History Of The Baha I Faith In South Carolina A

The Bah ' Faith is increasingly acknowledged as South Carolina's second-largest religion, part of the social fabric of the state. The earliest mentions of the distinctively interracial, theologically innovative faith community in the state date back to the Civil War. Black, white and indigenous South Carolinians defied racial and religious prejudices to join the religion during the tumultuous civil rights era. From the visit of the first Bah ' teacher in 1910 to the "Carolinian Pentecost" of the 1970s and beyond, the faith has deep roots in the Palmetto State. Author and Bah ' historian Louis Venters provides, for the first time, an overview of the first century of the Bah ' Faith in a state with one of its strongest followings.

"A richly detailed study of the rise of the Bahá’í Faith in South Carolina. There isn’t another study out there even remotely like this one."--Paul Harvey, coauthor of The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America "A pioneering study of how and why the Bahá’í Faith became the second largest religious community in South Carolina. Carefully researched, the story told here fills a significant gap in our knowledge of South Carolina's rich and diverse religious history."--Charles H. Lippy, coauthor of Religion in Contemporary America The emergence of a cohesive interracial fellowship in Jim Crow-era South Carolina was unlikely and dangerous. However, members of the Bahá’í Faith in the Palmetto State rejected segregation, broke away from religious orthodoxy, and defied the odds, eventually becoming the state’s largest religious minority. The religion, which emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind, arrived in the United States from the Middle East at the end of the nineteenth century via urban areas in the Northeast and Midwest. Expatriate South Carolinians converted and when they returned home, they brought their newfound religion with them. Despite frequently being the targets of intimidation, and even violence, by neighbors, the Ku Klux Klan, law enforcement agencies, government officials, and conservative clergymen, the Bahá’ís remained resolute in their faith and their commitment to an interracial spiritual democracy. In the latter half of the twentieth century, their numbers continued to grow, from several hundred to over twenty thousand. In No Jim Crow Church, Louis Venters traces the history of South Carolina’s Bahá’í community from its early origins through the civil rights era and presents an organizational, social, and intellectual history of the movement. He relates developments within the community to changes in society at large, with particular attention to race relations and the civil rights struggle. Venters argues that the Bahá’ís in South Carolina represented a significant, sustained, spiritually-based challenge to the ideology and structures of white male Protestant supremacy, while exploring how the emergence of the Bahá’í Faith in the Deep South played a role in the cultural and structural evolution of the religion.

Since the early twentieth century, the Baha’í religion has worked to establish racially and ethnically diverse communities. During Jim Crow, it was a leader in breaking norms of racial segregation. Each chapter of this book presents an aspect of Baha’i history that intersects with African American history in novel and socially significant ways.

Its History and Teaching This book is a breath of fresh air. There are millions of adherents to the Bahai Faith. Mr. Miller provides insight and primary sources giving the reader information about the history of the Baha'i Faith. Where the official and authorized Baha'i histories are sanitized and revised. Mr. Miller, who lived for years in Iran and fluent in Parsi, provides access to the westerner into events occurring during the early years of this world religion. The reader learns about the initial prophetic voices of the Bab and Baha'u'llah and the followers that founded the Bahai Faith after their deaths. The author explains the transformational shifts and unbelievable history of the Baha'is. Why did the early writings appear to be create a "society" or "philosophy" and later suddenly the community was touted as a "world religion"? Why are there are 7 Baha'i sects? Each exodus occurring when internal power struggles resulted in a few achieving greater control. Why do Baha'is work so hard to control their memberships contActs and reading material? Why do Baha'is shun those who leave, considering anyone not fully supportive of the Baha'i religion "spiritual poison?" After reading this book it should be clear to the reader. Due to the historical accuracy of the book's fActs and the author's position as a Protestant Missionary to an Islamic country, not all readers will be satisfied. Some will be offended those most likely the adherents who don't want the truth to come to light. Some will be offended because the author was a Protestant Missionary. Nevertheless, any serious student of world religions will be grateful to have his contributions on record to the history of the Baha'is.

Since the early twentieth century, the Baha'í religion has worked to establish racially and ethnically diverse communities. During Jim Crow, it was a leader in breaking norms of racial segregation. Each chapter of this book presents an aspect of Baha'i history that intersects with African American history in novel and socially significant ways.

"An introduction to the Bahá'í faith that covers the basic teachings, principles, and history of the faith in an easy to use Q & A format." -- Back cover.

"Growing up as an African American child in the 1960s in Greenville, South Carolina, Rick Abercrombie has seen it all. He has experienced racial prejudice all his life. He goes through the motions of attending school, but his heart isn't in it. He carries a gun for protection, and he is not afraid to use it. Then he is invited to a Bahâa'âi fireside, and his life changes. After hearing the message of Bahâa'u'llâah and the Bahâa'âi teachings on racial equality, social justice, and progressive Revelation, Rick experiences a spiritual awakening and resolves to turn his life around. The path is not easy. His friends and family initially question his newfound faith and even his sanity. But Rick perseveres, and his parents and family gradually warm to the new religion and investigate the Bahâa'âi Faith for themselves. This is a true story of the steadfastness of one young man transformed his life, as well as the lives of his family, friends, and community"--