A Cry from the Heart: The Baha'is in Iran

by William Sears

A CRY FROM THE The Baha'is in Iran by William Sears 1982 Softcover 219 pages George Ronald publisher, Oxford UK

Genres: Baha I, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1982

About the author

William Sears (March 28, 1911 - March 25, 1992) was a prominent American Bahá'í teacher and writer.

Sears was appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi in the last contingent of Hands prior to his death in 1957.

Sears was a United States television and radio personality. He remains an extremely popular author in the Bahá'í community.

(source: Wikipedia June 28, 2008)

Picture reproduced with permission of the Bahá’í International Community.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-breaking stories of torture and triumph from the Baha'is in Iran.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Sears gives a heartfelt story about what has happened to Baha'is in Iran. Many Baha'is have been put in prison, their businesses closed, their children, who are some of the top students in the school are kicked out of school because they are Baha'is, their houses and cemeteries demolished, the Baha'i Holy Places torn down, their marriages not recognized, their bodies hacked to pieces, hung, burned, and their religion defiled by the Ecclesiastical leaders of Islam and government. No one is ever sent to prison for any of these acts against the Baha'is. In fact they are encouraged to do them.
All because they would rather die then recant their faith in Baha'u'llah and which would mean their disbelief in Muhammad whom Baha'is are taught to revere as a Manifestation of God. Baha'is are also told to obey their government.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and its concentrating on the serious topic of religious persecution -- which often seems irrational. It has very sad parts and an interesting section about a doctor who was loved by many individuals of several different religious persuasions. It is very emotional but it is an emotional topic affecting real people. I consider it very important especially in these times

[Sarah Key · Rating 2 out of 5]

It may seem cruel of me to give this book such a mediocre rating. A Cry from the Heart is an eye-opening and valuable piece of literature, and I appreciate it for its authenticity as a journal, intimate recording of history, and comparative study of religion. However, there were significant sections where I felt immune to both its message and speaker.