January
1, 2007
Ottawa
Bahá'í community to offer classes at Orléans library
by Nadine St-Jacques
It's no secret that the
role religion plays in the lives of our younger generation is slowly
diminishing. Perhaps it's because today's youth have difficulties
relating or maybe it's because our fast- paced society has embraced a
more secular way of life. However, there are still many
people - young
and old - who are seeking spirituality, whether in the traditional
sense of the word or not.
The
Ottawa Bahá’í community is one such organization that recognizes this
need. For the first time, it will be offering an introductory class on
the Bahá’í faith at the Orléans Branch of the Ottawa Public Library.
Similar classes have already been held in other locations throughout
the city.
For those who are interested in simply learning about a new religion or
want to brush up on the Bahá’í faith's principles, organizers say this
eight-week course is an interesting and convenient way to do so.
"I think anybody can take this course," explains Parviz Mottahed, a
resident of Orleans and one of the course presenters. "In fact, older
Bahá’ís took this course as a refresher; we had some new Bahá’ís having
just enrolled in the faith. And we have some professionals - nurses,
doctors, painters - who are seeking information, and come here and
listen, and ask questions."
Mottahed explains the course, which touches on everything from the
history of the faith, to how it originated, to its basic principles and
central figures, is not meant to "convert" anyone, but is simply a way
to get people interested in learning more.
"You can attend it for fun," says Mottahed, a recently retired federal
public servant and university professor. "There is no pressure for
anybody. Everybody is encouraged to seek through independent
investigation of truth."
For Bill Harsh, also an Orleans resident and one of the organizers, it
is this type of investigation that lead him to enroll in the Bahá’í
faith more than 30 years ago when he was a university student.
Apart from meeting his wife, Harsh says enrolling in the Bahá’í faith
was probably the best thing that ever happened to him.
"It gave me meaning to life," says Harsh, who was born Anglican. "The
Bahá’í faith is quite a religion, it's totally unlike other religions.
The Bahá’í faith seems particularly suited for this day and age.
Equality of men and women - that was a big thing for me. All religions
are one - that's another."
Mottahed explains that the axis of the religion is based on the unity
of mankind and that the faith embraces all the religions of the past
"We believe there is one god. There is one humanity. All the people are
the same."
The course will run on Wednesday nights from 7:30-9:30 p.m. starting
Jan. 31. There is a fee of $65. Anyone interested in registering is
asked to call 613-592-7236.
Printed in the Orléans
Star January 1, 2007
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