MEET WADE FRANSSON
(Baha’i)
Blog #6 … By Wade Fransson
Chapter 6 ~ Oneness: The Essential Teachings of the Baha’i Era – February 25, 2024.
As I brought out in the first blog in this series, when I reflect on my journey from my roots in the Worldwide Church of God to my embrace of the Baha’i Faith, one concept stands out as a guiding light illuminating the path of my spiritual evolution: Oneness. It’s a principle deeply embedded in the teachings of the Baha’i Faith and one that has transformed not only my perspective but also my approach to life and spirituality.
At the heart of the Baha’i Faith lies the recognition of Oneness – of God, of religion, and of humanity—a profound truth that transcends the boundaries of all forms of identity including nationality, race, creed, and culture. This principle challenges the notion of separation that has plagued humanity throughout history, calling us to recognize our interconnectedness and interdependence as members of one human family.
In my earlier days within the Worldwide Church of God, there was a strong emphasis on separation—being different. We didn’t focus on the sins of others, but we did focus on being separate from them. Everyone was deceived but us, and our focus was mostly on those closest to us religiously, but who were not us, those belonging to what we deemed “false Christianity”. We emphasized the differences, for example, our rejection of the Trinity doctrine, and other components of accepted, or orthodox, Christian Doctrine. We had clear Biblical support for this, mind you. Here are but two of the many examples I could list.
For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.
Revelation 18:3-5 – New King James Version
For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:35-37 New King James Version
The first of the above quotes is a chilling warning about what would happen if we failed to separate ourselves, while the latter gave ample justification from the Savior Himself for distancing ourselves even from our closest loved ones.
Our theology informed our thoughts and behavior, which were intended to create unity of belief and action through adherence to Biblical texts. Ours was to let the light of our submission to God shine, and God would eventually open the eyes of others to see what we saw. But instead of enabling this, our mindset actually perpetuated and increased division. The insistence on the rightness of our views eventually split and then fragmented our own Body of Believers. God had opened my eyes to many of the Biblical truths. Now he opened my eyes to the fact that these negative outcomes were the fruit of not having understood them properly.
This shattering experience, however, was essential in furthering my journey. That schism led to my resignation from the full-time ministry, to separate my faith from my paycheck. It began a slow process of reconciling the above quotes, and many others, with the many Biblical admonitions towards unity and reconciliation. Without taking the time to quote them, I’ll just reference Jesus’ admonitions to go after the lost sheep, and the parable of the prodigal son.
Ten years after resigning I finally came to the end of what I call my spiritual dead end. During that time I had shifted away from a desire to be right with God by being different from others,- or you might say “better” than others. This shift was powered by what I came to see as The Sign of the Christian Covenant, John 13:35. ”By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” I became less worried about the adherence to doctrines that I held near and dear, and began looking for people who were sincerely following God, and evidencing the fruits of the Spirit. And that is when I coincidentally began to be introduced to members of the Baha’i Faith.
The Baha’i teachings helped me to understand how emphasizing differences and separation is not only detrimental but also contrary to the fundamental truth of our shared humanity. My transition was enabled through a shift away from a focus on the rightness of my views, toward a deep recognition that in acknowledging and embracing our essential oneness as a species and, beyond that, with God’s entire creation, we can jointly arrive at views that are more aligned with the creation, and thus also the Creator.
The Baha’i teachings emphasize that all religions are expressions of the same divine reality, each suited to the needs of its time and culture. This understanding lays the groundwork for fostering unity among the followers of diverse religious traditions, inviting us to move beyond sectarianism and embrace the underlying unity of all faiths.
Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, declared, “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” This powerful statement encapsulates the Baha’i vision of a unified world where the barriers that divide us—whether they be physical, social, or spiritual—are transcended in the pursuit of collective well-being and prosperity.
Embracing the principle of oneness has profound implications for how we live our lives on a daily basis. It calls us to cultivate empathy, compassion, and understanding in our interactions with others, recognizing that we are all interconnected and share a common destiny. It challenges us to confront prejudice, injustice, and inequality wherever they may exist, striving to create a more just, equitable, and harmonious society for all.
As individuals, we each have a role to play in fostering unity and oneness in the world. It begins with a shift in consciousness—a recognition of our shared humanity and a commitment to building bridges of understanding and cooperation across divides. It involves reaching out to others with love and compassion, seeking to understand their perspectives and experiences, and working together towards common goals.
In this era of unprecedented global challenges, the principle of oneness has never been more relevant or necessary. It serves as a guiding principle for navigating the complexities of our interconnected world and building a more peaceful, just, and sustainable future for generations to come. Without it, our efforts to address global challenges–from international conflict to environmental degradation–result in an increase, not a decrease, in divisive identity politics, which further political polarization and thereby exacerbate social injustices and make it impossible for us to achieve the unity necessary to actually solve these challenges.
The journey from separation to oneness has been a transformative one for me personally, and it continues to shape my worldview and guide my actions. I’ll leave you with a brief explanation of the “Three Onenesses” and a few supporting Baha’i quotes.
Baha’is believe in the existence of a single, unknowable God who is the source of all creation and the ultimate reality. This concept emphasizes the unity and singularity of the divine essence. Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, affirms this oneness in his writings, stating, “The essence of belief in Divine unity consisteth in regarding Him Who is the Manifestation of God and Him Who is the invisible, the inaccessible, the unknowable Essence as one and the same.” (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah)
Baha’is recognize the essential unity of the major world religions, viewing them as successive chapters in the unfolding of one divine plan for humanity. Each of the world’s major faiths has been founded by a Manifestation of God and contains essential truths that contribute to the spiritual development of humanity. Baha’u’llah writes, “These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light.” (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah)
Baha’is believe in the essential unity of the human race, transcending differences of race, nationality, and culture. They advocate for the elimination of prejudice and the promotion of unity, equality, and justice for all people. Baha’u’llah emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity, stating, “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah)
Quotes from Bahá’u’lláh,
The Oneness of Religion:
- The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom.
- So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
- Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
The Oneness of Humanity:
- Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
- The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.
- Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Maqsúd
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I am respectfully expressing my opposing view regarding the fundamental principle of the Baha’i Faith that advocates for the idea of one religion. While I deeply respect the beliefs and values held by the Baha’i community, I hold a differing perspective on this particular matter.
I believe that the concept of one religion, as advocated by the Baha’i Faith, poses a significant challenge due to the inherent diversity and complexity of religious messages and philosophical views across different cultures and traditions. Each religion offers a unique set of beliefs, practices, and values that have evolved over centuries in response to the specific cultural, social, and historical contexts in which they emerged.
Attempting to assimilate all religious messages and philosophical views into one singular religion may risk oversimplifying the uniqueness of the human spiritual experience and belief systems. The diversity of religions reflects the diverse ways in which human beings seek meaning, purpose, and connection to the divine or the transcendent. For an intellectual spiritual seeker of knowledge, this idea could be received as assinine, respectfully said.
Baha’is recognize that there is value in the religions of the past, and make no attempt to shut them down. We simply recognize that they come from a single All-Wise and All-Loving Source. In an age where distance has become trivial–an age when actions in one part of the world affect all other parts of the world quickly and significantly–the old concepts of religious exclusivity (concepts that promote division and conflict) simply don’t work. The younger generations are increasingly recognizing this. And, looking forward, it is clear that our worldwide interconnectedness is not going to go away. It is only increasing. It compels the younger generations to either recognize the commonality and common Source of the world’s religions, or to recognize no religion at all.
I appreciate your perspective regarding the interconnectedness of religions and the need to recognize the commonalities among them. However, there are some points that can be raised to provide a more nuanced view on the matter.
While it is true that recognizing the commonalities among religions can promote understanding and harmony, it is also important to acknowledge the unique teachings, practices, and beliefs that differentiate one faith from another. Each religion has its own rich history, traditions, and values that have shaped the lives of its adherents over centuries. By glossing over these distinctions and emphasizing only the similarities, we risk diluting the depth and richness of each individual faith tradition.
Furthermore, the idea that interconnectedness necessitates a blending or homogenization of religious beliefs overlooks the value of diversity and pluralism in society. Diversity of thought and belief is a strength that can enrich our communities and create a greater appreciation for different perspectives. Rather than advocating for a universalist approach that seems to seek to merge all religions into one, we should strive to create spaces where diverse religious traditions can coexist and engage in respectful dialogue.
In this context, initiatives like “Interfaith Library” promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among different faith communities while also respecting their distinctiveness can be more effective in creating unity and mutual respect. By celebrating the diversity of religious beliefs and creating opportunities for interfaith engagement, we can build bridges across cultures and traditions, promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperation in our increasingly interconnected world. I hope you can respectfully appreciate our differences of opinions. Join me at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/interfaithintlforum, if you care to finish this discussion. This is good.
Sorry for throwing my two cents into this conversation without being invited, but I have to agree with Mr. Straight-2-Da-Point on this one. And if I may add; Imam Mekye Abdus Salaam, (creator & CEO) of Interfaith Library, promotes the idea that while recognizing the value in diverse beliefs, Islam offers a true unifying message that emphasizes the Oneness of God, unity among humanity, and respect for all faith traditions. And I’m a Christian Apologetic saying this. Islam’s core principles of compassion, justice, and unity resonate with individuals seeking a cohesive spiritual path in a diverse world. The teachings of Imam Mekye and the initiatives of Interfaith Library emphasizes the importance of understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among different faiths, opening the door for interconnectedness and harmony that transcends religious boundaries and creates genuine unity among believers and non-believers. Damn, I’m sounding like a Muslim. 🤣 Lastly, Mr. Wade, where are you at? You started this discussion with this (honestly speaking) thought provoking blog.
موقع السيد المجهول
عليك أن تتوقف عن اللعب وتأخذ شهادت غدا لا وعد
بالنسبة لأي شخص آخر، ما عليك سوى قراءة المدونة السابقة
Translate:
Mr. Anonymous Site Troller, you need to stop playing and take your Shahadah. Tomorrow is not promised. For everyone else, just read the previous post about Muhammad(PBUH).
Hi all and I am honored and humbled that my blog series is generating discussion. I’m in the midst of a very busy family weekend, so I can’t really comment on these posts right now, as I don’t wish to do any of them a disservice by responding hastily. I may respond in a day or two, or I may prepare my next blog in response to the discussion that is going on here. Each of the religions, of course teaches patience as a virtue so I humbly and with a smile on my face request that you are patient with me as it is already a big commitment just to prepare one of these blogs every week and I have a number of other responsibilities to get to as well. But at the latest I will address all these questions in next blog. Until then may God guide your study and discussions.
我是個基督徒。我個人對巴哈伊的單一基本宗教概念感到掙扎，因為它否定了我現有的許多信仰、傳統和（你所說的）對排他性宗教身份的依戀，導致對宗教多樣性統一概念的抵製或不適。團結與單一宗教概念無關。這是關於人們包容的意願。跨宗教圖書館關於如何實現這一目標的說法是正確的。你必須將人們聚集在一起，分享他們的傳統和價值。
Translate:
I am Christian. I personally struggle with the Bahá’í concept of a single fundamental religion because it negates many of my existing beliefs, traditions and (what you call) attachment to an exclusive religious identity, leading to a resistance to the concept of unity in religious diversity or Discomfort. Unity isn’t about the one religion concept. It’s about people’s willingness to be inclusive. Interfaith Library is 100% correct about how to make this happen. You have to bring people together to share their traditions and values.
In the eloquent discourse by the Baha’i adherent, the brilliance lies in the recognition of the intrinsic value embedded within the religious traditions of the past, stressing a harmonious coexistence stemming from an acknowledgment of a singular divine origin. The adept articulation of the interconnectedness of our modern global society, and the inadequacy of archaic notions of religious exclusivity in this context, is indeed commendable. Moreover, the astute observation that the evolving landscape of our interdependent world necessitates a shift towards unity and shared understanding is both timely and prescient.
However, where the Baha’i adherent may have fallen short is in potentially oversimplifying the complexities inherent in the diverse spiritual artistry of religious beliefs and practices across the globe. While advocating for a unifying perspective rooted in a common divine source is noble, it risks overlooking the rich diversity and nuances present within different faith traditions. Embracing a blanket approach of homogenizing all religions under a singular umbrella may inadvertently dilute the unique cultural, historical, and spiritual aspects that define each tradition.
Alternatively, the initiatives of Interfaith Library embodies a more nuanced and inclusive approach towards realistically creating unity and understanding among diverse religious communities. By establishing a repository of knowledge that celebrates the multiplicity of religious perspectives, Interfaith Library serves as a symbolic bridge that honors the distinctiveness of each tradition while promoting dialogue, mutual respect, and shared learning. Rather than advocating for a singular universal truth, Interfaith Library encourages individuals to engage with the richness of various beliefs, which allows for a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted nature of spirituality.
By providing a platform for interreligious dialogue, scholarly exploration, and community engagement, Interfaith Library embodies a harmonious convergence of diverse voices, promoting a culture of inclusivity and mutual enrichment. It celebrates the beauty of religious pluralism while nurturing a spirit of cooperation and collaboration among individuals of different faith backgrounds. In a world marked by increasing interconnectedness and interdependence, the vision of Interfaith Library seems to stand as a beacon of hope and unity, inviting individuals to embark on a journey of exploration, understanding, and solidarity across religious boundaries. This is just my infinitesimal input.
Wow! Are we all really doing this? Okay…I support Mr. Jay Tyson & Mr. Wade’s postulation. The Baha’i perspective articulated in this blog comment aligns with contemporary interconnected global realities and the evolving mindset of younger generations. In the context of a hyperconnected world, traditional notions of religious exclusivity hinder cohesive societal progress. Acknowledging the common spiritual essence underlying diverse faith traditions can create unity amidst diversity, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. Consequently, embracing a pluralistic view of religion becomes imperative for the allowance of harmony and sustainable global development. Concluding, the syllogism stands: In an interconnected world, recognizing the shared origin and value of all religions promotes unity; unity is essential for societal advancement; therefore, acknowledging the common spiritual Source of world religions is crucial for contemporary global progress.