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"Spiritual Vitality." Outside of Islam, Bahai seems to be prospering mightily, and in the U.S. includes such believers as Crooner Vic Damone and Painter Mark Tobey. Bahai's Western success owes much to its current emphasis on peace and brotherhood (Bahai literature glosses over its violent past). Bahais are active, zealous convert seekers: since 1953, the number of worship centers has risen from 2,000 to 13,000, and there are now Bahai adherents in 259 countries. The U.S. has one of Bahai's five "mother temples," an Arabian Nights building in Wilmette, 111., and there are believers in 1,600 American communities.
Bahai followers firmly believe that they have man's religion of the future, and regard the signs of new life in older churches, such as the ecumenical movement in Christianity, as "courageous but pretty hopeless." These ancient faiths, argues Mrs. Rabbani, "do not have the spiritual vitality that Bahai has." Of course, she admits, "if the ecumenical movement succeeds, we are in for it."
*The Shiites believe that Mohammed's spiritual authority was bequeathed to a line of twelve Imams, the last of whom disappeared during the roth century. Shiites believe that he is still alive and that until he returns there will always be on earth one of his followers who is in direct communication with him.