Maggi Van Dorn (pictured, left) talks with Al Cadena (right)
Thanks to Eddie Gonzalez (center), our friend from StoryCorps, for helping with the recording.
In this episode of our free podcast series “NYC Faith Leaders,” Maggi Van Dorn talks with Al Cadena, one of nine members of an elected body called the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New York City. Al provides a wonderful introduction to Bahá’í beliefs, and how the faith informs a person’s ethics. He also shares his inspiring journey to victory on the game show “Jeopardy!”.
On Bahá’ísm: “Bahá’í stresses the unity of all the world’s religions, that they all come from God.”
On Youth: “Oftentimes society believes that youth doesn’t have the ability to be role models… but if anything, youth have the ability to move the world. So let’s let them do that.”
On Morality: “The soul has no gender, no color, no class. Because each one of us has a soul that comes from God, then we have to treat each other beautifully. It’s the ‘Golden Rule,’ but goes further because you want better for your brother or sister than for yourself.”
Note: The music clips heard in this podcast episode are taken from the song “Morning Prayer.” The words are those of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Bahá’í faith. The music was written, and the song is performed by, Saphira Rameshfar. Complete song and lyrics here
We hope you will not just listen to this series, but download the podcasts to hear while driving, jogging, or washing the dishes. And subscribe in order to be alerted when new installments are available. It’s a great way to learn about the faiths of our New York City neighbors.
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