Religions Not From God (ritual, followers, Revelation, theist, suicide)

[FerventGodSeeker]

In searching through the Bahai threads, I've learned that Bahai teaches that most religions, primarily the dominant ones through history, are progressive revelations from God. However, it is admitted that some religions are not from God. Which religions are these, and why are they wrong?

FerventGodSeeker

[Booko]

Originally Posted by FerventGodSeeker

In searching through the Bahai threads, I've learned that Bahai teaches that most religions, primarily the dominant ones through history, are progressive revelations from God. However, it is admitted that some religions are not from God. Which religions are these, and why are they wrong?

FerventGodSeeker

There's no list or mention of specifics anywhere that I know of, so anything I say would just be my opinion.

[FerventGodSeeker]

Originally Posted by Booko

There's no list or mention of specifics anywhere that I know of, so anything I say would just be my opinion.

That's ok, I'm just interested to know what your opinions are and why you hold them. In your view, which religions are false, and why?

FerventGodSeeker

[Booko]

Originally Posted by FerventGodSeeker

That's ok, I'm just interested to know what your opinions are and why you hold them. In your view, which religions are false, and why?

FerventGodSeeker

Oh, you can probably think of a few in your lifetime where the group ended up committing suicide...Jim Jones, Heaven's Gate, that sort of thing.

And considering the origin of Scientology, that would be on my personal list as well. I mean, a religion based on a bar bet between two SF writers? Hm, not exactly a sound basis for a religion, eh?

[FerventGodSeeker]

Originally Posted by Booko

Oh, you can probably think of a few in your lifetime where the group ended up committing suicide...Jim Jones, Heaven's Gate, that sort of thing.

And considering the origin of Scientology, that would be on my personal list as well. I mean, a religion based on a bar bet between two SF writers? Hm, not exactly a sound basis for a religion, eh?

Yeah, and didn't Ron Hubbard also say before starting Scientology, "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion." ? LOL.

What about Satanism? I thought I also heard that mentioned by someone, not sure if it was you? Is Satanism from God in your view? If not, how is it false?

FerventGodSeeker

[Booko]

Originally Posted by FerventGodSeeker

Yeah, and didn't Ron Hubbard also say before starting Scientology, "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion." ? LOL.

Yes, he did. That tells you it's more a business than a religion. Religions do need financial support, but they use it on things other than accruing personal wealth.

What about Satanism? I thought I also heard that mentioned by someone, not sure if it was you? Is Satanism from God in your view? If not, how is it false?

FerventGodSeeker

I'm not sure what modern "Satanists" actually believe these days but it seems mostly to be a misnomer, from what little I do know. What little I do know of Satanism today is that many Satanists, or maybe more accurately followers of the Left-hand paths, look totally to themselves for spiritual growth, as opposed to looking outside to a higher power as you and I do. Do I think that's wise? No, not really. Humans are too good at deceiving themselves into doing harmful things while calling them good. But adhering to a religion clearly doesn't stop that from happening either. Misguided souls have been known to harm others in the name of saving their souls and whatnot. Is it a real religion? Maybe not, but it's not nearly so clear as the other cases I listed, and frankly it's not like anyone set me up as judge, beyond judging my own way between "right" and "wrong."

[BruceDLimber]

Hi, Seeker! :-)

I'm probably the one who mentioned the devil-worshipping sorts of satanism as a good example of false religion, along with Jim Jones. And Booko mentioned several similiar unaccepted groups.

Basically, anything polytheistic appears to be man-made, too. (And I will qualify this by pointing out that Hinduism in fact teaches the existence of One God named Brahman <not to be confused with Brahma>.) So while Joseph Smith may have been a "seer" (don't ask me for the definition), LDS teachings as I understand them definitely fall into this polytheistic category....

Regards,

Bruce

[d.]

Originally Posted by BruceDLimber

Basically, anything polytheistic appears to be man-made, too.

what makes polytheistic beliefs appear more man-made than monotheistic ones in your opinion?

[ΩRôghênΩ]

Mostly Abrahmic religions are concidered the main Bahaist beliefs