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Since 1981 the St. Louis Women’s Interfaith has been hosting conferences. Just yesterday almost 300 participants attended at the local Mosque to hear speakers from the Baha’i, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Moslem and Native American faiths. They spoke on “How present day culture affects faith”.
Martha Chareproo began with sharing how her parents were Baha’is that came from a very conservative culture in Iran. When she was two they moved to the U.S. to a small town in Pennsylvania as the only “people of color”. Martha felt that for her it was her religion that changed her culture. Her parents made certain that her education was a top priority, as Baha’u’llah proclaimed that if you have a boy and girl and can only educate one, then educate the female.
Martha also shared that Baha’is choose one's mate, versus arranged marriages, but must have parents’ consent to bring about greater family unity. The dowry is now a small token amount paid by the groom’s family. (All these changed the customs of Iran.).
Later during the questions and answers period, Martha shared that “we are spiritual beings” and “our youth yearn to know their purpose”. A worldwide youth empowerment program has begun to support all youth to develop their capacities to be of service. It was such an inspiring and uplifting day! All of the speakers seemed to emphasize the harmony that exists in all of our beliefs and how valuable it is to learn from each other.
Reported by Joyce Olinga