Can all religions lead to God?

[CG Didymus]

I can hear that being also being said by Jews to Christians. The first thing to consider is that Christianity is born from being the fulfilment of Jewish Scriptures, a completeness of the contents of those scriptures.

How it works is that Jesus the Christ is in Reality the fulfilment of the Covenant of the Old Testament. As such acceptance of Christ embraces all that is written in that Covenant.

So a person does not need to know all what was written in the Old Covenant, as the New Covenant has become applicable and acceptance of the new, reflects the fulfilment of the Old.

As such taking it to the Level Baha'u'llah has offered, then all past Covenants given are fulfilled in Baha'u'llah and the New Covenant given by Him reflects all that was given in the past. The Word given by Baha'u'llah will contain the Essence of all past Scriptures, if one reads what Baha'u'llah wrote, it will also be found, in Essence, in all past scriptures.

Regards Tony

Read Isaiah 7 in context and tell me that fits in to being about Jesus? They take one verse about a virgin and reject the rest. I believe that Jews have good reason to reject the Christian claims. Besides, I've asked this many times, what would a Jew have gained by becoming a Christian? They would have been taught to believe in Satan and hell. In being born tainted with a sin nature, or worse, having the penalty of inheriting "original sin." They'd be told that Jesus, the Holy Spirit and The Father make up a triune God. They'd be taught to believe Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and much, much more. Things that Baha'is say are not true. So how could it have been better to join a religion filled with false beliefs?

 

[CG Didymus]

But do they have any evidence to back up their claims? I think not.
If they are saying that "they reached a place" chances are they are false prophets because a REAL Manifestation of God would never say He has reached a place.

For a REAL Manifestation of God, it is all about God, it is not about them personally. They do not seek worship for themselves, they tell us to worship only God.

“O kings of the earth! He Who is the sovereign Lord of all is come. The Kingdom is God’s, the omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Worship none but God, and, with radiant hearts, lift up your faces unto your Lord, the Lord of all names. This is a Revelation to which whatever ye possess can never be compared, could ye but know it.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 210

“Incline your ears to the counsels which this Servant giveth you for the sake of God. He, verily, asketh no recompense from you and is resigned to what God hath ordained for Him, and is entirely submissive to God’s Will.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 127

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."

Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

You can research it if you want to see if Krishna sought worship, but doesn't it really matter. He is God. I only found a God in Pure Land Buddhism. And that God was a three-part God. So, are you sure you got you facts straight? I'm sure you don't but I know you have an explanation that makes logical, logic 101, sense to you. And again, you use the Bible? Why? Why don't you just read the %&*thing for yourself?

Krishna, Sanskrit Kṛṣṇa, one of the most widely revered and most popular of all Indian divinities, worshipped as the eighth incarnation (avatar, or avatara) of the Hindu god Vishnu and also as a supreme god in his own right. Krishna became the focus of numerous bhakti (devotional) cults...

Buddhism believes in the existence of neither God nor soul in the theistic sense. It is essentially a religion of the mind, which advocates present moment awareness, inner purity, ethical conduct, freedom from the problem of change, impermanence and suffering...

The Buddha did not speak of a creator deity, but he did speak of creation. The Buddha clearly taught that all phenomena are "created" by means of cause and effect determined by natural law. Further, the course of our lives is determined by karma, which we create. Karma is not being directed by a supernatural intelligence but is its own natural law. This is what the Buddha taught....
So while he did not specifically say there is no creator god, in Buddhism, there is nothing for a creator god to do. God has no function, no role to play, either as an original source or as an instigator of current events...

According to the evidence of Original Pure Land form of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) did reveal the existence of God, as the triune Tri-Kaya or Three Bodies / Forms or Purushas / Persons of the Godhead.

1. Adi Purusha Dharma Kaya = Hrih (Sri Krishna),

2. His emanation savior form = Sambhogya Kaya Hrih (Balarama-Vishnu)

3. His all-pervasive form in the heart of all beings = Rupa Kaya Hrih (Paramatma / Hrih in the heart.)​

 

[CG Didymus]

I don't really know what they have done or what they are doing now since I am not involved, but this has nothing to do with whether the Baha'i Faith is the Truth from God or not. The only thing that really matters is if Baha'u'lah was a Manifestation of God or not, not what Baha'is do.

Are the teachings meant to be applied? How well are they being applied? Like all "organized" religions, most sit on the sidelines.

what can one person do anyway?

Good or bad, I think you'd have a big influence in your community.

Evolving or progressing, it means the same thing.

I'm not using them the same. By "evolving" I mean that religions changed over time with some types going extinct. These religions were made by man. They invented the Gods and Goddesses and the myths behind them. That compared to the Baha'i "progressive" revelation belief that needs all messengers of all "revealed", "major" religions to be from the one true God. God's messenger only revealed a certain amount of Truth as a time, only what the people at that time could comprehend. They were also given "social" laws that fit their society and culture at that time.

So the way I'm using the two words, they are meaning different things.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Did Adam, Abraham, or Moses ever claim to be the "I am?" And even a "perfectly" polished mirror is not the Sun.

CG, progressive Revelation. The seed is planted with the Message Adam, the Tree is seen in the Message of Baha'u'llah.

Even in this age with all the technology and science to show us our oneness, we still refuse to accept it.

How could the Message Baha'u'llah, given in its full Splendour, be given in ages past?

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Read Isaiah 7 in context and tell me that fits in to being about Jesus? They take one verse about a virgin and reject the rest. I believe that Jews have good reason to reject the Christian claims. Besides, I've asked this many times, what would a Jew have gained by becoming a Christian? They would have been taught to believe in Satan and hell. In being born tainted with a sin nature, or worse, having the penalty of inheriting "original sin." They'd be told that Jesus, the Holy Spirit and The Father make up a triune God. They'd be taught to believe Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and much, much more. Things that Baha'is say are not true. So how could it have been better to join a religion filled with false beliefs?

CG, my frame of reference is from knowing what Baha'u'llah offered. The Kitáb-i-Iqan explains the quandary faced by people with a new Revelation.

My take on it is that God knows all our hearts and our response to the given Messengers, as such, the Message is given in a way to attract the hearts of the maximum amount of people possible.

As such there is no excuse for any person, the Truths are posted, the result is our heart and its willingness to accept what is from God, over what is from our own selves. The gift of the Knowledge of God, is proportional to our acceptance and effort.

Regards Tony

 

[Trailblazer]

You can research it if you want to see if Krishna sought worship, but doesn't it really matter. He is God. I only found a God in Pure Land Buddhism. And that God was a three-part God. So, are you sure you got you facts straight? I'm sure you don't but I know you have an explanation that makes logical, logic 101, sense to you. And again, you use the Bible? Why? Why don't you just read the %&*thing for yourself?

I have read the Bible, just not all of it. I do not need to read all of it in order to quote some of it.

Nothing you cite about Krishna or Buddhism can be backed with any original source material. I quote the Bible because Baha'u'llah said that it is "God's greatest testimony to His creatures." Baha'u'llah did not say that about any scriptures from Hinduism or Buddhism but that does not mean they do not have some scriptures that contain truths.

Again, the official Baha'i position on the Bible from the Universal House of Justice is as follows:

The Bahá'ís believe what is in the Bible to be true in substance. This does not mean that every word recorded in that Book is to be taken literally and treated as the authentic saying of a Prophet.

...The Bahá'ís believe that God's Revelation is under His care and protection and that the essence, or essential elements, of what His Manifestations intended to convey has been recorded and preserved in Their Holy Books. However, as the sayings of the ancient Prophets were written down some time later, we cannot categorically state, as we do in the case of the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, that the words and phrases attributed to Them are Their exact words
(9 August 1984 to an individual believer)
The Bible: Extracts on the Old and New Testaments​

 

[Trailblazer]

Are the teachings meant to be applied? How well are they being applied? Like all "organized" religions, most sit on the sidelines.

That is probably true, but that has nothing to do with whether Baha'u'llah was a Manifestation of God or not. That is the only thing that should matter when one is considering a belief because what people do has no bearing upon what God did or did not do.

Good or bad, I think you'd have a big influence in your community.

Maybe, and I might get more involved now that they are having Zoom meetings..

I'm not using them the same. By "evolving" I mean that religions changed over time with some types going extinct. These religions were made by man. They invented the Gods and Goddesses and the myths behind them. That compared to the Baha'i "progressive" revelation belief that needs all messengers of all "revealed", "major" religions to be from the one true God. God's messenger only revealed a certain amount of Truth as a time, only what the people at that time could comprehend. They were also given "social" laws that fit their society and culture at that time.

So the way I'm using the two words, they are meaning different things.

Yes, I can see that now. Thanks for explaining.

 

[Trailblazer]

It's part of the Baha'is beliefs and Baha'is are then obligated to try and prove it and make sense of it.

Are the Baha'is held to a different standard? The other religions also have many beliefs so they should also try to prove them and make sense of them.

 

[YoursTrue]

Just out of curiosity what is it about Christianity that strikes a chord for you?

In part, the promises that God made to Moses, Abraham, and others about the future of humanity, also giving me moral guidelines by which to abide. (live my life)

 

[YoursTrue]

Read Isaiah 7 in context and tell me that fits in to being about Jesus? They take one verse about a virgin and reject the rest. I believe that Jews have good reason to reject the Christian claims. Besides, I've asked this many times, what would a Jew have gained by becoming a Christian? They would have been taught to believe in Satan and hell. In being born tainted with a sin nature, or worse, having the penalty of inheriting "original sin." They'd be told that Jesus, the Holy Spirit and The Father make up a triune God. They'd be taught to believe Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and much, much more. Things that Baha'is say are not true. So how could it have been better to join a religion filled with false beliefs?

Remember in the Bible, that the religious leaders were worried that they would take away the body, and, of course, we know some do believe that someone else was substituted for him to die. But interestingly, the Bible relates that the (Jewish) religious leaders were very, very concerned that someone would steal the body.
Matthew 27:62-66
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.” “You have a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.

 

[Trailblazer]

In part, the promises that God made to Moses, Abraham, and others about the future of humanity, also giving me moral guidelines by which to abide. (live my life)

It was for the exact same reasons that the Baha'i Faith struck a chord with me.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

In part, the promises that God made to Moses, Abraham, and others about the future of humanity, also giving me moral guidelines by which to abide. (live my life)

It was for the exact same reasons that the Baha'i Faith struck a chord with me.

The very reason why all religions an lead to God.

Also why I embraced the Baha'i Faith as it shows all have that foundation.

Regards Tony

 

[Hockeycowboy]

1. No. I can simultaneously believe my religion is the true one and also believe that other religions can help better people and help them have a relationship with G-d.

2. Not sure what you mean here, but sharing one's truth is different to proselytising and I have no problem with that. I do think it is uncalled for to stand on street corners and preach your religion; it just seems rude, when no-one asked for it.

With regard to #1.....
I think the OP says "all religions".....
That would include religions like the Aztec's. They performed human sacrifice.

I'm sure you wouldn't agree that would bring one 'closer to God'!

Take care, my friend.

 

[Rival]

With regard to #1.....
I think the OP says "all religions".....
That would include religions like the Aztec's. They performed human sacrifice.

I'm sure you wouldn't agree that would bring one 'closer to God'!

Take care, my friend.

I think human sacrifice is abominable, but I can't say whether or not it brings people closer to their gods. Obviously it must have done something as so many groups did it and for such a long time.

Also, Christianity has a human sacrifice.

 

[PureX]

"Lead to God" is far too vague. What dies it even mean? Why would anyone need to be "led to" God?

 

[Hockeycowboy]

I think human sacrifice is abominable, but I can't say whether or not it brings people closer to their gods.

Yes, I think it’s abominable, too (caveat below). Closer to some gods, surely. But closer to the Creator of all? No way.

Also, Christianity has a human sacrifice.

Do you see a difference between Jesus’ sacrifice, and other human sacrifices?
This is the caveat: actually two.....
1) It wasn’t humans offering it to God. It was God offering it in behalf of humans.

2) Jesus, I.e., the sacrifice, was willing to give up His life (even in the most painful way, knowing it meant eternal life to those accepting it - John 3:16 & John 17:3)!

Huge differences.

Take care, my friend.

 

[arthra]

Many people who are considered humble and tolerant will say that all religions are useful for "bettering" oneself and have a similar core message: kindness and love toward your neighbor. Proselytizing is considered to be cruel and intolerant. 1. Isn't this avoiding the "truth" question? They cannot all logically be completely true if they contradict each other on core thing such as who "God" is?
2. Is it really arrogant and intolerant for someone to believe that he knows the truth and that it is loving to share that truth with others?

Baha'is believe all the major religions have a Divine Origin:

God, by definition, is unknowable. A creature can never understand its Creator, any more than a picture can understand the artist who painted it. In each age, therefore, God chooses someone through whom He can manifest His qualities to mankind. Bahá'ís use the term "Manifestation of God" to refer to these Prophets or Messengers.

"God hath ordained that in every age and dispensation a pure and stainless Soul be made manifest in the kingdoms of earth and heaven."

Bahá'ís believe that, among others, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad and Bahá'u'lláh were Manifestations of God.

"Know thou assuredly that the essence of all the Prophets of God is one and the same. Their unity is absolute."

Each Manifestation of God is a unique individual, with a name and personality of His own, and with material needs, but on another plane they are all part of the same one divine spirit.

"Unto this subtle, this mysterious and ethereal Being He (God) hath assigned a twofold nature; the physical, pertaining to the world of matter, and the spiritual, which is born of God Himself."

Religions Are One

 

[CG Didymus]

CG, progressive Revelation. The seed is planted with the Message Adam, the Tree is seen in the Message of Baha'u'llah.

Even in this age with all the technology and science to show us our oneness, we still refuse to accept it.

How could the Message Baha'u'llah, given in its full Splendour, be given in ages past?

Regards Tony

I don't think too many people are denying that all humans are one. They just have a problem believing the Baha'i Faith. Like the Baha'i interpretation of Adam has nothing to do with the story of Adam in Genesis. He was created. He disobeyed God and got cursed. That story fits well with Christians as it gives a reason for God to send Jesus as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. So if you want to say that those stories aren't true, I'm fine with that. But then what? I'm supposed to believe that Adam was a manifestation? Where does that story come from and how does it fit with Christianity. Oh, and since it is a story about the Jews written by the Jews, shouldn't we ask them about what they say about Adam?

 

[CG Didymus]

Nothing you cite about Krishna or Buddhism can be backed with any original source material.

Other than the Baha'is, which religion has copies of "original"? So what are you saying that any beliefs based on The Veda, The Upanishads, Mahabharata and other Holy Books of Hinduism aren't true? Might as well throw in Judaism and Christianity. No originals... can't trust them. Especially Judaism, somewhere is that mysterious "original" that has Ishmael being taken to be sacrificed. But here was the whole point... you said...

For a REAL Manifestation of God, it is all about God, it is not about them personally. They do not seek worship for themselves, they tell us to worship only God.

So I found quotes that show that what you said isn't true. If you don't like the quotes I found, then find verses that back up what you say.

 

[CG Didymus]

Maybe, and I might get more involved now that they are having Zoom meetings..

Do it. I think you'd help the community a lot.

Are the Baha'is held to a different standard? The other religions also have many beliefs so they should also try to prove them and make sense of them.

Yes, because of the claims that your prophet has fulfilled all prophecies of all the religions and is the fulfillment of all the religions. Baha'is got some proving to do, but they can't. The best you can hope for is that when a person reads the Baha'i writings it strikes a chord with them and they what to join.