after studying this faith for many years, with Bahais....it is so easy to see the connection to Islam of Persia (Iran)....where the Bahai Faith was founded in the 1800's
@julirensch I wish somebody could reference some Baha'i scholarly source that provides sound reasoning for all or some of these laws that seem to very much clash with many of the main "Baha'i teachings" that Baha'is are always trying to teach others.
We also must abstain completely from war - unless it's to wipe out the Opium trade. And the laws are allowed to be applied differently in the East than the West.
Ultimately, most of this applies to cultural circumstances that no longer apply today, which is why Bahá'u'lláh envisioned the UHJ to revise and update the Laws. Moreover, I'm surprised you didn't cite the "podium" verse. We're forbidden from using podiums. We're also supposed to commune with other religions, but forbidden from engaging in their rituals with them. We also aren't allowed to drink, but can smoke tobacco, and there are a lot of other "weird" laws. But I see their point nonetheless.
The 'washing of the feet' verse was particularly important for the time, given the overall hygiene and quality of footwear for the time period. Also note that exile and long sojourns on foot were common. (i.e., think Hobbit feet). The prohibition on guns goes along with our nonviolent attitude (but you're allowed them if yo hunt). And the Inheritance laws only apply if you don't** leave a Will, for reasons cited elsewhere in the Aqdas
The "funeral" verses are typical of Persian culture, and there's a lot of cultural points being made in the emphasis on crystal and silk. It's because we're to show the utmost respect to our dead bodies. Regarding beggars, the Prophet wants us to be productive members of society and aid those willing to be. You can still give to charity but through charitable organizations or to individuals you know, not to people on the street who may misuse your aid.
Regarding cleanliness, dust actually exfoliates the skins, and this law also refers (along with the changing our furniture law) to over cleanliness, which the Prophet ordained in response to the overall dirty, third-world nature of various areas he was exiled through throughout his lifetime. Verse 95 refers to absolute obedience to the government; it's an extension of our abstinence from politics and our belief that politics isn't real or effective change.
63 actually applies to both genders. Before it was repealed by Abdu'l-Baha, who interpreted it as favoring monogamy, it actually allowed women to have two husbands. This also goes for the other gender-specific verses you refer to; all of them apply equally to the opposite gender, depending on the circumstance.
The arson/death verse is because the Prophet wanted to scare people away from committing such exceptionally violent crimes, as well as provide for us the option of "life imprisonment" should we outgrow the death penalty. The "treasure" verse says 19% of any money we find is owed to the UHJ for administrative costs, propagating the faith, and charitable acts.
Verse 97 says that 19% of any wealth we "find" must be given to the UHJ. The UHJ then uses it for administrative fees, propagation of the Faith, and charitable acts. 188 says a murderer, in addition to other punishment, owes compensation to the family of the victim. Verse 62 is dependent on the severity of the fire: if it's bad, then it's death penalty by fire. If it's not so bad, the UHJ can administer a fine. This is because the Prophet saw arson as exceptionally wrong.
As a Bahá'í that's almost finished reading everything in English: The "hair" verse refers to religious practices during the time of the Prophet. He didn't want us to even remotely be confused with ascetics. The "exile" of the thief is just a unique law to us at the time there will be a "Bahá'í nation." Same with the adultery verse (which also carries with it the "adultery is bad" stigma)
@1:40 my absolute favorite! condemn arsonists to be BURNED TO DEATH. Now THAT'S a compassionate religion that will take us into the future.. (deep snorkle)... How can ANY Baha'i condone this..?????????
@GreenRad2012 ummm maybe cause its the WORD OF GOD? It doesn't literally mean to burn them to death anyway, it means that the arsonists must be either put to death or imprisoned for life. Justice must be served, premeditated murder and the arson of a house require a death penaltly or life sentence. Please do not oppose the concepts of compassion and justice, to be compassionate justice must be served.
@GreenRad2012 Also in Judaism you can be put to death for working on the sabbath, being a homosexual or an adulterer/adulteress. In Christianity technically you should be put to death for homosexuality and don't even get me started on what you should be put to death for in Islam. My point is not that these religions are bad, but death penalties seem to be quite acceptable in abrahamic monotheistic religions, I think the Baha'i law is relatively VERY conservative.
I'm a lifelong Baha'i and am aware of these teachings. A friend of mine had committed one of these offenses once and wrote the UHJ wanting to pay the fine. They responded saying the world was not yet mature enough for such laws.
@MillerGenuineCraft Check out all of them. You know, Baha'u'llah wrote this Book because some of the Baha'is from Muslim background begged Him to write a Book similar to the Qur'an, so He finally caved in and wrote one. Now it is Divine Source for all Baha'is (and all people) in that Baha'u'llah's writings are universal, but they are not applicable to anyone really. Baha'u'llah instituted the Universal House of Justice so none of these "strange" laws are applicable to Baha'is anywhere today.
@MillerGenuineCraft Oh, and to clarify one other thing, the Baha'i is not really like other religions like Christianity or Islam in that the "Holy Book" of the Baha'is is irrelevant in the absence of the Universal House of Justice. And Baha'is do not really believe in the "God" that religious folks believe in. Baha'is do not believe that a God has a printing press above the clouds somewhere. The Baha'i Faith is closer to secularism than it is to any form of superstitious religion.
Baha'i law requires us to write a will. The above is for those that have failed to do this.
The only explanation I have is that this was written for people contemporary to Baha'u'llah. He requires us to write a will. But if not this is the default. I would guess that in Persian society this setup would be ideal.
@Abnormalized Seems to me to be a law that keeps people from being too attached to the material things of life, underscoring the idea of not keeping tradition for tradition's sake.
That definitely is a consistent theme in the Baha'i Faith and religion in general, of course. I was also thinking it might have to do with cleanliness.
I would think that this is strange in that God cares at all how people's bodies are treated after death?
I do not really have an opinion on this. I do not understand why it is more respectful to treat the dead body this way than any other (cremation, etc.).
I think this is an admonition toward cleanliness more than anything else. I do not interpret it to literally mean that if you are physically dirty your prayers fall on deaf ears (my interpretation only).
The "period of waiting" here refers to the year that a married couple is required to wait (without sex) before finalizing a divorce. The context implies that the man is supposed to support the woman, but I would argue that the interpretation should be either sex.
The point is that if you are in the "year of waiting" and have cheated on your spouse, you are not entitled to monetary support from your spouse.
I think the only way I can explain this law is to say that it was written for Persians in the time period that Baha'u'llah lived.
That said, I think that it would be interpreted modernly to be equal to either spouse. Whoever is the instigator of the journey would be responsible for the other (my interpretation).
The punishment for murder or arson - however, there obviously is a moral difference between arson of an empty building and one with people in it. I'd be curious to know how this law is interpreted in the future.
Just to be clear, this is allowing for capital punishment. I can see if you were an atheist that you would strongly disagree with this (or maybe someone who believes in hell), but we believe that the soul continues to grow forever - so death is not an end, but a beginning.
For example, if you earned $3,000 one year, you would pay 19% (after living expenses are deducted). If you pay this tax and the next year only earn $3,000 you do not need to pay again. You only pay on the ADDITIONAL income earned. (So in the second year, if you earned $9,000 - you pay 19% of $6,000.)
There is a little more complexity than that, but you get the gist of it I hope.
The prescribed punishment for adultery. I guess this is strange because in the Baha'i Faith adultery is illegal? (is it actually legal in the US??)
When you marry you enter into a contract. When you break the contract, there is a fee. Not very different from ordinary contracts.
The part about being humiliated afterward sounds ominous, I will grant. That is something I cannot comment on. I would say that whatever it is I don't think you'd be punished unjustly.
This law is a response to the practice of monks shaving their heads - which distinguished you as a monk from other people. We believe that there is no clergy and that monks should not separate themselves from people but join them.
Also, humans really only grow hair of any length on their heads, so there is probably a biological/social function that this satisfies.
As an American this one seems very foreign, but I think that everyone can interpret this on their own.
This is a prescribed punishment for stealing. You can come to your own conclusion about whether or not this would achieve the desired behavior, but If I knew this law was going to be enforced, it would impede my desire to steal.
It would also make it more difficult to steal if you've done so three times.
You could say that's beneficial unless too many are thieves!
I just came across this. I would love to comment on each and every law that you've posted here, but there isn't enough space. I will start with the first and post a separate comment for each one as I go! I may not get through them all...
Please keep in mind that I am an individual Baha'i and while the laws here are objective, the reasons behind them are not always so. So this is my personal interpretation unless I state otherwise.
Welcome to the Baha'i Era (it is indeed a new Age). Thank you for your posting. Baha'u'llah's teachings are for far into the future, as well as today. You have probably been informed that most of these Holy Book Laws you presented are for a future time and, thus, not in force now. No human being, including our Supreme Governing Body, can imagine that greatly changed future condition of society. But at least I would like to know your thoughts on the laws you showed.
Hi Miller I enjoyed you video very much especially the music it was very nice... I myself was brought up as a Baha'i and was well aware of all the laws in this video they are available for anyone to read and discuss and are not secret or anything... I imagine some of them might seem strange to some and debating the merit of each could be a lengthy and enlightening process my opinion is that they are in place to promote unity and eliminate discord in humanity /society / family thanks again
@Payamos Thank you very much Payamos. I agree with you, for the most part. I try to be as objective, fair, reasonable, and transparent as I can be. I always appreciate insightful feedback like yours. With such comments I am always learning! Have a great day!
Equality of the sexes is another pillar, but might as well be a joke. You mentioned one example of many that portrays women as a commodity. To this day, women are not allowed to be elected to Universal House of justice (the supreme governing body of the Baha'i faith). Here is a favorite quote; "philosophy is questions that may never be answered, religion is answers that may never be questioned
@ormonclarkt Tthe kitab-i-aqdas has many quotes like these ones, eg. most of the inheritance laws favour men without giving any explanation why. Why should the male members of the families receive more automatically? Baha'is are very often ignorant of what their most holy book says. I found that a shockingly small number of bahais could really tell you much about the aqdas. I find that the practice of the faith, as time passes, reflects the writings of the faith's founders less and less.
to be elected to the Universal House of Justice is to, without seeking the office in any way, have to give up your entire life and livelihood, travel at minimal expense to the Holy Land to live in spartan conditions, with no personal power at all besides the personal respect any one Bahá'í may give you.
Of course, women do this daily in giving up their bodies to children, so they do not have to serve in this way.
No personal power. Just like during labor and delivery.
Thanks for posting this video. As a former Baha'i, I can tell you that Baha'is , like other religious people are trained at a very young and impressionable age to repeat only selections of writings that are non controversial and never to question sacred scripture.
Your video is very kind to not bring up some major contradictions in bahaullahs writings.
Harmoney of science and religion is considered a " pillar" of his religion, but he has not mentioned one example of such harmony.
One of the signs of harmony is that the age of the Earth is known to be beyond the thousands held by those who read holy books literally. Bahá'ís believe in evolution, in other words, but in a different way than those who are strickly guided by Darwinian theories. We believe the whole cosmos were created purposefully by a Creator who set the process in motion, with the whole point being that on each planet, in its time, would arise those who would seek and know the Divine.
I'd be happy to explain. The Baha'i believe that their revelation wil be binding on mankind for the next thousand years, during which time the 'old world order' of disunity will gradually erode and a unified divine civilization, maintained by a one world government which secures a "most great peace", is in the process of evolving right now. Many of the Baha'i laws aren't yet applicable but will be when the new world order rises during this dispensation, and all are subject to interpretation.
@alexhaverman113 Your response offers very little in the way of explanation of how any of these laws are beneficial in any way other than being part of a unity amongst people that is assumed to be virtuous. Can you show how any of the specific laws has any benefit? As a former Baha'i of 5 years I am familiar with a lot of the dancing around real reasoning that is customary in dialogue about the religion. I think this is what you have done with your explanation that explains hardly anything.
@gymgirl20001999 This is a religion that originated in Iran in the early 1800s. You can find many sources online for learning about the Baha'i Faith. I think it best to learn about this religion from a variety of sources, and study the criticisms of the religion carefully if you are really interested in learning about it.
The "strangeness" comes from the clash of a religious tradition in which there are actual rules for conduct and tithing and personal hygiene compared with Christianity, that does not have these rules (but Judaism does). The New Testament does not speak to grooming and charity to the church in detail, while the Baha'i writings do. That is the difference. Judaism permitted polygyny, and it also had strict punishment for "crimes."
@MamaLaw66 The strangeness also comes with the fact that there is a conspicuous lack of reasoning for these laws. It is very strange that people swear that they would lay down their lives for the Baha'i religion (its laws being an integral part), yet not be able to give a logical explanation of how these laws are beneficial. Baha'is should not hide behind the explanation that they are too mysterious to understand when they go around preaching reason as a lofty spiritual virtue.
Did your read the Q&A revealed by Baha'u'llah after K-i-A?
In some religious traditions it is considered desirable to shave one's head. The shaving of the head is forbidden by Bahá'u'lláh, and He makes it clear that the provision contained in His Suriy-i-Hajj requiring pilgrims to the Holy House in Shiraz to shave their heads has been superseded through this verse of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Q and A 10).
@mstacanov can you rationalize these laws? take paragraph 44: "shave not your heads". Can you give a scientific explanation? I've asked many Baha'is and researched scholarly Baha'i materials searching for reasonable explanations for these laws that I have used in this video, and unfailingly none of them had a rational explanation. Their general reasoning was that these are laws intended for the future and we do not have the capacity to, or it is not God's will for us to understand them now.
@MillerGenuineCraft The shaving of one's head in past religious practice had to do with hygiene, especially where numerous souls congregate for a pilgrimage, such as Mecca. The avoidance of head lice was the purpose. Only within the past 150 years or so did science begin to discover germs. Prior to this knowledge, the concept of clean, or unclean, was for the purpose of health.
In the present day, with modern medicine and the benefits of science, it is no longer necessary to shave the head
@fsmtdaler Do Baha'is really plan on placing a mark on the brows of thieves? Will they burn people who intentionally destroy a house by fire and put to death people who deliberately take another's life? Is a husband really to provide his wife with her expenses for a year and "return her whence she came or entrust her... to a dependable person who is to escort her home"? When Baha'is claim that men and women are equal I like to remind them of this and many other sexist laws of their religion.
@mstacanov Nothing strange about burning someone for arson? About capital punishment? About placing a marks on thieves foreheads? About men being financially responsible for women? About prayers not ascending to God if the offerer's clothes are visibly sullied? About strict limitations on how far you can move a dead body?
Methinks your conception is what is strange. I challenge you to give rational explanations for these laws. How do they benefit individuals and mankind?
Great stuff...possibly confusing to Non Bahai.
after studying this faith for many years, with Bahais....it is so easy to see the connection to Islam of Persia (Iran)....where the Bahai Faith was founded in the 1800's
julirensch 3 weeks ago
@julirensch I wish somebody could reference some Baha'i scholarly source that provides sound reasoning for all or some of these laws that seem to very much clash with many of the main "Baha'i teachings" that Baha'is are always trying to teach others.
MillerGenuineCraft 2 weeks ago
I fuckin love Baha'u'llah and if you can't get his writings then you should meditate on them.
ChadC919 2 months ago
We also must abstain completely from war - unless it's to wipe out the Opium trade. And the laws are allowed to be applied differently in the East than the West.
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
Ultimately, most of this applies to cultural circumstances that no longer apply today, which is why Bahá'u'lláh envisioned the UHJ to revise and update the Laws. Moreover, I'm surprised you didn't cite the "podium" verse. We're forbidden from using podiums. We're also supposed to commune with other religions, but forbidden from engaging in their rituals with them. We also aren't allowed to drink, but can smoke tobacco, and there are a lot of other "weird" laws. But I see their point nonetheless.
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
The 'washing of the feet' verse was particularly important for the time, given the overall hygiene and quality of footwear for the time period. Also note that exile and long sojourns on foot were common. (i.e., think Hobbit feet). The prohibition on guns goes along with our nonviolent attitude (but you're allowed them if yo hunt). And the Inheritance laws only apply if you don't** leave a Will, for reasons cited elsewhere in the Aqdas
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
The "funeral" verses are typical of Persian culture, and there's a lot of cultural points being made in the emphasis on crystal and silk. It's because we're to show the utmost respect to our dead bodies. Regarding beggars, the Prophet wants us to be productive members of society and aid those willing to be. You can still give to charity but through charitable organizations or to individuals you know, not to people on the street who may misuse your aid.
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
Regarding cleanliness, dust actually exfoliates the skins, and this law also refers (along with the changing our furniture law) to over cleanliness, which the Prophet ordained in response to the overall dirty, third-world nature of various areas he was exiled through throughout his lifetime. Verse 95 refers to absolute obedience to the government; it's an extension of our abstinence from politics and our belief that politics isn't real or effective change.
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
63 actually applies to both genders. Before it was repealed by Abdu'l-Baha, who interpreted it as favoring monogamy, it actually allowed women to have two husbands. This also goes for the other gender-specific verses you refer to; all of them apply equally to the opposite gender, depending on the circumstance.
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
The arson/death verse is because the Prophet wanted to scare people away from committing such exceptionally violent crimes, as well as provide for us the option of "life imprisonment" should we outgrow the death penalty. The "treasure" verse says 19% of any money we find is owed to the UHJ for administrative costs, propagating the faith, and charitable acts.
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
Verse 97 says that 19% of any wealth we "find" must be given to the UHJ. The UHJ then uses it for administrative fees, propagation of the Faith, and charitable acts. 188 says a murderer, in addition to other punishment, owes compensation to the family of the victim. Verse 62 is dependent on the severity of the fire: if it's bad, then it's death penalty by fire. If it's not so bad, the UHJ can administer a fine. This is because the Prophet saw arson as exceptionally wrong.
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
As a Bahá'í that's almost finished reading everything in English: The "hair" verse refers to religious practices during the time of the Prophet. He didn't want us to even remotely be confused with ascetics. The "exile" of the thief is just a unique law to us at the time there will be a "Bahá'í nation." Same with the adultery verse (which also carries with it the "adultery is bad" stigma)
AmericanBahai 3 months ago
@1:40 my absolute favorite! condemn arsonists to be BURNED TO DEATH. Now THAT'S a compassionate religion that will take us into the future.. (deep snorkle)... How can ANY Baha'i condone this..?????????
GreenRad2012 5 months ago
@GreenRad2012 ummm maybe cause its the WORD OF GOD? It doesn't literally mean to burn them to death anyway, it means that the arsonists must be either put to death or imprisoned for life. Justice must be served, premeditated murder and the arson of a house require a death penaltly or life sentence. Please do not oppose the concepts of compassion and justice, to be compassionate justice must be served.
nickyaz111 4 months ago
@GreenRad2012 Also in Judaism you can be put to death for working on the sabbath, being a homosexual or an adulterer/adulteress. In Christianity technically you should be put to death for homosexuality and don't even get me started on what you should be put to death for in Islam. My point is not that these religions are bad, but death penalties seem to be quite acceptable in abrahamic monotheistic religions, I think the Baha'i law is relatively VERY conservative.
nickyaz111 4 months ago
I'm a lifelong Baha'i and am aware of these teachings. A friend of mine had committed one of these offenses once and wrote the UHJ wanting to pay the fine. They responded saying the world was not yet mature enough for such laws.
DrLight9 5 months ago
hi, please see my channel for an intro to the answer to your question. Visit bahai()org
AJatheistgod 7 months ago
@AJatheistgod which question?
MillerGenuineCraft 6 months ago
@MillerGenuineCraft Check out all of them. You know, Baha'u'llah wrote this Book because some of the Baha'is from Muslim background begged Him to write a Book similar to the Qur'an, so He finally caved in and wrote one. Now it is Divine Source for all Baha'is (and all people) in that Baha'u'llah's writings are universal, but they are not applicable to anyone really. Baha'u'llah instituted the Universal House of Justice so none of these "strange" laws are applicable to Baha'is anywhere today.
AJatheistgod 3 months ago
@MillerGenuineCraft Oh, and to clarify one other thing, the Baha'i is not really like other religions like Christianity or Islam in that the "Holy Book" of the Baha'is is irrelevant in the absence of the Universal House of Justice. And Baha'is do not really believe in the "God" that religious folks believe in. Baha'is do not believe that a God has a printing press above the clouds somewhere. The Baha'i Faith is closer to secularism than it is to any form of superstitious religion.
AJatheistgod 3 months ago
That's all I've got! Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 20
Baha'i law requires us to write a will. The above is for those that have failed to do this.
The only explanation I have is that this was written for people contemporary to Baha'u'llah. He requires us to write a will. But if not this is the default. I would guess that in Persian society this setup would be ideal.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 159
No weapons unless essential. Seems straightforward.
As for beard and clothing, previously (in Islam?) there were requirements for such things. These requirements are no longer valid.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 152
Again, cleanliness, hygiene.
Your feet stink more in summer than winter - or they are easier to access in summer.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 151
I had forgotten about this one! It says to renew your furnishings every nineteen years unless you cannot afford it.
Again, I think this is strange because God is the one asking it - or because it is so unimportant. Otherwise it doesn't sound unreasonable.
Maybe it is important?
Abnormalized 9 months ago
@Abnormalized Seems to me to be a law that keeps people from being too attached to the material things of life, underscoring the idea of not keeping tradition for tradition's sake.
starlighter3 8 months ago
@starlighter3
That definitely is a consistent theme in the Baha'i Faith and religion in general, of course. I was also thinking it might have to do with cleanliness.
Abnormalized 7 months ago
Paragraph 147
This seems to make sense to me. Giving to beggars keeps beggars begging.
Beggars should be helped, assisted, and taught useful skills.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 130
Again, this I do not understand. This is obviously a symbol of respect, but not one that I can give an opinion on.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 128
I would think that this is strange in that God cares at all how people's bodies are treated after death?
I do not really have an opinion on this. I do not understand why it is more respectful to treat the dead body this way than any other (cremation, etc.).
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 95
This one is difficult!! Especially because I disagree with so much that the US government does in the world.
This instructs us to obey the government. There are other places in our scripture that amend this to only obeying a "just" government.
I think the basic message here is that it is more useful to try to influence the character of other people, than to directly oppose the government.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 76
I think this is an admonition toward cleanliness more than anything else. I do not interpret it to literally mean that if you are physically dirty your prayers fall on deaf ears (my interpretation only).
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 70
The "period of waiting" here refers to the year that a married couple is required to wait (without sex) before finalizing a divorce. The context implies that the man is supposed to support the woman, but I would argue that the interpretation should be either sex.
The point is that if you are in the "year of waiting" and have cheated on your spouse, you are not entitled to monetary support from your spouse.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 69
I think the only way I can explain this law is to say that it was written for Persians in the time period that Baha'u'llah lived.
That said, I think that it would be interpreted modernly to be equal to either spouse. Whoever is the instigator of the journey would be responsible for the other (my interpretation).
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 63
This has been explained the following way (there is more to it, but not enough characters remaining):
You can have two wives if you love and treat them equally.
HOWEVER, you cannot love or treat two people equally. Therefore, you can only take one wife and monogamy is the law.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 62
The punishment for murder or arson - however, there obviously is a moral difference between arson of an empty building and one with people in it. I'd be curious to know how this law is interpreted in the future.
Just to be clear, this is allowing for capital punishment. I can see if you were an atheist that you would strongly disagree with this (or maybe someone who believes in hell), but we believe that the soul continues to grow forever - so death is not an end, but a beginning.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 188
This is the punishment for manslaughter. I don't know why you think this is unusual unless you think it is too lenient?
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 97
Kind of like income tax, but not quite.
For example, if you earned $3,000 one year, you would pay 19% (after living expenses are deducted). If you pay this tax and the next year only earn $3,000 you do not need to pay again. You only pay on the ADDITIONAL income earned. (So in the second year, if you earned $9,000 - you pay 19% of $6,000.)
There is a little more complexity than that, but you get the gist of it I hope.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 49
The prescribed punishment for adultery. I guess this is strange because in the Baha'i Faith adultery is illegal? (is it actually legal in the US??)
When you marry you enter into a contract. When you break the contract, there is a fee. Not very different from ordinary contracts.
The part about being humiliated afterward sounds ominous, I will grant. That is something I cannot comment on. I would say that whatever it is I don't think you'd be punished unjustly.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 44
This law is a response to the practice of monks shaving their heads - which distinguished you as a monk from other people. We believe that there is no clergy and that monks should not separate themselves from people but join them.
Also, humans really only grow hair of any length on their heads, so there is probably a biological/social function that this satisfies.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Paragraph 45
As an American this one seems very foreign, but I think that everyone can interpret this on their own.
This is a prescribed punishment for stealing. You can come to your own conclusion about whether or not this would achieve the desired behavior, but If I knew this law was going to be enforced, it would impede my desire to steal.
It would also make it more difficult to steal if you've done so three times.
You could say that's beneficial unless too many are thieves!
Abnormalized 9 months ago
I just came across this. I would love to comment on each and every law that you've posted here, but there isn't enough space. I will start with the first and post a separate comment for each one as I go! I may not get through them all...
Please keep in mind that I am an individual Baha'i and while the laws here are objective, the reasons behind them are not always so. So this is my personal interpretation unless I state otherwise.
Abnormalized 9 months ago
Dear Miller Genuine Craft,
Welcome to the Baha'i Era (it is indeed a new Age). Thank you for your posting. Baha'u'llah's teachings are for far into the future, as well as today. You have probably been informed that most of these Holy Book Laws you presented are for a future time and, thus, not in force now. No human being, including our Supreme Governing Body, can imagine that greatly changed future condition of society. But at least I would like to know your thoughts on the laws you showed.
MrUser51 10 months ago
Hi Miller I enjoyed you video very much especially the music it was very nice... I myself was brought up as a Baha'i and was well aware of all the laws in this video they are available for anyone to read and discuss and are not secret or anything... I imagine some of them might seem strange to some and debating the merit of each could be a lengthy and enlightening process my opinion is that they are in place to promote unity and eliminate discord in humanity /society / family thanks again
Payamos 11 months ago
@Payamos Thank you very much Payamos. I agree with you, for the most part. I try to be as objective, fair, reasonable, and transparent as I can be. I always appreciate insightful feedback like yours. With such comments I am always learning! Have a great day!
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago
Equality of the sexes is another pillar, but might as well be a joke. You mentioned one example of many that portrays women as a commodity. To this day, women are not allowed to be elected to Universal House of justice (the supreme governing body of the Baha'i faith). Here is a favorite quote; "philosophy is questions that may never be answered, religion is answers that may never be questioned
ormonclark 11 months ago
@ormonclarkt Tthe kitab-i-aqdas has many quotes like these ones, eg. most of the inheritance laws favour men without giving any explanation why. Why should the male members of the families receive more automatically? Baha'is are very often ignorant of what their most holy book says. I found that a shockingly small number of bahais could really tell you much about the aqdas. I find that the practice of the faith, as time passes, reflects the writings of the faith's founders less and less.
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago
@ormonclark
to be elected to the Universal House of Justice is to, without seeking the office in any way, have to give up your entire life and livelihood, travel at minimal expense to the Holy Land to live in spartan conditions, with no personal power at all besides the personal respect any one Bahá'í may give you.
Of course, women do this daily in giving up their bodies to children, so they do not have to serve in this way.
No personal power. Just like during labor and delivery.
tmalloy9 11 months ago
Thanks for posting this video. As a former Baha'i, I can tell you that Baha'is , like other religious people are trained at a very young and impressionable age to repeat only selections of writings that are non controversial and never to question sacred scripture.
Your video is very kind to not bring up some major contradictions in bahaullahs writings.
Harmoney of science and religion is considered a " pillar" of his religion, but he has not mentioned one example of such harmony.
Equality of
ormonclark 11 months ago
@ormonclark Thanks for the encouragement. I may post more videos in the future about the bahai faith.
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago
@ormonclark
One of the signs of harmony is that the age of the Earth is known to be beyond the thousands held by those who read holy books literally. Bahá'ís believe in evolution, in other words, but in a different way than those who are strickly guided by Darwinian theories. We believe the whole cosmos were created purposefully by a Creator who set the process in motion, with the whole point being that on each planet, in its time, would arise those who would seek and know the Divine.
tmalloy9 11 months ago
@ormonclark
I was raised as a Bahai. I was always taught to question everything, that everyone must know the truth for themselves and not through other people.
As for science and religion agreeing, what contradictions do you see within the faith?
Abnormalized 9 months ago
I'd be happy to explain. The Baha'i believe that their revelation wil be binding on mankind for the next thousand years, during which time the 'old world order' of disunity will gradually erode and a unified divine civilization, maintained by a one world government which secures a "most great peace", is in the process of evolving right now. Many of the Baha'i laws aren't yet applicable but will be when the new world order rises during this dispensation, and all are subject to interpretation.
alexhaverman113 11 months ago
@alexhaverman113 Your response offers very little in the way of explanation of how any of these laws are beneficial in any way other than being part of a unity amongst people that is assumed to be virtuous. Can you show how any of the specific laws has any benefit? As a former Baha'i of 5 years I am familiar with a lot of the dancing around real reasoning that is customary in dialogue about the religion. I think this is what you have done with your explanation that explains hardly anything.
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago
is this a religon what is this this from
gymgirl20001999 1 year ago
@gymgirl20001999 This is a religion that originated in Iran in the early 1800s. You can find many sources online for learning about the Baha'i Faith. I think it best to learn about this religion from a variety of sources, and study the criticisms of the religion carefully if you are really interested in learning about it.
MillerGenuineCraft 1 year ago
@gymgirl20001999 Did you find out more about the Baha'i Faith? I am happy to help with any questions you may have.
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago
The "strangeness" comes from the clash of a religious tradition in which there are actual rules for conduct and tithing and personal hygiene compared with Christianity, that does not have these rules (but Judaism does). The New Testament does not speak to grooming and charity to the church in detail, while the Baha'i writings do. That is the difference. Judaism permitted polygyny, and it also had strict punishment for "crimes."
MamaLaw66 1 year ago 2
@MamaLaw66 The strangeness also comes with the fact that there is a conspicuous lack of reasoning for these laws. It is very strange that people swear that they would lay down their lives for the Baha'i religion (its laws being an integral part), yet not be able to give a logical explanation of how these laws are beneficial. Baha'is should not hide behind the explanation that they are too mysterious to understand when they go around preaching reason as a lofty spiritual virtue.
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago
Did your read the Q&A revealed by Baha'u'llah after K-i-A?
In some religious traditions it is considered desirable to shave one's head. The shaving of the head is forbidden by Bahá'u'lláh, and He makes it clear that the provision contained in His Suriy-i-Hajj requiring pilgrims to the Holy House in Shiraz to shave their heads has been superseded through this verse of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Q and A 10).
Baha'u'llah : The Kitab-i-Aqdas - Notes
mstacanov 1 year ago
@mstacanov Is there anything wrong with shaving one's head?
MillerGenuineCraft 1 year ago
nothing strange. it's fits to my conception of that things
mstacanov 1 year ago
@mstacanov can you rationalize these laws? take paragraph 44: "shave not your heads". Can you give a scientific explanation? I've asked many Baha'is and researched scholarly Baha'i materials searching for reasonable explanations for these laws that I have used in this video, and unfailingly none of them had a rational explanation. Their general reasoning was that these are laws intended for the future and we do not have the capacity to, or it is not God's will for us to understand them now.
MillerGenuineCraft 1 year ago
@MillerGenuineCraft The shaving of one's head in past religious practice had to do with hygiene, especially where numerous souls congregate for a pilgrimage, such as Mecca. The avoidance of head lice was the purpose. Only within the past 150 years or so did science begin to discover germs. Prior to this knowledge, the concept of clean, or unclean, was for the purpose of health.
In the present day, with modern medicine and the benefits of science, it is no longer necessary to shave the head
fsmtdaler 1 year ago
@fsmtdaler Do Baha'is really plan on placing a mark on the brows of thieves? Will they burn people who intentionally destroy a house by fire and put to death people who deliberately take another's life? Is a husband really to provide his wife with her expenses for a year and "return her whence she came or entrust her... to a dependable person who is to escort her home"? When Baha'is claim that men and women are equal I like to remind them of this and many other sexist laws of their religion.
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago
@mstacanov Nothing strange about burning someone for arson? About capital punishment? About placing a marks on thieves foreheads? About men being financially responsible for women? About prayers not ascending to God if the offerer's clothes are visibly sullied? About strict limitations on how far you can move a dead body?
Methinks your conception is what is strange. I challenge you to give rational explanations for these laws. How do they benefit individuals and mankind?
MillerGenuineCraft 11 months ago