Baha

1
BahaiWorld Accomodating

• Objectives
• Pupils to understand what scholars mean by the
  category World Accommodating NRM.
• Pupils to explore the Bahai religion as an
  example of a WA religion.

2
World Accommodating

• This is a NRM which does not entirely reject the
  values and norms of society, but teaches that
• humanity has fallen away from a divine plan
• Members of World Accommodating NRMs approach the
  world with a strong spiritual dedication,
  believing that
• there is work to be done to fulfil a godly plan.

3
BahaI and WA

• Many WA NRMs have their roots in Judaism or
  Islam, like Bahai.
• But they do not believe that they have their
  roots in Judaism or Islam. They believe they are
  a totally new religion.

4
Bahai Facts

• Main location India (1.7 million), USA
  (750,000), Iran (463,000), Vietnam (356,000)
• Major denominations None (Orthodox Bahá'í
  Faith is a small minority)
• Sacred Texts Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and other
  Bahá'í leaders
• Original language Persian
• Clergy/religious professionals none
• House of worship Bahá'í House of Worship
• Type of theism Strict monotheism
• Place founded Tehran, Iran
• Ultimate reality One creator God, who is
  described in different ways by various religions
  and revealed by the Messengers
• Adherents 5-7 million Bahai.org, Adherents.com)
• Human nature Eternal soul that is essentially
  good
• Date founded1863 CE
• Purpose of life To develop spiritually and draw
  closer to God
• Afterlife Soul separates from the body and
  begins a journey towards or away from God heaven
  and hell not literal places but states of being
• Founder Mirza Hoseyn 'Ali Nuri, known as
  Bahá'u'lláh
• Symbol Nine-pointed star
• official website Bahai.org

• Cut these up and put them into two groupings
• Religious facts they show something religious
• General facts they are not religious facts
• Ensure you title each group appropriately

5
Bahai Aims

• The earth is but one country, and mankind its
  citizens.

Discuss with a partner what you think this means
30 secs Share with class passing the ball
round and giving one point each. TASK 1. Write
this quote in your books. 2. If someone believes
that is true, how might it affect how they act in
life?
6
Bahai Aims 2
Free Education For All
FIP First Important Priorities

• Look at the Bahai aims on the left
• If you had to solve one problem first, what would
  your first important priority be?
• Which do you think is the lowest priority? Write
  that last.
• All others in between from higher to lower
  priority.
• Now give reasons for your first and last choices.

The Search for All Truths
Equality for All Races
Equality for Women
Promoting Economic Justice
Rejecting Superstition
World Peace
7
(No Transcript)
8
Bahai Aims My Equality Design

• As you have already discovered, the Bahai
  believe in
• A world of equality for men and women, different
  races and between countries.
• What kind of symbol could represent equality?
• Try and devise and draw an original symbol that
  you think can represent that idea.

9
WHAT COMES FIRST?

• Who should you help first?

YOURSELF
OR
THE WORLD
10
Bahai vs Scientology

• Draw the symbol OPV
• and complete these questions
• using them as a title
• What do you think a follower of Bahai would
  think of a Scientologist?
• What do you think a Scientologist would think of
  a follower of Bahai?

11
P4C Discussion

• The earth is but one country, and mankind its
  citizens.

12

• Include
• Religious beliefs of Bahai.
• Religious actions of BahaI
• Scientology beliefs
• Scientology actions.