Customer Reviews

Baha'i Faith: A Short Introduction (Oneworld Short Guides)

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This book is exactly that, a short introduction. It's great for those who want to find out more about the Baha'i faith but do not know where to look first. For those taking religion or comparative religion classes this is a must-read. Once I began reading, I couldn't put it down, and now I can't seem to get it back from my friends!

The Baha'i Faith A Short Introduction is a helpful guide to begin understanding the religion of God, but not the best introductory book out there. The focus is on the teachings, with only a bit about the history. Not only that, but certain teachings are emphasized and others are given less attention or comprehension. For example, I thought Momen did a good job on the nature of God as described by all the previous Divine Revelations, but should have gone into more depth on uniting the other concepts of the world religions, and how to understand them as a Baha'i. But overall he still did pretty all right. I would in now way shape or form discourage you to read this book, unless you were to only read one book on the Faith, and that you should read others. Even I myself have not read many, but from what I have seen Esslemont's work is written very well, enough to be the one I recommend. But I reckon Moojan Momen still atleast gets one thumbs up!!! ;>)

This is an excellent introductory book on the Baha'i faith. It is concise and well organized. It presents the Baha'i faith in context and looks at it from the individual, the family, the society, and global perspective. In addition, it covers the history, the laws and the principles of the Faith accurately and in a language that is easy and accessible. The tables and graphs, assist in highlighting the key facts and concepts. Overall it a great short introduction to a wealth of knowledge!

The back cover of this 1997 book notes, Dr. Moojan Momen "is a widely published author in the field of world religions. He has contributed to a variety of academic journals and his 'Introduction to Shi'i Islam' has become a leading reference work on the subject."

He noted in the Introduction, "I have not attempted to provide a historical analysis of the way in which the Bahá'í Faith, and in particular its administrative structure, has evolved historically. One of the main features of the Bahá'í Faith is the rapid evolution it has undergone. This has occurred within the framework laid down by the founder and his successors and in response to changes in its situation and in world conditions. In the limited space available in this book, all that I can do is present a snapshot of the point to which the religion has evolved at the present time."

Here are some additional quotations from the book:

"Bahá'u'lláh has even said that we can enjoy the things of this world as long as we do not allow them to come between us and our quest for the spiritual and the divine." (Pg. 19)
"The Bahá'í scriptures, therefore, condemn divorce as a factor leading to social disintegration and a disruption of the family life necessary for the successful bringing up of children. It should therefore only be considered as 'a last resort.'" (Pg. 27)
"Bahá'u'lláh asserted, in several places in his writings, that men and women have an equal rank and station before God... (he wrote) 'Heretofore woman has been denied the right and privilege of equal development. If equal opportunity be granted her, there is no doubt she would be the peer of man.'" (Pg. 37-38)
"The Bahá'í worldview accords the sciences and technology a high place. The human mind and its reasoning ability are one of the distinguishing marks of humanity, and science, which is one of the fruits of this, is regarded as a divine gift." (Pg. 40)
"One of the principal concepts in the Bahá'í Faith is the idea that the social structure of humanity is constantly changing and so no economic theory is always going to be right for the whole world." (Pg. 50)
"(T)he Bahá'í Faith has no clergy and no professional learned class. Bahá'u'lláh asserted that priests and other religious professionals had their role in former times when the majority of people were illiterate and needed guidance. Today, however, humanity has the ability to bring education and literacy to all. Therefore it is possible for all to read the scriptures themselves and come to their own understanding of them." (Pg. 67)
"At present Bahá'ís in most local communities have no special place of worship. They meet either in each other's homes or at a special Bahá'í centre... At present Bahá'ís prefer to use their money on other projects and, therefore, there are only seven of these Houses of Worship around the world..." (Pg. 74-75)
"Each Bahá'í is guaranteed the freedom to interpret the Bahá'í scriptures according to his or her own individual understanding... (but) no one may claim that theirs is the only correct interpretation or that it is in any way authoritative." (Pg. 77)
"Bahá'u'lláh also asserts that nothing can be said about God or Absolute Reality. Any description that we try to make of Him or It is completely inadequate." (Pg. 93)