Expertise I have been a Baha`i for 50 years and been associated with this new world religion for 56. I have written three books on the Baha`i Faith. Any expertise I possess is based on these many years of what I trust is a maturing experience, on the training of my mind by means of many avenues in life one of which is academic. My qualifications include: a B.A., a B.Ed., a M.A.(Qual. Thesis) and 4 party completed Graduate Diplomas. The Baha'i writings emphasize that Baha'is should strive to possess: a well-trained mind, establish some recognized ability in the eyes of others and, over time, cultivate a mature experience in community life. They should also attempt to exemplify, to the best of their capacity, some degree of selfless devotion and unquestioned loyalty to the Cause they have identified themselves with, namely, the Baha'i Faith. One can but try.
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I will be 65 years of age in July 2009. I was a teacher/lecturer for 36 years(1967-2005), among many other jobs and have been married for 42 years. With three grown-up children aged: 42, 39 and 32(in 2009) and two step-grandchildren age 15 and 12, I bring a background, therefore, of relevant family and employment experience to the kind of questions likely to be asked at this site.
Experience _______________________________________________________________________________
See my website section 24 for more details on both my Baha'i experience, my academic studies, my employment experience and my writing. Below is a summary statement of my lifeline:
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1. EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL-ROLES: 1944-2009
1999-2009-Writer/Poet/Retired Teacher: George Town Tasmania
2002-2005-Program Presenter, City Park Radio, Launceston
1999-2004-Tutor and/or President: George Town School for Seniors Inc
1988-1999 -Lecturer in General Studies and Human Services West Australian Department of Training
1986-1987 -Acting Lecturer in Management Studies and Co-ordinator of Further Education Unit at Hedland College in South Hedland, WA.
1982-1985 -Adult Educator, Open College of Tafe, Katherine, NT
1981 -Maintenance Scheduler, Renison Bell, Zeehan, Tasmania
1980-Unemployed: Bi-Polar Disability
1979 -Editor, External Studies Unit, Tasmanian CAE; Youth Worker, Resource Centre Association, Launceston; Lecturer in Organizational Behaviour, Tasmanian CAE; Radio Journalist ABC, Launceston
1976-1978 -Lecturer in Social Sciences & Humanities, Ballarat CAE, Ballarat
1975 - Lecturer in Behavioural Studies, Whitehorse Technical College, Box Hill, Victoria
1974 -Senior Tutor in Education Studies, Tasmanian CAE, Launceston
1972-1973 -High School Teacher, South Australian Education Department
1971 Primary School Teacher, Whyalla SA, Australia
1969-1971 Primary School Teacher, Prince Edward County Board of Education, Picton, Ontario, Canada
1969 Systems Analyst, Bad Boy Co. Ltd., Toronto Ontario
1967-68 -Community Teacher, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Frobisher Bay, NWT, Canada
1959-67 -Summer jobs from grade 9 to end of university
1949-1967 - Attended 2 primary schools, 2 high schools and 2 universities in
Canada: McMaster Uni:1963-1966, Windsor T’s College: 1966/7.
1944-1963 -Childhood(1944-57) and adolescence(1957-63) in and around Hamilton Ontario.
Organizations CLUBS, ASSOCIATIONS AND FORMAL GROUPS TO WHICH I HAVE BELONGED DURING MY 65 YEARS:
* Member of a singing group in George Town, Tasmania: 2001-2005.
* Public Speaking Assessor, Rostrum, Katherine, NT : 1984/6
* Member of the Lions Club, Zeehan Tasmania : 1981/2
* Member of fitness centres in Melbourne(1975-6),
Ballarat(1977-78),Perth(1989-99) and Launceston(1999-2003)
* Member of baseball and hockey teams in Burlington : 1953-1962
* Member of the Baha’i Faith : 1959-2009
* I have been a member of many groups during the fifty year period 1959-2009, the age of 15 to 65. I was associated with or worked as a volunteer in: (a) The George Town School for Seniors, (b) City Park Radio in Launceston and (c) several other clubs and associations like: (I) Cubs, (II) formal discussion groups in educational institutions as a student and (III) unnumbered groups as a teacher.
Publications 2. PUBLICATIONS:
2.1 Articles and Reviews: Journals/Websites
1.*Essays, Interviews and Articles on the Internet at:
1.1 The Baha'i Academic Resource Library jonah@winterswebsorks.com. has several hundred items posted there, 2002-2006; and at
1.2 An estimated 2000 other sites containing several million words, 2001-2006.
2. * "A History of the Baha'i Faith in the Northern Territory: 1947-1997," Northern Lights, 32 Instalments, 2000-2003.
3. * Periodic Articles in "Newsletters," Regional Teaching Committees of the NSA of the Baha'is of Australia Inc., 1971-2001.
4. * Periodic Articles/Letters, Baha'i Canada and The Australian Baha'i Bulletin now The Australian Baha’i: 1971-2006.
5. * "Memorials of the Faithful," Baha'i Studies Review, September 2001.
6. * "Review of Two Chapbooks: The Poetry of Tony Lee," Arts Dialogue, June 2001.
7. * "Asia and the Lost Poems: The Poetry of Anthony Lee," Art 'n Soul, a Website for Poets and Poetry, January 2000.
8. * "The Passionate Artist," Australian Baha'i Studies, Vol.2, 2000.
9. * "Memorials of the Faithful," Australian Baha'i Studies, Vol.1, No.2, 1999, p.102 and uplifting words.org, 2005-6.
10. * "Poetry of Ron Price: An Overview," ABS Newsletter, No.38, September 1997.
11. * "Thomas a Kempis, Taherzadeh and the Day of Judgement," Forum, Vol.3, No 1, 1994, pp.1-3.
12. * "Forward", An Introduction to Occasions of Grace: Poems and Portrayals, Roger White, George Ronald, Oxford, 1993.
13. * "The Inner Life and the Environment", a paper presented at Murdoch University at the Baha’i Studies Conference in April 1990 and published in The Environment: Our Common Heritage, Monograph No.5, 1994, pp.118-131.
14. * "The History of a Dream: A Tribute to Persistence", Office of Tafe Publication in Western Australia, 1988, pp.5-6.
15. * "Response", Dialogue, Vol.2, No.1, 1986, pp.3-4.
Education/Credentials 1.1 Academic Qualifications
* Bachelor of Arts(Sociology)
McMaster University
Hamilton Ontario Canada 1966
*B. Ed.(Primary School Training)
Windsor Teachers’ College
Windsor Ontario Canada 1967
* MA(Qualifying Thesis)
University of Queensland
St Lucia Queensland
Australia 1988
1.2 Professional Qualifications
* Post Graduate Diploma in Education
Windsor University
Windsor Ontario Canada 1967
* Certificate of Integrated Studies
Education Department of Ontario
Toronto Ontario Canada 1970
1.3 Further Studies(Qualifications Incomplete)
* Advanced Diploma in Education
University of Adelaide
Adelaide South Australia 1973
-comparative education unit
* Master of Educational Administration
University of New England
Armadale NSW 1975 to 1978
-comparative education, organization theory and practice, educational
administration, open education and history of education units
* Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations
Tasmanian College of Advanced Education
Launceston Tasmania 1980
-organizational behaviour-3 units
* Graduate Diploma in Multicultural Education
Armadale College of Advanced Education
Armadale NSW 1983
-language and society unit; presented paper at residential school.
* Graduate Diploma in Religious Education
South Australian College of Advanced Education
Adelaide South Australia 1984 to 1986
-Religious symbols and symbolism, sociology of education, the Bible
as literature, moral education, Islam and principles of religious education units.
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That's all folks!
Awards and Honors AWARDS, PRIZES AND FORMAL RECOGNITIONS:
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1. I won the most valuable player in the Midget Baseball League in Burlington Ontario in 1958.
2. I won a trophy for the most home runs hit in 1958 and was picked to play for the Burlington All-Stars for four years running: 1958-1962.
Past/Present Clients 3. COURSES AND LEVELS TAUGHT
3.1 Apprentice and Youth Programs:
1. Pre-Apprentice, Apprentice, Educational Programs for Unemployed Youth(EPUY), Programs for Unemployed Youth(PUY), Preparation for Employment Programs(PEP) and Youth Training Programs(YTP) generally for 15 to 25 year old students:
2. I was a teacher in a wide range of these programs from 1982 to 1999 at the following educational institutions:
2.1 Open College of Tafe in Katherine 1982-1986
2.2 Hedland College 1986-1987
2.3 Perth Campus/Balga Campus .....
Q: how are you today? My name is Mario, I'm a new Baha'i, and have really enjoyed browsing your site. ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: how are you today? My name is Mario, I'm a new Baha'i, and have really enjoyed browsing your site. ... A: I believe that the primary way that God communicates with human beings is through His Words revealed ...
Q: I have been a Baha'i for 13 years, coming from a Catholic Christian family, intending to marry a ... A: Unfortunately, I'm not an expert on this subject. You might want to call the Baha'i Book Service in ...
Q: I am interested in the Baha'i faith. I love the world view and tolerance. However, I know I don't ... A: Yes, you can become a Baha'i if you hold opinions which are not taught in the Baha'i Writings. We ...
Q: Im not a bahai ist but i have had paranoia panic attacks hypocondria bad dreams bad temper for a ... A: As a person who experiences paranoia and has panic attacks, hypocondria, bad dreams as well as a bad ...
Q: Jeffrey wrote at 2009-04-15 16:44:42....the following and I would like to initiate a response. -Ron ... A: Having begun my response by citing David Simon's article "Register Trademarks and Keep the Faith: ...
Q: Jeffrey wrote at 2009-04-15 16:44:42....the following and I would like to initiate a response. -Ron ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: i UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE WRITTEN A 125PAGE, 60,000 WORD ESSAY entitled REFLECTIONS ON THE NEW CULTURE ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: As an outsider looking in, I think you have a remarkable knowledge of the Baha'i history and commend ... A: Janice, you are right! There are many Baha'i groups other than Orthodox. I reviewed several of ...
Q: Joel, I am one of those pesky Orthodox Baha'is and I was very impressed with your objective summary ... A: Susan, thank you for your question. I'd like to think Baha'is could attain some kind of unity, but ...
Q: I have to start a new question because the site tells me there have been too many follow ups. But ... A: Tom, for your prayer of genuine concern and your hope that we can meet in person someday in the very ...
Q: I have to start a new question because the site tells me there have been too many follow ups. But ... A: As I have said, Thomas, I have dealt with this question now for 50 years or more and have had no ...
Q: From which book(s) of the Bible do Bahai accept the virgin birth as Truth? Should you not also ... A: After 50 years of dealing with the question you have asked and after 50 years of "having to agree to ...
Q: From which book(s) of the Bible do Bahai accept the virgin birth as Truth? Should you not also ... A: Let me draw on the following article by a multi-skilled, multi-discipline writer, sociologist and ...
Q: From which book(s) of the Bible do Bahai accept the virgin birth as Truth? Should you not also ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: My husband and I became Bahai's about 1 1/2 years ago. Growing up in Germany I was introduced to the ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: I have been considering the Baha'i Faith for some time now. I read through a wide range of sites on ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: Joel, Thank you very much for being available to answer questions about the Baha'i Faith. I am ... A: David, thank you for your question. I am not a Baha'i, nor do I belong to any of these Baha'i ...
Q: Do you remember me Joel? We met at Oral Roberts University in the 1970s. I think we have ... A: I am not a Baha'i. I am a Universalist Christian. I have done a good deal of study in the Baha'i ...
Q: I'm curious to know if Roger White, the poet laureate of the Baha'i Faith was gay. I've heard he was ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: I want to know in detail about the several bahai sects/division in detail. A: Baha'i divisions have occurred since the beginning of the Faith. Baha'u'llah, founder of the Faith, ...
Q: Just doing a little bit of research on the Bahai faith like I said I would. Here's a few things ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answers’ to your ...
Q: I became a Bahai,now what do I need to do to get married as a Bahai? Do I have to pay anything? I ... A: If you google the words "Baha'i Marriage"(that is put these two words into a search engine) you will ...
Q: Bahais revere Bible, Quran and et al as the word of God. How then is the teachings of Bible and ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: This may be a bit of a ridiculous question since you are just human like me, but I have been ... A: Why is it so hard to know God? As you pointed out, Baha'i Writings say that God is the Unknowable ...
Q: I don't know if you remember me, I was married to Lee Nelson. Recently I received an e-mail from a ... A: My Dear Mim, At present I live in Denver CO after three years in Europe (97-2000), a year as a ...
Q: I have been recently been invited to a baháí wedding. i read up on some of the background. my ... A: There is no fixed ritual or ceremony for a Baha'i marriage other than the vow that the bride and ...
Q: Suzanne, Many thanks for your extensive and most interesting response to my question about "entry ... A: I think we may be defining religion differently. When I say that all the religions are one, and are ...
Q: In some articles by Baha'i writers I've seen the term "entry by troops." If I'm not mistaken, this ... A: It means crowds or throngs and it's basically a prophecy about a great many people coming into the ...
Q: Suzanne, Earlier today I asked you a question about a conflict within the Baha'i Faith inolving ... A: Independent investigation of the truth is a prerequisite of becoming a Baha'i. If a person doesn't ...
Q: I would like to tell you something about myself, and then I will ask a question. I am Jewish, and a ... A: This is a very big subject for a little answer box like this, since background information needs to ...
Q: Could you please answer a question for me? What is or was the role of Jesus in Baha'i Faith? What do ... A: Baha'is believe that Jesus was one of a succession of Messengers sent by God to give us His ...
Q: I haven been reading and learning a lot about Baha'i world view and history. Since you have extended ... A: CONTEXT FOR THIS ROLE OF EXPERT AT THE “ABOUT SITE” Note: Before reading my ‘answer’ to your ...
Q: Recently, I was reading up on the rules of the Bahai faith and I read that Bahai's abstain from ... A: Baha'is are supposed to abstain from "partisan politics", but they certainly can vote in elections ...
Q: I have been seeing a man of the Bahai faith for four years. We have not been intimate. These are ... A: I'm afraid I can't answer this question. It's really terrible that you would be penalized like that ...
Q: I have been seeing a man who is of the Bahia faith for four years. We have not been intimate. This ... A: It sounds like you have at least a couple different issues: (1) receiving medical payments if you ...
Q: i am currently working on a paper, for a class i am taking, i was wondering if you could answer ... A: I am preparing to take my family into the wilderness today, so this is a brief response to your ...
Q: When are you going to wake up?-"Orthodox Baha'i?"you can try to harm the Faith but in the end you ... A: I consider you all to be precious souls, not mere "wind" as the questioner has suggested, therefore ...
Q: Could you please check my lists and correct them. If you know of any Baha'i Writings that mentions ... A: It would take too much time (which I do not have at present) to provide the many quotations required ...
