Bøger af Hillary Chapman

Of all the historical, religious and cultural events in the history of the United States, the arrival of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1912 was the most important one of all. Many people-from all facets of society-had the honor to meet Him, attend His talks, benefit from His wisdom and witness His benevolence and humility. Their encounter with 'Abdu'l-Bahá was life- altering: He touched the depths of their souls and awakened them spiritually. This re-telling of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's days in New York City is both inspiring and illuminating. It is intended to bring you closer to this unique figure in spiritual history, whose life will serve as a model of the true spiritual and ethical life for centuries to come.

L'Éveil est un récit détaillé qui ouvre les yeux du lecteur sur des persécutions brutales pour motif religieux et un examen critique de la question du fanatisme et de l'importance de la tolérance en matière de religion. L'ÉVEIL: HISTOIRE DE LA FOI BÁBÍE ET DE LA FOI BAHÁ'ÍE À NAYRÍZ est un récit qui s'inspire des persécutions brutales pour motif religieux infligées aux habitants bábís et bahá'ís de Nayríz, en Iran, en 1850, 1853 et 1909. En ces années-là, les citoyens de la ville, sous l'impulsion d'un clergé musulman et d'un gouvernement corrompus, lancèrent plusieurs vagues d'effusion de sang contre les bábís, et plus tard contre les bahá'ís, qui y vivaient. Ce genre de persécution se poursuit encore aujourd'hui à l'heure actuelle en Iran contre les bahá'ís, d'une manière beaucoup plus subtile; et l'histoire des bábís et des bahá'ís de Nayríz sert de rappel de ce qui peut se produire quand le fanatisme religieux et la paranoïa sont admis à remplacer la pensée rationnelle et la tolérance.

In 19th century Persia, women were wretchedly oppressed. Left uneducated, confined to menial tasks, expected to obey the demands and whims of their husbands, offered almost no choices in life, even wealthy women were little better than slaves. But in this darkness, one woman stood out and stood up as a force of things to come.Tahirih of Qazvin, was an educated woman and gifted teacher of religion and philosophy and an accomplished poet. In the vanguard of the new Babi Faith, she brought a deeper understanding of its teachings to a rapidly growing number of followers. Her vibrant poetry gave voice to her spiritual longing and passion, and its freshness reflected the vitality of the new spiritual teachings revealed by the Bab. She emerged as the most outspoken of the Babi leaders. The authorities responded by having her murdered in the dead of night. At the moment of her martyrdom, Tahirih proclaimed "You can kill me..., but you cannot stop the emancipation of women." Tahirih's example has inspired countless women to extraordinary feats.

From its founding in 1967, the Harlem Preparatory School attracted the attention of educators in New York City and elsewhere for its innovative educational philosophy and process. Harlem Prep was guided by progressive education principles that promoted individual responsibility and dignity, and community engagement. A Way Out of No Way recounts the story of Harlem Prep as an independent charter school-as told by its former assistant headmaster, Huissein Ahdieh. The National Urban League planned the school as a part of its educational mission, and the Mosler Foundation and the Ford Foundation provided much of its initial funding. Ann Carpenter, Ed Carpenter, and Hussein Ahdieh, who knew each other through their shared Bahá'í Faith, administered the new school along with Sister Ruth Dowd, who was a Catholic nun. Amidst the idealism of the late 60s and early 70s, the free-school movement (now called the 'alternative' school movement') fired the imagination of educators. Harlem Prep enrolled youths, from 17 to 21 years old and, even, some adults as old as 40, who had been failed by the public school system. With poor academic skills, a lack of direction as well as other social and personal problems, these youth had fallen outside the system with no clear future. Harlem Prep was allowed independence in its operation, curriculum, and hiring because it was a private, non-sectarian school. The curriculum was needs-based and multi-disciplinary. Classes met at flexible times. The former supermarket in Harlem in which the school was housed made an open classroom arrangement possible. The State of New York allowed cross observation. Study materials were supplemented by field trips. Tutors and mentors assisted the students with their academic needs. Personal expression was encouraged. An atmosphere of mutual respect characterized the interactions between teachers and students and allowed for them to reverse roles at times. An individual graduated only when he or she had a college acceptance in hand. Many corporations and foundations supported the school financially such as the Mosler Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Coca-Cola, Exxon (Esso) and others. With its motto "Moja Logo! Unity and Brotherhood," Harlem Prep blazed new trails in education with its unique process and structure which guided many students into 189 colleges in a time when there were no alternatives to a static, large, bureaucratic public system. Harlem Prep attracted many notable supporters in education, arts and entertainment, politics, and business, including Sammy Davis Jr., Pete Seeger, and Congressman Charles Rangel.

Of all the historical, religious and cultural events in the history of the United States, the arrival of 'Abdu'l-Bah in 1912 was the most important one of all. Many people-from all facets of society-had the honor to meet Him, attend His talks, benefit from His wisdom and witness His benevolence and humility. Their encounter with 'Abdu'l-Bah was life- altering: He touched the depths of their souls and awakened them spiritually. This re-telling of 'Abdu'l-Bah 's days in New York City is both inspiring and illuminating. It is intended to bring you closer to this unique figure in spiritual history, whose life will serve as a model of the true spiritual and ethical life for centuries to come.