Freedom of Conscience
2011-08-30 13:18:13 UTC
Larry,
It saddens me that you've misunderstood the nature and purpose of the Reform Bahai Faith Forum.
http://reformbahai.org/forum/
Under "Necessary Policy," the Registration Agreement clearly states,
"This Bahai discussion forum is for members of the Reform Bahai Faith and people of *goodwill* interested in exploring
Reform Bahai or just curious. The Reform Bahai Faith Forum is closed to members of the Wilmette-Haifan Baha'i Faith.
Members of other Baha'i denominations are welcome."
I've often highly respected your comments through the years, as my page on the Topix forum demonstrates,
Comments posted to The Chicago Tribune Forum
http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/Chicago_Tribune.html
However, the Reform Bahai Faith Forum is not for the same type of vigorous approach as here on talk.religion.bahai or
the now defunct Topix. I'm sorry if you've taken affront at that. When I helped create talk.religion.bahai in 1997, the
need then was different from what I am trying to achieve on the Reform Bahai Faith Forum--a place for all Bahai
denominations to talk and share together their beliefs in a respectful atmosphere safe from Haifan harassment and so
forth. As someone who seems so unsympathetic to the Bahai teachings, I don't believe you would contribute to the goals
of the Forum. Your posts here appear to corroborate it. Not all online forums are or need be the same.
Best wishes,
The Reform Bahai Faith
http://www.ReformBahai.org
Registration Agreement
"To be a Bahai simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and
universal brotherhood." -- Abdu'l-Baha
The Reform Bahai Faith affirms the universal spiritual and moral principles taught in all of the great religious
traditions. Similar to Mahayana Buddhism and the Buddha's Example of compassion, Reform Bahais believe the Example set
by Abdul-Baha during his travels to Europe and the United States in the early 20th century, an Example of universal love
and brotherhood, was perhaps his greatest Teaching. As Abdul-Baha often suggested, far from having the exclusive truth
and the fanaticism to which that notion has so often led, Reform Bahais look to what is universal in the world's
religious experience, and include prayers and meditations from other religions in their private and community worship,
listen to and learn from God's other religions.
The Reform Bahai Faith, known during Abdul-Baha's time as the Bahai Movement or Cause, is not an organization, but a way
of life.
The Reform Bahai Faith is an independent denomination that reforms Baha'u'llah's Dispensation and offers humanity His
Teachings in the universal Interpretation of Abdul-Baha. Reform Bahais follow Abdul-Baha's 1912 Authentic Covenant:
http://www.reformbahai.org/Covenant.html
See the Reform Bahai Faith website for further details: http://www.reformbahai.org
NECESSARY POLICY:
This Bahai discussion forum is for members of the Reform Bahai Faith and people of *goodwill* interested in exploring
Reform Bahai or just curious. The Reform Bahai Faith Forum is closed to members of the Wilmette-Haifan Baha'i Faith.
Members of other Baha'i denominations are welcome. Acceptance of this Registration Agreement constitutes that you are
not a member of the Baha'i denomination located in Haifa, Israel.
Disrespecting and denouncing other Bahais as "covenant breakers," essentially the Shiite practice of "takfir," violates
the civil rights of the individual, as well as the teachings of Baha'u'llah and Abdul-Baha. It will not be allowed or
tolerated in this Forum. For details see the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the Baha'is of Wilmette,
Illinois, November 23, 2010: http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/fdocs/docs.fwx?caseno=08-2306&submit=showdkt&yr=08&num=2306
You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate,
abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy,
adult material, or otherwise in violation of any International or United States Federal law. You also agree not to post
any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright or you have written consent from the owner of the copyrighted
material. Spam, flooding, advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are also forbidden on this
forum.
Note that it is impossible for the staff or the owners of this forum to confirm the validity of posts. Please remember
that we do not actively monitor the posted messages, and as such, are not responsible for the content contained within.
We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented. The posted messages express
the views of the author, and not necessarily the views of this forum, its staff, its subsidiaries, or this forum's
owner. Anyone who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to notify an administrator or moderator of
this forum immediately. The staff and the owner of this forum reserve the right to remove objectionable content, within
a reasonable time frame, if they determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, please realize
that they may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately. This policy applies to member profile
information as well.
You remain solely responsible for the content of your posted messages. Furthermore, you agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the owners of this forum, any related websites to this forum, its staff, and its subsidiaries. The owners of
this forum also reserve the right to reveal your identity (or any other related information collected on this service)
in the event of a formal complaint or legal action arising from any situation caused by your use of this forum.
You have the ability, as you register, to choose your username. We advise that you keep the name appropriate. With this
user account you are about to register, you agree to never give your password out to another person except an
administrator, for your protection and for validity reasons. You also agree to NEVER use another person's account for
any reason. We also HIGHLY recommend you use a complex and unique password for your account, to prevent account theft.
After you register and login to this forum, you will be able to fill out a detailed profile. It is your responsibility
to present clean and accurate information. Any information the forum owner or staff determines to be inaccurate or
vulgar in nature will be removed, with or without prior notice. Appropriate sanctions may be applicable.
Please note that with each post, your IP address is recorded, in the event that you need to be banned from this forum or
your ISP contacted. This will only happen in the event of a major violation of this agreement.
Also note that the software places a cookie, a text file containing bits of information (such as your username and
password), in your browser's cache. This is ONLY used to keep you logged in/out. The software does not collect or send
any other form of information to your computer.
http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship
Federal appeals court rules in favor of splinter Baha'i group
November 25, 2010 8:12 PM
http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/11/federal-appeals-court-rules-in-favor-of-splinter-bahai-group.html
Chicago Tribune. Baha'i rift. Baha'is upset with Orthodox Baha'i Faith May 18, 2009
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-05-18/news/0905170216_1_orthodox-community-rift-jesus-and-muhammad
Comments posted to The Chicago Tribune Forum on one page:
http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/Chicago_Tribune.html
Baha'i Faith & 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
http://bahaifaith7thcircuitcourtofappeals.blogspot.com
It saddens me that you've misunderstood the nature and purpose of the Reform Bahai Faith Forum.
http://reformbahai.org/forum/
Under "Necessary Policy," the Registration Agreement clearly states,
"This Bahai discussion forum is for members of the Reform Bahai Faith and people of *goodwill* interested in exploring
Reform Bahai or just curious. The Reform Bahai Faith Forum is closed to members of the Wilmette-Haifan Baha'i Faith.
Members of other Baha'i denominations are welcome."
I've often highly respected your comments through the years, as my page on the Topix forum demonstrates,
Comments posted to The Chicago Tribune Forum
http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/Chicago_Tribune.html
However, the Reform Bahai Faith Forum is not for the same type of vigorous approach as here on talk.religion.bahai or
the now defunct Topix. I'm sorry if you've taken affront at that. When I helped create talk.religion.bahai in 1997, the
need then was different from what I am trying to achieve on the Reform Bahai Faith Forum--a place for all Bahai
denominations to talk and share together their beliefs in a respectful atmosphere safe from Haifan harassment and so
forth. As someone who seems so unsympathetic to the Bahai teachings, I don't believe you would contribute to the goals
of the Forum. Your posts here appear to corroborate it. Not all online forums are or need be the same.
Best wishes,
The Reform Bahai Faith
http://www.ReformBahai.org
Registration Agreement
"To be a Bahai simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and
universal brotherhood." -- Abdu'l-Baha
The Reform Bahai Faith affirms the universal spiritual and moral principles taught in all of the great religious
traditions. Similar to Mahayana Buddhism and the Buddha's Example of compassion, Reform Bahais believe the Example set
by Abdul-Baha during his travels to Europe and the United States in the early 20th century, an Example of universal love
and brotherhood, was perhaps his greatest Teaching. As Abdul-Baha often suggested, far from having the exclusive truth
and the fanaticism to which that notion has so often led, Reform Bahais look to what is universal in the world's
religious experience, and include prayers and meditations from other religions in their private and community worship,
listen to and learn from God's other religions.
The Reform Bahai Faith, known during Abdul-Baha's time as the Bahai Movement or Cause, is not an organization, but a way
of life.
The Reform Bahai Faith is an independent denomination that reforms Baha'u'llah's Dispensation and offers humanity His
Teachings in the universal Interpretation of Abdul-Baha. Reform Bahais follow Abdul-Baha's 1912 Authentic Covenant:
http://www.reformbahai.org/Covenant.html
See the Reform Bahai Faith website for further details: http://www.reformbahai.org
NECESSARY POLICY:
This Bahai discussion forum is for members of the Reform Bahai Faith and people of *goodwill* interested in exploring
Reform Bahai or just curious. The Reform Bahai Faith Forum is closed to members of the Wilmette-Haifan Baha'i Faith.
Members of other Baha'i denominations are welcome. Acceptance of this Registration Agreement constitutes that you are
not a member of the Baha'i denomination located in Haifa, Israel.
Disrespecting and denouncing other Bahais as "covenant breakers," essentially the Shiite practice of "takfir," violates
the civil rights of the individual, as well as the teachings of Baha'u'llah and Abdul-Baha. It will not be allowed or
tolerated in this Forum. For details see the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the Baha'is of Wilmette,
Illinois, November 23, 2010: http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/fdocs/docs.fwx?caseno=08-2306&submit=showdkt&yr=08&num=2306
You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate,
abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy,
adult material, or otherwise in violation of any International or United States Federal law. You also agree not to post
any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright or you have written consent from the owner of the copyrighted
material. Spam, flooding, advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations are also forbidden on this
forum.
Note that it is impossible for the staff or the owners of this forum to confirm the validity of posts. Please remember
that we do not actively monitor the posted messages, and as such, are not responsible for the content contained within.
We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented. The posted messages express
the views of the author, and not necessarily the views of this forum, its staff, its subsidiaries, or this forum's
owner. Anyone who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to notify an administrator or moderator of
this forum immediately. The staff and the owner of this forum reserve the right to remove objectionable content, within
a reasonable time frame, if they determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, please realize
that they may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately. This policy applies to member profile
information as well.
You remain solely responsible for the content of your posted messages. Furthermore, you agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the owners of this forum, any related websites to this forum, its staff, and its subsidiaries. The owners of
this forum also reserve the right to reveal your identity (or any other related information collected on this service)
in the event of a formal complaint or legal action arising from any situation caused by your use of this forum.
You have the ability, as you register, to choose your username. We advise that you keep the name appropriate. With this
user account you are about to register, you agree to never give your password out to another person except an
administrator, for your protection and for validity reasons. You also agree to NEVER use another person's account for
any reason. We also HIGHLY recommend you use a complex and unique password for your account, to prevent account theft.
After you register and login to this forum, you will be able to fill out a detailed profile. It is your responsibility
to present clean and accurate information. Any information the forum owner or staff determines to be inaccurate or
vulgar in nature will be removed, with or without prior notice. Appropriate sanctions may be applicable.
Please note that with each post, your IP address is recorded, in the event that you need to be banned from this forum or
your ISP contacted. This will only happen in the event of a major violation of this agreement.
Also note that the software places a cookie, a text file containing bits of information (such as your username and
password), in your browser's cache. This is ONLY used to keep you logged in/out. The software does not collect or send
any other form of information to your computer.
diamondsouled,
Regrettably, your application to join Reform Bahai Faith Forum has
been rejected.
Regards,
The Reform Bahai Faith Forum Team.
Larry,
Thanks for your interest in the Reform Bahai Faith Forum.
I've had to reject your request since the Forum is really for Bahais,
regardless of denomination, other than the Haifans. It's not really
a place for general discussion by the non-Bahai and former members
like yourself. The Forum is not necessarily designed for criticizing
the Haifans but for moving on. You might consider Talk.religion.bahai
--
Bahai regards and best wishes,
Frederick Glaysher
95 Theses - On Bahai Liberty - Articles
Abdu'l-Baha's 1912 Authentic Covenant
The Reform Bahai Faith
www.ReformBahai.org
----
Seems that it is inevitable that all sects of Baha'ism follow in the
exclusive footsteps of the founders of Baha'ism.
"This movement eludes organization -- it is the realization of a new
spirit. The foundation of that spirit is the love of God; and its
method, the love and service of mankind. Many who have never heard of
this revelation teach its laws and spiritual truths. These people are
performing what BAHA'O'LLAH hath commanded though they never heard of
him.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 15)
Of course ol' Abbas himself failed to live by these words himself so
it comes as no surprise that those following in his foot steps should
be afflicted with the same disorder.
Baha'ism in all in variants continues to be a part of the problem and
not the solution. The problem of the use of religion as a means to
separate and distinguish instead of a means to integrate and unite.
Further proof that the entire tree is rotten to it's roots and fit for
the fire.
Abandon the tent of Baha' Fred it is devoid of any true spirituality.
Baha'i Faith & Religious Freedom of ConscienceRegrettably, your application to join Reform Bahai Faith Forum has
been rejected.
Regards,
The Reform Bahai Faith Forum Team.
Larry,
Thanks for your interest in the Reform Bahai Faith Forum.
I've had to reject your request since the Forum is really for Bahais,
regardless of denomination, other than the Haifans. It's not really
a place for general discussion by the non-Bahai and former members
like yourself. The Forum is not necessarily designed for criticizing
the Haifans but for moving on. You might consider Talk.religion.bahai
--
Bahai regards and best wishes,
Frederick Glaysher
95 Theses - On Bahai Liberty - Articles
Abdu'l-Baha's 1912 Authentic Covenant
The Reform Bahai Faith
www.ReformBahai.org
----
Seems that it is inevitable that all sects of Baha'ism follow in the
exclusive footsteps of the founders of Baha'ism.
"This movement eludes organization -- it is the realization of a new
spirit. The foundation of that spirit is the love of God; and its
method, the love and service of mankind. Many who have never heard of
this revelation teach its laws and spiritual truths. These people are
performing what BAHA'O'LLAH hath commanded though they never heard of
him.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 15)
Of course ol' Abbas himself failed to live by these words himself so
it comes as no surprise that those following in his foot steps should
be afflicted with the same disorder.
Baha'ism in all in variants continues to be a part of the problem and
not the solution. The problem of the use of religion as a means to
separate and distinguish instead of a means to integrate and unite.
Further proof that the entire tree is rotten to it's roots and fit for
the fire.
Abandon the tent of Baha' Fred it is devoid of any true spirituality.
http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship
Federal appeals court rules in favor of splinter Baha'i group
November 25, 2010 8:12 PM
http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/11/federal-appeals-court-rules-in-favor-of-splinter-bahai-group.html
Chicago Tribune. Baha'i rift. Baha'is upset with Orthodox Baha'i Faith May 18, 2009
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-05-18/news/0905170216_1_orthodox-community-rift-jesus-and-muhammad
Comments posted to The Chicago Tribune Forum on one page:
http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/Chicago_Tribune.html
Baha'i Faith & 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
http://bahaifaith7thcircuitcourtofappeals.blogspot.com