Baha'ullah made me stop and think about how a religion is founded. It almost seems like the Baha'i faith had it easier than the older religions (Islam, Judaism). Basically, Baha'i is an offshoot of Islam. I haven't read a lot about the Baha'i faith, but it seems as though it might be ready-equipped with certain traditions and practices, yes? There was some variation with the basic tradition; for example, a woman took off her veil during a meeting and revolutionized ideas about women. So there are changes to the religion, but some traditions are still kept. In any case, I'm not sure how Judaism began; there must have been some kind of founder, someone similar to Baha'ullah.
So that's the first necessity: a founder. A leader is necessary for a religion to begin; people need to be united by (and believe in) a charismatic person. Baba was the founder of the previous religion out of which Baha'i morphed, but after Baba was imprisoned and later executed, Baha ended up with a pretty huge leadership rule. He initially taught the scriptures and writings of Baba, but, after he was exiled to the Ottoman Empire, began writing and teaching his own words. His first followers were first followers of Baba who went to Baha for the teachings of Baba, but many were so devoted to Baha that they became a part of Baha'i. However, this didn't happen overnight. It was a long process; Baha's ideas began as a child, and he didn't even begin teaching his own work until at least his 40s or 50s (from what I gathered from the book). His ideas developed. It seems that it takes a long time for ideas to meld into a faith base, and for people to become deeply devoted. In addition to that, I think that time and experience can meld a religion; it is probably true that the devotees of Baha'i faith became even stronger believers after their persecution throughout their time in Iraq and the Ottoman Empire. Sometimes persecution can form an even stronger identity.
Baha'i faith is no different from other religions in that it requires a set of tools to be strong; a founder, traditions, and time to grow.
Official Baha'i website.
http://www.bahai.org/
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I agree that a founder is important to any faith. A faith has to start from somewhere, and a charismatic leader is essential to the beginning of pretty much everything. The Bahai seem to have been formed rather quickly compared to other faiths, but they seem to have had their share of trials too.
ReplyDeleteIndeed the woman who tore off the veil is well remembered in the Faith. She has various names but her most well known one is Tahireh "The Pure". In the Baha'i teachings she - and her fellows - are among the 24 Elders of the Book of Revelations.As for tradition, consider the placement of women at national levels of leadership in the Baha'i Faith. (extended from work here.) and mind the highest place of personal station in the religion - the International Counselors (and before them the Hands of the Cause) have included women.
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