Changing Times Blog

The Office Spoof – The Study Circle

Big ups to this study circle for a hilarious “The Office” spoof about a first study circle session.

Written by Laheeb Quddusi and Ashkon Ataee

Rainn Wilson on Oprah Radio

Rainn Wilson introduces SoulPancake.com on Oprah Radio. A great webcast you should not miss!

Rainn speaks about the objectives of his web-initiative “SoulPancake.com” and gives a great introduction to the Baha’i Faith. SoulPancake.com looks very promising and we encourage you to get involved and join discussing lifes big questions. Enjoy!

Rainn Wilson on CNN: Baha’is in Iran

Editor’s note: Actor Rainn Wilson plays paper salesman Dwight Schrute in the television comedy “The Office.”

(CNN) — Why is Rainn Wilson, “Dwight” on “The Office,” writing a news commentary for CNN? Good question.

It’s a bit strange for me, to say the least; a comic character actor best known for playing weirdos with bad haircuts getting all serious to talk about the persecution of the fellow members of his religious faith.

Dear readers of CNN, I assure you that what I’m writing about is no joking matter or some hoax perpetrated by a paper-sellin’, bear-fearin’, Battlestar-Galactica obsessed beet farmer.

I am a member of the Baha’i faith. What is that, you ask? Well, long story short, it’s an independent world religion that began in the mid-1800s in Iran. Baha’is believe that there is only one God and therefore only one religion.

All of the worlds’ divine teachers (Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Moses, Abraham, Krishna, etc.) bring essentially the same message — one of unity, love and knowledge of God or the divine.

This constantly updated faith of God, Baha’is believe, has been refreshed for this day and age by our founder, Baha’u'llah. There. Nutshell version.

Read the rest of Rainn’s Commentary

A First-Time Presenter’s Perspective

My name is David Henderson, and I have been asked to blog from Changing Times, as a first-time presenter at the conference. So, as an American who has come to this remarkable event, here are a few words …

Between now and the end of the year, I am participating in the events and giving a series of lectures and workshops at the Changing Times European Young Adult Forum. It’s held at the Townshend International School in the southern Czech village of Hluboka nad Vitavou.

I have never before known of such an astonishing conference that brings together 230 young adult professionals from 40 countries to learn and share information. The best comparison, I believe, is to say that Changing Times, now in its 7th year, is approaching the caliber of the annual Davos Economic Forum … except Changing Times is for tomorrow’s world leaders. The young professionals at this conference are among the brightest people I have ever met. They come from academics, medicine, technology and business.

A few of the speakers include Dr. Moshe Sharon from Hebrew University in Jerusalem; Italian business leader Giuseppe Robiati; Mr. Ian Semple; Mr. Burhaniddin Afshin; actor Phillip Hinton; award-winning fiction writer Holiday Reinhorn; and, the popular American actor, Rainn Wilson.

Here is a music video of photos from the first day:

Rainn Wilson coming to CT08!

The One and Only Rainn Wilson is coming to Changing Times!

The star of the American television comedy hitshow ‘The Office’ where he plays the egomaniacal Dwight Schrute and long-time assistant mortician Arthur Martin in ‘Six Feet Under’ is on his way to the Czech Republic. His film credits include ‘Juno’ and ‘My Super Ex-Girlfriend’ and yet-to-be-released ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’. He also works as a spokesperson for the Baha’i-inspired non-profit organization Mona Foundation that tries to provide quality education to all children, raise the status of women and girls, and build community. Do not miss your chance to enjoy this guy.

CT Registration is still open! and we have spots left for participants 25+. Save your spot at www.changing-times.org

Rainn Wilson, the Rocker

Rainn Wilson is at it again telling the world about the Faith. In this interview with 24/7 Chicago he introduces his new movie ‘The Rocker’. Watch the interview below, the hilarious ‘The Rocker’ trailer on youtube, and in case you missed it watch Rainn battle Kanye West at the Emmy awards. God knows where we will see him next.

“My parents were Bahais, are Bahais, my family is Bahai, i am a Bahai, and we moved to the north-shore to be by the Bahai National Center. It was kind of weird I was this mis-fitted bohemian kid from Seattle living in the land of prepsters and Mercedes Benz’s.”