Every Sunday, the Ottawa Citizen provides a section where representatives of different Faith groups provide perspectives on Faith-related questions sent in by readers. Some of the responses from the Bahá'í representatives are reproduced here. http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_articles.html http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Sun, 13 May 2012 20:15:29 -0400 Sun, 13 May 2012 20:14:24 -0400 FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.3.1) http://www.feedforall.com Answer: The “soft” answer would be that despite their religiosity, religious folks are just people after all, who share the sins and foibles of other humans, so... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_05_13_2012.html B82C0576-6126-4C0C-813D-3C1F61A7745F Sun, 13 May 2012 20:14:24 -0400 Answer: First, I should correct your assumption that I am a "religious leader." Unlike the other world religions... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_05_06_2012.html 73BB8FED-FC67-4388-90B8-8D23B63EC0D3 Sun, 6 May 2012 11:30:17 -0400 Answer: No one objects to the building of hospitals, schools, courts, government buildings, etc., but one hears occasional criticism of houses of worship as being costly and unnecessary appendages to religion. The usual underlying assumption is that religions should... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_04_29_2012.html 32E29431-3C9C-4260-AE91-86DEFD59B6BC Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:20:24 -0400 Answer: We may distinguish the literal from the metaphorical by first identifying three applicable areas from the Bahá’í Faith: (1) Bahá’í history (2) ritual laws (3) the sacred writings and teachings... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_04_15_2012.html 009CC4A3-3D16-4537-B2A1-413EB2CCB499 Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:33:14 -0400 Answer: Does a child possess the sufficient intellectual and spiritual tools to make an informed decision about religion? Will a child... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_04_01_2012.html 49974F1F-B075-42B3-BD25-2937D06E8A8D Sun, 1 Apr 2012 12:01:29 -0400 Answer: Although we can all understand wanting to be delivered from the world’s afflictions in moments of great anguish, the Bahá’í Faith... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_03_25_2012.html 9C145A93-8F63-47BC-B8C6-D0C7CC9EF017 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:13:51 -0400 Answer: One can be loving, kind, philanthropic or work for universal peace whether one believes in God or not.... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_03_18_2012.html F0EC87F7-EF07-4846-8AD6-5CA4E2D72347 Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:29:45 -0400 Answer: Canada’s motto, "A Mari usque ad Mare," Latin for "From sea to sea," is taken from Psalm 72:8, "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth". The founders of our country... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_03_11_2012.html 8C3E5174-AFF7-49FB-B95C-25659B5D6AB7 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:44:20 -0400 Answer: Today’s question indicates that the dynamic of faith and works can refer to the life of any believer, regardless of the faith tradition. For every religion is based on faith, and every religion stresses the importance of doing good deeds or "good works."... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_03_04_2012.html B148A76C-9DF5-4E60-BB40-D428B8D43A3B Sun, 4 Mar 2012 16:37:23 -0500 Answer: Generally speaking, tolerance is a virtue, if by tolerance we mean practising acceptance, patience... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_02_26_2012.html A1468D12-126D-49E5-8618-6235F31997BF Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:33:22 -0500 Answer: Since the phrase "inherently sinful" seems to be alluding to the Christian doctrine of "original sin," my answer will address http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_02_19_2012.html FA742C14-ADBD-4ED2-A75D-41B6C10893BD Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:27:27 -0500 Answer: If by earthly love, the question implies the love between sexes, the spiritual element should form an integral part of earthly love. In fact... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_02_12_2012.html A5C5BDB9-217C-4CB8-B9D6-F97BD6DB564B Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:09:16 -0500 Answer: Love of nature, the environment, and sustainable development are linked and grounded in the principles and sacred writings of the Bahá’í Faith. I mention the religion’s key teaching: oneness in all its forms. Humans... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_02_05_2012.html 680AEB43-7603-49E4-AFE3-04C03298BC47 Sun, 5 Feb 2012 10:06:43 -0500 Answer: The theology of predestination or fate is one of the most abstruse of divine questions. But the Bahá’í writings cast some light on this mystery.... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_01_29_2012.html 1825610E-5721-4525-B17C-B98F438B35A9 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:34:17 -0500 Answer: To the extent that we are already "human," in the best sense, does technology either enhance or diminish our humanity. It is clear... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_01_22_2012.html B910BB78-9722-4D73-98CC-CE2F63B55A15 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:39:53 -0500 Answer: The answer depends on what the questioner intends by “spiritual doubts.” It is possible to doubt persons, including ourselves. But what would it profit us to doubt ourselves? We may doubt certain beliefs... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_01_15_2012.html 65632D39-2F2B-48AF-A567-AA35484FEE46 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:31:34 -0500 Answer: The short answer to today’s question is that euthanasia, or mercy killing, is left up to the conscience of those responsible for making such a decision, i.e., doctors... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_01_08_2012.html B942E603-A589-4992-9DED-2855ADE578B0 Sun, 8 Jan 2012 13:47:24 -0500 Answer: I take it the question is a passing reference to New Year’s resolutions that have been generalized to include all personal resolutions... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_12_31_2011.html 225416E5-0EC7-4766-A0A9-77017FCAEADC Sun, 1 Jan 2012 11:32:50 -0500 Answer: Peace on earth, the great millennial ideal of people of good-will, is far from being an unattainable dream. Despite the severe crises of civilization currently facing humanity... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_12_25_2011.html ECF1C5E9-50C8-4635-BEE8-BA1F80D02084 Sun, 25 Dec 2011 23:11:38 -0500 Answer: Joy and sorrow are never far from one another. They seem to meet particularly at Christmas. The Christmas season creates high expectations for love, affection... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_12_18_2011.html 4798B55F-59C4-4D85-9F2E-E318AC117905 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 10:59:44 -0500 Answer: " Unasked, I have showered upon thee My grace. Unpetitioned, I have fulfilled thy wish. In spite of thy undeserving, I have singled thee out for My richest, My incalculable favors... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_12_11_2011.html E11C6AD1-3CB7-4DDE-9B31-6FC6B325ED8D Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:47:45 -0500 Answer: I believe - and with this belief goes the ardent hope - that we are living in the last days: the last days of global internecine warfare, menacing nationalism, haughty racism... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_12_04_2011.html 1BE15DA2-6112-412A-8EC8-335051E2C69F Sun, 4 Dec 2011 14:07:14 -0500 Answer: As a religion that honours all true Prophets and holy books, that has the oneness of the world’s great religions as one of its fundamental teachings, and... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_11_27_2011.html A2F8B52F-9078-4FEF-9FA0-640EE7EDB759 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:38:08 -0500 Answer: Since I am not a sociologist of religion who has made a special study of this question, I offer instead the following perspective. A dual, polar phenomenon seems to be taking place... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_11_20_2011.html 0DA3ADCE-CEE7-453E-8996-1EFB7628265B Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:54:37 -0500 Answer: The question carries a supposition and begs a question. It supposes that a faculty of discernment exists. If discernment is absent, then we can expect the charlatan - a euphemism for the hypocrite - to fool some of the people some of the time. The second point is this... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_11_13_2011.html CE9D92C1-90E6-4EEA-8624-1B8A48290387 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:53:15 -0500 Answer: In times of military duty, Bahá’ís ask for a special category, that of "non-combatant." In times of national emergency, this moral stance allows them to... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_11_06_2011.html F1738B74-5AFB-4654-BE06-1591C4BEFB05 Sun, 6 Nov 2011 11:47:26 -0500 Answer: Music is used to augment, to harmonize and to beautify all the "core activities" of the Bahá’í community: its devotional meetings, study circles, junior youth classes and children’s classes. It is also... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_10_30_2011.html 388EDA02-05ED-4CA0-A2CA-0670A5DE88C4 Tue, 1 Nov 2011 08:21:36 -0400 Answer: No one could answer today’s question accurately without some in-depth research and comparison to another historical time-frame - i.e., now as compared to then. So I don’t really know. But ... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_10_23_2011.html 1D97FD0C-75CB-4266-96B3-B929D215EC30 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:14:40 -0400 Answer: The desire for prosperity/wealth is entirely compatible with religious values. Prosperity or wealth are necessary to provide for one’s family and oneself, to perform acts of charity for... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_10_16_2011.html 3DF87C6D-4AF3-465B-A76B-4C9201677B69 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:14:51 -0400 Answer: Giving thanks is a spiritual attitude that is prescribed in all the world’s great religions. It is rendering back to God, or to one another, what is freely bestowed as blessing. Giving thanks is closely related to... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_10_9_2011.html 0D4AC316-5EC8-49B3-BF84-E39954B891B1 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:55:12 -0400 Answer: Rare is the woman, man or child who can function without the motivation of either reward or punishment. Without speaking of a Deity who rewards or punishes, most of us discover that... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_10_2_2011.html 8D54C10D-154F-4B00-8758-00CC4A1DC3BE Sun, 2 Oct 2011 13:10:46 -0400 Answer: Whenever I am asked to prioritize something of high spiritual value - today’s questions concerns meditation - find myself asking "in relation to what?" If we were concerned only about... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_09_25_2011.html 9E3EDDCA-1AA4-40F5-935E-3D28946FB488 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:09:30 -0400 Answer: There are several parameters to today’s question , but let’s start here: the life of faith, or the practice of religion, is all about making the ideal one with the real. To strive for this oneness is a life-long quest. To be religious/spiritual... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_09_18_2011.html B9D5DAC7-6BF2-47CD-BC0D-E6BDD60F64BE Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:49:51 -0400 Answer: With belief in the soul, an article of faith common to all religions, with the exception of Buddhism, we enter into the heart of religion. The soul has... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_09_4_2011.html 172005E9-5835-4BB6-A29B-8DD0695F9414 Sun, 4 Sep 2011 12:50:14 -0400 Answer: Today’s question asks whether or not a moral distinction may be drawn between thought and action with the lustful desire. The answer would depend upon which standard is used to judge: the absolute or the relative. The distinction between the ideal and the real may also... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_08_28_2011.html ADC7B0A6-8266-4F61-9CA9-D9EC7923CC85 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:26:37 -0400 Answer: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921), the son and successor of the Prophet-Founder, Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), gave a succinct answer to this question. He explained that just as we potentially receive the powers and capacities needed for survival in this world in the pre-natal matrix, so too... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_08_21_2011.html D760F1DE-E779-4CB9-B51D-32D43B77AF61 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:00:27 -0400 Answer: Most of the world’s great religions encourage their members to spread the message of their faith by word and by deed: to teach the faith and to live the life. Such a moral duty follows naturally from belief in an omniscient, all-powerful, supremely loving Divine Being who desires to communicate His will to humanity... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_08_14_2011.html 2C977708-A1F9-4021-BDEE-947C6599B90A Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:50:09 -0400 Answer: The genuinely spiritual have learned to laugh at themselves, and this ability is one of the deepest roots in the psychology of humour. One of the first Bahá’í books I read in my teen-aged years was God Loves Laughter... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_08_07_2011.html 3AF0A39F-BA11-4EF1-B47B-3C3B97CD84E5 Sun, 7 Aug 2011 10:56:12 -0400 Answer: During his talks in Paris (1911-1912), following his liberation from 40 years of exile, persecution and house-arrest, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921), the son and successor of Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, spoke these words which are a direct and succinct answer to today’s question... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_08_01_2011.html 200E89A0-5F93-4790-A95F-2727A134C1D3 Fri, 5 Aug 2011 12:14:47 -0400 Answer: Imagination has a very important role to play in the life of faith. But its role is an ambiguous one. Like a double-edged sword, imagination may lead us into truth or error. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921), the successor and authorized interpreter of the teachings of his father, Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, said: "Imagination is one of our greatest powers and a most difficult one to rule"... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_07_24_2011.html FC95B9D7-573A-4160-ADBF-7723CE5465FF Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:47:49 -0400 Answer: This a question of moral theology for which we must distinguish between the ideal and the real: how we should behave and what actually takes place in the human condition. Being angry forms part of the normal nexus of human experience, at some time or another, although ... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_07_17_2011.html 64451EE4-F375-417A-9D2F-21920DB85D59 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:45:19 -0400 Answer: The Bahá’í sacred writings teach that heaven and hell are conditions of the soul or spirit. Shoghi Effendi (1897-1957), the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, and the authorized interpreter of its teachings, answered a question on this matter: “Heaven and hell are conditions within our own beings” (letter to an individual, November 14, 1947). While the Bahá’í writings maintain belief in an all-powerful God who rewards and punishes, the emphasis has shifted to a state of hell (or heaven) that exists within our own beings... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_07_10_2011.html E0265C3F-6F79-4346-B95C-8F4B41D5F129 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:49:49 -0400 Answer: In the Bahá’í view, heaven refers basically to two realities: the first experienced in this life and the second after death. The first is a supernal state of mind, i.e. achieving the good-pleasure of God in this life through righteous living, with all that it implies; the second refers to attaining a state of supreme and ineffable felicity after death... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_07_3_2011.html 24A3CE6A-17DD-431E-94F6-13014B2C9404 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:47:46 -0400 Answer: I mention first ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s statement written to the Bahá’ís of Canada in 1917, following his visit to Montreal in the fall of 1912: “Again I repeat that the future of Canada, whether from a material or a spiritual standpoint, is very great. Day by day civilization and freedom shall increase... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_06_26_2011.html 53AA0783-C94F-4520-84E5-C92EC897B6C6 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:44:06 -0400 Answer: Let us turn the question around by first establishing the importance of truth-telling. The Bahá’í writings have given the highest priority to truthfulness. Consider this remarkable statement from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921), the son and successor of the Prophet-Founder Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892): “Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds of God are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_06_19_2011.html B9135175-2FDF-4FD4-9A69-784A725894DC Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:41:24 -0400 The phrase “better than” could reflect the value judgment that praying in a group might be more powerful than individual prayer. But can we say that a team sport like soccer is better than jogging? ... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_06_12_2011.html 895A3FDD-D6F5-4209-B8C5-AEB52E1FFC7A Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:46:50 -0400 Finding meaning in life is a sacred duty for each human being to discover, but no one else can perform this duty for us. We must all find this meaning through an independent and personal search for truth. It is inconceivable to imagine... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_06_05_2011.html 10F0935A-E87D-461B-9BBA-E95E73936AD1 Sun, 5 Jun 2011 11:10:31 -0400 The short answer is by being active in the cause of peace. All of us desire peace and realize war is an offence to God and the greatest destroyer of human happiness. But the essential thing is action. Being active in the cause of peace can be expressed in any number of ways, both individually and collectively. To be an example... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_05_28_2011.html DEA7E57E-F99C-4676-AD2E-DF5CDD15AB11 Mon, 30 May 2011 18:27:30 -0400 The Bahá’í teachings emphasize that we must show kindness to animals: "Then, O ye friends of God! Ye must not only have kind and merciful feelings for mankind, but ye should also exercise the utmost kindness towards every living creature. The physical sensibilities and instincts are common to animal and man ..." http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_05_22_2011.html 0AB1DDAD-8FEC-4F74-9E57-E92095D97A8A Mon, 23 May 2011 10:53:53 -0400 Unlike more ancient calendars, the Bahá’í calendar generally has no special months or days that celebrate the changing seasons. The most notable exception would be its celebration of the New Year, usually called by its Persian name, Naw Ruz (New Day). Naw Ruz occurs at the vernal equinox.... http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_05_15_2011.html 12E75890-84A0-414D-B431-EDC116FA746F Tue, 17 May 2011 08:55:55 -0400 Let me begin with the importance of parental training in the values’ education of children. On a scale of 1 to 10, it deserves a 10. The Bahá’í sacred writings strongly emphasize the duty of parents in the material and spiritual education of their children. http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_05_08_2011.html AEB32479-A116-440F-973F-B9FCA5E7393D Mon, 9 May 2011 17:03:30 -0400 http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_05_01_2011.html D0461EF5-C443-4280-8980-4791D139835E Sun, 1 May 2011 07:59:39 -0400 Question: How can one overcome the anxieties of this world? http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_03_27_2011.html 9D33F375-DD60-43B9-BEB7-D67FE3FB56C8 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:47:28 -0400 Question: How important is it that people marry within their own faith? http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_04_25_2011.html 76C0DE12-96AD-480C-A967-66682734E860 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:36:23 -0400 Question: If it’s my life, why shouldn’t I end it when I want? http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_04_17_2011.html 39E8EFBD-2094-4D34-BA97-E9331405EA7E Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:44:38 -0400 Question: Is there such thing as a collective conscience? http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_04_10_2011.html 99BC7B15-CE58-48BE-9965-763E47CF6371 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:45:49 -0400 Question: How does a catastrophe like the Japanese earthquake affect one’s faith? http://www.bahai-ottawa.org/ottawa_citizen_archives/articles_04_06_2011.html AE2A6545-D361-475D-BDB2-EFFBE4C0BC6F Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:46:30 -0400