The Baha'i Faith in America

by William Garlington

Overview

The Baha'i faith is one of the world's youngest and fastest growing religions, but remains a mystery to many. In The Baha'i Faith in America, William Garlington presents an engaging and accessible overview of the Baha'i beliefs, laws, and organizational structure from its 19th century beginnings to the present day.

Garlington focuses on the historical development of the Baha'i faith in the United States, analyzing the growth of the church and the involvement of the Baha'i faith in critical moments in US history, such as the Civil Rights Movement. William Garlington also takes a close look at contemporary issues facing the community, including the role of women in leadership, attitudes towards homosexuality and abortion, and how the Baha'i faith responds to other religions in America. The Baha'i Faith in America reveals a dynamic and idealistic faith that is attempting to model a worldwide religious community that is compatible with the ongoing process of globalization.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742562349
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/05/2008
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.07(h) x 0.77(d)

About the Author

William Garlington is a religion scholar who has taught history and religious studies in the United States and Australia for over twenty-five years. He lives in Camarillo, California.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword by Jeffrey J. Kripal
Chapter 2 Introduction
Part 3 Introduction to the Baha'i Faith
Chapter 4 Origins and Historical Development
Chapter 5 Beliefs and Principles
Chapter 6 Aspects of Baha'i Community Life
Chapter 7 The Baha'i Administrative Order
Part 8 The Baha'i Faith in America
Chapter 9 Phase I (1892-1921)
Chapter 10 Phase II (1922-1957)
Chapter 11 Phase III (1958-2000)
Chapter 12 Priorities and Issues in the Modern American Baha'i Community
Chapter 13 Anti-Baha'i Polemic and Baha'i Responses
Chapter 14 Conclusion
Chapter 15 Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

A scholar of history and religion in the US and Australia, Garlington presents historical, doctrinal, and organizational information about the religion's presence in America. He begins by introducing Baha'i in general, its origins and history, beliefs and principles, community life, and administrative order. Then he traces its manifestation in America in three phases from 1892 to 2000, and discusses current priorities and issues and anti-Baha'i polemic and Baha'i responses to it.

Reference and Research Book News

A splendid introduction to Baha'i's place in the American religious landscape. Highly recommended.

Choice Reviews

A splendid introduction to Baha'i's place in the American religious landscape. Highly recommended.

Choice

A splendid introduction to Baha'i's place in the American religious landscape. Highly recommended.

CHOICE

Garlington (Fire and Blood), a former member of the Baha'i religious community and former history and religion teacher, accurately explains the progressive Baha'i theological and social teachings and helpfully analyzes anti-Baha'i polemic. But when he describes recent developments in the Baha'i community, his most oft-quoted sources and primary informants are mainly disaffected ex-Baha'is with an animus against the Baha'i community generally and its elected institutions specifically. Further, he categorizes the groups of people who entered the Baha'i community during the past century as "liberal," "conservative," or "fundamentalist"-characterizations he not only fails to define but that seem foreign to Baha'i principles and experience. Other unfounded judgments include his discussion of the rural southern African Americans who became Baha'is around 1970. Garlington theorizes that "for American Baha'i leadership, the possibility of having to deal with such large numbers of unschooled and poor Baha'is was apparently too disconcerting." If the leadership held such attitudes, would it have constructed an institute and radio station in South Carolina precisely for these believers? Graduate or religious libraries that decide to acquire this book should balance it with other works on the subject by authors like Robert Stockman, Michael McMullen, Peter Smith, Moojan Momen, and Will van den Hoonaard. Not recommended for most libraries.-William P. Collins, Library of Congress Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Baha'i teaches the unity of major world religions and of humankind. Members see the religion as an agent of profound change; they envision eventual world peace and the unity of the entire planet. Baha'i is well suited to the global village, and has already made efforts in race relations. It has attracted five million adherents worldwide, with 100,000 followers in the US. This book tells their story. As a former Baha'i, Garlington is well positioned for his task. He combines the former insider's knowledge of the subject with the current outsider's willingness to critique the movement's shortcomings. The result is a sympathetic yet gently critical study. The author presents his subject in two parts. Part 1 describes the essentials of the religion—its leaders and early history, its central teachings, and administrative structure. Part 2 describes the circumstances of bringing the religion to the US in 1892; growth in Chicago, New York, and elsewhere; mission strategies to win followers; rapid expansion (1960-80) and ethnic makeup; and current struggles to achieve growth. The author candidly addresses internal tensions between Baha'i's liberal scholars and conservative administrators over policy and practices. A splendid introduction to Baha'i's place in the American religious landscape. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers.” —Choice

“Garlington, a former member of the Baha'i religious community and former history and religion teacher, accurately explains the progressive Baha'i theological and social teachings and helpfully analyzes anti-Baha'i polemic.” —Library Jourbanal

“A scholar of history and religion in the US and Australia, Garlington presents historical, doctrinal, and organizational information about the religion's presence in America. He begins by introducing Baha'i in general, its origins and history, beliefs and principles, community life, and administrative order. Then he traces its manifestation in America in three phases from 1892 to 2000, and discusses current priorities and issues and anti-Baha'i polemic and Baha'i responses to it.” —Reference & Research Book News

From the Publisher