So, that makes a Baha'i very special.
And for those that reject the Baha'i Faith? It's their "acts". They weren't good people?
For most of us, it comes down to being told about this "invitation" by Baha'is. Making it necessary for Baha'is to tell people about the Baha'i Faith. And to try and give convincing arguments as to why it is true to get those people to at least investigate and see for themselves if the Baha'i Faith is true.
Those people did not "ignore" this "invitation". The Baha'i Faith isn't for everybody. But it kind of claims it is. Should Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and the rest of the people in all the other religions stay with their old religions? No.
The claim of the Baha'i Faith is that their prophet, Baha'u'llah is the return of the person promised in all the other religions. He is the fulfillment of any prophecy made in any of the other religions. Baha'is claim that Baha'u'llah is the one, the "Promised One" of all religions.
People have heard about the Baha'i Faith and have investigated it... and, for now, have rejected it. Some joined the Baha'i Faith and then dropped out. They gave it a try. It didn't work for them.
Are there good reasons to accept the Baha'i Faith? Sure. But are there reasons to question it and even reject it? I think there is. How do Baha'is handle those questions, and how do they handle rejections? Not too well. But that's understandable. They believe they have the truth.
CG, this morning, due to life events, I was compelled to read the
Tablet of Ahmad , a powerful prayer given as a bounty to us all.
To my amazement, to me at least, it really answers the question as to what may be a pure heart. I linked it above, if you are able to read that Tablet with absolute sincerity, then God will solve all difficulties.
I will offer some extracts that cover many things we have previously discussed.
Baha'u'llah is calling the beleivers to embrace the Bab and the ordinances given in the Bayan
".....He hath but to deliver this clear message. Whosoever desireth, let him turn aside from this counsel and whosoever desireth let him choose the path to his Lord...."
Thus there is no compulsion in religion, it is confirmed it is naught but our choice.
Then follows this undeniable challenge for us all to consider.
"...O people, if ye deny these verses, by what proof have ye believed in God? Produce it, O assemblage of false ones.
Nay, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, they are not, and never shall be able to do this, even should they combine to assist one another..."
I see this is calling our hearts to naught but pure justice. The Tablet goes on and comes ro an important piece of guidance
"Rely upon God, thy God and the Lord of thy fathers. For the people are wandering in the paths of delusion, bereft of discernment to see God with their own eyes, or hear His Melody with their own ears. Thus have We found them, as thou also dost witness..."
Most do not look with their own hearts, they are influenced by false witnesses to previous Messengers and this is really getting ro the essence of a pure heart, I see it is not being influenced by false news and willing to look for the Good that connects us all and the above verse is followed by what keeps us away from God.
"...Thus have their superstitions become veils between them and their own hearts and kept them from the path of God, the Exalted, the Great..."
This gives us fair warning as to the consequences of nit knowing our own heart.
"...Be thou assured in thyself that verily, he who turneth away from this Beauty hath also turned away from the Messengers of the past and showeth pride towards God from all eternity to all eternity..."
No matter what CG, it is your journey and your heart must take that as you so choose.
No other person can choose Faith for you. No Baha'i wants to choose a faith for you or anybody, as a Baha'i we want to unite with all that want Love, Peace, Unity, Mercy and Justice, virtues that all God given Faiths contain.
Regards Tony
