Baha’i community examines unity and justice

With its world center in Haifa, Israel, and communities in every country on Earth, membership in the global Baha’i faith is extraordinarily diverse.

Here in Las Cruces, as in every Baha'i community, the Baha'is elect a local spiritual assembly to consult and decide on matters pertaining to the community life.

The Baha'i Faith has no clergy. Instead, each member fulfills a ministerial role, both to his or her own spiritual enlightenment and, to varying degrees, the needs of others in an atmosphere of mutual assistance.

The community meets every 19 days in a gathering called "Feast" to read and reflect on the writings of their faith, to discuss administrative issues and to enjoy fellowship. The Baha'i Center is located at 525 E. Lohman Ave, at an entrance in the back of the building. Baha'is also often meet in members' homes.

One of the Baha’i teachings is that work, performed in the spirit of service, is equivalent to worship. “We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God”, wrote Baha'u'llah, prophet-founder of the Baha'i faith.  The Baha’is of Las Cruces also engage in community service.  Their annual “water drive” provides bottled drinking water to the Police Victim’s Assistance Unit, so officers can provide water to crime and accident victims when needed.

One of the refreshing aspects of Baha'i life is the sharing of spiritual perspectives. Quite different from traditional religious sermons, Baha'is often gather to study an aspect of spiritual teachings within an open forum, safe for self-expression without fear of ridicule. "Out of the clash of differing opinions comes the spark of truth" wrote Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah.

Baha'u'llah (1817-1892) taught that all the world’s religions stem from the same god, but because they were revealed in different places, at different times, mankind has divided them. He wrote over 100 volumes expressing spiritual teachings, which he said remain constant from age to age, and social teachings which change through the ages to foster greater and greater unity among humankind.

On Jan. 14, Las Cruces Baha'is will host a discussion on the topic of justice. It is timely, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the next day. Dr. King wrote, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

The Baha'is' discussion of justice will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at 2909 Devendale Ave, Las Cruces. All are welcome to participate. (We only ask that guests refrain from wearing fragrance.) More information is available via 575-556-9650.