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Baha'i: Replacement Theology or Harmonizing Theology


  • Total voters
    21

Tumah

Veteran Member
Thanks for dropping by.

This thread was made as a continuation to a debate taking place in another thread with another poster who may or may not want to remain anonymous and so I'll refrain from calling him out.

The question of this thread is as follows:

In as much as Christianity replaces the Judaism and Islam replaces the Christianity (and by extension Judaism), my stance is that Bahha'i replaces all previous religions as the new standard for people to follow.

The reason being, although the Baha'i peoples are wont to make the claim that they accept all religions as coming from the same god and propose religious unity across the spectrum of all [what they believe to be] divinely inspired religions, I believe they do so, by replacing previous religions' laws and theological stances.

The other stance as I've understood it, states that all religions retain their original Laws and philosophies for their own people and Baha'i is merely another friendly player at the pluralist table. Its Laws apply only to its own people and there is no requirement whatsoever on anyone else to become Baha'i. Nor, aside for pioneering, do they engage in any missionary activity.

Because of familiarity, I'll use my own religion as an example of this. Although I believe it is true for Christianity and Islam as well.

In Judaism, it is well known that a Judaism people may not become a member of another faith. One who does so is considered an heretic and there are various laws that apply when dealing with such a person.

Ejemplo Numero Uno
In Baha'i it is perfectly acceptable for a Judaism people to convert to Baha'i.

To me this means, that although Baha'i accept Judaism, they have replaced the Law restricting Jews from converting to another religion, with their own law that allows it.

Esempio Numero Due:
Judaism comes with a predefined set of Laws for non-Judaism people called the Seven Noahide Laws. Its a code of Laws that we believe applies to all non-Judaism people. Baha'i, is a religion that applies to all non-Judaism people. Baha'i is not a fulfillment of the Seven Noahide Laws, it contradicts it.

Hence by allowing the Baha'i people to transgress the Noahide Laws in favor of Baha'i, it has replaced the Noahide Laws for non-Judaism people with its own.

Exemple Numéro Trois
Judaism has a fairly well defined eschatology. It involves a messianic figure doing stuff for the Judaism peoples and the nation peoples. It involves G-d directly doing stuff for the Judaism peoples and the nation peoples.
None of those things are a religious creating religious unity by bringing together different religions in order to create peace on earth and passing the buck to another religious leader a thousand or so odd years later.

This is again, a replacement of previous eschatological views.

I can think of a few other examples, but because I know you, dear poster are quite busy checking out other threads, I'll stop here and invite you to comment and vote!
 

YmirGF

Bodhisattva in Recovery
I agree it is a replacement theology, however due to the constraints that have surrounded it since its inception there was no possibility of them being hostile to Islam (here I mean the suicidal impulse for Baha'ullah to dare to even think of claiming to supersede Islam). The "on the ground" reality facing its founders necessitated that they endlessly placate Islam and the harmonizing aspect, though amusing to their hosts, would have meant little given that Islam is a supremacist replacement theology itself. Meanwhile, since there has been no serious backlash from the Christian or Jewish communities, the Bahia's are largely free to say whatever they like - it's not like all too many folks are really listening.
 

Sundance

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I agree it is a replacement theology, however due to the constraints that have surrounded it since its inception there was no possibility of them being hostile to Islam (here I mean the suicidal impulse for Baha'ullah to dare to even think of claiming to supersede Islam). The "on the ground" reality facing its founders necessitated that they endlessly placate Islam and the harmonizing aspect, though amusing to their hosts, would have meant little given that Islam is a supremacist replacement theology itself. Meanwhile, since there has been no serious backlash from the Christian or Jewish communities, the Bahia's are largely free to say whatever they like - it's not like all too many folks are really listening.

Exactly, Ymir. Because of the fact that Bahá’ís are followers of a separate religion. We are not Muslims, dude.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
I don't know enough about what Baha'i teaches on the matter to really have an opinion. As for me, as a Catholic, I hold to what is called supersessionism as dual Covenant theology is viewed as heretical.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
In as much as Christianity replaces the Judaism and Islam replaces the Christianity (and by extension Judaism), my stance is that Bahha'i replaces all previous religions as the new standard for people to follow.
That is, of course, the view of some. It's not my view. To me, all religions are rivers going to the one and same ocean. At this point, feel free to queue the classic "Blind Men and the Elephant" tale.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
I was formerly a Baha'i many years back. (I still like Baha'i people so I am not anti-Baha'i either).

I voted 'Replacement Theology'. (I wonder how the Baha'i people here will vote.)

Being a Baha'i in colloquial terms is an all or nothing proposition. It is a very well-defined independent world religion and your previous religion is replaced upon joining. The dispensation time for the previous dispensations has ended and we are now in the era of the Baha'i dispensation to last for 1,000 years (at least) until the next manifestation of God shall begin a new era. Yes, Judaism, Islam, Christianity. etc. dispensations have ended their productive cycle and the world is called to the Baha'i dispensation. Actually I believe what we hear from a lot of Baha'i people today (and what many of them have been led to believe) is a softened and more palatable view for a liberal western audience.

I know for a fact the earlier teachings (and not understood by many newer Baha'i's today) is the belief that the Baha'i Faith is not a side player on the world's religious stage but is destined to be the dominant religion for all mankind. Its religions and institutions are believed to be destined one day to replace the current religions and world order of the previous dispensations. (From Wikipedia: The Aqdas is referred to as "the Mother-Book" of the Bahá'í teachings, and the "Charter of the future world civilization".)

Alike in the claims unequivocally asserted by its Author and the general character of the growth of the Baha'i community in every continent of the globe, it can be regarded in no other light than a world religion, destined to evolve in the course of time into a world-embracing commonwealth, whose advent must signalize the Golden Age of mankind, the age in which the unity of the human race will have been unassailably established, its maturity attained, and its glorious destiny unfolded through the birth and efflorescence of a world-encompassing civilization.

The source for this is the Baha'i International Community
website

Also from the Baha'i website on its Administrative Order (written by the Guardian of the Faith - Shoghi Effendi)

It will, as its component parts, its organic institutions, begin to function with efficiency and vigor, assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity to be regarded not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of mankind.
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
That is, of course, the view of some. It's not my view. To me, all religions are rivers going to the one and same ocean. At this point, feel free to queue the classic "Blind Men and the Elephant" tale.
That's fine, but the question wasn't about your personal view of religion, but whether or not Baha'i theology for all practical purposes replaces previous [Abrahamic] religion's theology.
 

Rick O'Shez

Irishman bouncing off walls
Considering that the Bahai Faith has apparently decided that Buddhism was meant to be by the God of Abraham, our own teachings be darned, I have no choice but to vote "Replacement".

Yes, it's nonsense really. Buddha has been forced into all kinds of DIY religions, but dragging the poor chap into a monotheist set-up is really going too far. ;)

th
 
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ukok102nak

Active Member
~;> there is one religion that we considered most if we may say so
as it is written
:read:
James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

:ty:



godbless
unto all always
 

ukok102nak

Active Member
~;> as far as religion involved
this is one and one of many things that is irreplaceable

833249638.jpg

this is my wife (just kidding)


:ty:




godbless
unto all always
 
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