|
|
|
Religious strife, throughout
history, has been the cause of innumerable wars and conflicts, a major
blight to progress, and is increasingly abhorrent to the people of all
faiths and no faith. Followers of all religions must be willing to face
the basic questions which this strife raises, and to arrive at clear answers.
How are the differences between them to be resolved, both in theory and
in practice? The challenge facing the religious leaders of mankind is
to contemplate, with hearts filled with the spirit of compassion and a
desire for truth, the plight of humanity, and to ask themselves whether
they cannot, in humility before their Almighty Creator, submerge their
theological differences in a great spirit of mutual forbearance that will
enable them to work together for the advancement of human understanding
and peace.
(Letters
of The Universal House of Justice, 1985 Oct, The
Promise of World Peace, p. 3)
Gardens at Bahjí, 'Akká, Israel. 
|
      
|
|
 
 |
29 June 2009, LANGENHAIN, Germany — The European Baha’i House of Worship – the most prominent landmark in a wide area around Langenhain – was the site of events this month celebrating the 700-year anniversary of the village.
The mayor of Hofheim, of which Langenhain is a part, and more than 300 townspeople gathered at the temple where a choir from Langenhain sang Christian psalms, alternating with works performed by the national Baha’i choir.
The program culminated with the choirs joining together to sing words of Baha’u’llah set to music from Mozart.
“From the very first sound, everyone could feel that it was something extraordinary,” one of the Baha’is said of the finale. “The very special, prayerful atmosphere lasted a long time – nobody spoke or applauded.”
The event was followed by a second program – a “musical matinee” – at the nearby Baha’i center where the choirs again sang for the hundreds of visitors. Both programs took place on 1 June and were attended by local officials as well as representatives of the Protestant and Catholic churches.
Several of the Langenhain chorus members commented that they had long wanted to sing at the Baha’i House of Worship.
“It was a great joy for us,” choir conductor Andrea Post said. Her group of about 30 singers actually comprised two choirs that joined forces for the special events – the New Langenhain Choir and a local traditional choir that was founded in 1844.
Read the entire story.
|
|
|
