Documents published in Solas

1. Adventures in Biographical Research: John and William Cormick, by Vincent Flannery, in Solas, 4 (2004). Biographical details of the only European known to have met the Bab, William Cormick, and his father John Cormick. [about]
2. Asking Questions: The Independent Investigation of Truth, by Edwin McCloughan, in Solas, 1 (2001). On understanding and applying this primary principle of the Faith. [about]
3. Century of Light: New Trends in Understanding, by Earl Redman, in Solas, 3 (2003). "Century of Light" turns conventional wisdom on its head in expressing Bahá'u'lláh's statement about the world’s equilibrium being upset by his new World Order, examines the 20th century in a holistic sense, and gives a new perspective on history. [about]
4. Child of the Covenant, by Adib Taherzadeh: Review, by Tricia Fallon-Barry, in Solas, 1 (2001). Brief review of this sequel to Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh. [about]
5. Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha'i Faith, by Peter Smith, A: Review, by Edwin McCloughan, in Solas, 1 (2001). An invaluable reference book for Bahá'í scholars. [about]
6. Creating Environments that Enhance Spirituality, by Dawn Staudt, in Solas, 3 (2003). The teachings and laws of the Bahá’í Faith are for spiritual advancement of both the individual and society. Three areas in particular help individual development: the use of personal prayer, the arts and Tranquility Zones, and the role of encouragement. [about]
7. Equality and Baha'i Principles in Northern Ireland, by Edwin Graham, in Solas, 1 (2001). A paper in two parts: (1) the development of equality legislation in Northern Ireland, and (2) the Bahá’í Teachings in relation to equality and the extent to which Northern Irish legislation applies or does not apply them. [about]
8. Evolution and Baha'i Belief, by Keven Brown and Eberhard von Kitzing: Review and Commentary, by Eamonn Moane, in Solas, 4 (2004). Lengthy overview of the Bahá'í response to Darwinism and the concepts of parallel evolution and species change. [about]
9. First Four Caliphs of Islam, The, by Betsy Omidvaran, in Solas, 1 (2001). Many Bahá’ís know little about Islam, and most of what they do know is based on minority Shi’ism. This overview of the first four caliphs, the "Rightly Guided," will help introduce Sunni Islam. [about]
10. 'His Eminence Mírzá ‘Abbás Effendi Has Reached the Shores of Alexandria': Abdu'l-Baha in Egypt, by Betsy Omidvaran, in Solas, 4 (2004). Contacts ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had with influential people in Egypt, the impressions he made on them, and the description of his journey there as contained in Century of Light and many other Bahá'í texts and histories. [about]
11. Ireland's Multi-Ethnic Immigration Challenge: An Irish Bahá'í View, by Eamonn Moane, in Solas, 2 (2002). After centuries of population loss, Ireland’s economic success in the 1990s led to a surge of immigration, but its reaction to a multi-ethnic influx has been disappointing. It needs Bahá'í approaches like consultation, tolerance, fairness, and morality. [about]
12. Kitáb-i-Aqdas as a Lens with which to Examine some of the Dilemmas of Modernity, The, by Betsy Omidvaran, in Solas, 2 (2002). Contrast between the Aqdas - the source of laws of future society - and issues of the modern world as it had evolved up to the 19th century. Discussion of Houses of Worship, universal language, financial principles, justice, the Covenant, and unity. [about]
13. Life of Hugh McKinley, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, by Olive McKinley, in Solas, 4 (2004). History of Hugh McKinley, correspondent of Shoghi Effendi, and his father, David McKinley — lives of interest not only to Bahá'ís but to the Irish in general. [about]
14. Long, Withdrawing Roar, The: The Crisis of Faith and Nineteenth-Century English Poetry, by Edwin McCloughan, in Solas, 2 (2002). A Bahá'í response to the argument that the crisis of faith in the late 19th century was conditioned by historical circumstances and has therefore little relevance for a contemporary reader. [about]
15. Making of Portraits of Some Bahá'í Women by O.Z. Whitehead, The, by Wendi Momen, in Solas, 3 (2003). Recollections by the editor/publisher of stories behind the writing of O.Z. 'Zebby' Whitehead's books, and some biographical information about Whitehead himself. Includes brief review by Edwin McCloughan from The Irish Times. [about]
16. Personal Consideration of the Four Year Plan and its Legacy from an Irish Bahá'í Perspective, A, by Brian Corvin, in Solas, 1 (2001). A frank and detailed assessment and retrospective of the response to the Four Year Plan (1996-2000) in the Republic of Ireland. Though highly personal and at times polemical, the author offers the paper as a socio-historical analysis with suggestions. [about]
17. Perspectives on the Global Economy at the Dawn of the 21st Century: An Irish Bahá'í View, by Eamonn Moane, in Solas, 1 (2001). The state and issues of the global economy, including Ireland, at the start of the 21st century. Though not intended to be a general Bahá’í critique of the world economy, the paper concludes with a Bahá’í contribution to the issues raised. [about]
18. Perspectives on the Inseparable Twin Duties Prescribed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, by Eamonn Moane, in Solas, 3 (2003). Religions differ in the balance of faith versus good works, the grace of God versus human strivings, and the scheme of salvation. To Bahá'ís, recognizing the Prophet and obedience to his laws are equal duties. For salvation, faith surpasses deeds. [about]
19. Philosophical Basis for the Centre for Renewable Energy at Dundalk Institute of Technology, A, by Lawrence D. Staudt, in Solas, 3 (2003). Nature of the physical world, the principle of sustainability, the present energy situation, options for Ireland, a vision for the use of renewable energy in Ireland, and the role of the Centre for Renewable Energy at Dundalk Institute of Tech (CREDIT). [about]
20. Roman Catholic Priesthood and Bahá'í Administration, The, by Kevin Brogan, in Solas, 2 (2002). Helping Bahá’ís understand the theology and function of Roman Catholic Priesthood and helping Catholics understand how the elements of its priesthood (Leadership, Teaching, and Sacrament) are in many ways fulfilled in the Bahá’í Administration. [about]
21. Significance of the Four Year Plan, The, by Andrew Alexander, in Solas, 4 (2004). A look at the central documents of the 4 Year Plan (1996-2000) and their relevance to the new century. Understanding these International Plans helps the Bahá'í community evolve and expand. Includes overview of the role of these Plans in Bahá'í history. [about]
22. Songs of the Spirit: A Collection of Poems Written during the Fast 2003 and 2004, by Dawn Staudt, in Solas, 4 (2004). [about]
23. Spiritual Footprints in the Sands of Time, by Kevin Brogan, in Solas, 3 (2003). The covenantal relationship between God and humankind; the lives of the founders of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism; the societies in which these religions developed; and some of their common features. [about]
24. Theology of the Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church, The, by Kevin Brogan, in Solas, 1 (2001). Helping Bahá'ís understand the Catholic church's historical perspectives and spiritual significance placed on sacraments, which are: Baptism, Penance, Confirmation, Eucharist (or Mass), Marriage, Holy Orders, and Sacrament of the Sick (“Extreme Unction"). [about]
25. Towards a Complete and Fully Integrated Model of the Human Species, by Gearóid Carey, in Solas, 4 (2004). An adequate model of human evolution must integrate current scientific information as well as metaphysical insights from divine revelation. The human species model before and after the Neolithic revolution must include both. [about]
26. Two Poems: The Muse, Don Quixote, by Sheila Banani, in Solas, 3 (2003). [about]
27. Two Poems: Threnody, Mystery of Life, by Hugh McKinley, in Solas, 3 (2003). [about]
28. Use of Trees as Symbols in the World Religions, The, by Sally Liya, in Solas, 4 (2004). The tree is a universal symbol found in the myths of all peoples. This Jungian archetype figures in dreams; symbolizes growth, unfolding, shelter, and nurture; is regarded as the gatekeeper to the next world; and is a metaphor in Bahá'í scripture. [about]
29. Visits of the Hands of the Cause of God to Ireland, by Betsy Omidvaran, in Solas, 3 (2003). An overview of all known visits by the Hands, the highest-ranking officers of the Bahá’í Faith, to Ireland. Review of the many historical sources about this largely-uninvestigated topic. Includes timeline of the visits between 1952 and 1986. [about]
30. Web and Weft of Civilisation: Art and Learning in the Bahá'í Community, by Aodhán Floyd, in Solas, 2 (2002). One of the challenges of the 5 Year Plan (2001-2006) is enhancing the relationship between education and art. Learning through the arts can enrich communities and help integrate societies. Education is the most effective way to shape values. [about]

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