Why I am a Bahá'í | Rainn Wilson

Talk given by Rainn Wilson on February 13th, 2021
In this honest presentation, Rainn Wilson tells the story of his spiritual path and why he is now a Baha’i. Rainn is best known as an actor, portraying “Dwight” on the “The Office” among other significant roles. He is also an artist, “spiritual entrepreneur”, and a philanthropist, founding an educational program for girls in rural Haiti. He hosts a very popular podcast in which he interviews Baha’is around the world on the website Baha’i Blog (bahaiblog.net). In this presentation, he answers a simple question.
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---Contents---
0:00:00 - Opening Song and Reading
0:04:23 - Introduction
0:05:20 - Talk
0:39:41 - Q/A
1:09:59 - Closing
Disclaimer: These talks do not constitute the authoritative position of the Bahá'í Faith on any issue. Rather, they offer perspectives of individuals belonging to the Bahá'í Faith, informed by the Bahá'í Holy Writings.
Intellectual Property: These talks are the intellectual property of our program, Bahá’í Faith Modern Perspectives. The talks cannot be uploaded onto any other channels or platforms. Instead, please share the talks using our KZbin links.

[@Livingtabitha]

“Art is the same as worship” gave me goosebumps. I feel I deny myself art so that I don’t feel this amazing truth. Like listening to a song that gives you goosebumps. What am I afraid of? I just found the Baha’i Faith and I’m learning as much as I can. Thank you Rainn.

[@KeithKingSD]

I came here after reading Rainn’s book and also having my own struggle with Christianity. The prayer at 24:30 is everything I want and just broke down crying. Gonna definitely share it! Thank you.

[@jgfanatic]

Wow, it looks as though it took me 2 years to find this video. I too, was born into the faith, coincidentally, in 1966, but in Juneau, Alaska. You from Seattle, Makes me wonder if you ever knew Jenabi Caldwell. It was very life affirming to hear you admit you strayed. I signed my card at 15, but fell away. I am a”born-again” & yet AGAIN Baha’i. Being in a small community one tends to forget there are so many others out there striving every day. Thank you for your podcast, I’ll continue looking for them. I loved your father’s “building the kingdom” explanation! Using it!

[@joeshmo9677]

I was raised Baha’i. Rainn Wilson is hilarious it’s awesome that he is a Baha’i.

[@Wisdombluetooth]

Lots of love ❤️ for a man to be in Hollywood and keeps his faith strong itself is amazing.. I respect that.

[@Paul-dw2cl]

Rainn Wilson is awesome

[@Stylelss]

Amazing to have Rainn have a children’s class. It’s people like him that really help the youth find God. I know because my Bahá’í teacher really helped me with Bahá’u’lláh. What you do is truly inspirational. Thank you Rainn

[@gildalaroya5319]

A great talk from the heart & mind and example of a ‘wonderful experience.’ ❤️

[@bethstaiano387]

Thank you, Rainn. Like you, I was raised a Bahai.

[@naomilancour4569]

Ive had a similar experience..I love what you are saying.

[@anthonyhiggins6342]

He's best known to me for being a true and loving friend from my childhood, whose character and loving spirit drew me to him and through him to the Baha'i Faith, the refuge my beseiged and troubled soul needed to find if it were to continue existing in this world.

[@wendyscott8425]

How wonderful to see Tierney Sutton again! I used to go to every gig when she came anywhere close to our area when she had her band. What a voice!!!! I hope everyone reads Rainn's books, especially his latest one, _Soul Boom, Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution,_ just excellent, fun, and thought-provoking!

[@ilpadrelingua]

Great and inspiring talk as always, Rainn! I've been a Baha'i my whole life, but I always learn something new with you!

[@Jsqared-aka-justjenn]

Thanks for the information beautiful humans 😊 the music was 🌹 lovely Skylark has always been a favorite of mine. Greetings from Texas ❤️ y'all 🤠 I have long suspected this,never had anything to call,it I'm a Christian, but study other religions beliefs,never thought of it as wrong. Recently had your faith Pop up in my algorithm. How wonderful 💘 Again Very interested and grateful ❣️ Love to everyone in this space ❤️ Love you ❣️

[@ssadi2767]

Perfect, it was pretty inspiring for me, I appreciate! ❤💯

[@Schlemiel-schlimazel]

The song was lovely ❤️ 💕 💗

[@miltron]

Thanks for this. This made a soggy cold February evening interesting, and ALMOST like visiting and conversing with friends.

[@ramonbalundo2093]

Allah'u'abha ! Love from Philippines 😍

[@shidacorsi5428]

Love from Corsica🌹♥️

[@jilll5205]

Great talk

[@marcmiller5263]

Very beautiful voice.

[@naturalbliss55]

I was a Baha'i for over 40 years. I an now.

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

Love this!!! This makes sense as I was sitting here wondering how we will ever get the right to get along with the left. Getting them too see we are all one!!!

[@tds_pro4037]

Loved this !

[@marcmiller5263]

As i listened to Rayne I am in turmoil over a bad business decision that I hope will pass is giving me insight that this will pass because God has a plan whether I like it or not. It will put me on the right path.

[@brentcampbell3060]

Hi Raine. AllauAbha. Have a super good day. 😊

[@user-qp7ye1hp1e]

How good were these questions!

[@planetvegan7843]

Sounds like the next step is to extend your circle of compassion to all of gods creations and live plant based. 👍

[@technophant]

If you love the planet and all the creatures upon it this may be the next logical step

[@mansoursadigi443]

❤️🙏🏿🌹

[@tracybenson6364]

Just last week, I went to Baha'i Website. Put in my zip code. And entered email. A woman who is Baha'i and lives nearby wrote to me and offered to meet me for coffee at a local coffee shop. I'll let you know how it goes.

[@beneagle963]

New world will be opened to you spiritually, be detached and pray with pure heart and investigate to yourself by reading the writings , My prayers for you to find the right path.

[@messageinabottle79]

Thank you for answering my question Rainn! I suspect that he would have answered my question differently if he realized that we are defining the term "proselytize" different and if I gave some examples. I define proselytizing as sharing one's beliefs hoping they accept that truth because it can benefit them and that person can have eternal life. I say this as someone who follows Jesus. God Bless-Trevor

[@anthonyhiggins6342]

Think of the parable of the wheat and the tares; a lot depends on the ground you are trying to grow the wheat on. As Baha'is we cast the seed wherever we can, but the condition of the ground is largely out of our human hands. Should the ground be fertile we rejoice and welcome in a new believer; should the ground be infertile, we pray for and love on the stony dry patch of ground that God may work on it to the point that it becomes fertile and therefore receptive to the seed. In such a circumstance, it is not productive of good results to berate the soil, to browbeat the soil into "conversion" or otherwise act agressively toward the soil. So, on the one hand if proselytize means teach your faith, then Baha'is do that; but, if proselytize means force your religious views on others then no. Personal character and goodly behavior will do a lot more to attract that infertile soul than any verbal engagement. Love, Shawn

[@messageinabottle79]

Thank you for sharing that. Since I was not able to talk with him any further, we were not able to clarify what we meant by each words as people use the same words, but they mean different things to individuals, and that’s why we need to define our terms. I think you did a good job of explaining. Thank you.

[@mortyk182]

خداوند انشالا همه‌ی ما را آدم کند

[@catedoge3206]

assistant to the general manager

[@Parujim]

Krishna predated Abraham .Abraham was not 5000 BC but around 2160 BC and nearly 1000 years after Krishna who appeared around 3,200 BC.

[@zoomby4380]

As per Alan Watts "The Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions" 1. A person of good intentions looks to Change The World. Vs 2. A person of good Character looks within. Your goals are still Ego based goals, to change the World. Alan also said "There will always be suffering, but we must not suffer over the suffering" Why stay in duality of teaching, this still keeps man trapped in Time and Space, in form, in objects. Man is still separate in your teaching, separate from God, separate from each other. No wonder you want to change The World with Global projects, projects that are window dressing, these problems will still be problems in dualism. The being of man, is the being of who he truly is.....one with God. The being of man, is not stuck in the Body or Mind...man is one with God, in God. You are at-home in God. Nothing will change this truce fact, for you and you at-home in God. Oneness.......only one.

[@bakhtyaarshahzad5806]

I agree with you partly. However, can we say that there is any point where the society can be stopped of undergoing change? I believe, being positive is only changing the direction of that change, which could otherwise change for worse. That's the best approach as per my own experience. That's exactly what we as Bahá'ís are doing. We often complain about the society yet do nothing about it only makes it worse. The problems in the world have increased despite having great knowledge in our age is merely because corruption and injustice is super active in causing that change and increasing suffering. The Bahá'í faith is just changing the direction of that change for common good. At the end, both options are available and an individual is free to opt what they think is more rational and appealing to their mind and soul.