I don't know but I don't see why, on the one hand, this god thinks the messages are important enough to send, but on the other, allowing to them become hidden amongst all the other false, outdated, and distorted 'messages'.
The Message of Baha’u’llah is not hidden at all. It is readily available on the internet:
Baha’i Reference Library online
Everyone might not know they exist, but once they find out they are all there to download or read online.
So it's a test? Test of what?
Test to see how much effort we are willing put forth, how much we are willing to put aside our bias, challenge what we already believe or disbelieve, how much we are willing to sacrifice of our time..... in order to discover the Truth.
That message contradicts the messages many other believers think are correct.
I know, so that is another test... You have to decide which viewpoint makes sense to you. That might take some research and study. But those who put forth the effort get the reward. I am always willing to help those who are sincere seekers of truth, as others once helped me understand. Books are books but most people need someone to help them navigate until they get their bearings. People help people.
But why the game of hide-and-seek in the first place? What is the virtue or quality that this god is trying to select for?
Sincerity and effort and love of God are what God selects for. People prove their worthiness. An omniscient God already knows who will become a believer but He wants us to become who we choose to become through our actions.
I'd really like to understand more about the puzzle of existence, but I have yet to see a reason to take the any of the ideas of god(s) seriously. I know quite a bit about the major religion in my culture and a bit about some others, and they seem, to me, to get less believable the more you know about them.
I do not know which religions you are referring to but I would never believe in any religion other than the Baha’i Faith, because none of the others make complete sense to me. There are good features in every religion but there are too many problems with the older religions, since they have been corrupted by man. How can I believe something that does not make logical sense? I do not operate out of emotions like some people, I operate out of reason. A religion can be reasonable and also appeal to the emotions. One has to have some love for it or they cannot retain faith over time.
So am I just not the sort of person your god is interested in? Are its messages not for me?
They certainly are for you. God's messages are for everybody who wants them. You sound like a sincere seeker to me, even if you do not know it.
So in what way can our innate intelligence lead us to this god, when the world is full of people who "know" the truth but are all saying different things, and none of which appear to be able to offer concrete evidence or sound reasoning - because, I assume from what you've said, this god doesn't want to be that clear?
Your innate intelligence can lead you to the truth about God if you are willing to search and know where to search...
I am sorry if I misled you. That happens on these forums. I did not mean to say that God wants to be *unclear* in what He reveals to the Messenger who establishes his religion. The scriptures that reveal the Word of God are very clear. I meant that God does not want to make it so easy that everyone can make the cut.
In every new age, very few people meet the criteria necessary to recognize the new Messenger of God, because it is not that easy for most people. That that does not mean it is impossible, but it requires motivation and effort..
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
As this relates to religion, the religion at the narrow gate is the religion God wants us to find and follow, and it is the gate that leads to eternal life. But it is not that easy for most people to find this gate because most people are steeped in religious tradition or attached to what they already believe. If they do not have a religion, most people are suspicious of the *new religion* and the *new messenger.* If they are atheists they do not like the *idea* of Messengers of God or they think they are all phonies.
It is difficult to get through the narrow gate because one has to be willing to give up all their preconceived ideas, have an open mind, and think for themselves. Most people do not normally embark upon such a journey. They go through the wide gate, the easy one to get through – their own religious tradition or their own preconceived ideas about God or no god. They follow that broad road that is easiest for them to travel. That is human nature.
I hope to see you back later.
