The Baha'i Faith: Its History and Teachings

by William McElwee Miller

This book is a breath of fresh air.
There are millions of adherents to the Bahai Faith. Mr. Miller provides insight and primary sources giving the reader information about the history of the Baha'i Faith. Where the official and authorized Baha'i histories are sanitized and revised. Mr. Miller, who lived for years in Iran and fluent in Parsi, provides access to the westerner into events occurring during the early years of this world religion.
The reader learns about the initial prophetic voices of the Bab and Baha'u'llah and the followers that founded the Bahai Faith after their deaths. The author explains the transformational shifts and unbelievable history of the Baha'is. Why did the early writings appear to be create a "society" or "philosophy" and later suddenly the community was touted as a "world religion"? Why are there are 7 Baha'i sects? Each exodus occurring when internal power struggles resulted in a few achieving greater control. Why do Baha'is work so hard to control their memberships contacts and reading material? Why do Baha'is shun those who leave, considering anyone not fully supportive of the Baha'i religion "spiritual poison?" After reading this book it should be clear to the reader.
Due to the historical accuracy of the book's facts and the author's position as a Protestant Missionary to an Islamic country, not all readers will be satisfied. Some will be offended those most likely the adherents who don't want the truth to come to light. Some will be offended because the author was a Protestant Missionary. Nevertheless, any serious student of world religions will be grateful to have his contributions on record to the history of the Baha'is.

468 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Trevor Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller spent much of his life living in Iran where the Babi/Baha’i Faith was started. This is a great book by Miller showing the true history of the Baha’i Faith and explains its teachings. Miller does a great job showing that the Baha’u’llah is not the correct successor to the Bab which the mainline Baha’i Faith claims along with other things throughout the book. You will also see throughout this book that the true history of the Baha’i Faith is different than what many Baha’is believe currently. Many people are not aware of the true teachings of the history of the Baha’i Faith because a lot of the Baha’i writings are not translated into other languages other than the original language it was written in.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wm. McElwee Miller had an Ivy League education (masters degree from Princeton Seminary), and tremendous talents. But he chose to devote his life to serving others in the mission field. He spent many years in Iran, working with often hostile folks. This book is the fruit of his long service in the Middle East --listening to and sharing with Bahais. A very helpful read, even if a tad dated now.

[Rickey McKown · Rating 4 out of 5]

My general view of history is that "there are always at least two sides to every story, especially when that story is one of conflict and contention". Having read various accounts that all rely on the official version of Babi and Baha'i history, I decided that it was time to look for an account that incorporated a view "from the other side of the hill", especially relating to the contention between Husayn 'Ali Nuri "Baha'u'llah" and his half-brother Yahya Nuri "Subh-i-Azal" and their respective followers. Miller provides that view, utilising Mirza Jani’s early Babi history (Kitab-i Nuqtatu'l-Kaf) and Azali sources to present a critical account of the conflict that references both sides' partisan perspectives. Although dated, given recent publications drawing on research in the Ottoman archives that add a third "side" to the story, Miller's perspective serves as a valuable antidote to relying on accounts that present only one side of the conflict. I found that Miller, who was a Christian, while clearly critical of the teachings and leadership of the Babi and Baha'i religions, does come across as generally sympathetic to the Babi and Baha'i believers, a sympathy he did not appear extend to Muslim believers, whom he describes in an orientalist vein as "fanatical". Miller does not get all his facts correct, but he does endeavour to thoroughly document his case. An interesting and thought-provoking read.

[Mathias · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bahai faith was founded by bab and bahaullah
It is a synthesis of shia islam and the french revolution, it was spread partly or manifested itself by violent means, that is through armed conflict by its followers, in 19th century Persia, some 50-100 years after the bloody french revolution, the european enlightenment, the ideas of which premeated the Persian culture at the time. In my view it could be seen as a lagging effect of the romantic ideals of the enlightenment that predates the so called mystical intuitions of the above mentioned "infallible" prophet

I have come across practioners in real life, and from this meeting I have understood my own religious background more clearly, I think

People are fundamentally motivated by the sense of community, which is the meaning of word religion (binding together). The common denominator of community is equality, that is everybody being the same. Therefore social justice promotes community. However as is pointed out in the conclusion, "intense community life can be a hideous thing when it turns the deaf ear to the suffering of human beings outside the cozy club". It is yet another manifestation of the spirit of collectivism, the shapeshifting snake of the garden of Eden, the enemy of man