The only thing I severely disagree with through all my years of practice, experience, and study in protestant and catholic denominations is Bahaullah from a christian perspective (which is the one that counts) has no place in Christianity other than being like there rest of the people, gentiles. The apostles went to different lands to convert people to christianity. I have to read Acts again. I read the NT before and no hint of a manefestation of god other than christ. Moses was considered a prophet just as all the other prophets in the bible. Christ was considered a High prophet. No other person held that tile but the Christ.
I would argue that I am a true Christian because I have accepted both the first AND second coming of Jesus while Christians accepted His first coming then closed the door in His Face when He returned.
Being a Christian does not mean you accept the these things. JW are christian and there is a lot of things they disagree with with "christondom" christianity but I don't doubt they are christians because they too believe in the sacraments of christ no matter how much they and others want to deny it.
Christians believe in the sacraments of christ. They have faith in christ and no other person. Most christians will not identify as bahai or any other religion that conflicts with their belief in christ. Christianity is not eclectic.
To reject Christ's return is to reject His first coming also.
No one is rejecting his return. It's not there. He was already here in the OT. Came as the word/message of god in the NT. Left to the father and came back in spirit to reassure his disciples of his return. Left to the father and everyone is waiting for judgement day.
This is christian belief. As a bahai, without believing in christ formal second upcoming return, either you're a blend of bahai and christian which is weird since christianity doesn't accept such a thing or you are not christian at all.
They weren't around when Christ came so how do they say Baha'u'llah is not His return? Only they go by the interpretation of their priests like the Jews did and they were dead wrong.
Bahaullah, just by location differences alone, has no place in Christianity. That's like calling Christians and Jews liars really.
When the new comes we need to learn to moved on and not crucify humanity just so we can go on saying we are the only ones. It's pointless saying we are better or superior or Christ is the only way while there is no peace in this world .
That is in new testament scripture, Christ is the only way. Can't get around it if you say you're christian.
The world is crying out for action and deeds not more rhetoric claiming superiority. The world wants and needs reconciliation and an end to hatred and wars amongst religions and the only way to do this is to drop our preconceived ideas and unite together for the betterment of humanity. Otherwise religion is useless and pointless if all it seeks to do is prove it is better than other religions. Just another coke vs Pepsi argument.
A lot of people have compassion, love, and so forth because they want to keep their traditions. It defines who they are as people. To take that away as if traditions divides them (when they don't see it that way) is awful.
I know you believe pepsi and coke are both sodas so they are one regardless the taste. The fact is they are not one
because of the taste. Being both sodas does not make one the other. Being one humanity doesn't mean we share the same essence. We are all different at the core and at expressions. Can't separate the two. You are tearing people a part.
You are tearing me apart when you divine my expression (say traditions) with my spirituality (my passion). That division creates wars.
The purpose of religion is to unite and bring love and peace amongst people.
Religion is just traditions and practices that reflect and are embedded in beliefs of a given culture, people, and language.
The purpose of your faith is to unite in love. Others if you don't have christ there is no love. So, there is no love for me, if you're relating all religions under one definition. You haven't defined love so how is mine the same as yours? I don't know your love just you say you have it and want it for all people but haven't describe what it actually is that everyone can agree with you on.
All the Prophets came for unity andlove and when their message began to lose its influence God sent another Messenger to renew the spirit of love and affection between people.
That's your belief, though. If you claim christianity is part of your belief, you have to go by christian rules not your interpretation of them.
All the Prophets are one and know each other. As it says Baha'u'llah spoke to Moses in the Burning Bush. Moses knew Who Baha'u'llah was and today we can all hear the Voice of God through Baha'u'llah. The Voice is the same although the human channel ore instrument is different.
Now, this, you have to square away with the Jews if they want to contribute because to me it sounds completely impossible. It's not even open for opinion in this case, just plain out wrong.
This isn't christianity.
But those who cling to outward appearances fail to recognize the inner Voice of God within each Manifestation is the same.
My point: outward/inward go together. That's your belief. You and a lot of new agers and universalists are the only ones who believe this. Most people get how traditions (regardless if they call it that) shape religion. JW can swear up and down they don't have traditions but if that's the case, how does their religion uphold for so many years without something written down and ways of doing X that pass from one generation to the next.
The missions of each religion and its laws were tailored to meet the needs of each age but in essence they all came from the same one God.
Nope. Name my god.
It was Baha'u'llah in the Burning Bush Who spoke to Moses.
I don't know how to comment. I really dont.
Baha'u'llah comes in the station of the 'Father'. So often Baha'u'llah will say He is God. What He means is that He has come in the station or role of God not that He is God in essence.
Sounds like how christ presents himself if not the same.
Baha'u'llah was given authority by God to speak to humanity direct as if He Himself was God but in many Tablets He made it clear that He was only speaking as prompted not of His own volition.
This is Bahai belief. If you are christian, you are totally conflicting with your own faith. Totally.
When I contemplate, O my God, the relationship that bindeth me to Thee, I am moved to proclaim to all created things ‘verily I am God!’; and when I consider my own self, lo, I find it coarser than clay!”
I am the royal Falcon on the arm of the Almighty. I unfold the drooping wings of every broken bird and start it on its flight.
(Baha'u'llah)
Hi Carlita. You said you paint? Maybe you could share some of your art with us? Anyway just wanted to let you know whatever I say it's just my opinion and I like you and think you're very nice and thank you for all our talks together.
Ima show you some of my sketches in a minute.
I know often I've frustrated you because of my different understanding but the bottom line for me is I think you're really a very decent and nice person and even though I do get on your nerves often I do love debating with you.
Yes. With Bahai, it's not like when I talk with Christians. I can see they feel they are right but then I also see they separate themselves from others. So in that respect, they have their own faith and I have mine. So if I talk with a nice christian, we understand we don't have the same truth because they don't have my truth, and I don't have christ.
Bahai is totally different especially when you said Bahaullah is god and Moses talked with him. That floored me.
You really are one of the most patient people I've come across. I really admire patience and people I think who are patient are most deserving.
Thank you. I don't think I'd understand Bahai now that you mentioned Moses and Bahaullah.
I really hope life blesses you with the very best in everything.
Just a break in normal communications to remind you that I see and appreciate the humanity in you. I don't want debating to take my focus of that.
Well, it's almost easter. People come in tradition to celebrate Christ's resurrection. They did this for years and I find it odd to take this tradition away to bring about the new. But then, that's me. I don't have formal tradition but I value people who want to keep the old.
Just doesn't sit right to take people's traditions away and even more so tell christians and jews moses talked with a guy when Bahaullah identifies himself as Bahaullah and the god of jews and christians is I AM.
Love, compassion, and unity does not mean taking away someone's spirituality. That's horrible.
