What makes religion beneficial or harmful to communities?

[CG Didymus]

The important aspect here is, that the benifical part is the work we can all do for unity and the good of all. Our different way of looking at it, if it causes division, should be avoided. Even in saying this, one can see there are a few what ifs that would need to be addressed.

Regards Tony

Is what Baha'is are presenting here on the forum uniting people of different religions or causing divisions between those people in other religions and the Baha'is?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Is what Baha'is are presenting here on the forum uniting people of different religions or causing divisions between those people in other religions and the Baha'is?

You would have to ask them CG, as that is entirely up to each of them to decide.

Regards Tony

 

[Dawnofhope]

Fortunately it's not anything the world needs. It's no different than some work of fiction by an obscure author. If it was indeed as important as the Baha'icentric folks think it is, the entire works would have been translated long ago.

It’s often in times of crisis or extreme difficulties that each one of us discovers what is truly needed. If humanity needs Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation it will come to pass. If not it will fade into obscurity as you say.

 

[Dawnofhope]

With multiple revisions - first by Abdul Baha, then by Shoghi Effendi and then by House of Justice at various times, I do not think your manifestation's word survives.
But tell me, did he curse the non-believers or not?
Bible version debate - Wikipedia

Why would He curse the unbelievers? Provide me any authorised translation of Bahá’u’lláh’s work that you feel needs clarifying I will happily assist.

 

[Vinayaka]

It’s often in times of crisis or extreme difficulties that each one of us discovers what is truly needed. If humanity needs Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation it will come to pass. If not it will fade into obscurity as you say.

"Waking up to reality" goes in many directions. It's so very personal. I personally see no need for 'Baha'u'llah's revelation', as it isn't anything new. Lots of other groups do basically the same thing, without the pressing need to accept those same ideas from one person, and one person alone. So some of the ideas will persist, and would have, even if Baha'u'llah had never been born.

One problem I have with prophet based religions and faiths is they falsely think those ideas are unique.

 

[Aupmanyav]

And those who follow them think that they are unique and their ideas are unique, when it is just the usual clap-trap.

 

[Dawnofhope]

"Waking up to reality" goes in many directions. It's so very personal. I personally see no need for 'Baha'u'llah's revelation', as it isn't anything new. Lots of other groups do basically the same thing, without the pressing need to accept those same ideas from one person, and one person alone. So some of the ideas will persist, and would have, even if Baha'u'llah had never been born.

One problem I have with prophet based religions and faiths is they falsely think those ideas are unique.

I think its as hard for someone who hasn't lived within an Abrahamic paradigm to appreciate its subtleties and nuances. It can appear very black and white, especially when the predominant narrative is what we hear from fundamentalists. Anyone who really knows Christianity and Islam as well as the Baha'i Faith realises a large aspect of these religions are reframing eternal truths enshrined in the previous Revelations so as to meet the needs of that age (dispensation). So in that sense I agree a large measure of what they teach is not unique.

 

[Vinayaka]

So in that sense I agree a large measure of what they teach is not unique.

And yet people continue to pretend that it is, despite much evidence to the contrary.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

And yet people continue to pretend that it is, despite much evidence to the contrary.

And those who follow them think that they are unique and their ideas are unique, when it is just the usual clap-trap.

I see, that since I have been on RF, that what Adrian offered here......

So in that sense I agree a large measure of what they teach is not unique.

......has been a core part of what has been offered. I would say it may also be the most important part.

There has been much discussion on the ageless Truths taught by and unpheald by each of Gods Faiths. These teachings come with the teachings that are required for the age in which we live.

It is also been said that to reject one aspect, the aspect suited to the age, is also paramount to rejection of the ageless aspect, as they are inseparable, if the elixer is to ultimately work.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

It could be said that Religion is beneficial when it is practiced how it should be, that is serving each other in Love to build strong and loving communities and becomes harmful when man has changed that goal.

Regards Tony

 

[Vinayaka]

It is also been said that to reject one aspect, the aspect suited to the age, is also paramount to rejection of the ageless aspect, as they are inseparable, if the elixer is to ultimately work.

I and many others have rejected the entire Abrahamic paradigm. Are we all destined for failure? Dharmic faiths and some indigenous ones like the aboriginals of Australia have had a lasting legacy still going strong.

 

[Vinayaka]

It could be said that Religion is beneficial when it is practiced how it should be, that is serving each other in Love to build strong and loving communities and becomes harmful when man has changed that goal.

I totally concur. When the goal becomes the seeking of converts, and arguing that your way is correct, a lot is lost. Mostly it's service to mankind with no strings attached.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I and many others have rejected the entire Abrahamic paradigm. Are we all destined for failure? Dharmic faiths and some indigenous ones like the aboriginals of Australia have had a lasting legacy still going strong.

That is my, yours and everybody's choice. The answer is yes, a yes requiring specific clarifications, from what I have found.

It is applicable only when one has been made aware, otherwise ones adherance to what is good is preferable.

Regards Tony

 

[Vinayaka]

That is my, yours and everybody's choice. The answer is yes, a yes requiring specific clarifications, from what I have found.

The question was 'Are we all destined for failure?" all being all people not of the Abrahamic line. So you think we're all destined for failure. How so, Tony? Is it Hell we're destined for? What kind of failure? Please elaborate.

(Of course you do realise that I don't operate in this paradigm.) Still I'm ever curious to know how evil we're perceived.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The question was 'Are we all destined for failure?" all being all people not of the Abrahamic line. So you think we're all destined for failure. How so, Tony? Is it Hell we're destined for? What kind of failure? Please elaborate.

(Of course you do realise that I don't operate in this paradigm.) Still I'm ever curious to know how evil we're perceived.

Its all our choice vinayaka. As I said there is a lot of thoughts on this subject.

You did not quote a most important aspect.

Which was;

It is applicable only when one has been made aware, otherwise ones adherance to what is good is preferable.

The rest is major discussion going deep into all Faiths.

Regards Tony

 

[Vinayaka]

Its all our choice vinayaka. As I said there is a lot of thoughts on this subject.

You did not quote a most important aspect.

Which was;



The rest is major discussion going deep into all Faiths.

I didn't quote that because I couldn't understand it.

 

[CG Didymus]

You would have to ask them CG, as that is entirely up to each of them to decide.

Regards Tony

But I'm asking the Baha'is. You know if you've made positive connections with people or not. Have Baha'is shown that they care about and truly accept people in all the other religions? Or, made a point to show them how their religion is wrong?

 

[CG Didymus]

It’s often in times of crisis or extreme difficulties that each one of us discovers what is truly needed. If humanity needs Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation it will come to pass. If not it will fade into obscurity as you say.

There's a lot of things that are needed... But.... some of us got the impression that Baha'is expected to rule the world... that almost all people would be Baha'is. If that is not the case, then will they even have a majority of the people of the world following the Baha'i Faith? Then, who will be living by "God's law"? Only the Baha'i? Then, what 's going to change? If there is still Sex, drugs, alcohol and defiant people, criminal people, white collar greedy people, what is going to be different than what we have now?

If the Baha'is do become the majority, what are those that aren't Baha'is going to do? They're not going to necessarily want to live by Baha'i laws. So what will Baha'is do with people that want to open a bar or a strip club? Or, what about all the companies and factories that are exploiting people and resources? Will they be outlawed?

One thing for sure, it can't keep going the way it's going. Baha'is and Christian say that things will turn bad. Christians say that Jesus will come and save the day and get rid of evil once and for all. Baha'is say things will get bad and the world will turn to the Baha'is to save the day? Then what?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

But I'm asking the Baha'is. You know if you've made positive connections with people or not. Have Baha'is shown that they care about and truly accept people in all the other religions? Or, made a point to show them how their religion is wrong?

I think we have been fair and just in our presentation of what we believe and as such have found mutual respect with like minded peoples.

Questions have been asked and answered in all honesty and as already said, people are responsible for their reaction to that honesty. It is not easy for some to consider that we all need to change in some way for us to find unity and peace. People tend to get comfortable in life and dislike change.

I actually expect 10 fold opposition to the Faith as it emerges from obsurity, thus this forum will just reflect what will happen throughout the world. How do we control any of that, as Baha'u'llah's Message is what it is?

Regards Tony

 

[paarsurrey]

What makes religion beneficial or harmful to communities?

The truthful revealed religion, if understood correctly, is peaceful and never harmful to any community. Right, please?

Regards