If you believe

[Trackdayguy]

Came to faith 30+ years ago, rejected evangelical fundalism 20 years ago.

If you believe that down through the ages that God has spoken through many people, then it would seem logical that one could embrace the teaching of Baha'u'llah.

 

[Rival]

It's not exactly that simple, though. The messages have to logically follow.

 

[wizanda]

Baha'u'llah.

Prophets are generally born with the name specified at birth, as God is the CPU that makes reality at a quantum level.

Changing the name to the "Glory of God", and claiming to be Yeshua's father; thus the God Most High (Luke 1:32), doesn't make sense.

In my opinion.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Came to faith 30+ years ago, rejected evangelical fundalism 20 years ago.

If you believe that down through the ages that God has spoken through many people, then it would seem logical that one could embrace the teaching of Baha'u'llah.

That is what attracted me to the Faith. To me it was the ultimate logic.

Then 34 years later, it is even more logical!

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

It's not exactly that simple, though. The messages have to logically follow.

I can say from my search, is that religion is a progression. Each Message has the unchangeable aspects with laws suited to the age it was given, each giving vital aspects of what it is to know and love God.

To me it has become all about frame of reference. Am I looking for the Oneness, or am I not?

Regards Tony

 

[Trackdayguy]

Yes I 100% agree. I rejected evangelical fundamentalism because of the judgement I saw in myself and others in that system, I knew it wasn't God. I'm not there yet but I'm on a journey of self discovery, which includes being open minded and less rigid

 

[Quintessence]

If you believe that down through the ages that God has spoken through many people, then it would seem logical that one could embrace the teaching of Baha'u'llah.

Perhaps. On the other hand, if one understands these things as gods rather than God, the Baha'i tradition is... not compatible with polytheism at all. Or other types of theism outside of Abrahamic monotheism, come to think of it.

 

[Nakosis]

Came to faith 30+ years ago, rejected evangelical fundalism 20 years ago.

If you believe that down through the ages that God has spoken through many people, then it would seem logical that one could embrace the teaching of Baha'u'llah.

Faith is a wonderful thing. The ability to have faith in someone, something. To put your faith in someone even when it seems you shouldn't and to find your faith was not misplaced.

All the doubt and fear disappears when the person or thing you placed your faith in fulfills or even exceeds your expectations. It make you feel special, that someone is looking out for your best interests, interests you didn't even know you had.

The loss of faith is terrible isn't it? When you are betrayed, misled, taken advantage of. Most people are well meaning but they have their own interests that don't alway align with yours. Certainly most have more interest in their own well being than yours.

How rare the person one can fully place their faith in.

God has spoken through many people, why not you? Are you not the person that others can fully place their faith in? If this was the human norm, would we need a God?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Yes I 100% agree. I rejected evangelical fundamentalism because of the judgement I saw in myself and others in that system, I knew it wasn't God. I'm not there yet but I'm on a journey of self discovery, which includes being open minded and less rigid

Reminded me of this prayer;

"O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord."

My wife, God bless her Heart, read that prayer on the wall of someone she went to say Hi to back in 1984. After reading that prayer she asked where it had come from and when told it was a Baha'i Prayer, she asked how could she become a Baha'i and did then and there. She told me when I got back from work and I burst the balloon of happiness, I was very angry, it took me a month or so to actually read something about the Faith and bingo!

It has been a journey of discovery ever since, as one thing we must know is that when we say we believe, that belief will always be tested. God wants us to find our true selves, the self that gives unconditionally.

All the best, the heart is the key

"SON OF SPIRIT! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Perhaps. On the other hand, if one understands these things as gods rather than God, the Baha'i tradition is... not compatible with polytheism at all. Or other types of theism outside of Abrahamic monotheism, come to think of it.

Personally I see that polytheism was built on the all the Names of God, to which God has unlimited names. The important thing to know is, that pure light can be a rainbow.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

God has spoken through many people, why not you? Are you not the person that others can fully place their faith in? If this was the human norm, would we need a God?

It is to our own selves we must look to find God. An important aspect here is what is from God and what is from our own selves. This is where the Mediator between Man and God is necessary. They assist us to find our God within and unconstrained by our worldly selves.

Regards Tony

 

[Nakosis]

It is to our own selves we must look to find God. An important aspect here is what is from God and what is from our own selves. This is where the Mediator between Man and God is necessary. They assist us to find our God within and unconstrained by our worldly selves.

Regards Tony

Assuming they got it right. How do you place your faith in the words of those no longer around. If we accept our own ignorance then how are we, the ignorant to judge?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Assuming they got it right. How do you place your faith in the words of those no longer around. If we accept our own ignorance then how are we, the ignorant to judge?

To me that is part of finding self. We have to know God is Justice and that we each must justly consider all claims and evidence given. If we find that evidence sound then we have Faith built on a rock.

I consider that If life is given to know and love God, then we must have Faith we will be guided in that quest.

Regards Tony

 

[Nakosis]

To me that is part of finding self. We have to know God is Justice and that we each must justly consider all claims and evidence given. If we find that evidence sound then we have Faith built on a rock.

I consider that If life is given to know and love God, then we must have Faith we will be guided in that quest.

Regards Tony

When will you know? That you placed your faith wisely?

 

[Quintessence]

Personally I see that polytheism was built on the all the Names of God, to which God has unlimited names. The important thing to know is, that pure light can be a rainbow.

Regards Tony

How could polytheism be built on monotheism when polytheism historically predates monotheism? Regardless, fake "soft polytheism" might help rationalize things in your worldview, but don't mistake your reconciliation with the realities of true "hard polytheists" like myself. My gods are not a rainbow that came out of some single pure light. The Baha'i tendency to ignore and overwrite polytheistic narratives is one of the things that annoys me about them, sad to say.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

When will you know? That you placed your faith wisely?

There is this life to continually work on that question. If we are sincere in that quest, then that is what is asked of us.

Test all things, hold fast to what is good.

Personally pilgrimage in 2014 to Haifa confirmed it for me. I go again next week.

I ask myself, if this Faith is wrong, what Faith can be right? The answer to me would be none. Thus Baha'u'llah has shown me they all come from the same source.

Regards Tony

 

[Nakosis]

There is this life to continually work on that question. If we are sincere in that quest, then that is what is asked of us.

Test all things, hold fast to what is good.

Personally pilgrimage in 2014 to Haifa confirmed it for me. I go again next week.

I ask myself, if this Faith is wrong, what Faith can be right? The answer to me would be none. Thus Baha'u'llah has shown me they all come from the same source.

Regards Tony

If I had a better beard, looking at your profile pic, I could almost believe I was looking in a mirror.

I imagine going to a concrete place of worship is very comforting.

However I can't escape the feeling that waiting a lifetime for conformation of one's faith is a bit evil.

Faith confirmed is wonderful. Waiting a lifetime torturous. I hope you find fulment but dang, why does God prolong it so?

 

[Vinayaka]

Came to faith 30+ years ago, rejected evangelical fundalism 20 years ago.

If you believe that down through the ages that God has spoken through many people, then it would seem logical that one could embrace the teaching of Baha'u'llah.

I believe God speaks through all beings, as emanations of himself. I don't believe anyone is 'special' like how this is interpreted. OTOH, fundamentalism comes in many shades.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

How could polytheism be built on monotheism when polytheism historically predates monotheism? Regardless, fake "soft polytheism" might help rationalize things in your worldview, but don't mistake your reconciliation with the realities of true "hard polytheists" like myself. My gods are not a rainbow that came out of some single pure light. The Baha'i tendency to ignore and overwrite polytheistic narratives is one of the things that annoys me about them, sad to say.

I would say monotheism was built on polytheism, a logical progression of knowledge.

But you are not compelled to see it that way and I am happy you make your choices.

Regards Tony

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

How could polytheism be built on monotheism when polytheism historically predates monotheism? Regardless, fake "soft polytheism" might help rationalize things in your worldview, but don't mistake your reconciliation with the realities of true "hard polytheists" like myself. My gods are not a rainbow that came out of some single pure light. The Baha'i tendency to ignore and overwrite polytheistic narratives is one of the things that annoys me about them, sad to say.

Actually, it's rather hard to say when monotheism came about because, for example, many African peoples traditionally believe in a Supreme Being or Creator, but this Creator is viewed as distant so they deal with lesser spirits. This is why it's easy to syncretize Catholicism and West African religion. It's stupid that we ignore the perspectives of non-European and non-Middlen Eastern indigenous peoples in common religious anthropology.