"My karma ran over my dogma!" was a catch phrase of the 1970s, especially for those of us beginning to come down from the altruistic highs of the 1960s in the US. Conservative backlash to the progressive voting, educational and economic campaigns I, and many of my fellow college students, engaged in ten years before was beginning. Much of it seemed to use religious dogma of one kind or another to justify continued poverty, racism, sexism, wars, etc., etc.

I could be pretty embittered by the destruction of so many projects begun--and often succeeding--with such hope! On my grumpy days, I certainly am, but I'm no longer surprised by the nihilism so many religious folks cling to these days. After all, we humans tried and failed to make a better world, so now only God can fix the mess, right?

Well, yes, and no. God, Bahá'ís believe, has always provided the guidance to meet the needs of the time, regularly and over time. It is up to mankind to carry out progress. Bahá'u'lláh is only the latest Teacher to bring that divine guidance. Considering how I negatively I respond to the word dogma, asking whether the Bahá'í Faith includes any is pertinent.

Here's the latest article from the Baha'i site at BellaOnline.com.

Does the Bahá'í Faith Have Dogma ?
There are a minimum of institutionalized rituals in the Bahá'í Faith and no man-made dogmas. Ritual holds no place in a religious doctrine which must be expressed in all the actions of life, and accomplished in neighborly love.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art301784.asp

As to how the Bahá'ís deal with the current September flurry of End of the World scenarios:

Bahá'ís and the End of the World - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art37539.asp

Do Bahá'ís Worry?
Well, yes--and no. There is no way any sensible person cannot be stressed by a daily dose of natural and human disasters. Bahá'ís, however, worry about character and virtues before responding.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art182843.asp

How Bahá'ís Find Peace and Tranquility?
Given the current state of heightened anxiety in the world, is there any way to salvage the peace and tranquility promised by the Bahá'í Faith?

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31523.asp

Do visit bahai.bellaonline.com for more articles on ways to change the world through improved parenting, education, and tools for character building, plus links to the sacred texts of the Bahá'í Faith. You don't have to rely on only my understanding, when you can go straight to the source!

Join free online discussions, view time sensitive announcements and check out interesting external links in the site forum located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=321

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback.

Cheryll Schuette, Baha'i Editor
http://bahai.bellaonline.com

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