Baha’i Views

“Here it is,” Medvedev told reporters today in L’Aquila, Italy, after a summit of the Group of Eight nations. “You can see it and touch it.”

The coin, which bears the words “unity in diversity,” was minted in Belgium and presented to the heads of G-8 delegations, Medvedev said.

The question of a supranational currency “concerns everyone now, even the mints,” Medvedev said. The test coin “means they’re getting ready. I think it’s a good sign that we understand how interdependent we are.”

Medvedev has repeatedly called for creating a mix of regional reserve currencies as part of the drive to address the global financial crisis, while questioning the U.S. dollar’s future as a global reserve currency. Russia’s proposals for the G-20 meeting in London in April included the creation of a supranational currency.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aeFVNYQpByU4

We are happy to report that attendance so far this Fall has been 19%  higher than one year ago, in spite of  the challenges of the economic crisis.   And it is likewise heartening to know that the number of seekers and non-Baha'is in attendance in 2009 has increased by 28% over 2008!

Dec. 4-6: Two Programs
Includes children's classes ages 6 - 14 with a special program on Huqúqu'lláh (The Right of God).

The Baha'i Faith, Economics, and A Single Global Currency - Shahruz Mohtadi and Morrison Bonpasse

Join Shahruz Mohtadi Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Suffolk University and Morrison Bonpasse, President, Single Global Currency Association and author, to:

Explore Bahá'í perspectives on the current economic crisis
Discuss wealth acquisition, work, taxation, and capital-labor relations
Define economic justice in today's world
Learn more about the idea of a  single global currency and its importance in advancing world unity
Get the answer to "What is a 'Unity in Diversity' global currency coin?" (Hint - it was unveiled at the Group of Eight summit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev)

Islam II - Peter Terry

"Entry by troops" is a phrase is drawn from the Qur'an, and Islam furnishes a brilliant example of this concept, which could be fruitfully compared to the spread of Judaism, Christianity, the Bábí and Baha'i Faiths. Join Peter Terry, scholar and author, for this advanced course in Islam and delve into discoveries of scholars, philosophers, mystics, and activists.

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I had the priviledge of attending a day-long conference on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy with three of the wisest presenters on the subject in the world: Lucy Berliner, MSW, Shannon Doherty, PhD, and Laura Merchant, MSW.

There is so much suffering, so much trauma in the world. Entire countries have been traumatized. And the traumatization continues, affecting the mental health of the multitudes. What can contribute to healing after trauma? CF-CBT is an evidence-based practice in use by therapists today. "Evidence-based" means that there is substantial scientific evidence that this therapy works.

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The most important thing that I’ve learned from my multi-cultural life is that the Baha’i model is the only thing that’s kept me really afloat here. First off I’ve avoided the trap of extreme chauvinism that ails many ex-pats here and makes it so they can’t stick around for more than a few years.

 

what I’ve learned is that I should always be learning and not insisting until I’ve distilled what is TRUTH based on what is right from that which is an indoctrinated idea that may very well be a myth (on either the American or Russia side of my cultural fence). A great example of this TRUTH is a recent conversation I had with a business partner of mine. He told me of a conversation he had just had with a very well educated Russian professor of economics. The conversation went something like this… the professor asked, “Why do we need transparency?” My partner began to give a bunch of arguments, like in the long run it will pay off, but from the Russian point of view it seems the opposite, transparency is the formula for closing your business because it will not be profitable. One argument after another the professor batted down with examples of why one should not be transparent. Finally my business partner remembered the argument that Baha’u'llah used about why one should be honest and truthful, “Because it’s right!” As he relayed the story to me he said that the professor’s face totally changed and said something like, “Now that’s the real reason why…” This example shows that there are things that are universal and we should build on them, this is what will be the foundation of our new endeavors, our truly joint-ventures, our new civilization…

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Purchase Privilege So Priceless, A: Becoming a Better Teacher of the Baha'i Faith Author: Dale W Eng Product Code: PSPH ISBN: 978-1-933610-01-6 Other ISBN: 1933610018 Publisher: Exir Publishing Pages: 253 Binding Information: Hardcover  Size: 6 1/4 X 9 1/2 Availability: In stock. Price: $21.95 A wonderful resource, and companion to Responding: 101 Questions Often Asked of Baha'is, a thorough examination of the "hows" and "whys" of teaching the Baha'i Faith. Purchase Responding: 101 Questions Often Asked of Baha'is Author: Dale W Eng Product Code: RHC ISBN: 978-1-933610-00-9 Other ISBN: 193361000X Publisher: Exir Publishing Pages: 1031 Binding Information: Hardcover  Size: 6 1/2" X 9 1/2" Inches Availability: Out of stock. Backorder policy Out of Stock Next Release Date: December 17, 2009 Price: $49.95 The deeper issues involve logical arguments, numerous quotations and/or various facts from physical or social sciences, and thus may appear rather formal or academic. Auseful tool and I highly recommend for deepening sessions. How can we know if there is a God? Can the existence of a Creator be proven? Where is God when bad things happen to good people? How can Baha'u'llah prove His claim to be a Manifestation of God? With responses to these and 97 other questions, Responding is a wonderful reference for many questions asked of Baha'is about the Baha'i Faith, and it's teachings. A companion to A Privilege So Priceless.

http://www.bahaibookstore.com/contributorinfo.cfm?ContribID=7749

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