Product Description

This is a comprehensive and accessible encyclopedia of the youngest of the world religions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #743829 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

About the Author
Peter Smith is the Social Sciences Co- ordinator at Mahido University International College in Thailand, where he teaches world history, sociology and anthropology. He is the author of several books in the field of Baha'i Studies, including 'The Babi and Bahai'I Religions' (Cambridge University press) and 'The Baha'I Faith: A Short History (Oneworld).

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive and informative small encyclopedia.
A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha'i Faith

I found this small book (encyclopedia)some 395 pages, quite comprehensive. It's a good way of gleaning a lot of information about the Baha'i faith in one small swoop. Its subjects range from the early beginnings of the religion a century and a half ago to its relevance to modern day society. It tells you about the twin founders of this universal religion and its leadership up to the election of its world governing body in 1963.

There is a whole range of entries from the Bahai view on prayer and administration to marriage, birth control and abortion, adultery and divorce, begging, craftsmanship, education and elections. There is text about kings, emperors and presidents and the Baha'i attitude towards government. Also included are positive entries on Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, the Zoroastrian faith and indigenous religions. It makes for fascinating reading with a variety of subjects to explore such as the different holy books and religious calendars. There are also detailed entries about Iran and Iraq, the Ottomon Empire and the Holy Land in the middle of the nineteenth century becuse they were all home to this new religion.

There are acceptable explanations about the life of the soul, the harmonising of science and religion, the meaning of reincarnation, prophecy, suffering, miracles, and a host of other things. There is no priesthood so independent investigation of truth is important. Unity, justice and consultation appear to be the key words of the Baha'i religion plus the importance given to safeguarding national, racial and religious minorities. The Baha'i definiton of faith says that "the essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds." Something to ponder on.

There are a number of black and white photographs of people and places, including the very attractive, classical-style administrative buildings in Haifa, Israel, and nine-sided places of worship around the world.

I liked reading some of the interesting vignettes of early Baha'i believers from East and West, amongst whom were a number of scholars, artists and musicians from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.