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Tests and Difficulties: The Baha’i Viewpoint

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
The Baha’i Faith recommends a very different way of thinking about and dealing with our tests and difficulties. Instead of fearing them and doing our best to avoid them, the Baha’i teachings say we should welcome them:

“Thou hast written concerning the tests that have come upon thee. To the sincere ones, tests are as a gift from God, the Exalted, for a heroic person hasteneth, with the utmost joy and gladness, to the tests of a violent battlefield, but the coward is afraid and trembles and utters moaning and lamentation. Likewise, an expert student prepareth and memorizeth his lessons and exercises with the utmost effort, and in the day of examination he appeareth with infinite joy before the master. Likewise, the pure gold shineth radiantly in the fire of test. Consequently, it is made clear that for holy souls, trials are as the gift of God, the Exalted; but for weak souls they are an unexpected calamity.” Bahá’í World Faith, p. 371

In other words, the Baha’is who do not see tests as gifts from God are not sincere or heroic. They are cowards, weak souls.

This is very judgmental and please note that Baha’u’llah did not write what I quoted above. I believe that Abdu’l-Baha took it upon himself to add to what Baha’u’llah wrote and embellish it. I welcome any Baha’i who can find anything that says anything like this in the Writings of Baha’u’llah.

That quote above is very insensitive and judgmental. I consider it unfortunate if Baha’is cannot even understand why that is the case. I am not just saying this because I have suffered so much; I say this because many people suffer, often through no fault of their own.

It is really sad when a believer belongs to a religion and they cannot even get any compassion or understanding from others who belong to the same religion. I have to rely upon people of other religions and atheists for any compassion and understanding.

I think that Baha’is need to wake up and smell the coffee. What I am saying has nothing to do with the Baha’i Faith but rather it is an attitude of “some Baha’is” who consider their “teachings” more important than other people’s feelings. What Abdul-Baha said above sounds like it came out of a recipe book called “How to suffer and be happy” but I think it is unreasonable to expect everyone to be able to cope with suffering the same way because no two people are alike nor are their life situations alike..

I will remind the Baha’is of the following passage. I will also remind them that God is the one who created this world that is a storehouse of suffering.

“O thou seeker of the Kingdom! Thy letter was received. Thou hast written of the severe calamity that hath befallen thee—the death of thy respected husband. That honourable man hath been so subjected to the stress and strain of this world that his greatest wish was for deliverance from it. Such is this mortal abode: a storehouse of afflictions and suffering. It is ignorance that binds man to it, for no comfort can be secured by any soul in this world, from monarch down to the most humble commoner. If once this life should offer a man a sweet cup, a hundred bitter ones will follow; such is the condition of this world. The wise man, therefore, doth not attach himself to this mortal life and doth not depend upon it; at some moments, even, he eagerly wisheth for death that he may thereby be freed from these sorrows and afflictions. Thus it is seen that some, under extreme pressure of anguish, have committed suicide.

As to thy husband, rest assured. He will be immersed in the ocean of pardon and forgiveness and will become the recipient of bounty and favour. Strive thine utmost to give his child a Bahá’í training so that when he attaineth maturity he may be merciful, illumined and heavenly.” Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 200


So I guess this man who committed suicide was an insincere weak soul. Why then will he will be immersed in the ocean of pardon and forgiveness and become the recipient of bounty and favor of God?

Abdu’l-Bahá said: “The wise man, therefore, doth not attach himself to this mortal life and doth not depend upon it;”

But even if we are detached from this world and do not depend upon it, we have to live in it. This idea promulgated by some Baha’is that if we were detached from this world we would never suffer implies that all people who suffer are attached to this world, but such is not the case.

A person can be attached to a friend or family member or an animal they love dearly and suffer when a death occurs. It is written in the Baha’i history how much the Guardian Shoghi Effendi suffered when his grandfather Abdu’l-Baha died. So is there some kind of double standard whereby the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith can suffer but a Baha’i who suffers just needs to be more detached?

I consider it reprehensible to say to someone who is suffering that they just need to be more detached, embrace their tests and never complain, but sadly, that is what many Baha’is say. Unfortunately, this is what religious beliefs can do to some people. However, these are not the teachings of Baha’u’llah.

“Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 285

(Continued on next post)
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
For the last two weeks or so I had been angry at God for the suffering I have been going through, but yesterday I came to realize that I was not really angry at God because God is not deliberately sending me tests in order to teach me some kind of lesson or make me grow stronger, as some Baha’is believe. I do not understand how anyone could believe in a Loving God who would do that… There are enough tests in this life without God sending us more. But it is supposed to be for “our own benefit.” The problem is, tests do not benefit everyone, only the “holy souls.” The other people are just cowards, weak souls.

Because of these Baha’i teachings about “tests and difficulties” for a long time whenever a crisis occurred I felt like God was sending me tests to teach me some kind of lesson, and I hated God for that. I believed that God was doing that because my older brother who is a Baha’i told me that, and back then I did not know very much of what was I the Baha’i Writings so I just believed him. Only later did I realize that tests are just a part of life, not something God sends on purpose, but what my brother said never really went away and it did a lot of damage.

And Baha’is continue to say these things because of what Abdu’l-Baha wrote about God sending us tests for our own perfecting, but where does he get off saying that? He is not a Manifestation of God as I believe Bahaullah to be so he cannot speak for God. If Baha’u’llah wrote that I would believe it, but I do not know anywhere that He wrote that. To say that tests “come upon the faithful in the path of service” is not the same as saying that God is “sending” tests. There is no reason to believe that God interferes directly in this world.

So according to Abdu’l-Baha, I am supposed to endure my tests with the “utmost joy and gladness” and if I cannot do that I am an insincere weak soul. How much more judgmental can one be? Maybe that man in the quote above who committed suicide did so because he tried to face all the tests “the Baha’i way.” He hastened to the tests of a violent battlefield, and got shot down, and when he could no longer endure the suffering, he killed himself.

Right off the top of my head I can think of seven different categories of “tests” that I have endured within the past 38 years. I have never run from tests; I have faced every test that has come my way, not only because that is what Baha’is are “supposed to do” but also because that is the kind of person I am. But what was the result? I am supposed to believe I am stronger for it, more spiritual, but what is the proof of that? How can I know what my life would have been like if I had not had all these tests? Maybe I would have been able to accomplish a lot more and help other people, as I had wanted to do.

Maybe my tests have helped me grow spiritually, but what good am I to anyone else when I am fighting constant battles? How can I be an active member of Baha’i in my community and meet the expectations in the condition I am too often in, as tests come to meet me day and night?

There is no proof that people need tests to grow spiritually. That is just a Baha’i mantra. I am supposed to believe I am more spiritual because of all the tests I have endured but I know Baha’is I consider very spiritual who had hardly any tests. Their lives were “normal”. They went to college, got married and were happily married, raised a few children, had successful careers, and then they retired like normal people do. How can those Baha’is ever understand what it is like to be me?
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
If anyone wants to share what their religion says about how we should view and handle tests and difficulties, I would like to hear what they have to say. Non-religious believers and nonbelievers are also welcome to share. :)
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Sorry Susan, I will bow out of this one.

Regards Tony
No need to say you are sorry, and besides, I already know what you believe. ;)

“Likewise, when you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one.

Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts.

Rather, search diligently for the truth and make all men your friends.”


BEAUTY AND HARMONY IN DIVERSITY
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
I want to share a poem I found on the internet. This is related to the topic on the OP because it points out how we should not judge other people unless we have walked a mile in their moccasins. Rather than judging them as weak or cowardly because they cannot seem to withstand the tests life throws at them we should be kind and compassionate and try to understand what they are going through.

Of course, not judging others is congruent with what Jesus said:

Matthew 7:3-7 King James Version (KJV)

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The poem Walk a Mile in His Moccasins was written by Mary T. Lathrap in 1895. The original title was Judge Softly. Here is the original poem.

Pray, don’t find fault with the man that limps, Or stumbles along the road. Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears, Or stumbled beneath the same load.

There may be tears in his soles that hurt Though hidden away from view. The burden he bears placed on your back May cause you to stumble and fall, too.

Don’t sneer at the man who is down today Unless you have felt the same blow That caused his fall or felt the shame That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows That were his, unknown to you in the same way, May cause you to stagger and fall, too.

Don’t be too harsh with the man that sins. Or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain. Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own, And it’s only wisdom and love that your heart contains.

For you know if the tempter’s voice Should whisper as soft to you, As it did to him when he went astray, It might cause you to falter, too.

Just walk a mile in his moccasins Before you abuse, criticize and accuse. If just for one hour, you could find a way To see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.

I believe you’d be surprised to see That you’ve been blind and narrow minded, even unkind. There are people on reservations and in the ghettos Who have so little hope, and too much worry on their minds.

Brother, there but for the grace of God go you and I. Just for a moment, slip into his mind and traditions And see the world through his spirit and eyes Before you cast a stone or falsely judge his conditions.

Remember to walk a mile in his moccasins And remember the lessons of humanity taught to you by your elders. We will be known forever by the tracks we leave In other people’s lives, our kindnesses and generosity.

Take the time to walk a mile in his moccasins.

Walk a Mile in His Moccasins
 

Truthseeker

Non-debating member when I can help myself
“Thou hast written concerning the tests that have come upon thee. To the sincere ones, tests are as a gift from God, the Exalted, for a heroic person hasteneth, with the utmost joy and gladness, to the tests of a violent battlefield, but the coward is afraid and trembles and utters moaning and lamentation. Likewise, an expert student prepareth and memorizeth his lessons and exercises with the utmost effort, and in the day of examination he appeareth with infinite joy before the master. Likewise, the pure gold shineth radiantly in the fire of test. Consequently, it is made clear that for holy souls, trials are as the gift of God, the Exalted; but for weak souls they are an unexpected calamity.” Bahá’í World Faith, p. 371
If I examine that carefully, the quote does not say that God sends us any specific tests. Tests naturally happen in this world, because of what it is.

Furthermore, I don't believe that Abdu'l-Baha added anything that was not inspired by God. You are entitled to your opinion, but I disagree. This a message from the Universal House of Justice:

  1. It was the express wish of Bahá'u'lláh that after Him the friends should "turn" to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Bahá'u'lláh also said in His Book of Laws that anything that was not clear in His Writings should be "referred" to His Most Mighty Branch springing from the Ancient Root. (See "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh" pages 134-135.) In one of the Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá published in "Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá" (page 214) He quotes the passages mentioned above and interprets them to mean that "whatever He ('Abdu'l-Bahá) saith is the very truth". 'Abdu'l-Bahá further says, referring to those who do not accept Him as the Interpreter of the Word of God, "Whoso deviates from my interpretation is a victim of his own fancy" ("The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh" page 138). Moreover, in the "Star of the West" Volume XII, page 227, 'Abdu'l-Bahá interprets the verses from the "Tablet of the Branch" to mean "...whatsoever His (Abdu'l-Bahá's) pen records, that is correct...."

  2. There is nothing in the Writings that would lead us to the conclusion that what Shoghi Effendi says about himself concerning statements on subjects not directly related to the Faith also applies to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Instead we have assertions which indicate that 'Abdu'l-Bahá's position in the Faith is one for which we find "no parallel" in past Dispensations. For example, Bahá'u'lláh, in addition to His reference to the Centre of His Covenant as the "Mystery of God", states that 'Abdu'l-Bahá should be regarded as God's "exalted Handiwork" and "a Word which God hath adorned with the ornament of His Own Self, and made it sovereign over the earth and all that there is therein..." And from Shoghi Effendi we have the incontrovertible statement that the Guardian of the Faith while "overshadowed" by the "protection'' of Bahá'u'lláh and of the Bab, "remains essentially human", whereas in respect of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Shoghi Effendi categorically states that "in the person of 'Abdu'l-Bahá the incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized.
I am particularly impressed by Baha'u'llah describing Abdu'l-Baha as "a Word which God hath adorned with the ornament of His Own Self, and made it sovereign over the earth and all that there is therein..."
 

The Anointed

Well-Known Member
Nothing found in the writings of Baha'u'llah, can beat the simple message of salvation that is found in the new covenant given to us by Jesus: "Love God with all your heart=body and all your mind=spirit, and with all you soul-life force, and love your neighbor as yourself," and you will live.
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Furthermore, I don't believe that Abdu'l-Baha added anything that was not inspired by God.

In one of the Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá published in "Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá" (page 214) He quotes the passages mentioned above and interprets them to mean that "whatever He ('Abdu'l-Bahá) saith is the very truth". 'Abdu'l-Bahá further says, referring to those who do not accept Him as the Interpreter of the Word of God, "Whoso deviates from my interpretation is a victim of his own fancy" ("The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh" page 138).
That sounds really arrogant to me: "Whoso deviates from my interpretation is a victim of his own fancy."

If you do not believe that Abdu'l-Baha added anything then you will have to show me what Baha'u'llah said that was interpreted.

If it was not in the Writings of Baha'u'llah it cannot be an interpretation of the Writings of Baha'u'llah, which would make it an add-on
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Nothing found in the writings of Baha'u'llah, can beat the simple message of salvation that is found in the new covenant given to us by Jesus: "Love God with all your heart=body and all your mind=spirit, and with all you soul-life force, and love your neighbor as yourself," and you will live.
Of course, you cannot know that unless you know everything that is in the Writings of Baha'u'llah. This is simple logic.

Do you even know anything that is in the Writings of Baha'u'llah?

Personal salvation was accomplished by Jesus, and that is why Jesus said on the cross: It is finished

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.


The work of Jesus was finished after He accomplished and that is why He said He was no more in the world:

John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.


Baha'u'llah, who claimed to be the Spirit of truth, had an entirely different mission, to complete the work Jesus started.

John 16:12-14 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
 

ppp

Well-Known Member
Do you even know anything that is in the Writings of Baha'u'llah?
It doesn't matter. Claims that are true are true irrespective of where they are written. Or who they where written by. Or even if they are written at all. Claims that are true are demonstrably true in the real world. Otherwise they are not true.
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
If I examine that carefully, the quote does not say that God sends us any specific tests. Tests naturally happen in this world, because of what it is.
That is what this quote says, and I agree that tests naturally happen in this world, because of what it is...
However, elsewhere Abdul-Baha saus that God sends the tests:

"God alone ordereth all things and is all-powerful. Why then does He send trials to His servants?....

Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting."

Paris Talks, pp. 50-51

If Bahaullah never wrote that God sends tests then I am not going to believe that. Moreover, if God sends us tests, that should be in the Holy Bible and if it isn't in there there is no reason for me to believe it because Abdul-Baha was not a Prophet, so He cannot speak for God.
 
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Trailblazer

Veteran Member
It doesn't matter. Claims that are true are true irrespective of where they are written. Or who they where written by. Or even if they are written at all. Claims that are true are demonstrably true in the real world. Otherwise they are not true.
I fully agree.
How do you think the true claims would be demonstrated if they were true?
Let's look at this claim that Abdu'l-Baha makes. Can that be demonstrated?

“Those who suffer most, attain to the greatest perfection....

Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit.”
Paris Talks, pp. 50-51
 

Truthseeker

Non-debating member when I can help myself
That sounds really arrogant to me: "Whoso deviates from my interpretation is a victim of his own fancy."
It's not arrogant, He was just stating the facts. Abdu'l-Baha was the essence of humility. You can see that in the stories about him.
 

ppp

Well-Known Member
I fully agree.
How do you think the true claims would be demonstrated if they were true?
Let's look at this claim that Abdu'l-Baha makes. Can that be demonstrated?

“Those who suffer most, attain to the greatest perfection....

Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit.”
Paris Talks, pp. 50-51
There is not enough information. 'Perfection' like 'beauty' is one of those words that is in the eye of the beholder. In order to assess whether suffering men attain perfection, I would have to know what the author thinks perfection is. And that is no guarantee that I will agree his idea of perfection is sensible. Or worthwhile.. Or good.

In short, that passage is merely a personal aesthetic claim on the part of the author.
 

Truthseeker

Non-debating member when I can help myself
"God alone ordereth all things and is all-powerful. Why then does He send trials to His servants?....

Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting."

Paris Talks, pp. 50-51

If Bahaullah never wrote that God sends tests then I am not going to believe that. Moreover, if God sends us tests, that should be in the Holy Bible and if it isn't in there there is no reason for me to believe it because Abdul-Baha was not a Prophet, so He cannot speak for God.
It does not say He sends all trials to His servants. A similar thing could be said for the second part of the quote. Besides, this is not authoritative, it was an oral report of what Abdu'l-Baha said, originally translated by who knows who on the fly in Paris.

See this by Baha'u'llah:

O Son of Spirit!

Ask not of Me that which We desire not for thee, then be content with what We have ordained for thy sake, for this is that which profiteth thee, if therewith thou dost content thyself.

, “The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh” , a18

I realize there is more than one interpretation of "ordained". Here I think it has a double meaning, ordained as laws He revealed for us, and ordained as trials He may send to us. I don't think either in this case that God has ordained everything to happen to us. This would be illogical, because a lot of our trials come to us by humans, who have free will.

You sound like Iggy saying that if it is not in the Bible it can't be true. There is such a thing as progressive revelation. If I was more Bible literate, I might also find something there.

I don't understand why you are attacking Abdu'l-Baha on a public forum as a Baha'i. What impression do you think you are making on the audience here?

If anything, Tony should be hurt by this, not you.

I don't understand your obsession with only Prophets being infallible. God can cast knowledge into whomever He wills. He doesn't do this for most of us, because He wants us to have free will to discover truth for ourselves. I don't think you should assume because your rational mind disagrees initially with what Abdu'l-Baha says, that is the truth, and you shouldn't investigate this assumption any further.

You never responded to my major point of what Baha'u'llah said in the second paragraph of the message of what the Universal House of Justice said. What do you think that means? It means a lot to me. Please don't be selective in what you consider, if that is what you are doing.
 

Truthseeker

Non-debating member when I can help myself
We all have our personal opinions....
But I understand that you have to cover for Abdu'l-Baha.
Do you think Baha'u'llah was arrogant too when He made His stupendous claim. He sure sounds arrogant to a lot of people. You don't question your initial assumptions about everything Abdu'l-Baha.
 

ppp

Well-Known Member
Do you think Baha'u'llah was arrogant too when He made His stupendous claim. He sure sounds arrogant to a lot of people. You don't question your initial assumptions about everything Abdu'l-Baha.
Doesn't even have to be arrogant. He could just be wrong. Averagely, normally, honestly, wrong.
 

Truthseeker

Non-debating member when I can help myself
I fully agree.
How do you think the true claims would be demonstrated if they were true?
Let's look at this claim that Abdu'l-Baha makes. Can that be demonstrated?

“Those who suffer most, attain to the greatest perfection....

Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit.”
Paris Talks, pp. 50-51
How do you know that it isn't true? How do know the condition of such a person in the next world? Again, that is not authoritative also like in previous quotes from Paris Talks.

As you can see, I am trying to repair the damage you are doing here. I don't think you should be in forums if you say things like this. You are not a firm Baha'i.
 
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