Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Here is the question. Why do you need words? Why not just practice?
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How are these Great Beings explained?
- Thread starter loverofhumanity
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Here is the question. Why do you need words? Why not just practice?
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Better question: Can't you find the criteria through your practice and service rather than theology and study?
Practice what?
Indeed. Your beliefs about Hinduism aren't Hinduism, etc. That's what we've all been saying all along. Maybe you finally understood?
But what happens when they don't?
It can and has led to disasters and tragedies and wars when religions abandon the written Word.
It can also lead to confusion and hypocrisy. The old wise admonition, 'Practice what you preach," comes to mind. So does 'talk the talk, but not walk the walk'. So when a religion preaches tolerance, but practices intolerance without even knowing they're doing it, it is a problem.
The Baha'i Faith believes in the true 'inner essence' of all Faiths, not everything they are being taught and believing in today.
Yes I know. The true essence of Christianity and the true essence of Hinduism, are tremendously different, according to Christians and to Hindus. (not according to Baha'i', yes I know) So by reinterpreting one, or the other, or both, to fit this preconceived notion Baha'is have because of this gross oversimplification, there is no choice but to claim that Christianity, Hinduism, or both have the WRONG understanding, thus insulting Christians. Hindus, or both. (We can most likely include Buddhists and Muslims in the mix too.)
It's as simplistic argument ... "I said it was true, because my infallible prophet said it was true, so it must be true." This simplistic view does not take into consideration the rights or beliefs of those who don't believe in your prophet.
In my view, it is far better to stick to one's own religion, and come up with independent views, and not try to mix and match opposing beliefs. All it does is creates disharmony between Baha'i' and those you insult.
So although the intent is admirable the actual outcome is horrendous. By insulting other faiths, inharmonious conditions prevail. You should be able to see that from this thread. It's a microcosm of the larger world picture.
Yes. That's why I was telling a Carlita that it is my view that religions, as much as possible, should stick to their teachings. We wouldn't have had Buddhists and Hindus killing each other in Sri Lanka , with almost 100,000 dead if they hadn't departed from their teachings and the same in Burma where monks are initiating genocide against the Rohinga there. Religions must stick to their teachings. So now we've witnessed in the past Christians , Muslims Buddhists and Hindus turn violent by not adhering to the principles of their Faith. Jews also have their conflicts with Muslims.
Change ot topic, but I'm used to it.
But somehow this doesn't apply to Baha'i'? How can you say that? There will come a time when countries ban proselytizing, and just as the Christians complain to the western press about 'freedom of religion' so too will the Baha'i.
In Sri Lanka the leaders of the Tamil tigers were mostly Christian. Besides that, you don't know the individual long term history of each situation. Who are you to say it wasn't in self-defense? Even Baha'i' admit that their version of ahimsa includes self-defense.
It's not blind belief as the way you put it but agreement with Baha'u'llah's reasoning behind what He teaches. It all makes so much sense. He almost always gives extremely good reasons why we should do or not do something.
We're only about 170 years old and we haven't yet been involved in any war or major conflict. We accept our persecution and oppression and do not retaliate. So no major conflicts yet.
You don't understand our points. It's that simple really.
Yet. It might continue for a very long time if you could find a way to stop insulting other faiths though. I don't know the details of the persecution of Baha'i's in Iran enough to make a comment. Given the Islamic history of violence against infidels, I can only guess its about 90% Islam's fault, but there are ALWAYS two sides to all stories.
I know if someone walked into my house and told me my religion was false, I'd politely ask them to leave. If they didn't, I'd call the cops.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Have you read and followed our conversations or skimmed over it?
I'm trying to make it as simple as possible.
Buddhism is not a prophet religion
Written suttas mea nothing.
Dhamma is a practice
You value theology and practice. Buddhism is about practice over theology.
Why not just practice the Dhamma and not depend on the written theology of the suttas?
Please read my posts, take a couple of points out, then then then ask the question or comment. That way I can address that post without having to shift through what you are referring to, write a full long post on something you were not referring to with your question.
It's a waste of time otherwise.
I'm trying to make it as simple as possible.
Buddhism is not a prophet religion
Written suttas mea nothing.
Dhamma is a practice
You value theology and practice. Buddhism is about practice over theology.
Why not just practice the Dhamma and not depend on the written theology of the suttas?
Please read my posts, take a couple of points out, then then then ask the question or comment. That way I can address that post without having to shift through what you are referring to, write a full long post on something you were not referring to with your question.
It's a waste of time otherwise.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
To put it bluntly, it's a waste of time talking to you about the facts of other religions when you don't read and comment our point(s).
If you do not understand something, refer to it by quote and ask one of us to clarify.
"We" as in Bahai? If you are making unity among diversity, and Bahaullah is the center of it for this thousands of years, -we- should incorporate all.
It's a waste of time.
If you do not understand something, refer to it by quote and ask one of us to clarify.
"We" as in Bahai? If you are making unity among diversity, and Bahaullah is the center of it for this thousands of years, -we- should incorporate all.
It's a waste of time.
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Makes sense to you, sure. Not to me.
Almost always? Are you actually rescinding that infallibility notion? With infallibility it would be always period. No ifs, ands, or buts. Maybe you don't understand what infallibility means either?
I acknowledge you do not see a Book as Neccessary.
As a Baha'i we acknowledge we do not ownTruth, it is not from us, it is but a gift given to share.
After the Messenger leaves this earthly life, the Book is the gift of proof of the Life and the Message Given, it is the gift of the guidance required for the age the Message given.
The Book is a Neccesary part to ensure man stays close to the Truth. Even with the guidance of the written word, history shows we can still stray, then how much more would we stray without it, when man uses but His own ideas!
Regards Tony
Why do you think that in creation, which is a Reflection if Gods Atteibutes, that all things given from God are being renewed by going through cycles from birth to death, from light ro darkness, that Religion would be exempt from that renewal.
It is more likely that the renewal will hapoen at the time when rejection if God is at its apex. The Holy books all contain this advice.
Thus what you have posted would only confirm the view that Baha'u'llah has offered.
Regards Tony