. p . ,‘*, .r. .. p pt ..tt'r., .. p VP P I S ) 4 * ST. PETERSBURG TIMES CrN55roNd5 MAGAZINE OF REu:i:: SEPTEMBER 10, 1983 Tampa Mayor Bob Martinez asks clergy to ‘provide . the care' that . nv rnrn nt .. 8 4. ...r.bo ,gTln *.. A majority of Americans favor an amendment that . would permit voluntary group prayer in public schools page 9 After a year on the .• .. ‘Ret red police job, Archbishop ‘.‘ officer, now living Joseph L . Bernardln in Port Richey, says brings calm to . .. . . the rough job the Chicago . . created a need for archdiocese, page 6 ‘Cops for Christ,' page 8
Iran's persecutic'r f 'thE”Bhá.is” American Bahais hope for the weight of world opinion to end the violence Her flight from religious oppression began early Schole Raouf i,31, lea native of Iran, cultural an- thropologist and linguist who came to the United States several years ago from Weet Germany and is currently seeking permanent resident status as a po- litical-religloue refugee. Her situtation is unique, however, because her family's flight from religious persecution in Iran began when ehe was only 2 years old. She said her father, a civil engineer whose company built bridges, roads and airports for the government of the late Shah Rem Pahlavi for two decades, moved his family to Germany in 1954 during a wave of Bshai persecutions fomented by an influential Muslim mul- lab (priest). The mullsh's preaching against the Bshais inspired mobs to plunder and loot Bahsi homes, busi- nesses and institutions. A number of Babsis were murdered, and the Bahai National Center in Tehran was taken over and vandalized by police, army and clergy. The persecutions subsided after the shah, sensitive to world opinion and threats of economic sanctions, responded to a United Nations appeal and ordered the restoration of Bahai properties and civil rights. BELIEVING THAT the respite was only tem- porary, Miss Raoufi's father kept his wife and four daughters in Germany. The family home in T 2 hrgn was retained, however, and Raoufi continued his business operations there. During “safe periods,” the family traveled frequently to Iran'to visit friends and relatives. Then, in 1978, Miss Raoufi said, her father was forced to leave Iran permanently when the Islamic revolution resulted in the installation of the Ayatollah Khomeini regime. He and one of Miss Raoufi's sisters escaped from the country with only one suitcase each. Since then, all of the family's properties and business assets have been confiscated by the Iranian govern- ment, and their former home has been taken over by the gardener, maid and chauffeur who once served them, she said. The tenuous status of aliens in Germany led Miss Raoufi to come to the United States to complete her education. She earned her BA. degree in cultural an- thropology and comparative religion from the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she also taught in the Department of Religious Studies and introduced the Bahai Faith as an accredited subject. She is continuing her studies as a candidate for a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology, working on a dissertation based on her research into the cultural adaptation of foreign workers living in Germany and the impact of their marginal, status on their children. MISS RAOUFI came to St. Petersburg two years ago to enroll the youngest of her three sisters in St. Petersburg Junior College. Granted a temporary working permit, she has been teaching German at the University of South Florida, acting as an interpreter and selling real estate while awaiting a decision from immigration authorities about the status of her ap- plication for permanent asylum. In the meantime, she has succeeded in helping her parents emigrate to Canada. Her two other sisters now reside in Spain and Greece. ByJEANNE PUGH 5t. P.t.rIbarp Times staff Writ., Schole Raoufi of St. Petersburg does not like to speak too openly about her relatives in Iran because calling attention to them could put them in prison, or worse, put them in danger of execution, she says. They hsvs already been subjected to harassment and denial of civil rights. So far, only one — a dentist married to Miss Rsoufi's cousin—is feared dead. He was arrested by revolutionary guards on Aug. 21, 1980, and has not been heard from since. His crime? He was a member of an auxiliary board of the Bahai National Spiritual Assembly in Tehran. As a prominent Bahai, he was a vulnerable target in the cur- rent wave of persecutions that has resulted in the dis. enfranchisement of thou- sands of Iranians and the deaths of hundreds in the past 3½ years. The Bshai Faith was founded in Iran in 1844 and now claims more than 300,000 followers in that country and 3.5-million ad- herents around the world. It has won the respect of many who admire its tenets of hu- man equality, racial and re- ligious tolerance and the essential unity of humanity. BUT, SINCE the faith'a beginning,Bahais have been under continual attack in the land of its origin where leaders of the Shuts Muslim majority have branded it heretical to Islam. The intensity of the persecution in Iran has waxed and waned during the past 139 years, depending upon the degree of political power held by the Muslim mullahs (clergy). Persecutions have escalated rapidly since the Islamic revolution of 1978 and the installation of the Ayatollah Khomeini as arbiter of the nation?s politicAl and religious life. Documentation supplied by Bahai leaders records a tragic litany of injustices: I' Since the fall of 1978, 151 Bahais have been killed — some were stoned, beaten or burned to death by mobs during the early days of the revolution, but most have been executed by government authorities-They have included nearly all the prominent leaders of the Bahai community and their fami- lies. ‘ Sixteen other Bahai leaders have disappeared after arrest or abduction from their homes or businesses, and most of them are presumed to be dead. - 1' More than 250 Bahais-have been imprisoned for in- definite terms, either without formal charges against them or on charges that Bahsi sources say are “trumped up.” I' Thousands of Bahais have lost their jobs — some ass result of Khomeini's edict forbidding the employment of Bahais by government agencies, and some because of gov- ernment hyrsssment of private businesses employing Bahais. Scores of Bahai businessmen and professionals have been deprived of their livelihoods by denial of trade and profes- sional licenses. i ' Thousands have been driven from their homes by mobs incited by Muslim clergy and government agents or have seen their homes demolished or burned. V All of the major Bahai holy places, including the House of the Dab (founder of the faith), have been demol- ished. Bahsi cemeteries have been desecrated and, in some cases, paved over as roadways. V Bahal children and young adults have been dismissed from public schools and colleges, and Bahai-run schools and hospitals have been closed or confiscated by the government. V Bahai bank accounts and assete have been frozen or confiscated. Bahai Larmers have lost their livestock, which has been stolen, killed or sold at public auction. Their crops have been burned. V Balsais trying to escape the country have been denied visas, And those with valid passports have been turned back at the airports and borders. Iranian consuls around the world have been instructed to revoke the passports of Bahais out- side the country and issue only travel documents permitting them to return to Iran — to face certain further harassment tooL: and persecution. AMNESTY International, an independent watchdog agency that monitors human righte violations around the world, has “documented proof from many sources” that these atrocities are taking place, accordj,ng'to Betsy Ross, a spokesperson in the agency's New York office, She said this week that Amnesty has put the Iran government at the top of its list of violators of human rights and “we don't publish anything until we have confirmation from a number of independent sources.” She added, “There is no evidence that any of the Bahais executed since 1979 have been guilty of espionage — the - reason (for their deaths) is their faith,” she said. ________________________ The Islamic government initially claimed that its actions against the Bshais were the result of evidence that members of the group were traitors or spies — ei- ther agents of Zionism or of “American imperialism” — and had nothing to do with religious persecution. But, in recent months, no such pretense has been used. Bahais are told openly that, if they denounce their faith and convert to Islam, all will be forgiven. In some cases, Bahais have been offered more wealth than they have lost if they, agree to become Muslims. Miss Raoufi, a third generation Bshai, said that such invitations are rarely accepted. Just this past June, 17 Bahais — including 10 women and teen-age girls — were hanged publicly in the city of Shiraz after refusing four times to sign statements of recantation. Since then, 63 more Bahais, including 10 more women. have been arrested, and many of these will probably share a similar fate, Miss Raoufi said. The pace of persecutions continues despite a rising tide of protest from governments and international agencies throughout the world. AMONG THOSE that have issued statements con- demning the Iranian action and pleading for a cessation of the persecution are: both houses of the U.S. Congress, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, the European Council of Nations, Amnesty International, the U.S. National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, and the gov- ernments of Canada, Great Britain, West Germany, Austra- lia, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Last month, 89 professors of Iranian and Islamic studies at colleges and universities throughout the United States — including Christians, Jews, Muslims and Bahaia — signed an open letter to the Iranian government, calling the per- secutions “a contradiction of all that is best in the traditions of Islam and the Iranian people.” In addition, religious leaders of all faiths and political leaders from throughout the world have appealed in- dividually, in ‘private and in public, to the Ayatollah Khomeini and other Iranian leaders to stop the carnage. President Reagan issued his strongest public appeal on May 22, asking specifically that 22 Bahais then under sen- tence of death-be spared. The June executions were carried out despite his plea. MEAN WHILE, Iranian newspapers continue to print justifications for the atrocities, including statements by judges of the revolutionary courts intimating that even harsher measures may be in store for Bahais who cling to their beliefs. The president of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz. ‘quoted ins Shiraz newspaper, declared: “Before it is too late, the Bahaia should recant Bshsism, which is condemned by reason and logic. Otherwise, the day will soon come when the Islamic nation will deal with the Bshais in accordance with its religious obligations, asit baa dealt with other hypocrites who have appeared in more dangerous garb and have ref i- - gioua and satanic gatherings.” See BAHAIS. page 10 Schole Raoufi was only two years old when her family left Iran. Religious leaders of all faiths and political leaders from throughout the world have appealed individually.,in private and in public, to the Ayatollah Khomeini and other Iranian leaders to stop the carnage. S' St. Potsrsburg Times Saturday. Saptsmber 10. issa
Toleranceof.Bahai Faith seen.: as threat to Iranian Moslems Q YJEANNE PUGH St. P•tsrsborg Tim .. Staff Writer The Balsai Faith would seem, at first glance, to be the least likely religion, to become the subject of persecution. Ita beliefs are among the most non-violent, tolerant and unob- trusive of all the world religions. But Schole Reoufi, an Iranian by birth and a third. generation Bshai, explains thst the faith is viewed as dan- gerous by Iranian Moslems for two main reasons: ‘ It threatens to undermine the authority of the powerful Shiite Moslem mullahs (clergy); 5- And it represents a kind of progress, both social and spiritual, that many Iranian people are not yet ready to ac- cept. Miss Raoufi explains that the Babel Faith. founded in iran in 1844, has no ecclesiastical hierarchy of ministers, priests or mullahs. Its affairs are administered by Spiritual Assemblies (committees) elected democratically at local, national and internatjonal levels. While some Baltais who are experienced and Well-educated in the faith are recognized as teachers, no Balsa) is accorded any special privilege or power within the community and those few serving fuiltime administrative positions.receive compensation only for their expenses. TIlE BAHAIS also believe in universal education, the full equality of men and women, the oneness of God, the va- lidity of all the major religions and the equality of the races. All of these beliefs run counter to the teachings of Shuts Is- lain, the minority branch of the Moslem faith that is ‘pre- dominant in Iran. The Shuts 5 , moreso than many other branches of Islam, vlsw women as chattel and all members of other faiths asia- fidels. While acknowledging Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity as root religions that paved the way for the ap- pearance of the Moslem prophet Muhammad in the 7th Century A.D., the fundamen ist Shiites consider their re-, ligion to be the final revelation from God. As a result, the Jewish, Christian and Zoroastrian re- ligions have been recognized in han as legitimate and per. mitted to exist. But the Balsa) Faith, which claims its prophet llslsaullsh was a modern successor to Mu ,hammad, is seen as heresy. Its tenets of human equality and universal education threaten the power of the mullahs who have for centuries lived on the largess of their followers, acquiring considerpble wealth and Influence. “The mullahs do not wa ist eduêation because their chief purpose is to interpret the Koran (the Moslem holy scrip turee) to the people,” Miss Raoufi says. MULLAH opposition to the Bahais emerged almost. Symbol of spiritual progression Bshsis believe that all prophets have been manifestat ions of a continuing and progressive dialogue between God and humanity. This concept is illustrated in'the Emblem of the Greatest Name, or the Ringstone. Its three horizontal linea ‘depict the three planes of existencef The World of God the Creator; The World of His Manifestations (The Prophets); and The World of Mankind. The connecting, vertical line, interse 3ting thethree, represents the Holy Spirit, which links the three planes. Tao five-pointed stars represent the twin “Messengers of God for This Age” —The Bab and Bahsul laf s. OUR LADY OF GOOD HOPE 2J I Traditional Catholic Latin Moss 9 30/ ,.M. —Eeglish I I & 1115A.M. [ ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Phone 347-4002 Come Worsjj,c, With Us ! TRANSFIGURATION CHURCH 4000.4 s, st P Satondoy Ev.nlng Mat,., 5,505 7,00 P.M. $andnyM otta s ,7, Sep , 1015, 11 .3oA.M..6 p DIOCESE OF ST. PETERSBUR __________________________________ Con n,,inns Sotordoy 4,00 Ia 4 45 and 7 ,30 -8 ,50 P.M. ST. THERESE BYZANTINE RITE 426$.I3thAr.,N Fifth Aye. North & 59th Street seusda . St Sandoy5,45A.M e 5th, I I,15A.M. O rd, 5 lornnt, Setsrday Evening Masses, 4,30 and 6,30 p.M Wtthdays tOA.M.,5a, ayc:,,,f.,• ,,,, 41 • 5 P.M . SondoyMooses 6 .0O,a,00,9,3OyssIhUt gy 11,00A.M. BLESSED TRINITY CHURCH 12,306 6,30 P.M. 1600-54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg Weekday Masses, Moe .F,i 6,30815 & I 1 .OOA.M. SATURDAY EVENING S 5:00 P.M. S et.6 , SOafldg,15A.M SUNDAY MA55ES 8:00, 9 30, 11:00 A.M., Holy Days, (ta,ne as Satorday &Sonday) and 6:00 P.M . 7 ,30 to 8.00 AdA., 3,00 to 4,00 P.M. and 7,30-8,00 P.M. Confessions, Sotorday, doybefor. Holy days and First Fridays, I HOLY CROSS CH s st. Petersborg r'u 7851.54th Ave. Na. Saturday Mosses 5.00 P.M. (Dee. thro Apr. 5 & 7P.M.) St. lode Novena Prayer & Mass, Mondays a$ 6 . 3 0p.m. SUNDAY MASSES, 8,00,9,30. 1100A.M. & 12,30 P.M. ANGELUS AND MORNING PsAYERS FROM THE DI VINE OFFICE AND Inferprelar forth. Daof—9,30 Moss Weekday Mosses 800A.M. end 7,00 P.M. ROSARY WEEKDAYS AT 7.45 A.M. . Confeaslona Sot.4 505P.M. — 8,00 to 8.30 P.M. SCRIPTURAL ROSARY3U MINUTES BEFORE SUWDAYMASSES. Adorotton 5 f RIo,sod sooroo,oos_ ...pfr,t Pddayot Month, 830A.M. & AS Day to Sooedialon 016,30 P.M. HOLY FAMILY CHURCH S5.Pa Mr.ta ,rg 1800. 12th St. No. i St. Churc 11 S5.PCMUHU,g SM.rdny—$,On 6150 P.M. Pt,o,.e 226.57 Smdatn—7,0 5.5, 50,9.3 5 l1 .OaA.M. a 1I2,SOPM.o ,t. I tt -M oy I I SATURDAY VIGIL MASS, 5,30 P.M. Co,,Iesdoo,, Sot. 4,00 to 4,456 i,Ss.5o lpj ,._ . ST JOSEPH CHURCH . 2I0I'flndAte. So., is. p.Soan 8 SUNDAY MASSES, 7,30,9,00, I0 30, 12NOON & 6,00 P.M. tot.Eoe.MaO_.&15p . M Oldotspatheys , SATURDAYCONFESSIONS Sen.Maanes,9,00 5 II,00A.M. Conletalo,n 140.5 P.M. Sneedays OnOyMo,ag ,50A.M . — 4,30505,30 P.M. ST. RAPHAEL'S CHURCH . DniyMa s , . t,6 ,3Q&8,l5A 1376 Snol Itt. Bled. N.E., St. Petan ,do.rg SaturdayS Eve of Holy day 5 30P.A0. SATURDAY EVENING Maso —5,35 P.M. SUNDAYMASSRS — 8,80,9,00 & 1 1,80A.M.& 12,306 2,30 P.M . Sunday Mnsoat, 700,8,30, lO QO, I 1,30 AM.. 6 530P.M. ST. MARY OUR LADY OF GRACE . HeiyDayMos se s,630,8 ,3 0 4th St. & 5th Ave. So. .. St. Petersburg Ph. 896-2191 1000A.M. & 520P.M. Mans Schedule, First Friday Moons, 6,30,8,15 SondoyodHoiyDo).sd,7,89,3 1 Il l s— I2,l5ond4,30p. 6 5 3OP.M, Soturdoy&tn,ofH ,440 5,3OPeMo,, , F,e , , 63 OIN IfenAp,0 foTowedby NocltrnolAdsrotIo ,, until We tl ,doyMo ,s ,s . .& 3 0,7 ,00.7,30,8 ,ssAMa 12 10P.M. 630A.M. Sot. Sunday 2,30 P.M. PoOth Mo,a& Costas,Ion, In FoOd, Son. 2-2 30 P.M. Contnssi Os.. Sot dayst Eve ot H y Day a S00t I MP . M ‘ ( t, ç// Coole$,ion,,4 ,3Q.5.30& ? ‘30-850pM Sot. S Eve, of First FridayS Holy Day Otdofttr l , 0 0A.M.Mo,t Davotlot, Noon Monday 400 p.c.. Friday Holy Hose 3P.M., Mo,, 4 P.M. 82nd.4ve. A Blind Paso Rd., St. Petor,burg Boorh, Flu. a ssatorday 5s The Bahais believe in universal education, the full equality of men and women, the oneness of God, the validity of all the major religions and the equality of the races. All of these beliefs run counter to the teachings of Shiite Islam, a branch of the Moslem faith that is predominant in Iran. immediately after the faith was first proclaimed by a 25- year-old Iranian merchant, Mi Muhammad. Be announced ozt May 22, 1844, that he had been chosen as the herald of another prophet, or “world teacher,” to be Bent by God. Be assumed the title of The Bab (“The Gate”) and rapidly at- tracted thousands of followers among the Moslems who had been taught—as have been.Jewo and Christians — that a messiah would someday come to lead believers through a millenium of peace and prosperity, The Bab's teachings infuriated both civil and religious leaders who initiated cruel persecutions that culminated in the public execution of the Bab in 1850. But the Babis, as his followers were called, continued to assemble and to study his Writings. - A litany of persecution V Since the fall of 1978, 151 Bahais have bean killed, most through government execution of prominent Bahai leaders and their families. V Sixteen Bahal leaders have disappeared after arrest or abduction and most of them are presumed to be dead. V More than 250 Bahais have been imprisoned for indefinite terms. V Thousands of Bshsia have lost their jobs because of government edict or harassment. V Thousands have been driven from their homes which were demolished or burned. V Major Bahsl holy P!scea. including the House of the Bat,, have been demolished. V Baha) cemeteries have been desecrated or paved over as roadways. V Bahal children end young edulta have been dismissed from public schools and colleges, and Bahsi-run schools and hospitals have been closed or Confiscated by the government. V. Bahai bank accounts and assets have been frozen or confiscated. : . V Bahais trging to escape the country have been denied visas, and those with valid passports have been Owned back at the airports and borders. See FAITH. page 7
i iurIiI digE5t 1 - res V erians ifl ra I want out of u.S group The Presbyterian Church of Brazil has asked to be released from its ties to the former Presbyterian Church-U.S. after a 114-year association, Now that the southern branch of Presbyterianism in C0r Ias 1VedV Brazilian church, many of whose founders were Confederetes who moved to Brazil after the Civil War In order to preserve their “southern lifestyle,” broke off relations with the northernchurchln 1972 efterapollcydispute. . . wuoonies move into urugua.y Rev. Sun Myung Moon. founder-lesder of the Unification Church, Is “prsctically buying the adds, “speculate that their country may become the world center for Moon's church.” The church currently maintains its headquarters In New York City end Tarrytown, N.Y. . Baptists allocate flood aid The Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has allocated more than $634,000 to Its missionaries and medical teams Countries that have the United States has merged with the northern country of Uruguay.” according to a newsletter In seven South branch to become the Presbyterian Church. U.S.A., the Brazilian church “will keep the door open” for future talks, said Rev, Bosnerges Ribeiro, spokesman for the Brazilian church. But it wishes to determine that the new church is “older and more mature” before reaching a new working agreement. The published by the Florida Synod. Lutheran Church of America. The newsletter reports that Moon. whose followers are known as “Moonies” In the United States, recently purchased Uruguay's third largest bank, Its largest hotel, a daily newspaper and a high-rise office building In : downtown Montevideo, Uruguayan Journalists, It suffered widespread devastation ass result of floods and unusually heavy rains during the last six months. The board reports that the floods have killed 100 In Brazil and 1,000 in Peru and left about 700.000 homeless in Brazil end Argentina. Severe damage is also reported in Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivii and Uruguay. • Faith frompage5 In 1852,a small group of Babi fanatics precipitated more trouble by plotting to assassinate the shah in re. prisal for the death of their leader, Discovery of the plot by the authorities led to a major campaign to erase the sect from the country, even though the main body of believers had nothing to do with the assassination plot. In the bloody battles that followed, an estimated 20,000 Babis were killed and hundreds were exiled. Among the exiles was Husayn-Ali, the son of a Persian nobleman, who went to Baghdad and, after 11 years of contemplation and study, announced that he was the long-awaited prophet. He claimed the same divine authority as the prophets who had preceded him — Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad. He adopted the name Bahsullah (“The • Glory of God”), and his followers became known as Bahais. Bahaullah spent most of the rest of his life in prison. He was banished from Baghdad to Con- stantinople to Adrianople and, finally, to the Pales- tinian prison city of Akica, where he was confined for 24 years. His long imprisonment, however, gave him the opportunity to formulate and refine the concepts and laws of the Bshai Faith. lIe wrote more than 100 volumes that have become the “bibles” of the Bahais. His writings, believed by the Balcais as “God- inspired” as the Koran or the ,iudeo.Christian Bible, proclaim that all the prophet have been man- ifestations of a continuing and progressive dialogue between God and humanity. THIS CONCEPT is illustrated in one of the few religious symbols used in the Bahai Faith. Called the Emblem of the Greatest Name, or the Ringstone, its three horizontal lines depict the three planes of exist. ence: The World of God the Creator; The World of His Manifestations (The Prophets); and The World of Mankind. The connecting, vertical line, Intersecting the three, represents the Holy Spirit, which links the three planes. Two five-pointed stars represent the twin “Messengers of God for This Age” — The Dab and Baha'u'llah. Bahaullah taught that each of the prophets has offered guidance for a particular time in history, but that none of the faiths founded by those prophets holds a monopoly on eternal truth, The ultimate truth, he said, is being revealed gradually to humankind, Yet, the message is always basically the same: That all humanity is linked together and, therefore, human beings should love one another and devise ways to live in peace with each other and in communion with the one true God. The Bahai Faith prescribes a rigid code of moral conduct. Parental consent is required before marriage, and all marriages are monogamous. lfxtra.niarital sex is condemned. The use of alcoholic beverages and “all other drugs that affect the mind” is forbidden. Scru- pulous honesty is demanded — a factor that'explains • why the Bahsis in Iran continue to identify themselves as believers despite enormous pressure to lie about their religious convictions.. YETTHE BAHAIS do not force their beliefs on others and are cautioned not to engage in prose. lytization. The faith, they are taught, las “gift” from God that should be shared but not imposed upon unwilling listeners. Bahaullah also taught his followers to work for the According to the Bahai Faith, all humanity is linked together and, therefore, human beings should love one another and devise ways to live in peace with each other and in communion with the one true God. establishment of a world government in which ex. tremes of wealth and poverty would be abolished. But he advised against participation in partisan politics, and he urged his followers to be loyal subjects of the government wherever they lived. Finally, Bahaullah proclaimed that true religion baa no quarrel with science or technology and that his followers should take advantage of all progress in these areas in order to build a better world. Miss Raoufi believes that this last tenet has caused many of the problems for the Bahais in Iran. The mullahs, she said, have consistently resisted progress and have indoctrinated most of their followers with the belief that modern education and technical advances are against God's will. “But you cannot make the clock stop or go back- ward,” said Miss ftaoufi. “The world is progressing both technologically and spiritually. Yet the mullahs are trying to block new ideas from coming into the country and turn it back into what it was during the days of Muhammad. Many of the people have gone along with the mullahs because the shah (Reza Pah- levi) tried to change things too quickly. A revolution of some sort was inevitable.” - She continued, “I believe cultural change and cul- tural adaptability go hand in hand. They have to be in balance if new values and new behaviors are to be ac- cepted. During the shah's regime, modernization came too fast and only a few of the people—those at the top — benefited. The poor people — those who could not read or write and still used donkeys to pull their carts — couldn't understand it. They couldn't understand why the shah forced women to take off the chador (long gowns and veils).” Hence, she explained, when the mullahs began to foment rebellion, they found willing allies among the poor who felt they had nothing to gain from the mod- ernization of the country and had become hostile to the rich and their new way of life. THE REVOLUTION also heightened the Mus- lim animosity toward the Bahais, who had easily adapted to the changes because of the teachings of Bahaullah. “Most Iranians,” she said, “do not know that Bahal is now a worldwide faith. They do not know of the worldwide objections to their treatment of Bahais.” She quoted from a recent issue of the London Sunday Times: “The Bahais In Iran are even more alone (now) than the Jews (were) in Nazi Germany.” “But the misery in Iran is not isolated,” she said, “It is affecting us in the United States directly. The rest of the world looks to the western democracies to respond to this sort of political lunacy. If Americans only knew how precious their freedom is and how easily freedom can be lost, perhaps they would do more to help the Bahais in Iran. The Bshaie are a vital part of the intsrnational community.” Lt ST. PAUL'S REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4 545.10th An.. N., St. P. .,.b,,rg 321-loss “N.h. of ,h. EngII,h R.feremtlon” W m .hlp — 10,45 AM A 6,00 PM 3 .,... 7,30 PM rNORTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 153. 53,dAve.No., ST. FCTERSNJRO Fred 5. S,hre b.r,MInf,tsr S.S. 9,30 A.M. Wor., 10,30 AM. & 6P.M. 521.1278 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF SEMINOLE 13272 Park Blvd. N. Dovid Meyer. M lnI,ter S.S. 9,30 AM., Worthip 5,15 & 10,30 A.M. & 6 00 P.M. FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF LARGO 1645 SemInole Blvd., North of 688 8,45 & 11 A.M. Moreing Worship 4 10,00 A.M. Bible Scheol 6,00 P.M. Eveelng service Ministers, 5. C. Shonnen, D. Stsecher, R, E. Comblin, R. Doles CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF ST. PETERSBURG 49th ST. S. at 2nd AVE. 9,45 AM. SUNDAY SCHOOL 4 .“ 8,306 1100A.M. WORSHIP -. 6,00 P.M. EVENING WORSHIP C Cord, Heu Wed. 7,00 M lnhter Mid-Week School of the Bible ist nSci e FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 253-5th AVE. N., ST. PETERSBURG SUNDAY SERVICE— 10,30A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL— i0,30A.M. WEDNESDAY TESTIMONY MEETING —800 P.M. READING ROOM —322 First Ave. No. SECOND CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 6099 CENTRALAVE., ST.PETERSBURG SUNDAY SERVICE — 10,00 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL— 10 00A.M. WEDNESDAY TESTIMONY MEETING —- 8,00 P.M. READiNG ROOM—6001 Central Ave. THIRD CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 6333. 1st ST. N.E., ST. PETERSBURG SUNDAY SERVICE—i 1,00 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL — 11,00 A,M. WEDNESDAY TESTIMONY MEETING —7,00 P.M. READING ROOM —2603 9th St. N. FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 6245 SEMiNOLE BLVD. (ALT. 19) SEMINOLE SUNDAY SERVICE—i 0.30 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL — 10,30 A.M. WEDNESDAY TESTIMONY MEETING —7,30 P.M. READING ROOM —6245 Seminole Blvd. 10,00 AM. to 2P.M. Mendey thru Frkhsylexo.pt holidoyt) Evened Is welcome at our churches aid reading rooms. Child cars provided for all ssrvlces.- Es. Petersburg TIm s Eaturdey. September 10. 1883 7 •.• we problems, I it overall I'd I be willing to inded, and asked .ese. -. norms.” a chorus of criti- saw this as the tip gence toward de- li ten in the church. L's an indicator of 1 rrisome to some I ngto others.,” said ational Catholic ekly published in cray, Bernardin's tone and hewent titer girls” flap in to address as a I women included, ainstresm of the ntehd to address I the framework of : teaching.” conflicts between increasingly con' it Bernardin with n years to come. •, II AP tI Bernardin