How are these Great Beings explained?

[Unveiled Artist]

 

[Dawnofhope]

To me, the rainbow means equality and diversity. (I know you will agree but LGBT sees it a tad bit different than heterosexuals; least that's my experiences)

Of course.

Why would you say no then say that is the Bahai way?

Not sure what you are asking here. Would you re type it?

Edit: I understand what you are asking now. The 'No' is I don't agree with the resurrection but the Baha'i way is to understand and have empathy with others perspective, even though we don't agree with it.

 

[Dawnofhope]

I grew up with the muppets

 

[Vinayaka]

While I agree that we make decisions that are about us personally, sometimes its not just about us but considering the needs of humanity too.

My concern is not just for myself, but for my family, community, and ultimately the world.

Yes, I realise that. That is my concern also. But we differ in approach, as I don't want everyone to become Hindu. For me the need for humanity is diversity, and respect.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Have to change your perspective.

No

I'm comfortable with

I agree with everything you have said here and that is the Baha'i way.

Is it the bahai way to step in others shoes to understans where they come from?

That is what I mean by changing your perception.

 

[Vinayaka]

Thus will we ask again and broaden the scope. Of all the Holy men that have walked this earth, of all Holy Books Written, of all Science man has produced, to date has the Essence of God be found?

Yes. Many times over. All the God realised saints of Hinduism. In Hindu philosophy it is a necessary prerequisite to moksha. I'm not expecting you to agree here, I just expecting some respect for sharing the Hindu view with you. It's a mystical inner POV, not and intellectual one.

Coming from such a different paradigm as you do, it may well be too much to expect. The goals of Hinduism are different than that of Abrahamic faiths, and so too is the nature of God. You are probably correct that the Abrahamic God is unknowable. (I certainly wouldn't want to know such a creature, based on some of the 'words of God' that you quote.) But the concept of God in Hinduism is so different.

Essentially, a failure to recognise these different paradigms, and instead a stubborn insistence on them being the same leads to these discussions. But the constandt need to intellectually argue it out makes Hindus quite hesitant to share. It seems like a nowhere path, when the only response you get is, "You're wrong." Again, it's not about you, it's not about right and wrong, it's about sharing different views in a discussion.

 

[Vinayaka]

An obligatory prayer that many Baha'is recite each day states that 'Thou has created me to know Thee and to worship Thee'

Yes I heard that. You are essentially disagreeing with your fellow Baha'i' in this discussion, which is a good thing.

Hindus don't believe in 'creation' in the same way, and obviously we don't worship in the same way, but yeah.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Cool. Same here and Raggle Fraggle Rock and the Muffet tv show.

 

[Vinayaka]

We have been given freedom of choice to follow God's advice or turn away from it and the only way He tries to stop injustices and bad behaviour is by sending His Manifestation to us, then it's up to us.

Science is still evolving and there is much more to learn and much more evolving to do. We know actually only very little.

Yes this is the Baha'i' POV. It's not the POV of most of the planet. So the 'we' you mean is the Baha'i'.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Yes, I realise that. That is my concern also. But we differ in approach, as I don't want everyone to become Hindu. For me the need for humanity is diversity, and respect.

I don't want everyone to become Baha'i, but I want everyone to have the opportunity to become Baha'i if it is right for them.

I agree the need for humanity is diversity and respect.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Have to change your perspective.

Is it the bahai way to step in others shoes to understans where they come from?

That is what I mean by changing your perception.

That is right. Initially I misunderstood what you meant by changing perception.

Changing perception isn't changing belief. Instead it is empathy and to walk in anothers shoes.

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't want everyone to become Baha'i, but I want everyone to have the opportunity ot become Baha'i if it is right for them.

I agree the need for humanity is diversity and respect.

This was the quote of yours a couple of days ago that I objected to:

Adrian said, "Of course everyone thinks their faith is better than his neighbours. Thats human nature."

I disagreed with the notion that everyone thinks that way, because I don't. Many people don't. It seems to me you've now changed your mind by saying 'if it is right for them'. That's how I view all religions and philosophical takes on this planet ... 'if it is right for them'.

Most people these days can find info about any religion they want to. I just hope they have the ability to go to reliable sources. In other words, if they;re interested in Christianity, not hit upon an Islamic or Baha'i' source, but go straight to Christians themselves.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I havd empathy for JW perspective but I feel it goes beyond that. I read their watch tower. I went to their meetings. I talked to them about the nature of god and we agreed that christ is not god. They took time to explain god. I took time to explain what I didnt understand and listen to them explain it in a way I could.

I understand you see the reserectio symbolic. I have more than empathy. What you say makes sense like the priest laughing ans telling me they dont drink and eat jesus himself. So I see why you symbolize the reserection.

Now see it in a different view. See it as christians uniting with god not floating up like superman. See it crom the body of christ. See it from what christ taught the People should do not the individual.

See it from an interactive view. I cant see your belief interactively because you dont talk about your experiences and relate them to your practice. I do. Thats why people think Im christian because it is personal. It isnt a textbook of science or something I need to study and quote.

Reserection is the same. But you are bahai. How can you see in the body of christ when all your views are bahai?

 

[Dawnofhope]

Yes I heard that. You are essentially disagreeing with your fellow Baha'i' in this discussion, which is a good thing.

Baha'is are a diverse group with different understandings and perspectives though in agreement about Baha'u'llah as a Manifestation of God.

Religion is often paradoxical and an example is God an unknowable essence compared to God has created me to know thee. The two statements appear to contradict each other, yet on deeper reflection they compliment each other and so assist our understanding.

Hindus don't believe in 'creation' in the same way, and obviously we don't worship in the same way, but yeah.

I can see Hindus and Baha'is believe in a very different structure and purpose of the universe.

 

[Vinayaka]

Baha'is are a diverse group with different understandings and perspectives though in agreement about Baha'u'llah as a Manifestation of God.

Religion is often paradoxical and an example is God an unknowable essence compared to God has created me to know thee. The two statements appear to contradict each other, yet on deeper reflection they compliment each other and so assist our understanding.

You're too politically correct, lol.

 

[Dawnofhope]

This was the quote of yours a couple of days ago that I objected to:

Adrian said, "Of course everyone thinks their faith is better than his neighbours. Thats human nature."

I was referring to the human ego which we all have. That inevitably becomes projected onto religion. However one aspect of religion is to assist us to become less egotistical and more selfless.

I disagreed with the notion that everyone thinks that way, because I don't. Many people don't. It seems to me you've now changed your mind by saying 'if it is right for them'. That's how I view all religions and philosophical takes on this planet ... 'if it is right for them'.

People need to chose a religion that is right for them. Often people simply accept the religion or belief of their culture without really questioning.

I don't want somebody to become a Baha'i unless they truly believe in it.

Most people these days can find info about any religion they want to. I just hope they have the ability to go to reliable sources. In other words, if they;re interested in Christianity, not hit upon an Islamic or Baha'i' source, but go straight to Christians themselves.

I agree. In this thread there have been several times that participants have sought information from websites that are not run by Baha'is or deliberately misrepresented the Baha'i position. It doesn't matter too much as there is an abundance of good websites for all the recognised religions including the Baha'i Faith.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Reserection is the same. But you are bahai. How can you see in the body of christ when all your views are bahai?

Because the body of Christ is really the community of His Faithful believers and I feel part of that. It is a great joy and source of happiness.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Because the body of Christ is really the community of His Faithful believers and I feel part of that. It is a great joy and source of happiness.

I consider myself a part of that too since I took the sacraments. Though, thereafter, I realized I define god differently. It didnt tear my relationship wih the church (like my ex and I are friends) just my devotion.

It would be wrong for me to define my definition of god on catholic definition because I am still apart of the church. I find there is a barrier. I dont take the Eucharist. I dont go to confession. I dont attend Mass. I dont sign the cross unless I go by a church, saint, or christian mothers in rememberance of vows and love for my family in spirit.

But none of these things makes me "identify" and "practice" as part of the body. Therefore, it is rude for me to say anything about the church that is not their belief. I can only share experiences.

Thats how I feel if someone like yourself identifies as bahai but still has christian beliefs. I see a connection but I also feel chdtians would appreciate the....

To be contined

sorry edit

What was I saying, I see the connection but I also feel christians would appreciate you communicate your boundary between being a bahai christian with their being christian. It helps with peace when you (general you) don't confuse the christian in thinking you are christian but then bring Bahaullah in; it breaks up the body of christ. Remember--these are christian beliefs from a christian point of view not interpreted from Bahaullah. It's alright to interpret it through Bahaullah's eyes, jut know the body of christ is a group of believers who, the core, belief in christ, prophets, and god only.

 

[DavidFirth]

Based on actual evidence, there is little to support that Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead.

Well, there were several eyewitness testimonies from reliable people were there. So there is that.

No one ever saw macroevolution, abiogenesis or the big bang so I'd say the resurrection of Christ has a lot more going for it.

 

[Vinayaka]

I agree. In this thread there have been several times that participants have sought information from websites that are not run by Baha'is or deliberately misrepresented the Baha'i position. It doesn't matter too much as there is an abundance of good websites for all the recognised religions including the Baha'i Faith.

Lots of anti-Hindu sites as well. I'm mixed on some of the ex-____ sites, as some actually do expose the darker side of some faiths. I guess always read with an open mind, and know what the agenda is.