criticism of the baha'i faithirish travellers in australia

I encourage you to look him up and see if it resonates with you. I would later realize how useful those books could have been as weapons against my former religion, but I also was able to find enough online resources for my purposes. Yes, the Road to Serfdom is Indeed Paved by Conservatives, you Libertarian Idiot! Occasionally Ive heard the uninformed opinion that the Bahai Faith is a sect of Islam not true! The clear, forthright responses he gave to the criticism that "the Baha'i Faith offers nothing new," have become, during the intervening century, a classic catalog of the many unique and unprecedented aspects of the Baha'i teachings and principles. (5) Moral concerns. I resigned myself on 07/07/07. A Question About Translating the Baha'i Writings December 11, 2022. Shoghi Effendi (Guardian of the Baha'i Faith) wrote about this. For the first few months of our marriage, Cheri and I shared a home with my parents, until we had enough money to move out on our own. Selfless Service to Humanity, In fact, Bahaullah mandated that his followers involve themselves in social action when he said, Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.. Required fields are marked *. [32][33] He specifically criticized the work of individual Bah scholars he saw as defending Bah orthodoxy at the expense of historical rigour, including William S. Hatcher,[32] Muhammad Afnan,[32] Juan Cole[33] (although Cole subsequently left the religion), Nader Saiedi,[34] and Moojan Momen. In our group, the discourse enabled all participants to deal upfront with common misconceptions about their religions, and allowed panelists and audience members to be exposed to religions unfamiliar to them. Maybe there is a wisdom in asking for parental consent after all, reading how this marriage of two adults ended up. According to Bah' belief, there have been individuals throughout history who were Manifestations of God, who founded major world religions and had certain supernatural powers, such as the ability to prophesy. The Christian Bible clearly displays this concept, as it includes the Old Testament prophets Moses and Abraham, along with the New Testament prophet Jesus Christ, all of whom Bahais revere and consider divine messengers. I am totally convinced that the Bahai Faith is doomed to fail in its mission to bring peace, unity, and a Golden Age to humanity and I therefore resign from my past membership in the Faith. (6) Some Baha'i errors. The religion began with considerable controversy. ", "The worst enemies of the Cause are in the Cause and mention the Name of God. Over 20,000 unique works by Baha'u'llah have been identified at the Baha'i World Centre, comprising just under seven million words. [15] Douglas Martin wrote that Miller's writings were driven by animus against what he saw as a successful rival faith that was moving into Christian lands. If we think we can help matters by a frank and friendly talk with the individual concerned, refraining from judging or condemning, but pointing out in as kind a manner as possible the way in which, as it seems to us, the sort of conduct in question is harmful to the Cause or of a nature forbidden by the teachings, then it seems well to try that method before resorting to the more formidable method of bringing the matter before the Spiritual Assembly. How cadaverous looking!' Baha'u'llahs followers disseminated his teachings in the Middle East and beyond. I am currently a skeptic who is looking at both UU and Bahai as a new place to find a community that thinks like I do. One of the first Bah institutions in the U.S. was established in Chicago and . Baha'is are followers of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who brought an entirely new, worldwide Faith to humanity. (2) The absence of personal requirements (Baha'i demands) for the Manifestations. The other exclaimed: 'How it is deformed!' As Abdul-Baha, the son and successor of Bahaullah, explained: The original purpose of temples and houses of worship is simply that of unity places of meeting where various peoples, different races and souls of every capacity may come together in order that love and agreement should be manifest between them that all religions, races and sects may come together within its universal shelter. The first is that they equate Krishna to many other prophets, as if somehow Krishna in either case is the main god or spokesperson or prophet of Hinduism as a monolithic religion. Oral reports, although they exist, are considered too unreliable to be fully authoritative and are to . He proclaimed a spiritual doctrine emphasizing the forthcoming appearance of a new prophet or messenger of God who would overturn old beliefs and customs and usher in a new era. I am totally convinced that the Baha'i Faith is doomed to fail in its mission to bring peace, unity, and a Golden Age to humanity and I therefore resign from my past membership in the Faith. Pingback: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith? One must expose the praiseworthy qualities of the souls and not their evil attributes. Being involved in interfaith work, Im constantly asked Whos your local spiritual leader, or priest, or pastor? The fact is, there isnt one. Abstract This article will explore some of the issues involved in the sociological analysis of the status of the Bah' Faith. "The only way jealousy or petty attitudes can be overcome is by the love and tact of the teacher; these are not things that can be solved by a 'ruling'.". The local spiritual assembly has jurisdiction over all local affairs of the Bah community. Bahais believe in the agreement of science and religion; and accept that religion must have practical benefit for humanity in fact, Abdul-Baha said, otherwise it would be preferable to have no religion. Its first leader, the Bb, was imprisoned and executed for heresy in 1850, and Bahu'llh, another central figure, was exiled from Iran and both the Ottoman and Persian Empires tried to destroy his movement. If that has changed recently Id like to see the reference. Baha'is were nonetheless subjected to persecution, as some Muslim clerics perceived their faith to be a heresy. [15], Islamic theology regards Muhammad as the Khatam an-Nabiyyin, the last prophet whom God has sent and Islam as the final religion for all humankind. At the time, I didnt care. [22] Bah scholar Udo Schaefer stated that the legitimization of the death penalty in cases of murder and arson is usually met with disapproval and suspicion in Europe. He was released in 1853 and exiled to Baghdad, where his leadership revived the Bb community. Goodbye. [25] Jason Boyett wrote in 12 Major World Religions that, "The [Bah] condemnation of covenant-breakers is immediate, absolute, andin a religion promoting love and acceptanceprofoundly disconcerting. I was recently invited to participate on an interfaith panel where we all responded to this question: What are the truths and misconceptions about your Faith? About a dozen of these have been translated into English and other languages. Parental consent should only be an issue if the married partners are still minors. In 1850, the Bab was charged by Shi'i religious officials with heresy and was put to death by firing squad. Cheri came to love the freedom of thought in that church, despite still being a strong Christian, while I came to love the powerful community the church provided, despite my agnosticism. Also, the lack of actual places of worship was another big shock. Paradise and Paradigm - Christopher Buck 1999-01-01 Comparing paradise imagery in two Persian religions, early Syriac Christianity and the Baha'i Faith, this work contributes to religious studies methodology by introducing "symbolic paradigm analysis." The Baha'i Faith in Africa - Anthony Lee 2011-10-28 Only the last category could fall into the category of reliable sources (although not independent or disinterested sources ). Baha'u'llah's writings form the foundation of the Baha'i faith. When we did, I left behind at the house most of the Bahai books and other literature I had collected from my eight or nine years as a Bahai. ", "One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. Located there long before Israel became a nation, it happened because Bahaullah had been exiled to the prison city of Akka in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, about 85 years before the state of Israel was founded. The more the friends argue back and forth and maintain, each side, that their point of view is the right one, the worse the whole situation becomes. The Bb was arrested and, after several years of incarceration, was executed in 1850. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The majority of Baha'is, however, live in the global south. Still others encircle this garden inhaling the fragrance of the flowers, having enjoyed its full beauty, pass out again by the same gate. Dale Husbands Sound-Bites for an Idiotic Age, Reliable sources of science news and data, Why peace activists (and critics of religion) sometimes fail Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith? Abdo presented the following list of criticisms of the Bah Faith from a feminist perspective at an annual gathering for Bah studies in 1995: the ineligibility of women to serve on the Universal House of Justice--this is of particular interest to supporters of women priests within the Christian tradition; the intestacy laws in the Kitab-i-Aqdas; the dowry laws with particular reference to the virginity refund clause; the exemption of menstruating women from obligatory prayers and the implication of menstrual taboo; the use of androcentric language and male pronouns in texts; the emphasis on traditional morality and family values[18]. If some means were devised so that the doors of backbiting were shut eternally and each one of the believers unsealed his lips in praise of others, then the teachings of His Holiness Bahullh would spread, the hearts be illumined, the spirits glorified, and the human world would attain to everlasting felicity.' [27] For example, Juan Cole converted to the Bah Faith in 1972, but later resigned in 1996 after conflicts with members of the administration who perceived him as extreme. [11], Bah authors have written in response that the contradictory teachings are either social laws that change from age to age, as part of a progressive revelation, or human error introduced to the more ancient faiths over time. [20] Particularly in the United States, Bahs have attempted to reconcile the immutable conservative teachings on sexuality with the otherwise socially progressive teachings of the religion, but it continues to be a source of controversy. Try making a comment like an adult and I will then treat you like one. Thus you will grow, become more perfect. Im lazy. The electoral process excludes parties or factions, nominations, and campaigning for office. The Bah religion originally grew out of the Bb faith, or sect, which was founded in 1844 by Mrz Al Moammad of Shrz in Iran. Quoted in, Last edited on 12 February 2023, at 13:17, Political accusations against the Baha'i Faith, "The Economist explains: The Bahai faith", "Possible Criticisms of the Baha'i Faith from a Feminist Perspective", "The Baha'i Faith in America as Panopticon, 1963-1997", "Fundamentalism in the Contemporary U.S. Baha'i Community", "Bah' Youth and Sexuality A Personal/Professional View", "Missionary as Historian: William Miller and the Bah' Faith", "Marginality and Apostasy in the Baha'i Community", "An Introduction to Bah' Law: Doctrinal Foundations, Principles and Structures", "A Short Introduction to the Bah' Faith", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Criticism_of_the_Bah_Faith&oldid=1138934100, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 13:17. He was asked 'How shall I overcome seeing the faults of othersrecognizing the wrong in others? Like all Bahai Houses of Worship, it welcomes everyone, and its nine entrances symbolize the many legitimate paths to the Creator. About 5 million people worldwide adhere to the Baha'i faith, according to Patheos.com, but other sources say there are as many as 7 million around the world.. While its true that a Bahai House of Worship exists on each continent, and several local Houses of Worship are also being built, theyre all meant as places where anyone can come to pray and meditate. ", "I desire distinction for you. It was during this exile that he publicly announced the establishment of the Baha'i faith. The Bah' Faith is a world religion based on the teachings of Bah'u'llh. Later, my mother, who was always hostile to the Bahai Faith because of her Baptist convictions, took those items and discarded them all without my consent. Also, tons of conservative, orthodox, even fundamentalist traditional morality in Bahai law. It has an office on the environment involved in sustainable development. Bahaullahs revelation has been recognized as an independent global Faith in most of the countries of the world. ", "It is obvious that if we listen to those who complain to us about the faults of others we are guilty of complicity in their backbiting. The Bah Faith was first mentioned in the United States in 1893 at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. | The Bahai Insider, Pingback: Dale Husband: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith Bah Censorship, Pingback: Another reason to despise Michael Shermer | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: A Critical Analysis of the The Kitb-i-Aqdas, Part Three | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: A Conversion to Mormonism | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Pingback: Featured in a magazine critical of the Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, At the gate of the garden some stand and look within, but do not care to enter. BAHA'IS AND THE NATURE OF GOD "You are quite correct in your understanding of the importance of avoiding backbiting; such conduct strikes at the very unity of the Bah community. Baha'i Viewpoint Heaven and Hell are not seen as literal places that the soul of man goes after physical death but are seen as the . There is, of course the right of appeal from the Local to the National Assembly, and from that to Shoghi Effendi,* but the matter ought to be dealt with, in the first instance, by the Local Spiritual Assembly. The Bahs must be distinguished from others of humanity. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. "As to backbiting, the House of Justice points out that learning not to concern oneself with the faults of others seems to be one of the most difficult lessons for people to master, and that failing in this is a fertile cause of disputes among Bahs as it is among men and women in general. The stupidity of that idea should be obvious. Rather, Bahais look to the spiritual teachings of the Bab and Bahaullah, as interpreted and elucidated by Abdul-Baha, for inspiration and guidance. Your message was successfully sent to BahaiTeachings.org. ". Instead, I asked her to join with me in First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church, which I had belonged to before. The Baha'i Faith explained that away by claiming that while Jesus was indeed a Messenger (or Manifestation) of God, His faith had become corrupted over time and thus most Christians were not truly following him, but the doctrines of men. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness. Bahais have no clergy. Someone from the Bahai community will contact you shortly. A few weeks later, the NSA replied that they had accepted my resignation and expressed hope that I would one day decide to return. But if that fails or if we feel that it is hopeless to try and deal with the matter in that way, while at the same time the case is so serious that the interests of the Cause require that it should be firmly dealt with, then the proper course is to bring the matter before the Spiritual Assembly and have it frankly and fully discussed, calling such evidence as is necessary for the elucidation of the matter. This must be the point of distinction among you. Heaven and Hell and the Baha'i Faith. We need not fear the enemies on the outside for such can be easily dealt with. His son and successor, Abdu'l-Baha, traveled to Europe and the United States to spread the faith. "he suggests you write the National Spiritual Assembly in a loving spirit, and point out to them how it distresses you to think that, after so many years of service, statements about you which you consider unjustified should be preserved. by Jeremy Butler | Mar 25, 2010 | Baha'i, World Religions. Actually, when I was Bahai I was dating a nominal Christian, and I had suggested the UU church as a possible place that we could go for worship together if we got married. His writings, which promote peace and unity, are at the heart of the . The principal Bah tenets are the essential unity of all religions and the unity of humanity. The followers of such sects are labeled Covenant-breakers, shunned, and viewed as enemies of the faith. (Quoted in Star of West, Vol. ", " Backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul. But its root is lack of faith in the system of Bahullh, i.e., the Administrative Orderand lack of obedience to Himfor He has forbidden it! In this two-part article we will briefly examine: (1) The Baha'i approach to other religions. Membership in the Bah community is open to all who profess faith in Bah Allh and accept his teachings. I should update this by noting that I separated from Cheri in December of 2011 and filed for divorce from her on May 7, 2012, finally getting the divorce granted on August 15, 2012. My future wife was a member of First Baptist Church of Dallas, a stronghold of fundamentalism. I stayed silent about my defection from the Bahai Faith untilOctober 19, 2007, when I posted my first blog entry attacking it. I am closer to God than I have ever been, and less confused than I have ever been. Each of us is immeasurably far from being 'perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect' and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our will-power and energy. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Its just spiritual, not practical, was one incorrect comment Ive heard about the Bahai Faith not once, but many times. If the Bahs would follow the Bah laws in voting, in electing, in serving and in abiding by Assembly decisions, all this waste of strength through criticising others could be diverted into cooperation and achieving the Plan. Theimplication is that Bahai is Jewish, which may also be mistakenly inferred by some because the world headquarters of the Bahai Faith is in Haifa, Israel. I hope that all the believers will attain to this lofty station. ", " Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity. Instead, he joined a new religious movement, started by a young Iranian, known as the Bab. RELATED: What is the Best Way to Worship? Its first leader, the Bb, was imprisoned and executed for heresy in 1850, and Bahu'llh, another central figure, was exiled from Iran and both the Ottoman and Persian Empires tried to destroy his movement. I, too, am considering resigning my membership. As a member of Irans nobility, Baha'u'llah was offered a government position. In 'Star of the West', Volume 8, No. For you I desire spiritual distinction; that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in morals. [7][8], The Bah Faith has maintained its unity and avoided serious division, although several attempts have been made to create sects. Goodbye. Bahs believe that all the founders of the world's great religions have been manifestations of God and agents of a progressive divine plan for the education of the human race. All done! Thornton Chase was the most prominent among the first American Baha'is and made important contributions to early activities. The Bahs use a calendar, established by the Bb and confirmed by Bah Allh, in which the year is divided into 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of 4 intercalary days (5 in leap years). [23], The Bah teachings emphasize the need for unity, and have an official line of succession of leadership to prevent schism. This is the conduct and the manner of the real Bahais (Bahs). He remained there until his passing in 1892. How white they are!' Pingback: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. The principal Bah tenets are the essential unity of all religions and the unity of humanity. (3) Anachronistic Baha'i scriptures. | The Bahai Insider, Dale Husband: Why I Abandoned the (Haifan) Bahai Faith Bah Censorship, Another reason to despise Michael Shermer | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, A Critical Analysis of the The Kitb-i-Aqdas, Part Three | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, A Conversion to Mormonism | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Featured in a magazine critical of the Bahai Faith | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants, Why I Rejected the Bahai Faith, 4th Edition | Dale Husband's Intellectual Rants. This unique conception of religion which Abdul-Baha explained by saying These holy Manifestations of God are the Educators and Trainers of the world of existence, the Teachers of the world of humanity is not an artificial attempt to bring religions together, but instead a completely new way to see all Faiths as one organic whole rather than a collection of competing belief systems. Since then, the Bahai International Community, as a non-governmental organization with a permanent seat at the United Nations, has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. [21] The Universal House of Justice stated in 1995, and has repeated since, that the teachings on sexuality are laid down in the faith's scripture and that, "the House of Justice has no authority to change this clear teaching on homosexual practice. Bah Allhs peculiar function was to overcome the disunity of religions and establish a universal faith. gss t ws mr lk prf tht yr prblms l lss n pltcs nd rlgn nd mre n mntal hlth sss? We were married the following year. The Baha'i Faith, the world's newest independent global belief system, teaches the oneness of God, the unity of humanity , and the essential harmony of religion. [19] Abdu'l-Bah said that it would become clear in the future why the restriction was in place. In fact, 41 countries - or around a fifth (21%) of those evaluated - banned at least one religion-related group in 2019, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of laws and policies in effect in 198 countries in 2019, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available. Bahu'llh's claim of divine revelation is in direct conflict with this common interpretation of Islam. Knowing you seem similar to my mindset from a brief review of your site, I might be more inclined to try the UU route. The belief in fulfilled prophecies is presented by Bah' authors to demonstrate the validity of Bah'u'llh 's claim to divinity. The Nineteen Day Feast, originally instituted by the Bb, brings together the Bahs of a given locality for prayer, the reading of scriptures, the discussion of community activities, and the enjoyment of one anothers company. Assistant Professor of History and Middle East Studies, Idaho State University. Baha'u'llahs writings form the foundation of the Baha'i faith. In a Tablet to an American friend the Master wrote: 'The worst human quality and the most great sin is backbiting, more especially when it emanates from the tongues of the believers of God. Still, when I left the Administration I formally withdrew but this had more to do with the sanctity of the rites of initiation in the Christain Church than it did with the Administration of the Bahai faith. ThenI cut completely all personal ties to the Bahais in the Fort Worth area. I composed that letter on my computer and mailed it in January of 2005. The individual believer should seek to do this, whether he is consulting a friend, Bah or non-Bah, or whether the friend is consulting him. Ive never officially withdrawn or resigned, but stopped being a Bahai either one or two years after declaration. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bahai-Faith, The British Library - An introduction to the Bahai Faith, World Religious and Spirituality Project - Bahai Faith, Bahai Faith - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Bahai faith - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Baha'u'llahs father was a minister in Irans government, which supported Shi'i Islam as the state religion. Summed up in Baha'u'llahs words: The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.. Deborah Clark Vance earned a Ph.D. from Howard University in Intercultural Communication and served as Assoc Prof. and Chair of the Dept of Comm & Cinema at McDaniel College. One of them said: 'How putrid has this animal become!' In 1863, shortly before being moved by the Ottoman government to Constantinople (now Istanbul), Bah Allh declared to his fellow Bbs that he was the messenger of God foretold by the Bb. It really doesnt matter what one calls oneself, it only matters what ones relationship is to God in reality. in practice you would have lost your administrative rights anyway,. The last claim is partially rooted in the presence of the Bah World Centre in northern Israel. It is the world's second-most widespread religion after Christianity, spanning the globe and working to unite it. Cults often promote violence, and Bahais are peaceful, non-violent citizens. He must be a lover of the rose, no matter in what soil it may be growing. We should therefore, as tactfully as possible, but yet firmly, do our utmost to prevent others from making accusations or complaints against others in our presence.". ", "He feels that you should do your utmost to call the attention of the friends to these large things, and real triumphs, and away from their personal differences and petty pre-occupations. Importantly, the Bahai Faith first emerged in a Muslim culture in what is now Iran, so Islam could be said to be its parent Faith in the same way that Judaism was the parent Faith of Christianity. If you dont recognize Bahaullah as a manifestation of God then you arent really a Bahai whether or not you happen to be part of the Bahai Administrative Order. In the early 21st century there were nine Bah houses of worship: in Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Germany, India, Panama, Samoa, the United States, and Uganda. Dale's Declarations. The truth, on the contrary, is that the Bahai Faith teaches progressive revelation, which means, as Abdul-Baha said in a talk he gave in the United States in 1912, that: the divine religions of the holy Manifestations of God are in reality one, though in name and nomenclature they differ. If we allow our attention and energy to be taken up in efforts to keep others right and remedy their faults, we are wasting precious time. He teaches that God is a loving Parent who never uses threats or fear or guilt or shame in relating to Her/His children. Actually, Baha'is have been imprisoned and martyred since their Faith began in Persia, because of the persecution of the powerful Islamic clerics who consider the Baha'i Faith and its progressive principles a threat. The central figure of the religion is Baha'u'llah, and Baha'is consider him to be the latest in a series of divine messengers. John Ankerberg) have attacked its history and founders, institutions, teachings, and use of prophecy. Here are the misconceptions I addressed: People often ask where Bahais worship, which perhaps indicates anassumption more than a misconception. Will and Testament of 'Abdul-Baha; Shoghi Effendi. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Baha'is are among the most persecuted religious minorities in the world. ', and He replied: 'I will tell you. Shoghi and the Grandsons of 'Abdu'l Baha; The Guardianship of Shoghi: Losses and Losses; Shoghi in the Will of the Master Abdu'l Baha; New History Society; Early Baha'is. https://bahai.works/index.php?title=Lights_of_Guidance/Backbiting,_Criticism,_Faultfinding,_Gossip,_Lies,_Slander_Etc.&oldid=121304. Yes, intermittent fasting has become pretty trendy, for this physical fast is a symbol of the spir, At the beginning of the 20th century, what did a P, One must see in every human being only that which, Every tender heart wonders What can I do to hel, Act in such a way that your heart may be free from, While sorrow and suffering seem to be inescapable, What is the Best Way to Worship? Despite their apparent differences, the worlds great religions, according to the Bahs, teach an identical truth. On no subject are the Bah teachings more emphatic than on the necessity to abstain from fault-finding and backbiting, while being ever eager to discover and root out our own faults and overcome our own failings.' I have been studying AJ Millers teachings for 17 months now. ", "When criticism and harsh words arise within a Bah community, there is no remedy except to put the past behind one, and persuade all concerned to turn over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith refrain from mentioning the subjects which have led to misunderstanding and inharmony. Finding out about what the Bahai Faith was actually about rather than all the stuff they like to advertise was a big shock. A "Unitarian Baha'i" comes across as an idiot, again! Cults separate, and the Bahai Faith unites. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab; Lady Ruth White. tht ws qck. The religion began with considerable controversy. [1] Western academics have criticized the requirement for Bahs to seek pre-publication review when publishing on the religion[3] and the exclusion of women from serving on the Universal House of Justice.

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