What is the Baha'i message in simple words?

[Cino]

I should have said, Buddha's teachings about God don't conflict with Baha'u'llah's, because Buddha doesn't teach anything about God at all, including whether or not there actually is such a being.

Depends on which Buddhist texts you think accurately reflect the Buddha's teachings. The Pali canon includes polemical passages where the Buddha characterizes the highest being as deluded into thinking it was the creator of all of existence, when in fact it was the first sentient being to arise in the universe, mistaking those who arose later to be its creations. (Digha Nikaya 1, Brahmajala Sutta)

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

Did Baha'u'llah heal the sick who came to him, as did Jesus the Christ?

Yes

Regards Tony

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

Why do you need the red part?

Jews do not pray to God through Moses, or Muslims through Muhammad (pbuh)

EDIT
Did Baha'u'llah write that prayer for others to say? Was he referring to himself when he wrote: Him Whom Thou hast ordained to be the Seal of Thy Prophets and of Thy Messengers?

That prayer is for all of us to offer, God is the forgiver of Sins and we pray through the Manifestations of God to.ask for that forgiveness, as it is they they give their lives so we may be free of sin, free of our animal selves and to be born again into the Spirit. Which is the Messengers.

The Christ is without sin

Christ is always without Sin, be it Jesus, Muhammad, The Bab or Baha’u’llah, no matter what Name and age Christ appears in, 'We make no difference between the Messengers'.

Regards Tony

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

@RJM, would you kindly try to explain a little about what Tony is saying. I am not asking Tony because he may reply to me with another puzzle. Bahais and their stories, more difficult than the Big Bang or the QM theories.

God is unknowable, all doors are shut to that Most Great Spirit.

All the Names, Stations and Attributes of God have only been shown to us via Prophets and Messengers, the 'ones' that God has sent.

The Son, the Father are but stations showing a connection of the Messenger with God, it is showing a progression of the Word of God.

It is the same as our own growth and education in this world from birth, childhood on to adolescence and then adulthood.

That is why God has become so diverse, we tend to cling to what we want to cling to, nature and nurture moulds our thoughts when we are but children and youth and we tend to hold onto our part of the elephant. A lot of the time men think they are a source to knowledge, but the mind of man is not an individual, we but tap into the vastness of it all.

Regards Tony

 

[RJM]

That prayer is for all of us to offer, God is the forgiver of Sins and we pray through the Manifestations of God to.ask for that forgiveness, as it is they they give their lives so we may be free of sin, free of our animal selves and to be born again into the Spirit. Which is the Messengers.



Christ is always without Sin, be it Jesus, Muhammad, The Bab or Baha’u’llah, no matter what Name and age Christ appears in, 'We make no difference between the Messengers'.

Regards Tony

You just fudge and dodge. It's a big turn off. I want nothing to do with your religion. That's just me. Have a good life, brother

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

I know, I know. I hope you are forgiving me for my foolish questions. But I don't think that is the only Bahai teaching. Bahaiism demands more. Acceptance of Bahaollah as the undisputed 'manifestation' of Allah for the next 850 years, for example, and realization that Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam now stand as corrupted religions.

Acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh requires acceptance of all the Messengers. To reject one is to reject them all, including Baha'u'llah.

How else can the Oneness of God become a reality?

I know you do not beleive in God, but take this to the human level.

How can we become one human race, if we do not embrace the diversity of races as part of the whole human race. How can we become united if one human wants to control the mind of many humans?

We have to be free to make our own choices, as to be enabled to embrace our oneness, which in turn brings about a unity in our diversity.

If the religious priests in each age had not rejected the Messenger, the the masses would have followed the One sent by God. In Persia hundreds of thousands had embraced the Bab in a very short time, then those that want to hold power over men's minds get offended, the rest is the history of Faith.

Regards Tony

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

You just fudge and dodge. It's a big turn off. I want nothing to do with your religion. That's just me. Have a good life, brother

I just pass on the Oneness that Christ talks about and promised. I do it only for Love, why else would I be on Forums facing the taunts of other Faiths? I want nothing of this world.

If you want nothing of Baha’u’llah, be advised that is akin to wanting nothing of Jesus the Christ, in a Prayer this was offered,

"...Be thou assured in thyself that verily, he who turns away from this Beauty hath also turned away from the Messengers of the past and showeth pride towards God from all eternity to all eternity...."

Spoiler: Tablet of Ahmad

https://www.bahaiprayers.org/ahmad.htm

May your life be good, may it always be immersed in Christ.

Regards Tony

 

['Amir Alzzalam]

I've been reading the responses and comments for a while now and this is what I have to say.
Right Hand Path religions share a single, universal perennial doctrine. This doctrine posits that the highest good that human life can achieve is through the union with a Supreme Being / Energy/All of the Universe. However, the way in which this is achieved is through the deception of one's conscious awareness into believing that one has been accepted by this Supreme Being/Energy/All otherwise known as the objective universe, which can be understood as it plainly is, a non-conscious, unaware, unintelligent, mechanism of Negentropy and Entropy, composed of Time, Space & Matter.

The idea of God might provide comfort and an explanation for the mysteries of the universe. However, it is misleading to say he is “needed”. Many people survive and thrive perfectly well without a God concept or religion – myself being one example. We do not rampage or lose our way or become outcasts. And so, whilst certain individuals may derive comfort from a belief in God – as is their right – this is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for living a good life.

"Conventional religions, with their colorful mythologies analyzed in terms of the underlying philosophical principles, represent simply the primitive longing of man to feel “at one” with the Universal harmony he perceives about him. Platonic philosophy defines morality & ethics based on a Eudaemon life. A life of self-discovery, the evolution of one's potential, and a sense of purpose and meaning. Happiness and Well-Being is the goal of attaining a virtuous morality not based on some non-obligatory moral law (e.g. 'Law Giver'). Non-obligatory moral law means morality cannot be an obligation to doctrine as emphasized by religion or culture. Rather, morality must issue as a principle from the individual's own soul, heart, and conscience as opposed to doctrinally instituted and enforced. Plato believed, and I agree with him, that Man is inherently moral, that we know the difference between what is beneficial for ourselves and others as opposed to what is detrimental to both"
- Dr. Michael Aquino

"It is, of course, taboo to criticize a person’s religious beliefs. The problem, however, is that much of what people believe in the name of religion is intrinsically divisive, unreasonable, and incompatible with genuine morality. One of the worst things about religion is that it tends to separate questions of right and wrong from the living reality of human and animal suffering. Consequently, religious people will devote immense energy to so-called moral problems—such as gay marriage—where no real suffering is at issue. They will happily contribute to the surplus of human misery if it serves their religious beliefs."
- Sam Harris

 

[RJM]

just pass on the Oneness that Christ talks about and promised. I do it only for Love, why else would I be on Forums facing the taunts of other Faiths? I want nothing of this world.

They're not taunts. They're questions, which you refuse to answer -- because you cannot. It's impossible to have a proper conversation with you

you want nothing of Baha’u’llah, be advised that is akin to wanting nothing of Jesus the Christ, in a Prayer this was offered,

"...Be thou assured in thyself that verily, he who turns away from this Beauty hath also turned away from the Messengers of the past and showeth pride towards God from all eternity to all eternity...."

Jesus the Christ? Oh please!!
First you wish me evil

May your life be good, may it always be immersed in Christ.

Then you wish me a good life.

There's a word, but I will not revert to ad hominem here ...
Stow the victim card.

 

['Amir Alzzalam]

Things I found wrong with the Baha'i faith

In the West, liberals have criticized the Baháʼí Faith for some of its conservative social practices, notably the prohibition of premarital or homosexual intimacy for Baháʼís. Western academics have criticized the requirement for Baháʼís to seek pre-publication review when publishing on the religion and the exclusion of women from serving on the Universal House of Justice.

Baha’is teach that there is only one God and all the major religions are from that God. Their apparent differences are artificial, a function of the different times and places when they were founded or had Messengers, different cultures, and misunderstandings. But these are superficial. For persons that believe in one exclusive religion and reject the other major religions or believe that persons of different faiths are somehow of lesser, inferior, or infidel status, the Baha’i Faith’s teachings are an issue and criticized.

Hypocrisy:
The Oneness of Humanity
The inhabitants of a land like Africa are like wild savages and land-dwelling animals that lack common-sense and knowledge and are all wild. There is not a single wise and civilized person among them.
- Abdu'l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt), vol. 1, p. 331.

Religion Must be in Conformity with Science and Reason
If today, someone grasps all of the knowledge on earth but stops at the word 'yes' (meaning does not become a Baha'i), the Lord will not pay attention to him (ladi l-Haqq madhkur na) and he will be considered as the most ignorant amongst the people .
- Baha'u'llah, Iqtidarat wa chand lauh digar, p. 111

The Equality of Men and Women
A woman's question was referred to him (meaning Abdu'l-Baha) who had asked why hasn't God made any woman Prophets and why have all Divine Manifestations been men. He answered: "Although women and men share the same capacities and abilities, there is definitely no doubt that men are superior and stronger. Even in animals like pigeons, sparrows, peacocks, and other [birds] this advantage is visible."
- Mahmud Zaraqani, Bada’i’ al-athar, vol. 1, p. 153

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

They're not taunts. They're questions, which you refuse to answer -- because you cannot. It's impossible to have a proper conversation with you
Jesus the Christ? Oh please!!
First you wish me evil

Then you wish me a good life.

There's a word, but I will not revert to ad hominem here ...

Stow the victim card.

I wish no one evil. Well that's borderline, as I struggle with the oppressors and those that choose violence against women.

When one shares what God offers, we get to choose what it is saying to us. So if one sees evil in that passage, one may be seeing it is applicable?

I always consider the the Disciples and early believers of Jesus, they would have faced the same quandary, yet all they were doing was as Jesus asked them to do, were they wishing evil on others?

Regards Tony

 

['Amir Alzzalam]

I wish no one evil. Well that's borderline, as I struggle with the oppressors and those that choose violence against women.

When one shares what God offers, we get to choose what it is saying to us. So if one sees evil in that passage, one may be seeing it is applicable?

I always consider the the Disciples and early believers of Jesus, they would have faced the same quandary, yet all they were doing was as Jesus asked them to do, were they wishing evil on others?

Regards Tony

That might have some credibility if we actually knew what Yeshua said, but we do not.

 

[RJM]

I wish no one evil. Well that's borderline, as I struggle with the oppressors and those that choose violence against women.

When one shares what God offers, we get to choose what it is saying to us. So if one sees evil in that passage, one may be seeing it is applicableJesys Chrust?

I always consider the the Disciples and early believers of Jesus, they would have faced the same quandary, yet all they were doing was as Jesus asked them to do, were they wishing evil on others?

Regards Tony

I’ll take my chances, friend, that your Baha’u’llah is not the second coming of Christ. I’ll be fine. No need to be concerned about me. Look to your own soul

The problem is you keep using the false equivalence that because people struggled with accepting Jesus as the Christ, that it means Baha’u’llah is the Christ. You don’t scare me. I’ll be fine, lol

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

I’ll take my chances, friend, that your Baha’u’llah is not the second coming of Christ. I’ll be fine. No need to be concerned about me. Look to your own soul

The problem is you keep using the false equivalence that because people struggled with accepting Jesus as the Christ, that it means Baha’u’llah is the Christ. You don’t scare me. I’ll be fine, lol

All the best.

Regards Tony

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

That might have some credibility if we actually knew what Yeshua said, but we do not.

We can choose to get a better idea by embracing the Messages of Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah, which guide us unto all truth.

Regards Tony

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

Things I found wrong with the Baha'i faith

In the West, liberals have criticized the Baháʼí Faith for some of its conservative social practices, notably the prohibition of premarital or homosexual intimacy for Baháʼís. Western academics have criticized the requirement for Baháʼís to seek pre-publication review when publishing on the religion and the exclusion of women from serving on the Universal House of Justice.

Baha’is teach that there is only one God and all the major religions are from that God. Their apparent differences are artificial, a function of the different times and places when they were founded or had Messengers, different cultures, and misunderstandings. But these are superficial. For persons that believe in one exclusive religion and reject the other major religions or believe that persons of different faiths are somehow of lesser, inferior, or infidel status, the Baha’i Faith’s teachings are an issue and criticized.

Hypocrisy:
The Oneness of Humanity
The inhabitants of a land like Africa are like wild savages and land-dwelling animals that lack common-sense and knowledge and are all wild. There is not a single wise and civilized person among them.
- Abdu'l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt), vol. 1, p. 331.

Religion Must be in Conformity with Science and Reason
If today, someone grasps all of the knowledge on earth but stops at the word 'yes' (meaning does not become a Baha'i), the Lord will not pay attention to him (ladi l-Haqq madhkur na) and he will be considered as the most ignorant amongst the people .
- Baha'u'llah, Iqtidarat wa chand lauh digar, p. 111

The Equality of Men and Women
A woman's question was referred to him (meaning Abdu'l-Baha) who had asked why hasn't God made any woman Prophets and why have all Divine Manifestations been men. He answered: "Although women and men share the same capacities and abilities, there is definitely no doubt that men are superior and stronger. Even in animals like pigeons, sparrows, peacocks, and other [birds] this advantage is visible."
- Mahmud Zaraqani, Bada’i’ al-athar, vol. 1, p. 153

What one needs to do is not quote from anti Baha'i websites, as they are the only place I have ever seen those quotes.

Maybe show a link to the reference, a link to those books?

Also translation is a tricky business, when translating for Persian or Arabic into English.

Regards Tony

 

[Ahanu]

What one needs to do is not quote from anti Baha'i websites, as they are the only place I have ever seen those quotes.

Maybe show a link to the reference, a link to those books?

Also translation is a tricky business, when translating for Persian or Arabic into English.

Regards Tony

He is quoting from a book published in Tehran called Twelve Principles.

 

['Amir Alzzalam]

We can choose to get a better idea by embracing the Messages of Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah, which guide us unto all truth.

Regards Tony

Why would that be? Did they have some secret doctrines that Yeshua penned himself, that the rest of the world doesn't know about?

 

[Cino]

You just fudge and dodge. It's a big turn off. I want nothing to do with your religion. That's just me. Have a good life, brother

Huh? I thought this was Interfaith Dialogue?!

I am not here to shop for a religion to adopt, but to talk about what makes religions similar, different, and why people are into theirs. I also like to read what people don't like about religions, theirs or others', but that is much harder to pull of successfully. Speaking from experience here.

Anyway. Erm. What was I going to say...

 

[Ahanu]

Hypocrisy:
The Oneness of Humanity
The inhabitants of a land like Africa are like wild savages and land-dwelling animals that lack common-sense and knowledge and are all wild. There is not a single wise and civilized person among them.
- Abdu'l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt), vol. 1, p. 331.

Not sure about the translation, but let's assume it is precise for the sake of argument. Note Abdu'l-Baha's positive statements about African Americans:

". . . verily the faces of these are as the pupil of the eye; although the pupil is created black, yet it is the source of light. I hope God will make these black ones the glory of the white ones and as the depositing of the lights of love of God. And I ask God to assist them in all circumstances, that they may be encompassed with the favors of their Loving Lord throughout centuries and ages."
​

Let's take his statements about Arabs out of context:

"These Arab tribes were most barbarous and rapacious . . ."

". . . iniquitous Arabs of the desert who were like ravening wolves and beasts."
​

Dude! Did you just read what Abdu'l-Baha said about Arabs?! He is soooo racist! But let's read it in context:

"These Arab tribes were most barbarous and rapacious and in comparison with them the wild and fierce natives of America were the Platos of the age, for they did not bury their children alive as these Arabs did their daughters, claiming this to be an act of honour and taking pride therein. Thus many of the men would threaten their wives, saying, “If a daughter is born to you, I will kill you.” Even to the present day the Arabs dread having daughters."

". . . . and so it is that they [Muhammad and Ali] reformed and educated the wicked, bloodthirsty, and iniquitous Arabs of the desert who were like ravening wolves and beasts."
​

His whole point in context is to show how Arabs behaved before and after the appearance of Muhammad. It's essentially about how education can transform society:

"In short, multitudes of Eastern peoples were reared for thirteen centuries under the shadow of the Muḥammadan Faith. During the Middle Ages, while Europe had sunk to the lowest depths of barbarity, the Arabs excelled all other nations of the earth in sciences and crafts, mathematics, civilization, governance, and other arts. The Educator and Prime Mover of the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, and the Founder of the civilization of human perfections among those contending clans, was an illiterate Man, Muḥammad. Was this illustrious Man a universal Educator or not? Let us be fair."


"Consider likewise the animals: If an animal is trained, it becomes domesticated, whereas man, if he is left without education, becomes like an animal. Indeed, if man is abandoned to the rule of nature, he sinks even lower than the animal, whereas if he is educated he becomes even as an angel. For most animals do not devour their own kind, but men in the Sudan, in the middle of Africa, rend and eat each other."
​