Questioned about one's religious affiliations: Born into a certain faith or free to forge one's own spiritual path?
In a journey spanning four decades, a white, female author from New Zealand has been on a quest for spiritual enlightenment. Born and raised in a Christian family, she was the last in a two-thousand-year line to bear the faith.
Her interest in the Baha'i teachings was piqued by the belief in the equality of men and women, a principle that resonated deeply with her. This led her to delve deeper into the Baha'i Faith, a religion that centres on the belief in Manifestations of God—divine educators sent to guide humanity towards truth, love, unity, and the spiritual and social advancement of society.
The Baha'i Faith, with its emphasis on love, goodwill, servitude to humanity, unity of all peoples, and adherence to both eternal spiritual principles and practical guidance suited to the current age, offered a new vision of religion to the author. Baha'is are encouraged to engage in daily study and contemplation of the holy writings to integrate these teachings into their lives. They practice compassion and aid toward the downtrodden and poor, understanding such acts as spiritually exalted and observed by divine presence.
The impact on the individual is profound, with spiritual growth, purification, and elevation in rank through service and devotion to God and humanity. Societally, the Faith promotes peace by sowing love and goodwill to replace conflict and bloodshed and inspires communities towards unity and collective progress. It stresses a balance of abiding by timeless principles and applying guidance appropriate to contemporary conditions, helping to prevent governance and society from straying based solely on changing human ideas.
The author recognized the power of revitalized and purified religion to revolutionize civilizations. Over time, she came to see the founders and prophets of world religions as perfect educators for their time. She learned that Bahá'u'lláh is the most recent divine teacher in recorded history. After years of research, she found in the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh a new ethical framework in harmony with rational thought.
The author's journey was not without its challenges. She was initially a committed atheist, having investigated various religions and philosophers. However, she came to recognize that the true nature of religion can only be known by its fruits: by deeds, not by words. She also struggled to live a virtuous life as described by the pastor during her childhood.
The author's years of biblical studies and recognition of other world religions left an impression that Christianity was like a brand in competition with others. This changed when she encountered the Baha'i Faith, which offered a vision of religion that transcends racial, religious, and national boundaries. She believes that past religions are expressions of a single underlying truth, related to each other by a common origin and a common purpose.
Today, the author, along with millions of others, believes that all races, religions, and nationalities will gradually unite around a vision of humanity as one people and the Earth as one country. This belief is a testament to the transformative power of the Baha'i Faith on the author's life and the lives of countless others.
The author discovered that the Baha'i Faith, with its focus on education and self-development through daily study and contemplation of holy writings, aids in personal growth and spiritual purification. This form of religion, promoting unity and peace among all peoples, aligns perfectly with her journey towards seeking spiritual enlightenment and supports her vision for societal advancement and collective progress.
Her transformation and the beliefs she now holds with millions of Baha'is worldwide, emphasizing the unity of all races, religions, and nationalities, underscores the significant role that education and self-development play in personal growth and the fostering of a harmonious global society.
