Baha’is believe in the harmony of science and religion, we believe that the rational faculties are ordained by God, we have social principles which are almost universally in line with the progressive vogue, and we pride ourselves on being accepting of others, even attempting to discard the concept of “otherness” all together. All of this is wonderful, but sometimes allows us to slip into a sense of patronizing superiority.
Living in Idaho I am surrounded by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Idaho Baha’is seem overall to be nothing but warm towards our Mormon neighbors, and we all seem to recognize the great deal we have in common. Coming to the east coast of the United States, I haven’t heard the end of Baha’is asking about that western ‘cult’ and their ridiculous beliefs, and even on the west coast Baha’is seem to feel justified ridiculing Scientologists. And ‘creationist’ and ‘fundamentalist’ seem to be epithets of choice in intellectual discussions among Baha’is. None of this is done with malice, normally just a lighthearted teasing and an assumption that all “religious silliness” is destined to be erased by Baha’u'llah’s healing remedy of intellectual consistency and reason in religion.
Inspired by a sermon I once heard a Seventh Day Adventist pastor give, I would like to enlighten Baha’is on just how ridiculous our own religion is, that maybe we can learn to appreciate the intense faith members of other religions have in upholding their beliefs:
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Firstly, as a former atheist I am required to point out that we believe in an ancient being who has existed before the dawn of time, chosen to remain hidden from all observation, yet demands recognition and universal worship. Even better, this power claims that it’s very elusive nature is proof of it’s existence *, and we buy that wholeheartedly.
Next, we believe that around 6000 years ago (Lights of Guidance, p. 500) a man with neither father nor mother (Abdu’l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 88) incarnated the attributes of the hidden God, and led mankind to a new level of consciousness, as well as beginning to prepare them for the birth of a minor Persian nobleman.
We believe that somewhere in between that time and now, God chose a murderer (SAQ 14) with a stutter (Exodus 4:10) to lead a nation out of slavery, the same God who in His hidden wisdom forbid the taking of another human life. That God later encouraged the freed people to take on slaves of their own.
Then we believe that a young unmarried mother, when accused of harlotry and claiming to be bearing the miracle child of God, was telling the truth and really had violated all the laws of nature in becoming pregnant as a virgin. (LG 489) And we believe her baby could speak as an infant. (Qur’an 19:30)
Then we believe that an illiterate man (SAQ 22) with symptoms of epilepsy was more likely a Prophet of God than a lunatic when He was visited by an angel and started reciting apparently off-topic poetry which lacked any appreciation for the proper rules of grammar. And when He encouraged husbands to beat disobedient wives, He did it to upraise the role of women in society.
Next we believe that a young Persian merchant had Magneto’s ability to control the movement of bullets, avoiding near death.
A polygamist convict will renew the power of religion, establish universal justice, and usher in the equality of men and women.
Human beings have the ability to manifest otherworldly magics, otherwise known as psychic powers, but we shouldn’t because Daddy says the stove is hot. (LG 153)
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And somehow we think we are justified in making fun of Scientologists for believing in aliens and liking sci-fi, and that the Mormons have really gone crazy for disagreeing with the prevailing theory of the settlement of the Americas?
People believe in a lot of crazy things that I don’t understand, and we have a lot in common.
Well put! As a young Baha’i, I think the thing that troubled me more than any Baha’i belief, practice, or behavior was arrogance. It seems to me that, as a general rule, faith breeds arrogance, though I suppose it’s possible for one to have a personal sense of faith that does not deride the faith of others.