized when both the ancient wisdom of the Native Americans is brought into harmony with Baha’i wisdom. Please find see the PDF resource for this Sunday’s Presentation – https://clearwaterbahais.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Buck_Locke_2021_Indigenous_Messengers.pdf

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.

[00:00:00] George Via: Viewing these periods of Bahá'í history as the constituents of a single entity, we note the chain of events proclaiming successfully the rise of a Forerunner, the Mission of One Whose advent that Forerunner had promised, the establishment of a Covenant generated through the direct authority of the Promised One Himself, and lastly the birth of a System which is the child sprung from both the Author of the Covenant and its appointed Center. [00:00:30] We observe how the Báb, the Forerunner, announced the impending inception of a divinely-conceived Order, how Bahá'u'lláh, the Promised One, formulated its laws and ordinances, how 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the appointed Center, delineated its features, and how the present generation of their followers have commenced to erect the framework of its institutions. [00:00:56] We watch, through these periods, the infant light of the Faith diffuse itself from its cradle, eastward to India and the Far East, westward to the neighboring territories of 'Iráq, of Turkey, of Russia, and of Egypt, travel as far as the North American continent, illuminate subsequently the major countries of Europe, envelop with its radiance, at a later stage, the Antipodes, brighten the fringes of the Arctic, and finally set aglow the Central and South American horizons. [00:01:31] We witness a corresponding increase in the diversity of the elements within its fellowship, which from being confined, in the first period of its history, to an obscure body of followers chiefly recruited from the ranks of the masses in Shí'ah Persia, has expanded into a fraternity representative of the leading religious systems of the world, of almost every caste and color, from the humblest worker and peasant to royalty itself. [00:01:59] We notice a similar development in the extent of its literature—a literature which, restricted at first to the narrow range of hurriedly transcribed, often corrupted, secretly circulated, manuscripts, so furtively perused, so frequently effaced, and at times even eaten by the terrorized members of a proscribed sect, has, within the space of a century, swelled into innumerable editions, comprising tens of thousands of printed volumes, in diverse scripts, and in no less than forty languages, some elaborately reproduced, others profusely illustrated, all methodically and vigorously disseminated through the agency of world-wide, properly constituted and specially organized committees and Assemblies. [00:02:51] We perceive a no less apparent evolution in the scope of its teachings, at first designedly rigid, complex and severe, subsequently recast, expanded, and liberalized under the succeeding Dispensation, later expounded, reaffirmed and amplified by an appointed Interpreter, and lastly systematized and universally applied to both individuals and institutions. [00:03:19] We can discover a no less distinct gradation in the character of the opposition it has had to encounter—an opposition, at first kindled in the bosom of Shí'ah Islám, which, at a later stage, gathered momentum with the banishment of Bahá'u'lláh to the domains of the Turkish Sultán and the consequent hostility of the more powerful Sunní hierarchy and its Caliph, the head of the vast majority of the followers of Muhammad—an opposition which, now, through the rise of a divinely appointed Order in the Christian West, and its initial impact on civil and ecclesiastical institutions, bids fair to include among its supporters established governments and systems associated with the most ancient, the most deeply entrenched sacerdotal hierarchies in Christendom. [00:04:15] We can, at the same time, recognize, through the haze of an ever-widening hostility, the progress, painful yet persistent, of certain communities within its pale through the stages of obscurity, of proscription, of emancipation, and of recognition—stages that must needs culminate in the course of succeeding centuries, in the establishment of the Faith, and the founding, in the plenitude of its power and authority, of the world-embracing Bahá'í Commonwealth. [00:04:49] We can likewise discern a no less appreciable advance in the rise of its institutions, whether as administrative centers or places of worship—institutions, clandestine and subterrene in their earliest beginnings, emerging imperceptibly into the broad daylight of public recognition, legally protected, enriched by pious endowments, ennobled at first by the erection of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of Ishqábád, the first Bahá'í House of Worship, and more recently immortalized, through the rise in the heart of the North American continent of the Mother Temple of the West, the forerunner of a divine, a slowly maturing civilization... Let your vision be world-embracing…” — Bahá’u’lláh

In the vast and endless universe where countless galaxies and an infinitude of solar systems, each with planets that might be capable of producing life, there must surely be other human civilizations in various stages of physical and social evolution. In the light of such a context, is it logical for us to imagine that planet Earth has some special or central role to play in God’s plan for His Creation? And if there is human life elsewhere, why have they not contacted us or made themselves available to us? And were planet Earth to disappear, would God’s plan for Creation come to an end or be adversely affected? Once we use the Bahá’í Writings to respond to these questions, what should be our attitude about ourselves as individuals, as a community, and, in the long run, as a planetary commonwealth? Let your vision be world-embracing…” — Bahá’u’lláh

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 the vast and endless universe where countless galaxies and an infinitude of solar systems, each with planets that might be capable of producing life, there must surely be other human civilizations in various stages of physical and social evolution. In the light of such a context, is it logical for us to imagine that planet Earth has some special or central role to play in God’s plan for His Creation? And if there is human life elsewhere, why have they not contacted us or made themselves available to us? And were planet Earth to disappear, would God’s plan for Creation come to an end or be adversely affected? Once we use the Bahá’í Writings to respond to these questions, what should be our attitude about ourselves as individuals, as a community, and, in the long run, as a planetary commonwealth?

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 the 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.

One hundred years ago, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh and the perfect example of His teachings, passed from this world. Exemplar follows the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the profound effect He had on people both past and present. A sense of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s unique function as a shelter, a shield, a stronghold for all humanity is captured in vignettes of some of the souls whose lives were transformed for the betterment of society through their association with Him. The film reflects a few of the universal principles embodied, both in word and deed, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—principles that animate a global movement of individuals, communities and institutions striving to emulate His example in service to humanity. For this video in other languages: https://www.bahai.org/exemplar/ Please share this link for this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRE8vDU_ufs Copyright 2021 Baha'i World Centre.

[00:00:00] George Via: The first period [1844-1853] , centers around the gentle, the youthful and irresistible person of the Báb, matchless in His meekness, imperturbable in His serenity, magnetic in His utterance, unrivaled in the dramatic episodes of His swift and tragic ministry. It begins with the Declaration of His Mission, culminates in His martyrdom, and ends in a veritable orgy of religious massacre revolting in its hideousness. [00:00:33] It is characterized by nine years of fierce and relentless contest, whose theatre was the whole of Persia, in which above ten thousand heroes laid down their lives, in which two sovereigns of the Qájár dynasty and their wicked ministers participated, and which was supported by the entire Shí'ah ecclesiastical hierarchy, by the military resources of the state, and by the implacable hostility of the masses. [00:00:58] The second period [1853-1892] derives its inspiration from the august figure of Bahá'u'lláh, preeminent in holiness, awesome in the majesty of His strength and power, unapproachable in the transcendent brightness of His glory. It opens with the first stirrings, in the soul of Bahá'u'lláh while in the Síyáh-Chál of Tihrán, of the Revelation anticipated by the Báb, attains its plenitude in the proclamation of that Revelation to the kings and ecclesiastical leaders of the earth, and terminates in the ascension of its Author in the vicinity of the prison-town of Akká. [00:01:40] It extends over thirty-nine years of continuous, of unprecedented and overpowering Revelation, is marked by the propagation of the Faith to the neighboring territories of Turkey, of Russia, of 'Iráq, of Syria, of Egypt and of India, and is distinguished by a corresponding aggravation of hostility, represented by the united attacks launched by the Sháh of Persia and the Sultán of Turkey, the two admittedly most powerful potentates of the East, as well as by the opposition of the twin sacerdotal orders of Shí'ah and Sunní Islám. [00:02:20] The third period [1892-1921] revolves around the vibrant personality of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, mysterious in His essence, unique in His station, astoundingly potent in both the charm and strength of His character. It commences with the announcement of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, a document without parallel in the history of any earlier Dispensation, attains its climax in the emphatic assertion by the Center of that Covenant, in the City of the Covenant, of the unique character and far-reaching implications of that Document, and closes with His passing and the interment of His remains on Mt. Carmel. It will go down in history as a period of almost thirty years' duration, in which tragedies and triumphs have been so intertwined as to eclipse at one time the Orb of the Covenant, and at another time to pour forth its light over the continent of Europe, and as far as Australasia, the Far East and the North American continent. [00:03:24] The fourth period [1921-1944] is motivated by the forces radiating from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that Charter of Bahá'u'lláh's New World Order, the offspring resulting from the mystic intercourse between Him Who is the Source of the Law of God and the mind of the One Who is the vehicle and interpreter of that Law. [00:03:48] The inception of this fourth, this last period of the first Bahá'í century synchronizes with the birth of the Formative Age of the Bahá'í Era, with the founding of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh—a system which is at once the harbinger, the nucleus and pattern of His World Order. [00:04:09] This period, covering the first twenty-three years of this Formative Age, has already been distinguished by an outburst of further hostility, of a different character, accelerating on the one hand the diffusion of the Faith over a still wider area in each of the five continents of the globe, and resulting on the other in the emancipation and the recognition of the independent status of several communities within its pale. Let your vision be world-embracing…” — Bahá’u’lláh

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.

Enlightenment Series I 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 which 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/ Let your vision be world-embracing…” — Bahá’u’lláh

The enlightenment brought progress to Western Civilization. Humanism, Historicism and Realism in Western, European traditions, gave way to Modernism and then Postmodernism. Along the way, the primacy of one of Western Civilization's foundational documents, the Bible, was eroded and supplanted, to the point that it is not only ridiculed as irrelevant, and a source of ignorance, but even considered dangerous. Are these viewpoints valid, or does the Bible still have important relevance and even undiscovered truths that can help guide humanity's path forward?

[00:00:00] George Via: The first period [1844-1853] , centers around the gentle, the youthful and irresistible person of the Báb, matchless in His meekness, imperturbable in His serenity, magnetic in His utterance, unrivaled in the dramatic episodes of His swift and tragic ministry. It begins with the Declaration of His Mission, culminates in His martyrdom, and ends in a veritable orgy of religious massacre revolting in its hideousness. [00:00:33] It is characterized by nine years of fierce and relentless contest, whose theatre was the whole of Persia, in which above ten thousand heroes laid down their lives, in which two sovereigns of the Qájár dynasty and their wicked ministers participated, and which was supported by the entire Shí'ah ecclesiastical hierarchy, by the military resources of the state, and by the implacable hostility of the masses. [00:00:58] The second period [1853-1892] derives its inspiration from the august figure of Bahá'u'lláh, preeminent in holiness, awesome in the majesty of His strength and power, unapproachable in the transcendent brightness of His glory. It opens with the first stirrings, in the soul of Bahá'u'lláh while in the Síyáh-Chál of Tihrán, of the Revelation anticipated by the Báb, attains its plenitude in the proclamation of that Revelation to the kings and ecclesiastical leaders of the earth, and terminates in the ascension of its Author in the vicinity of the prison-town of Akká. [00:01:40] It extends over thirty-nine years of continuous, of unprecedented and overpowering Revelation, is marked by the propagation of the Faith to the neighboring territories of Turkey, of Russia, of 'Iráq, of Syria, of Egypt and of India, and is distinguished by a corresponding aggravation of hostility, represented by the united attacks launched by the Sháh of Persia and the Sultán of Turkey, the two admittedly most powerful potentates of the East, as well as by the opposition of the twin sacerdotal orders of Shí'ah and Sunní Islám. [00:02:20] The third period [1892-1921] revolves around the vibrant personality of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, mysterious in His essence, unique in His station, astoundingly potent in both the charm and strength of His character. It commences with the announcement of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, a document without parallel in the history of any earlier Dispensation, attains its climax in the emphatic assertion by the Center of that Covenant, in the City of the Covenant, of the unique character and far-reaching implications of that Document, and closes with His passing and the interment of His remains on Mt. Carmel. It will go down in history as a period of almost thirty years' duration, in which tragedies and triumphs have been so intertwined as to eclipse at one time the Orb of the Covenant, and at another time to pour forth its light over the continent of Europe, and as far as Australasia, the Far East and the North American continent. [00:03:24] The fourth period [1921-1944] is motivated by the forces radiating from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that Charter of Bahá'u'lláh's New World Order, the offspring resulting from the mystic intercourse between Him Who is the Source of the Law of God and the mind of the One Who is the vehicle and interpreter of that Law. [00:03:48] The inception of this fourth, this last period of the first Bahá'í century synchronizes with the birth of the Formative Age of the Bahá'í Era, with the founding of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh—a system which is at once the harbinger, the nucleus and pattern of His World Order. [00:04:09] This period, covering the first twenty-three years of this Formative Age, has already been distinguished by an outburst of further hostility, of a different character, accelerating on the one hand the diffusion of the Faith over a still wider area in each of the five continents of the globe, and resulting on the other in the emancipation and the recognition of the independent status of several communities within its pale.

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.