I would rather be dead.

Trailblazer · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
What I would like to discuss here is the sharing of your Faith.

How would you feel if you could not talk about your Faith?

How do you feel when you can not have in depth discussions about your Faith?

My answer to those 2 questions is the OP, it is also the same answer if an attempt was made to force one to change their Faith.

I know many here are passionate about faith, but hold back on deep discussion. I find that as soul destroying.

Personally I would long for death if I could not have conversations about Faith and I actually feel dead if I can not. One saving grace is one can live Faith, which in silence feeds the soul.

Who else would like to talk about Faith, without the threat of proselytizing?

Here we can discuss, if you wish, the deeper aspects of faith.

All one has to do is say, This is the way I see that aspect of Faith and it is supported by (insert quote)

Regards Tony

This is interesting that I was just shopping around on RF and stumbled upon your thread.

It is interesting because I just now finished a post to a friend who posts on my forum and he accused me of not wanting to talk about anything but my faith and I told him I did not want to talk about it but I just respond to what is posted to me, and he is the one who keeps talking about it to me...
It is funny how people accuse other people of exactly what THEY are doing... in psychology that is called projection....
Looks can be deceiving, so just because I talk about my faith does not mean I LIKE talking about it, because there could be other reasons, as people do not always do what they like to do, I know I don't.

My friend also asked me if I have a passion for anything besides my faith and I told him I do not have the kind of passion he thinks I have.... Again, looks can be deceiving....

Trailblazer · Jul 5, 2019

Vinayaka said:
I don't feel any need to talk about my faith at all, except with some other members of my faith, cause there will be mutual understanding, not a peeing contest or senseless talking past each other in mock debate. Silence is golden.

I would not be talking about it either if Baha'u'llah had not told me to.

TransmutingSoul · Jul 5, 2019

Trailblazer said:
I would not be talking about it either if Baha'u'llah had not told me to.

The motivation for me was discovery. I was just gobsmacked when I read of Baha'u'llah, before I knew much at all and could not wait to pass it on.

I took it first to my mother brothers and sisters, it did not get past the first few words, I could not believe they could not see what I saw in those writings and how it also gave a new perception to all scriptures.

My mother said it was from the devil.

Since that day, it just wants to jump out of me. Had some great chats over the years with some good JW and SDA friends, but it always stops at doctrine.

I long to explore what we will unlock with a unity of mind.

Regards Tony

Samana Johann · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
Personally I would long for death if I could not have conversations about Faith and I actually feel dead if I can not.

Worthy to investigate the matter, householder Tony Bristow-Stagg. As a hint: AN 7.47: Methuna Sutta — The Discourse on Coupling

Less are there who take on a faith for the sake of liberation.

TransmutingSoul · Jul 5, 2019

Samana Johann said:
Worthy to investigate the matter, householder Tony Bristow-Stagg. As a hint: AN 7.47: Methuna Sutta — The Discourse on Coupling

Less are there who take on a faith for the sake of liberation.

@Samana Johann This Faith is past personal salvation, it was Jesus the Christ that showed that way, now we must give our life to service to all humanity, for no less than the Salvation of the entire human race. Muhammad taught that can only happen by full submission unto God and His Laws.

Faith must be selfless. Look forward to sharing that journey with you and all in whatever way we each choose.

Regards Tony

Samana Johann · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
now we must give our life to service to all humanity

Seems to not a selfless deed, if calling for repayment instead of giving way toward freedom. Merely a deal = hamsterwheel.

My person would not "buy" your "selfless" offer, making to slaves.

Vinayaka · Jul 5, 2019

loverofhumanity said:
If that’s the case then wouldn’t you only be posting on DIR?

There are tons of things to talk about besides one's own faith, and to respond to about someone else's ideas without introducing your own. Generally, on the rare chance I do want to speak of my faith, I do put it in the DIR. I think many folks would have far less reactions to what people say if they did put it in their respective DIRs. Anyone can read what's in a DIR.

I see people putting their faith in debate, then when someone counters it, they have a big hissy fit. That scenario would be avoided. Easily.

syo · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
How would you feel if you could not talk about your Faith?

Miserable.

Trailblazer · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
The motivation for me was discovery. I was just gobsmacked when I read of Baha'u'llah, before I knew much at all and could not wait to pass it on.

I took it first to my mother brothers and sisters, it did not get past the first few words, I could not believe they could not see what I saw in those writings and how it also gave a new perception to all scriptures.

My mother said it was from the devil.

Since that day, it just wants to jump out of me. Had some great chats over the years with some good JW and SDA friends, but it always stops at doctrine.

I long to explore what we will unlock with a unity of mind.

Regards Tony

I was not raised in a religious family. Both my parents were raised as Christians but they both dropped out before their children were born... I do not recall my parents ever talking about God, so I never thought about God.

My older brother was the first Baha'i in my family. After researching all the other religions, he discovered the Baha'i Faith and became a Baha'i in 1968. Then my sister and I heard about it from him and became Baha'is in 1970... Then my mother became a Baha'i in 1975.

That was the whole family, since my dad had died in 1964 and had never heard of Baha'i.
I often wonder what he is doing in the spiritual world right now...

I was like you, I wanted to tell everyone about it at first, but then owing to personal problems and being busy in college I fell away from the Faith for many decades, and towards the end of that period I was so angry at God I wanted nothing to do with Him...

Then one day in January 2013, I stumbled upon the Planet Baha'i forum and everything started to change after that...

Now, I am a lifer.

TransmutingSoul · Jul 5, 2019

Samana Johann said:
Seems to not a selfless deed, if calling for repayment instead of giving way toward freedom. Merely a deal = hamsterwheel.

My person would not "buy" your "selfless" offer, making to slaves.

I see things are not always as they seem. Doing good for others is not, nor will it ever be asking for a repayment, it is the right thing to do, that is true life.

Faith, has never been, nor will ever be for sale, faith is only ever offered for us to choose to accept, ignore or reject.

It could be that without submission, which could actually be the path to true liberty, one could have unknowingly comitted themselves to self bondage, all the while thinking they are a free spirit.

True submission is doing away with self and practicing what is from God.

Regards Tony

TransmutingSoul · Jul 5, 2019

syo said:
Miserable.

Then I wish you always happy and always the opportunity to share.

I have found that any chosen path in Faith, is just the start, we have no idea where the journey may go, even if we so see a goal in sight. There are many things that are strewn across our way as life undolds and we do not know if it will still be the same path we walk by the end of our journey.

I have found, in reflection of an event filled life, that guidance was given at every stage, but my own choices took me to places that I should not have gone. In doing that, life imparted a wisdom I had not preciously considered or appreciated, without having made the error.

How about you, have your life choices given you a vision you had not yet considered?

Regards Tony

TransmutingSoul · Jul 5, 2019

Trailblazer said:
I was not raised in a religious family. Both my parents were raised as Christians but they both dropped out before their children were born... I do not recall my parents ever talking about God, so I never thought about God.

My older brother was the first Baha'i in my family. After researching all the other religions, he discovered the Baha'i Faith and became a Baha'i in 1968. Then my sister and I heard about it from him and became Baha'is in 1970... Then my mother became a Baha'i in 1975.

That was the whole family, since my dad had died in 1964 and had never heard of Baha'i.
I often wonder what he is doing in the spiritual world right now...

I was like you, I wanted to tell everyone about it at first, but then owing to personal problems and being busy in college I fell away from the Faith for many decades, and towards the end of that period I was so angry at God I wanted nothing to do with Him...

Then one day in January 2013, I stumbled upon the Planet Baha'i forum and everything started to change after that...

Now, I am a lifer.

I remember going to sunday school, but only to about 8 years old, my mother was still a part time practicing Christain. I still had a KJV bible from that time up to a couple of years ago when I gave it away. My fathers journey went on to an Athiest, I never heard of any faith from my father, although my grandmother was Christian. My mother became a born again Christain. None of my family ever considered Baha'i.

It is on Planet Baha'i we first met.

The Delphi Forums were an interesting journey. They seemed to fracture into groups, very easy to be kicked out of some. I have not ventured back much after 2014 when I lost all life possessions and moved out of Australia for a couple of years

That was a blessing in disguise.

That was the most important thing I have found as well. One can accept a Faith, but they really may not have

, as the acceptance is yet to be tested. I have seen many over the years not make it through those tests. This is so in any Faith.

Rest assured for your Father as you would be aware that Baha'u'llah has said in this dispensation the forgiveness of parents is a bounty bestowed upon them.

I just now long for unity, the vision is so grand, it is not easy living in an age of such great confusion.

Regards Tony

syo · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
Then I wish you always happy and always the opportunity to share.

I have found that any chosen path in Faith, is just the start, we have no idea where the journey may go, even if we so see a goal in sight. There are many things that are strewn across our way as life undolds and we do not know if it will still be the same path we walk by the end of our journey.

I have found, in reflection of an event filled life, that guidance was given at every stage, but my own choices took me to places that I should not have gone. In doing that, life imparted a wisdom I had not preciously considered or appreciated, without having made the error.

How about you, have your life choices given you a vision you had not yet considered?

Regards Tony

Yup! but with good choices I also made some pretty bad choices, and the bad choices lead me to psychiatrists. Oh well, with a help I try!

Road Less Traveled · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
How would you feel if you could not talk about your Faith?

How do you feel when you can not have in depth discussions about your Faith?

Tony, I would be just fine as the mind and mouth aren’t difficult to control any longer. No need to explain oneself to anyone as well. No invitations for drama.

Trailblazer · Jul 5, 2019

Tony Bristow-Stagg said:
I remember going to sunday school, but only to about 8 years old, my mother was still a part time practicing Christain. I still had a KJV bible from that time up to a couple of years ago when I gave it away. My fathers journey went on to an Athiest, I never heard of any faith from my father, although my grandmother was Christian. My mother became a born again Christain. None of my family ever considered Baha'i.

It is on Planet Baha'i we first met. The Delphi Forums were an interesting journey. They seemed to fracture into groups, very easy to be kicked out of some. I have not ventured back much after 2014 when I lost all life possessions and moved out of Australia for a couple of years That was a blessing in disguise.

That was the most important thing I have found as well. One can accept a Faith, but they really may not have , as the acceptance is yet to be tested. I have seen many over the years not make it through those tests. This is so in any Faith.

Rest assured for your Father as you would be aware that Baha'u'llah has said in this dispensation the forgiveness of parents is a bounty bestowed upon them.

I just now long for unity, the vision is so grand, it is not easy living in an age of such great confusion.

Regards Tony

My father's journey also went on to be an atheist, but I think my mother retained her Christian faith until she became a Baha'i.

Thanks for pointing that out about my father. We were not that close in this life but closer than I was with my mother.

Planet Baha'i has all but dried up. Right now, it is just me and one other Baha'i conversing back and forth on one thread I had started.

I started my own forum on Delphi in 2014 called The Spiritual Horizon. It was active for a while after I started it but it has been inactive for a long time,because I went off to other Delphi Forums, Now it has a few posters on it, mostly nonbelievers that I have known for years who do not like posting on the other Delphi Forums.

Saint Frankenstein · Jul 5, 2019

Vinayaka said:
I don't feel any need to talk about my faith at all, except with some other members of my faith, cause there will be mutual understanding, not a peeing contest or senseless talking past each other in mock debate. Silence is golden.

I agree except that I attempt to educate others about my religion since it's very little known or understood. Otherwise, I don't feel the need to talk to outsiders about it. We have enough arguments raging amongst ourselves.

Vinayaka · Jul 5, 2019

Saint Frankenstein said:
I agree except that I attempt to educate others about my religion since it's very little known or understood. Otherwise, I don't feel the need to talk to outsiders about it. We have enough arguments raging amongst ourselves.

So do I, but only on a couple of conditions. If they ask, I'll answer, and if they got something wholeheartedly wrong. Otherwise it's a private matter. It's not at all about just talking about it relentlessly to total strangers, which seems to be the case here.

TransmutingSoul · Jul 5, 2019

Road Less Traveled said:
Tony, I would be just fine as the mind and mouth aren’t difficult to control any longer. No need to explain oneself to anyone as well. No invitations for drama.

I see for some individuals that does work well and they are content.

Personally I have come to welcome drama in life, I see that it is very needed for growth. I also personally see silence will not and can not change the world, though I would agree actions speak louder than words, I see both are needed.

Can you explain to me how a personal Faith practiced in silence, could create the needed change, are there any expamples that I can consider?

Just before posting, I had a thought. Would not ones Faith have come from another source, one that was not silent?

Regards Tony

TransmutingSoul · Jul 5, 2019

Vinayaka said:
There are tons of things to talk about besides one's own faith, and to respond to about someone else's ideas without introducing your own. Generally, on the rare chance I do want to speak of my faith, I do put it in the DIR. I think many folks would have far less reactions to what people say if they did put it in their respective DIRs. Anyone can read what's in a DIR.

I see people putting their faith in debate, then when someone counters it, they have a big hissy fit. That scenario would be avoided. Easily.

I can say I was attracted to RF from what the title is. It appeared from its title to be a place where one could talk about and explore Faith with a passion, from a perspective one has gained in life.

The issue can be, that when we discuss those issues in greater detail, offering other thoughts to long held concepts, the reaction can be people see they are being personally challenged.

There are a few options we could pursue if this is the case, but I see It is just as easy to say, no I do not beleive that and move on. No one need take offense.

In the end I see we all grow if we look for the good behind each exchange, but that is a learning curve for all and mostly it is self reflection.

Regards Tony

Vinayaka · Jul 6, 2019

At the office you work at, over some time, two different colleagues buy fancy new cars. One guy comes in and announces it, offering rides to everyone, telling all about it. He's proud of it. He gets annoying.

The other guy, well it takes a couple of weeks (or not at all) for someone to notice, "I see you got a new car."

Some people are the first guy. Others are the second guy.

I would rather be dead.

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Restricted by request

Veteran Member

Restricted by request

devotee

Well-Known Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Veteran Member

Wanderer From Afar

devotee

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

devotee