ABS Events

ABS activities range from large lectures analyzing the solutions to the problems which face the globe to small parties analyzing the effect of guacamole on your digestive system. Below is a description of the different types of events we host on campus:

Large Lectures

Please check back in a few days.

Workshops / Presentations

About once a month the McGill ABS holds workshops/presentations which address the applications of Bahá'í teachings to the worlds current social problems and ideals. To present these topics, the ABS invites scholars from around the continent to speak on issues that pertain to their profession. Past topics have varied from "Spiritual Solutions to World Economic Problems " to "The Convergence of Neuroscience and Revealed Knowledge".

The workshops/presentations consist of a 30 – 60 min talk by the presenter followed by a general question/discussion period on the presented topic. Light refreshments are often served at the end, at which time more informal discussion can take place. The talks take place in the SSMU building and everyone is welcome.

Tings

These are small parties usually hosted at students/professors houses. Are are welcome.

Prayer Circles

These are small gatherings in which participants share that which they find inspiring and offer prayers together.

Dinner Discussion Evenings

Part of the goal of the ABS at McGill is to to help foster the study of the teachings, history, and philosophy of the Bahá'í Faith. This is why the ABS has established a monthly student dinner and discussion evening hosted by Arash Abizadeh, one of our young profs at McGill, and Nika Khanjani, a writer and filmmaker.

We get together monthly at Arash & Nika's place to enjoy some dinner, discuss an article in Baha'i Studies, exchange ideas, and just hang out. Each discussion is begun by a brief student critique of the article. Everyone is welcome; you are simply asked to read the article, which will be made available via the ABS website, before coming.

Below is a list and links to articles we have discussed in the past:

Franklin Lewis, "Scripture as Literature: Sifting Through the Layers of the Text", Baha'i Studies Review 7 (1997).
Seena Fazel. "Understanding Exclusivist Texts", In Scripture and Revelation ed. M. Momen (Oxford, 1997).
Moojan Momen, "Relativism: A Basis for Bahá'í Metaphysics." In Studies in Honor of the Late Husayn M. Balyuzi (Los Angeles 1988).
Arash Abizadeh. "'Because Baha'u'llah Said So': Dealing with a Non-starter in Moral Reasoning" Baha'i Studies Review 5 (1995)..
Christopher White, "An Examination of Bahá'í Prayer as Remembrance." Baha'i Studies Review 7 (1997).
Nick Ward, "The Bahá'í State: Analogously Liberal or Benevolently Theocratic?" Unpublished work in progress.
Moojan Momen. "Mysticism and the Bahá'í Community." Unpublished article.
Udo Schaefer, "Loyalty to the Covenant and Critical Thought." Unpublished transcript.
Udo Schaefer, "Infallible Institutions?" Baha'i Studies Review 9 (1999/2000).
Moojan Momen. "The God of Baha'u'llah" In The Baha'i Faith and the World's Religions

Large Lectures
Workshops
Tings
Prayer Circles
Dinner Discussions