Baha'i follows major prophets
By PATRICIA PRUITT
Perhaps those sitting at the table were once Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus.
Now they are "followers of the light." They are among the seven KU students who are Baha'a; the Lawrence community as a whole contains 20.
In some of the 240 countries where Baha'a live, they are persecuted or martyred. Here and elsewhere, they live peacefully and gain followers of a world religion whose basic tenet is the oneness of mankind.
They set up the booth in the Kansas Union this week for two reasons. In the first place, they are exhorted to do so. In the second, not many know what Baha'i is.
THEY DID NOT deny Christ or Mohammed or Moses when they joined Baha'a'. Rather, they embraced them all—all as prophets of a progressive revelation.
Each prophet spoke in the context of his time, Today, the world is small enough that world religions can be joined, as was intended—for each prophet spoke of the same faith and the same universal God.
Unlike other religions that accept past prophets but stop with one, Baha's expect other prophets to come and their particular organization to disappear. A new prophet has appeared approximately every 1,000 years, at the end of a cycle of decadence of some religion, to reveal a bit more of the unknowable God.
BAHA'ULLAH, for whom the faith is named, announced in 1863 that he was the latest manifestation of the Holy Spirit for this age. He sprang from Islam, just as all religions spring from a predecessor. His latest successor, though not a prophet, died in 1857.
During the last 100 years, the Baha'is have gained converts the world around, set up four temples of worship and established their base at Haifa, Israel, where their supreme administrative body meets.
Baha'i is a grassroots religion. A spiritual assembly can be formed by nine members. If there are more members, nine are elected to form the assembly. Regional assemblies are elected by locals, nationals by regionals and internationals by nationals.
They have no clergymen.
BECAUSE BAHATs are young in the eyes of the world and small in number, their unity is strong and their spirit unflickering. They are exhorted not to pressure questioners; a basic principle is education, which is essential to accomplish their purpose of universalism. Equality of race and sex is intrinsic.
Because Baha'i is all-encompassing and advocates a world community and world language,
Dean's auto in accident
The Lawrence Police Department verified today that a 1966 Ford convertible owned by Dean Emily Taylor was involved in an accident shortly after midnight Saturday. Damages totaled $250 according to a local motor car firm.
Police reported they would not release any information concerning the accident. The car was towed from the scene behind the Lawrence Bus Depot by wrecker.
it supports the United Nations. However, Baha'is are asked not to join political parties, but to judge each man individually.
Baha'is believe every true civilization is based upon a just religion, and this principle is the basis of their long-range faith that the world will become united.
"Not that all people should become the same, God forbid," Myrna Ewart, Chicago, Ill., sophomore, added.
MISS EWART, a Lawrence assembly member, said, "That's what really struck me when I first looked into Baha'i—its universality. I just couldn't believe that interaction of people could be so complete. There were people of all kinds in Baha'i, and they felt so natural. Of course, there are some who are not completely without prejudice, but at least they are trying."
Formerly a Roman Catholic, she has been a Baha'i for about a year.
"I just couldn't honestly say that I was Catholic," she said, "when I didn't believe that Christ was the only way to God. There are just too many other religions with the same narrow foundation. Baha'i answered my questioning, and now I really think my life is more confident."
In search of the revelation, Baha'i encourages harmony of religion and science, and individual investigation of truth.
PATRONIZE KANSAN ADVERTISERS
Daily Kansan Tuesday, January 17, 1967
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