Why Bahai

[Audie]

Peace.

Good luck, you will need it.

 

[Vinayaka]

Most? This is determined, how?

To the extent that they may feel that way, though,
it is understandable.

EVERY single christian on RF has a different,
sometimes radically different idea of what it is
to be a christian.

Just going by what I've read here. I've yet to read a Christian's take on Baha'i that believes it. Some might tolerate it better than others. That's certainly true for Hindus. I guess if one came along and believed what baha'is say, they'd convert, wouldn't they.

 

[firedragon]

I am not sure exactly what you are asking so I will respond with what I think you are asking and if that is not what you are asking let me know.

From a Baha’i perspective, the reason to be a Baha’i is because Baha’u’llah, the Prophet Founder of the Baha’i Faith, is the “latest” Messenger from God, and He brought a message and teachings and laws that will enable you to know your true self.

“From the foregoing passages and allusions it hath been made indubitably clear that in the kingdoms of earth and heaven there must needs be manifested a Being, an Essence Who shall act as a Manifestation and Vehicle for the transmission of the grace of the Divinity Itself, the Sovereign Lord of all. Through the Teachings of this Day Star of Truth every man will advance and develop until he attaineth the station at which he can manifest all the potential forces with which his inmost true self hath been endowed. It is for this very purpose that in every age and dispensation the Prophets of God and His chosen Ones have appeared amongst men, and have evinced such power as is born of God and such might as only the Eternal can reveal.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 67-68

Baha’u’llah also brought teachings and laws that will enable you to approach God in the afterlife, after you die and your soul ascends to the spiritual world.

“The Prophets and Messengers of God have been sent down for the sole purpose of guiding mankind to the straight Path of Truth. The purpose underlying Their revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 156-157

Those are the reasons “I think” that an individual would want to be a Baha’i. Additionally, from a Baha’i perspective the message of Baha’u’llah, the unity of mankind, is a message that the world needs in order to achieve world unity, peace and concord, because the teachings and laws of Baha’u’llah would regenerate humanity if people followed them.

Baha’u’llah wrote that all the religions will unite under one banner in the future because that is what God has ordained, but that is probably a long way off because most people already have a religion they are attached to and do not want to relinquish.

I know that is a lot of information to assimilate, but I never know when I will have the time to get back to this forum and post, so I decided to cover the most important reasons “I think” people might want to be a Baha’i. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Of course, nobody would ever want to become a Baha’i unless they thoroughly investigated Baha’u’llah, His life, His mission and His scriptures, and determined for themselves that they believe He was who He claimed to be.

Brother. I am a novice so your response was perfect. Thank you very much.

 

[firedragon]

Good luck, you will need it.

Thanks.

 

[Audie]

Just going by what I've read here. I've yet to read a Christian's take on Baha'i that believes it. Some might tolerate it better than others. That's certainly true for Hindus. I guess if one came along and believed what baha'is say, they'd convert, wouldn't they.

I dont see the connection to what I asked about..
Most Christians also believe they are gravely misrepresented.

 

[Aupmanyav]

“From the foregoing passages .. as only the Eternal can reveal.”
“The Prophets and Messengers of God .. to the throne of the Most High.”

Hope you understand something out of it. I could not, other than the claim that Bahaullah was an apparition of Allah.

 

[Vinayaka]

I dont see the connection to what I asked about..
Most Christians also believe they are gravely misrepresented.

I honestly don't understand. Sorry.

 

[Audie]

I honestly don't understand. Sorry.

Never ya mind,no biggie.

 

[Aupmanyav]

1. Since your reference links claim that the Quran is Gods word, do your scholarship also believe that the Holy Book (AL kithab al akdhas) is also Gods word? If that is the case do you consider that (since you believe respected Bahaiullah is a rasool) that rasools deliver scripture?

Bahaullah is not a 'rasool', he is the sender of 'rasools' (according to Bahais).

 

[firedragon]

The Hindu scriptures are vast as are the philosophical schools. The Baha'is selected Vaishnavism, (and ignored the rest) as it does have a dualistic God that could be perceived as separate from us. But the difference is that for Vaishnavites, Krishna is God, and for Baha'is He's a manifestation of God. There are many many key concepts we differ on like karma, dharma, reincarnation, non-proselytising and more. So for Hindus it's all a huge stretch.

Isn't vishnuism a sect? Or rather a denomination of hinduism?

But I understand your point.

 

[Vinayaka]

Isn't vishnuism a sect? Or rather a denomination of hinduism?

But I understand your point.

Yes Vaishnavism is a sect of Hinduism. Probably the most dualistic of all Hindu sects.

 

[firedragon]

Bahaullah is not a 'rasool', he is the sender of 'rasools'.

He is not a rasool? But I read that one of the central ideas is that the Quran quoting Muhammed as the Kathamul Nabi or the last Nabi leaves room for a rasool and Bahaullah is a rasool.

 

[firedragon]

BTW, does anyone know how one could download the original arabic version of the holy book?

 

[LuisDantas]

Thanks.

Do they consider "the holy book" as scripture? I mean a revelation of God?

I feel secure to say that Bahais consistently claim to accept both the Qur'an and the Bible as genuine and valid scriptures, yes.

They do however tend to quickly clarify that they also see those revelations as tied to a certain moment in history, and subject to overrule by later revelations. I believe the specific expression that they use is "Progressive Revelation".

In essence, they claim that those previous scriptures were the best possible for the people of previous times, but that at present the Bahai scriptures are better suited to people.

 

[firedragon]

I feel secure to say that Bahais consistently claim to accept both the Qur'an and the Bible as genuine and valid scriptures, yes.

They do however tend to quickly clarify that they also see those revelations as tied to a certain moment in history, and subject to overrule by later revelations. I believe the specific expression that they use is "Progressive Revelation".

In essence, they claim that those previous scriptures were the best possible for the people of previous times, but that at present the Bahai scriptures are better suited to people.

Oh I see. Thats interesting. All of this create more questions.

 

[firedragon]

Bahaullah is not a 'rasool', he is the sender of 'rasools'.

Actually, reading Shogi Effendi's writing this is what he says.

"The aim of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet of this new and great age which humanity has entered … is not to destroy but to fulfil the Revelations of the past, to reconcile rather than accentuate the divergencies of the conflicting creeds which disrupt present-day society."

I believe that "Rasool" has been translated as "The Prophet". Effendi is Bahaullah's grandson according to Moojan Momen. I dont know if he wrote in Arabic but I am 100% sure now that the Bahai's believe he was a rasool. Unless of course I am totally mistaken.

I am interested to know what you meant by sender of rasool. You mean he is God himself? Is that what you meant?

 

[LuisDantas]

BTW, does anyone know how one could download the original arabic version of the holy book?

You mean the Bahai scriptures?

 

[firedragon]

You mean the Bahai scriptures?

Yes. Al kithab al akdhas. But I got it brother. Thanks so much.

 

[David1967]

EVERY single christian on RF has a different,
sometimes radically different idea of what it is
to be a christian.

It doesn't help that we have a zillion different denominations (slightly exaggerated number) that teach different (sometimes very different) theologies.

 

[Audie]

It doesn't help that we have a zillion different denominations (slightly exaggerated number) that teach different (sometimes very different) theologies.

It helps those outside any of the cults to see them
for what they are.