Joaquimma Anna

Naw-Rúz: Welcome to the Baha’i New Year

Naw-Rúz, the Baha’i New Year, offers a remarkable opportunity for spiritual reflection, renewal, and community bonding. Observed on the vernal equinox, it signifies the culmination of the Baha’i 19-day fast and serves as an auspicious moment to contemplate the unfolding of divine grace in the coming year. However, as one contemplates the significance of Naw-Rúz, … Read more

Verify Interpret and Apply Spiritual Knowledge

In the vast tapestry of human belief systems, the Bahá’í Faith presents an intriguing confluence of spiritual insight and progressive thought. At the core of Bahá’í teachings lies the tenet of acquiring, verifying, interpreting, and ultimately applying spiritual knowledge. This methodical approach is pivotal, not merely as a path towards individual enlightenment but as a … Read more

Who Really Makes Our Laws? A Baha’i’s View of Government

The Baha’i Faith, a relatively young religion, offers profound insights into the nature of government and the creation of laws. Its teachings elucidate a holistic perspective on the relationship between humanity and governance, challenging traditional notions of authority and legal frameworks. This essay examines the question of who truly makes our laws from a Baha’i … Read more

Winners and Losers in the Citizenship Birth Lottery

The concept of a “Citizenship Birth Lottery” arises from the profound disparities in opportunities, privileges, and rights conferred upon individuals based solely on the geographical circumstance of their birth. This notion acts as a lens through which we can examine not only the randomness inherent in one’s nationality but also the systemic structures that underpin … Read more

World Peace: There Is No More Important Matter

In the tumultuous landscape of contemporary geopolitics, the pursuit of world peace emerges not merely as an aspiration but as an ethical imperative that transcends cultural, national, and spiritual boundaries. The Bahá’í teachings, distilled through the lens of unity and collective humanity, offer profound insights into the nature of peace. This exploration posits that world … Read more

The Various Kinds of Being Thankful

Thankfulness, a concept revered across various cultures and philosophies, holds a distinctive place within the Bahá’í teachings. The very act of being thankful transcends mere expressions of gratitude; it encapsulates a profound understanding of existence itself. This exploration into the multifaceted dimensions of thankfulness, as presented in Bahá’í scripture, elucidates the intricate relationship between human … Read more

Stopping Violence in Children and Adults: A Baha’i Approach

Violence, in its myriad forms, permeates the fabric of society, influencing not only the immediate wellbeing of individuals but also the broader sociocultural milieu. Addresses to violence often illuminate profound psychosocial and philosophical inquiries, inviting reflection on the innate potential for both good and ill embedded within humanity. The Bahá’í teachings, rooted in principles of … Read more

What Does God Have to Do with Peace?

The concept of peace occupies a paradigmatic role in Bahá’í teachings, intimately intertwined with the divine essence of God. Peace, in its multifaceted emanations, transcends mere temporal tranquility; it is a spiritual state of being, a profound manifestation of divine will that beckons humanity to elevate its collective consciousness. The quest for peace is not … Read more

Selma King and Bloody Sunday: What Really Creates Change?

The intersection of faith and social justice has a storied narrative within the Bahá’í Faith, particularly as it resonates with pivotal historical events like the Selma marches of the 1960s. The advocacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement exemplifies a paradigm of nonviolent protest, which is deeply entwined with Bahá’í teachings. … Read more

A Universal Emancipation Proclamation

The Bahá’í teachings enshrine the concept of a Universal Emancipation Proclamation, underscoring the significance of liberation in various facets of human existence. This notion permeates the core tenets of the Bahá’í Faith, urging adherents to foster a society characterized by justice, equity, and unity. This article endeavors to delineate the multifaceted dimensions of this proclamation, … Read more