à'i Faith. This is how it was described:
I actually was able to see and walk around inside the Bahà'i temple near Chicago over fall term reading period. We were not allowed to take pictures of the inside, but here are some of the pictures from the outside. It was absolutely gorgeous. There was an elaborate
walkway up to the entrance and there were pamphlets offered in many different languages in the enterance. The outside was very intricately designed. What I did not understand was that one of the symbols on the side of the Temple had what looked like a modified Star of David interlocked with what appears to be a Nazi Swastica. This is shown in the picture below. I looked up what symbol represents the Bahai faith and it is a nine pointed star, which does not really correspond to the symbols seen on the temple itself. I do not really know what to make of that, but I will try to do some more rea
search to try and decipher the meanings. There are only eight Bahai temples in the entire world, so having one in Chicago is amazingly special, not to mention acessible!
Religious Tolerance Website
The Bahai Temple in Chicago's Website
| "We desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations....That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled... Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the "Most Great Peace" shall come.... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family.... Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind." Baha'u'llah, (1890) |
I actually was able to see and walk around inside the Bahà'i temple near Chicago over fall term reading period. We were not allowed to take pictures of the inside, but here are some of the pictures from the outside. It was absolutely gorgeous. There was an elaborate
walkway up to the entrance and there were pamphlets offered in many different languages in the enterance. The outside was very intricately designed. What I did not understand was that one of the symbols on the side of the Temple had what looked like a modified Star of David interlocked with what appears to be a Nazi Swastica. This is shown in the picture below. I looked up what symbol represents the Bahai faith and it is a nine pointed star, which does not really correspond to the symbols seen on the temple itself. I do not really know what to make of that, but I will try to do some more rea
search to try and decipher the meanings. There are only eight Bahai temples in the entire world, so having one in Chicago is amazingly special, not to mention acessible!Religious Tolerance Website
The Bahai Temple in Chicago's Website
.jpg){kind=small}
I live less than half and hour from the Baha'i temple and sadly I have not been there since I was a little kid, so I don't remember it too well. I was actually researching the Baha'i faith earlier this week and I really love the idea of unity between religions. I think that one of the biggest problems with religion today is how intolerant people are to any ideology that conflicts with their own. Even within religions different interpretations can cause major conflict. But Baha'i seems to use the usual weakness of difference of opinions as its strength in bringing people together. This religion is very intriguing and I definitely plan to see the Baha'i temple again soon.
ReplyDeleteWe will be working on the Bahai for the last week and a half of class.. Way to anticipate!
ReplyDelete