August - October 2009 Online Courses. The Advent of Divine Justice. Lead Faculty: Jane Faily

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1 August - October 2009 Online Courses The Advent of Divine Justice Lead Faculty: Jane Faily Duration of course: Three months (Aug Nov. 15, 2009) The Advent of Divine Justice is a letter Shoghi Effendi sent to the Baha'is in "the United States and Canada" on December 25, 1938, during the second year of the First Seven-Year Plan ( ). Written to encourage, motivate, and teach, Shoghi Effendi noted that the Plan (which would conclude at the end of the first century of the Baha'i era) "should be viewed as a mere beginning, as a trial of strength, a stepping-stone to a crusade of still greater magnitude, if the duties and responsibilities with which the Author [`Abdu'l-Baha] of the Divine Plan has invested them are to be honorably and entirely fulfilled." A careful study of The Advent of Divine Justice provides not just a look at history but a guide for the future, for Shoghi Effendi was also looking ahead, noting that a "still more superb mission" lay before the Baha'is when he urged them to "cultivate, patiently and prayerfully, those distinctive qualities and characteristics that are so indispensable to their effective participation in the great redemptive work of their Faith" and began to "lay special stress upon... the essential requirements for the success of the tasks" that lay ahead of them. Not unlike the challenging times facing the Baha'i community in 1938, the Universal House of Justice has recently called upon Baha'is to be "[u]ndeflected by the turmoil and distractions of the world around you" and to "direct your energies to the task at hand with expanded vision and renewed consecration." Studying The Advent of Divine Justice offers the perfect opportunity to learn about and apply Shoghi Effendi's guidance to the current times. Readings will include The Advent of Divine Justice as well as commentaries and articles chosen to assist understanding of and to encourage dialogue about this major letter written by Shoghi Effendi. Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas

2 Lead Faculty: Necati Alkan Duration of course: Three months (Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2009) After revealing the Kitab-i-Aqdas in , Baha'u'llah penned a series of highly significant tablets enunciating "certain precepts and principles which lie at the very core of His faith." Many of the tablets complement provisions in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah's Book of Laws. Others explore further the nature of the mystical life, describe basic theological teachings, examine important philosophical issues, and expound on the principles necessary for transforming human society. The bulk of these weighty epistles were published in 1978 in Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas. About these tablets from the last two decades of Baha'u'llah's life, Shoghi Effendi has written that they "must rank among the choicest fruits which His mind has yielded, and mark the consummation of His forty-yearlong ministry." Using background information gleaned from a variety of publications, we will read and study the tablets and discuss their relationship with other works by Baha'u'llah and `Abdu'l-Baha. Our aim will be to find, as `Abdu'l-Baha said about many of the Tablets, "a model of how to be and how to live" and to become a "center of attraction wherever people come together." Century of Light Lead Faculty: Farhad Rassekh Faculty: Robert Sarracino Duration of course: Three months (Sept Dec. 15, 2009) `Abdu'l-Baha referred to the twentieth century as the "century of light" while also forecasting terrible trials for humanity and events of great consequence for humanity's future. In 2001 the Universal House of Justice released a historical study of the century, noting that between 1900 and 2000 "our world

3 underwent changes," mostly little understood, "far more profound than any in its preceding history" and, at the same time, the Baha'i Faith emerged from obscurity, "demonstrating on a global scale the unifying power with which its Divine origin has endowed it." In this course we will review, in the context of the Baha'i teachings, "the two processes detailed in The Century of Light and will "examine the relationship between them. Our aim will be to tap into a perspective that is "spiritually enriching" and also "of practical help in sharing with others the challenging implications of the Revelation brought by Baha'u'llah." Mining the Gems: Development of the Individual Lead Faculty: William Huitt Duration of course: Three months (Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2009) In this course we will explore a central concern of all religions and a fundamental challenge for the advancement of civilization: the development of the individual through the life cycle. We will discuss physical, mental, emotional, moral, social and, above all, spiritual development, thus looking at body, mind, and soul. We will examine insights into the development process found in the laws, metaphysical teachings, and mystical writings of the Baha i Faith as well as in psychology. The course aims to make theory concrete by offering general advice personal transformation.

4 Sustainable Development and the Prosperity of Humankind Lead Faculty: Arthur Lyon Dahl Faculty: Peter Adriance and Daniel Truran Duration of course: Three months (Oct. 15, Jan. 15, 2010) There is wide agreement about the need to achieve sustainable development, but its profound implications for human society are poorly understood. This course provides, from a Baha i perspective, a general introduction to sustainable development and its goal, the prosperity of humankind. Its objectives include teaching us how to think about sustainability by integrating both the material and spiritual dimensions of life into a long-term perspective and how to apply that thinking to questions of everyday life and lifestyle. In the course s first unit we will survey the origins and definition of the concept of sustainable development as endorsed by world leaders. Then, in Units 2, 3, and 4, we will review both the economic, social, and environmental issues that humanity faces in achieving sustainability and the spiritual principles that can help us find solutions; our discussions will range over many problems, from the financial crisis to climate change. In Unit 5 we will examine perspectives for the future both those that show the unsustainability of the present system, including constraints that limit women's contributions, and the need for fundamental change, contrasting them with the Baha i vision of a new world order leading to the prosperity of humankind. In the final unit we will look at the importance for sustainable development of education, reinforced with spiritual values, as the basis for helping each of us to detach ourselves from Western materialistic civilization, to reexamine our lifestyles, and to begin to live more sustainably in accordance with the Baha i teachings. This course has been prepared in observance of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development ( ).

5 Tuition $150 Individual $300 Study Group (3 12 members) $120 Senior (65+) $120 Full-Time University Student $120 International Pioneer For more information, see Student News Picture of Kathryn Barlow The Impact of the Wilmette Institute: Learning How to Contribute to Interfaith Work Kathyrn Barlow of Victoria, British Columbia, reflects about what she learned in Preparing for Interfaith Dialogue:

6 One of the greatest benefits of the course for me was acquiring a deeper understanding of the oneness of religion. This was achieved principally through a consideration of the various definitions of religion as compared to the Baha'i conception in One Common Faith. The stories of `Abdu'l-Baha's conversations on essential and nonessential aspects of religion in [Seena] Fazel[ s essay] reinforced this understanding. Of course, other readings also contributed. Before taking this course, I was concerned about conversion. While I had read "If anyone should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him," I still felt responsible for not presenting the Faith "properly" if someone walked away. (How could they not see the truth?) Now, with the reminder that the soul longs for certitude, and, since certitude is intensely personal, I no longer feel I have a stake or responsibility in someone else's acceptance of the Faith. That is truly liberating. The more I understand the Revelation the more awe and devotion I feel.... My goal was always to be able to explain/present the Baha'i Faith to people who do not value religion, which is most of the people I know and meet. I believe that having a better understanding of what religion is and what its purpose is will make this easier and my attempts more effective. I hope my skill in presenting the verities of the Faith has improved. I think I am more able to understand the essence of the positions I hear and hope that I will be able to respond more pointedly. Picture of Sheila Flood The Impact of the Wilmette Institute: Stepping Forward with Confidence in Interfaith Work Sheila Flood of Victoria, B.C., feels better equipped to participate in interfaith dialogue as a result her participation in Preparing for Interfaith Dialogue:

7 One important insight was the realization that experts outside the Baha i Faith are also coming to the realization that plurality of religions may have been inevitable in the past but is not inevitable in the future. In fact, that may be the next step in the path those experts and theologians have taken, through the steps of exclusivity, to inclusivity (as in the Vatican II letter recognizing truth in other faiths), to religious pluralism (recognizing that there are many paths to the same Ultimate Goal), to the essential oneness of religion. Another insight gained is the importance of stating openly that the Baha i Faith is the most recent Revelation and not just another "emerging tradition" with yet another path to the Truth. I'm able to articulate the above understandings in a way I couldn't before, through having knowledge of what's happening in the field, its history and current thought. Developing the presentation on the Oneness of Religion... allowed me to put those thoughts in order and present them in a way that shares those insights with others. The course also led to the development of a list of proposed ideas re how we can best go forward, sent to our Multifaith Society board, for consideration at our upcoming retreat. I have more confidence in knowing where the Baha i Faith stands in the multifaith movement, why we're involved in it, and what we can expect out of it. I'd previously been drawn to it without really knowing why, or having an understanding of where the line lies between teaching and external affairs components of the movement. I believe now that teaching is integral to the work in the sense that we're all involved in a mutual educational process. Regarding "external affairs, we're involved in that just through our presence in the movement but also potentially opening many doors through interfaith projects such as approaching City Councils and schools. I would like to give further presentations on the unity of religions and on interfaith dialogue and am planning at least one in the Fall.

8 I'm also hoping to use the proposals mentioned above, mainly gleaned from Richard Landau's article, as the starting point of consultation on how we can best go forward within our own multifaith organization.