Religious freedom: a fundamental right here but not everywhere.
A concept we hold close to our inner being, but it’s often taken for granted in our great country.
Yet, in a land far away, this right is not recognized.
For a year now, seven deepened individuals have been detained unlawfully for their religious beliefs.
They are members of the Baha’i Faith who espouse the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity, unity in diversity, and that all the major religions emanate from one Divine Source.
Being non-political is a tenet that all Baha’is adhere to and are not a threat to any of the various factions that exist in any country.
That said, Iran has charged these seven with the crime of “spreading corruption on earth,” and they face the possibility of the death penalty.
Since the revolution of 1979, more than 200 Iranian Baha’is have been met with death. During a period of 159 years, 20,000 believers have been executed in a myriad of inhumane and brutal ways.
Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith, also was persecuted.
He languished in jail while wearing heavy chains, was imprisoned for 40 years and exiled until his death.
Despite these injustices, he accepted all with “radiant acquiescence” and still believed in the oneness of humanity.
Baha’is continue to have their possessions confiscated, their jobs taken away from them, gravesites desecrated and holy places leveled.
Students of the faith have been denied higher education.
Condemnation of Baha’is publicly continues to this day.
Baha’is will not demonstrate politically or be involved in confronting their oppressors. Anything that leads to disunity is avoided.
To that end, Baha’is are promoting a radical model of social change that emphasizes unity rather than divisiveness. Building a new social order that works despite violent oppression.
Owther beliefs are the equality of men and women, avoidance of alcohol and drugs, and universal education.
If what you have read galvanizes you to action, contact your elected officials and urge them to sponsor resolutions before Congress that condemn the repression of the Iranian Baha’is.
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