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The Bahá’í Faith at the University of South Carolina at Columbia

From Bahaipedia

The Bahá'í Faith at the University of South Carolina at Columbia was covered in the student newspaper The Gamecock. Digitization has been run from 1908 to 1988, issues from 1989 to 2006 have not been scanned yet.[1] Issues after 2006 are currently online.[2] There are about 45 mentions of the religion (not including trivial repeats.)[3]


Early Days[edit]

In March 1947 Ruth Moffett gave a presentation on campus about the Bahá'í Temple.[4] There is no mention of a club.

Despite the age of the newspaper there is no known mention of the religion before this entry or after until 1968.

Renewed presence[edit]

In December 1968 actress Linda Marshall gave a talk at the club meeting on campus on the religion's involvement in human rights. The club was noted having eight members.[5] In 1969 it is noted as among the clubs on campus that doesn't use a chaplain.[6]

In December 1969 the club presented on the subject of the Second Coming of Jesus.[7] In November 1970 the club lost its registration status.[8]

Increased activity[edit]

In November 1971 the club held its first meeting of the year November 18[9] and noted the club was holding meetings[10] The December meeting subject was "Youth has the answer". [11] At a fireside "unlike any religious assembly I've seen" in December 1971 the reporter noted in particular Ben Juda and Phil Ramsey. It profiles the religion listing principles and broad acceptance but wonders about what would happen in a world of Bahá'ís to the "stubborn unbelievers",[12] and its last meeting of the year December 7.[13] January 1972 held its first post-break meeting.[14][15]

The Bahá'í club observed Human Rights Day in December 1972[16] and continued to have meetings.[17] A February 1973 profile of the Bahá'ís notes Ben Hendrix, student and chair of the local assembly, that underscores principles of the religion, briefl of the history, and a "… threat … in the next 27 years" to accept its Lord.[18] In April the club was holding meetings.[19] In June there was an exhibition of Sara Kay Hatch in Russell House Gallery. Hatch had earned a Master in Fine Arts from USC in 1973 in painting and printmaking with a teaching certificate from Western Illinois University.[20]

In September 1973, the club held a meeting and would be electing its officers.[21]

In January 1976 a short class on the Bahá'í Faith was held during registration which was also class signup.[22] In February the club held a meetings.[23][24]

In September 1976 Seals & Crofts were profiled in a page length article. The pre-concert atmosphere was decidedly and destinguishingly calm and "warned" that the news conference would note "The Baha'i religion" and had preparred for the "barrage" found he had "grossly miscalculated." Though the subject was introduced "S&C make it a point not to preach to people about the Baha'i… very important to them, not to be seen as evangelists." However the topic did come up and was discussed at some length. Teachings were outlined in the article, virtues, and observing "the Baha'i life". The article then to reviews their family histories and getting involved in music.[25] The group had added these stops in Columbia and Atlanta at the request of local assemblies. "… I couldn't help by be moved by what I had just experience. In a stressful, anciety-plagued business that breeds enemies and shatters friendships, I had just witnessed a unique bond. There was an impenetrable force that held these two men together; it seemed no power would be able to seperate them. I had shunned the Baha'i Faith at first, out of ignorance I realize now. But this evening I developed a respect for it and for Seals and Crofts."[26] The club had to re-register to continue.[27] In March 1977 the club was on the list of clubs needing to re-register for existing as a club[28] and was so registered in April.[29]

Advertised first in February,[30] in March 1978 the "Unity and Bluegrass Band" played at USC and noted the religion and some basic brief metions of the religion and that the band members are all also in the religion:[31] Haydn Mahr, Dave Neidig, Mark Harries, Doug Minard, Adrian McKee, and Dave Bragmar.

In October 1979[32] and February 1980[33] Elizabeth Thompson was listed as the contact person for the club.

In October 1980 it was still listed.[34] In April 1981 the club was re-listed.[35]

Noting the persecution[edit]

March 1983 Mihri Mavaddat gave a talk on campus[36] and the newspaper published an interview with her, widow of Farhang Mavaddat which was executed June 23, 1981. A brief profile of the religion follows. Farhang had asked to be a witness for another Baha'i on trial when he was arrested and soon the home was ransakked and Mihri was also arrested. She was "cursed for hours and called a prostitue. Imprisoned for eight days. Farhang was arrested for 20 days but then after a month they were searched daily and then arrested for another month. After five months he would not recant and was soon executed.[37] And after Farhang was buried the cemetery was confiscated.[38]

Florence[edit]

The Francis Marion university at Florence also had student newspapers - The Campus Crier circa 1970-1995,(printed index only)[39] and was followed by The Patriot News which is online from 2010 through the present[40] as well as a sports focused website.[41] Of the online presence there are only two mentions of the religion[42][43] - an article on Louis Venters from 2011[44] and soccer teammate in 2014-15.[45]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "About this site". The Gamecock. South Caroliniana Library, University Libraries Digital Collections, and Student Media. 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Home". The Gamecock. South Caroliniana Library, University Libraries Digital Collections, and Student Media. 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Search of "bahai"". http://www.sc-newspapers.sc.edu. March 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  4. ↑ "Baha'i Temple will be lecture subject tonight at Wardlaw" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. March 11, 1947. p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Campus News Beat; Baha'i Club" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. December 13, 1968. p. 3. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  6. ↑ Karen Surratt (February 7, 1969). "Religion at USC growing and getting new emphasis" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 4. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Campus Calendar; Baha'i Student Association…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. December 17, 1969. p. 3. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Organizations loose their status" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. November 4, 1970. p. 4. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  9. ↑ "(advert) The world is trembling…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. November 15, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  10. ↑ "News briefs - Baha'i: One God, truth, equality, harmony, education…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. November 19, 1971. p. 8. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  11. ↑ "News briefs; Baha'i Club meets" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. December 1, 1971. p. 8. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  12. ↑ Margaret Swendseid (December 3, 1971). "Baha'i faith puts man above any principal, dogma, doctrine" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 5. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Campus Calendar; Baha'i Faith…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. December 4, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  14. ↑ "News Briefs; Baha'i Meeting" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. January 19, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  15. ↑ "News briefs; Baha'i meeting" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. January 21, 1972. p. 5. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  16. ↑ "News Briefs USC Baha'i Club…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. December 7, 1972. p. 3. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  17. ↑ "News Briefs; Bahá'í Fireside" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. December 11, 1972. p. 10. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  18. ↑ Aaron Medlock (February 19, 1973). "Baha'is prepare for calamity, plan to ease world disaster" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 3. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  19. ↑ "News Briefs; Baha'i Faith - public meetings…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. April 20, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Bahai ideals inspire artist" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. June 28, 1973. p. 7. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Baha'i Club to hold fireside" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. September 10, 1973. p. 13. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Free university short course registration" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. January 26, 1976. p. 12. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Classified ads; Baha'i Faith…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. February 9, 1976. p. 3. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Classified ads" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. February 23, 1976. p. 4. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  25. ↑ Tom Shealey (September 2, 1976). "Seals & Crofts (continues…)" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 10B. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  26. ↑ Tom Shealey (September 2, 1976). "(continued) Seals & Crofts" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 12B. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  27. ↑ "The following organizations have no rechartered…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. September 20, 1976. p. 16. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Deadline for rechartering" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. March 31, 1977. p. 19. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  29. ↑ "The following organizations have successfully completed the chartering process" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. April 4, 1977. p. 6. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Band to perform" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. February 23, 1978. p. 14. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  31. ↑ Teresa McClain (March 2, 1978). "Bluegrass band entertains with down home music" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 15. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Free university registration" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. October 3, 1979. p. 16. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Free university registration" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. February 8, 1980. p. 16. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  34. ↑ Robert Reeves (October 1, 1980). "FReligious groups plan busy year" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 3. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  35. ↑ "These organizations have successfully completed the relicensing process" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. April 15, 1981. p. 12. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Religious persecution in Iran…" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. March 9, 1983. p. 5. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  37. ↑ Mark Farmer (March 25, 1983). "Widow flees religious persecution in iran; despite suffering, wants to return to homeland (continued)" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 3. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  38. ↑ Mark Farmer (March 25, 1983). "(Continued) Widow flees religious persecution in iran; despite suffering, wants to return to homeland" (PDF). The Gamecock. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 4. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  39. ↑ * Suzanne Singleton (April 1994). "Index to the Campus crier, volumes 1-20, September 4, 1970-April 20, 1990, Francis Marion College, Florence, South Carolina". James A. Rogers Library. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Not Found, Error 404". The Patriot News. 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Francis Marion Patriots". fmupatriots.com. 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Google search of patriotnewsonline.com". March 20115. Retrieved March 23, 2015. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ↑ "Google search of fmupatriots.com". March 20115. Retrieved March 23, 2015. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. ↑ Daniel Purves (April 14, 2011). "Dr. Venters presents at conference in Israel". The Patriot. Florence, South Carolina. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Shahin Hemat". The Patriot FMU. Florence, South Carolina. 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
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