He clearly has a very strong dislike of homosexual sexual activity. How do you think that would make a Baha'i who engages in homosexual sexual activity feel?
If it is not okay because it is against Baha'i laws, what are the implications of that? Will God punish a Baha'i who engages in homosexual sexual activity?
One should definitely not blindly follow. But I would go further and say question everything. If you disagree with a particular teaching, maybe that is your inner moral or spiritual compass telling you something is not right about that teaching and it is better to discard it.
I suffer from (clinical) depression (and anxiety) and I find my beliefs and practice help a lot (though I do need medication too). In fact, I would go so far as to say that my religion (together with my wife) are protective factors that keep me away from going over the edge.
Sure, please do tell the joke!
Well if my belief is true, we'll all eventually get to heaven, but for some it will take a helluva lot longer than others..
Well, as to your first question, I think we will probably have to wait until we die or (if God exists), we meet God.
As to your second question, then we should practice what we preach!
All I am asking is whether you are open to the possibility that your beliefs are not true, then, if that is the language you prefer. I am not saying they are not true, because I accept that they could be. But by the same token, they might not be, right?
I believe that it is freedom from attachment to the physical body and material world and its things that is required before one can get to heaven, rather than good works. So the atheist that you describe won't necessarily get to heaven, but neither will the believer of any other faith (unless...
Generally, yes. If only because my collection of beliefs is an unusual one and it in principle has the potential to give people a better sense of where I am coming from, which can aid discussion.
But if God has decreed it to be immoral, through Baha'u'llah, then surely God will punish someone for engaging in homosexual sexual relations? Otherwise, what is the meaning of immorality here?
It is about what you believe to be true, sure, but also about whether you could be wrong in believing that, or more importantly being open to that possibility. An alternative way of putting it might be being open to the possibility that you could have been misled in your thinking that x. I am...