Islam belief, Noah, the Great Flood and Science. Coherent or contradictory?

[CG Didymus]

It is mainly a translation. Though that can be distorted by preconceived ideas.

The Web now shows many translations side by side.

An interpretation is making a Trinity from Scripture, or baptisim of a baby from scripture.

Regards Tony

Not everything is from "distorted" preconceived ideas. Some ideas are plain and simple and directly stated in the Bible. Plain and simple. There was a world-wide flood and Noah was 950 years old when he died. True or false? Baha'is say this is false. Christians say it's true and build their theology from what the Bible says. If Baha'i say a lot of it isn't accurate, then Christians have built their beliefs on these that never really happened.

The biggest one being, Jesus rising from the dead. If Christians are wrong about that, something clearly stated in the NT, then their whole religions is based on myths and legends. Baha'is wiggle out of it by claiming... "but they are true, just not literally." No, if they aren't true literally, that means it's not true. It's made up. Sure you can make up all sorts of nice little symbolic things. But really, a guy writes about a flood and a man that builds a big boat and everything in the story is symbolic for something else?

And that something else is the true meaning of the story? And that was what God intended? That the story be taken symbolically? And the people thousands, and even hundreds, no forget that, even today take it literally? Now, when we do have the science to challenge those kinds of beliefs? But what about then? Why would a Jew or a Christian 2000 years ago even question whether the Flood really happened?

But, if we knew it was a fable, and we're looking for meaning in the story, why not the obvious... God hates evil and will destroy all evil doers. Why come up with the Baha'i "symbolic" things where nothing is what it seems. But I already know why... it's because that way you can say that was all along the true meaning and what God wanted to convey. The people were just too spiritually blind to see it. Like I said, hundreds of years ago, why would they be looking for that "spiritual" symbolic meaning, when the story and the moral of the story are plain and simple. People were doing evil. God got mad and drowned all the evil doers. But, God saved the righteous ones.

 

[CG Didymus]

Yes, I saw that post.

So then what is it? Did Noah live to be 950 yrs old?

I thought I had heard Baha'is say that it was his "dispensation", but apparently that's not true. The rest of the quote said that it wasn't literally 950 years also. I think Adrian said that Noah was 120 or so in a post a couple of pages back.

I'm sticking with it's more likely a myth and legend, a good fiction story that makes God out to be all powerful and in total control. 'Cause the Flood is only one story. We've got the Tower of Babel, The Red Sea, a walking stick turning into a snake, manna from heaven, Samson with his long hair, a woman turning into a pillar of salt, a talking donkey, Jonah getting swallowed by a big fish, three boys surviving being thrown into a furnace... it doesn't end. Where do we draw the line?

Fundamental/Evangelical Christians need it all to be true. What do Baha'is need? I don't see how they can have any of these stories be true. So then, the Baha'is will be stuck coming up with the "symbolic" "true" meaning in all these stories. But, I've already read some of Abdul Baha's, and they aren't very convincing to me. Like his explanation of the "true" meaning of the resurrection. Sorry, they aren't that good. I'll check back tomorrow for your thoughts. Thanks for hanging in there and answering my questions.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Not everything is from "distorted" preconceived ideas. Some ideas are plain and simple and directly stated in the Bible. Plain and simple. There was a world-wide flood and Noah was 950 years old when he died. True or false? Baha'is say this is false. Christians say it's true and build their theology from what the Bible says. If Baha'i say a lot of it isn't accurate, then Christians have built their beliefs on these that never really happened.

Correct on all accounts.

The biggest one being, Jesus rising from the dead. If Christians are wrong about that, something clearly stated in the NT, then their whole religions is based on myths and legends. Baha'is wiggle out of it by claiming... "but they are true, just not literally." No, if they aren't true literally, that means it's not true. It's made up. Sure you can make up all sorts of nice little symbolic things. But really, a guy writes about a flood and a man that builds a big boat and everything in the story is symbolic for something else?

There is no wriggle needed, Christ rose from the dead.

How people choose to see it in this age is their choice. Bahau'llah offered us another choice

And that something else is the true meaning of the story? And that was what God intended? That the story be taken symbolically? And the people thousands, and even hundreds, no forget that, even today take it literally? Now, when we do have the science to challenge those kinds of beliefs? But what about then? Why would a Jew or a Christian 2000 years ago even question whether the Flood really happened?

This to me answers many questions;

John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

In that day, is this day, the Father is Baha'u'llah. Thus Baha'u'llah has shown us what these proverbs really mean.

But, if we knew it was a fable, and we're looking for meaning in the story, why not the obvious... God hates evil and will destroy all evil doers. Why come up with the Baha'i "symbolic" things where nothing is what it seems. But I already know why... it's because that way you can say that was all along the true meaning and what God wanted to convey. The people were just too spiritually blind to see it. Like I said, hundreds of years ago, why would they be looking for that "spiritual" symbolic meaning, when the story and the moral of the story are plain and simple. People were doing evil. God got mad and drowned all the evil doers. But, God saved the righteous ones.

There was a time prior to 1984 that I had no interest in spiritual meanings.

Now I look for naught else. This is what this life is about. Learning to surpress ones material desires for our spiritual growth. We are in the matrix of the spiritual world. We have been already born from the matrix to the human world, in this world the body becomes dust.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

What do Baha'is need?

What we all need CG, learning submission to God, recognise our oneness and find our unity.

Regards Tony

 

[CG Didymus]

This to me answers many questions;

John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

In that day, is this day, the Father is Baha'u'llah. Thus Baha'u'llah has shown us what these proverbs really mean.

That goes for thing Jesus might have said. But, the writers of the gospels were, allegedly, telling of the things Jesus said and did. Those were not "proverbs" or "symbolic". They didn't say they "symbolically" saw, talked to and touched the resurrected Jesus, then watched him "symbolically" ascend into heaven. They claim those things really happened.

What we all need CG, learning submission to God, recognise our oneness and find our unity.

So to "submit" to God and recognize "our" oneness and unity all we have to do is admit all the previous religions can't be taken literal and to accept everything taught by the Baha'i Faith. So what are Baha'is going to do with people that hold onto their old religions? Just let them go on spreading their misinformation? I'm not even a Christian and you can't convince me your interpretations are correct and the Christian ones are wrong. And, if you can't be convincing by what the Baha'i prophets have said, then there will be no "oneness" of religions. There will still be Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and all the other religions.

The Baha'i hope seems to be a day when everything falls apart and the Baha'i Faith will be shown to be the only viable answer. At that time, do Baha'is expect people from the other religions to "see" the light and join the Baha'is?

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The Baha'i hope seems to be a day when everything falls apart and the Baha'i Faith will be shown to be the only viable answer. At that time, do Baha'is expect people from the other religions to "see" the light and join the Baha'is?

My only hope is that I can change myself, that is what Faith is about. In doing that I hope I do not to add to the misery of any soul and hope I can be of some help to all that can not see past the misery.

I am very very happy and thankful for all life has offered and may offer, how are you?

Regards Tony

 

[Trailblazer]

This to me answers many questions;

John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

In that day, is this day, the Father is Baha'u'llah. Thus Baha'u'llah has shown us what these proverbs really mean.

That seems kind of like a slam dunk to me, then again I have been reading these verses and what Baha'u'llah wrote 24/7 for six years, so I can understand exactly how they fit together hand in glove.

 

[CG Didymus]

My only hope is that I can change myself, that is what Faith is about. In doing that I hope I do not to add to the misery of any soul and hope I can be of some help to all that can not see past the misery.

I am very very happy and thankful for all life has offered and may offer, how are you?

Regards Tony

I've known many Baha'is. They are only people. People with problems... divorce, affairs, kids on drugs, daughters getting pregnant. Are Baha'is equipped to help families with those problems? Christians have lots of "ministries" set up and are trying to give answers, comfort and ways to get people to make the changes needed to get their lives back on track. And still, the problems continue. Christians have had lots of leaders "fall" and give in to temptations. Why wouldn't it be different for Baha'is? It isn't. I've known Baha'is that are having affairs. I've known Baha'is drinking and taking drugs. I've seen Baha'is have the same problems as everyone else. So what do Baha'is offer that is any better?

Baha'is claim they are growing. Some people have shown that the numbers of Baha'is in the world has been exaggerated. How do I trust a religious organization that would allow that? Baha'is say that all religions are one, but in these debates have shown that they really believe that they are the only ones that are correct. That's not "oneness". How many people here have left a debate thread, because Baha'is don't try and find points of unity, but dig in and fight for their beliefs as being the only logical and true one.

So maybe some Baha'is are like you and are trying to take the "misery" out of the lives of others. But so are people in other religions. Like the Christians, like some of the sects of Christianity like the Mormons and JW's, they are going out and telling the people the "truth" about God. But is it The Truth? Baha'is are saying very different things about God. Someone has got it wrong. Baha'is make it very clear, that they believe it is not them, but the other religions that have it wrong. And that is conducive to bringing peace, understanding and love between people from other religions? I don't think so, but what are you or any other people in the other religions supposed to do? You all think you are the ones that are right. And argue as to why you think that is. That's causing somebody misery, don't you think?

 

[james dixon]

Something we need to remember. Every country on the face of this planet have the following five (5) commandments enacted as the law of the land regardless of what religious faith they may follow.

1. Thou shalt not kill.
2. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
3. Thou shalt not steal.
4. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
5. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ***, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

The above is what religion has brought to the table & we need to keep it the law of the land no matter where you live.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Are Baha'is equipped to help families with those problems?

I can show ample quotes where we were warned that no Baha'i is exempt from the decay of the Old World Order.

We were told we had to implement the change offered by Baha'u'llah and become a new race of men. We are also told this takes time and with some of us it takes a lifetime to change, even a little, once we are set in our ways.

This is why the Bible stresses to be like little children. They can still be instructed and trained and will embrace concepts they are taught from a trusted source.

No, we were not equiped as we also did not see the power of obedience to all Baha'u'llah offered, it is through these mistakes we learn. My wife and I have had to learn the hard way as well. As Baha'i we split and somehow we were given a second chance. From this we learnt many things and now have a strength that will not be broken.

America is going to suffer greatly, that is why the Message of Baha'u'llah was taken there by Abdul'baha. He wanted to show them how to prevent what was to come and what is now very close. There is no stopping this now. The Baha'i were warned to disperse from America and its cities. Many did and they prospered in Faith and life for doing so. But far to many remained and this is why the faith is still to emerge from obscurity. We know as it emerges and it will, the opposition will likewise increase. Thus when you see the Churches, synagogues and Mosques start to denounce the Baha'i enmass, then you know the time is very near.

Meanwhile we all have to find the virtues that will enable us to build a new world order in unity. The old world order is falling.

Regards Tony

 

[Dawnofhope]

Having just returned from holiday, I've been thinking about patterns of behaviour that can facilitate a useful interfaith discussion. Being courteous, clear and respectful in posts is always helpful, so thanks for that.

've known many Baha'is. They are only people. People with problems... divorce, affairs, kids on drugs, daughters getting pregnant. Are Baha'is equipped to help families with those problems? Christians have lots of "ministries" set up and are trying to give answers, comfort and ways to get people to make the changes needed to get their lives back on track. And still, the problems continue. Christians have had lots of leaders "fall" and give in to temptations. Why wouldn't it be different for Baha'is? It isn't. I've known Baha'is that are having affairs. I've known Baha'is drinking and taking drugs. I've seen Baha'is have the same problems as everyone else. So what do Baha'is offer that is any better?

I've had the same experience. Baha'is are far from perfect. We can only make changes in our lives if we apply Baha'u'llah's teachings to our lives. Some things we can't change in life, but having an affair or taking drugs is entirely avoidable.

For me, a Baha'i worldview and approach to life is more practical and coherent than mainstream Christianity.

Baha'is claim they are growing. Some people have shown that the numbers of Baha'is in the world has been exaggerated. How do I trust a religious organization that would allow that? Baha'is say that all religions are one, but in these debates have shown that they really believe that they are the only ones that are correct. That's not "oneness". How many people here have left a debate thread, because Baha'is don't try and find points of unity, but dig in and fight for their beliefs as being the only logical and true one.

I don't hear an "I'm right, and you're wrong" attitude from the Baha'is here. It is important to agree to disagree rather than endlessly rehash differences.

In regards statistics, most countries in the West keep good statistic records where there is reasonable concordance between the numbers of Baha'is that are enrolled compared to the census figures. There are a few countries where there is a marked disparity between those enrolled and census data, India being the most pronounced.

Criticism of the Bahá'í Faith - Wikipedia

In my city there were no Baha'is until the last 60s, there was about 100 when I enrolled in 1990 and currently there are about 60.

So maybe some Baha'is are like you and are trying to take the "misery" out of the lives of others. But so are people in other religions. Like the Christians, like some of the sects of Christianity like the Mormons and JW's, they are going out and telling the people the "truth" about God. But is it The Truth? Baha'is are saying very different things about God. Someone has got it wrong. Baha'is make it very clear, that they believe it is not them, but the other religions that have it wrong. And that is conducive to bringing peace, understanding and love between people from other religions? I don't think so, but what are you or any other people in the other religions supposed to do? You all think you are the ones that are right. And argue as to why you think that is. That's causing somebody misery, don't you think?

At the end of the day, we need to distinguish ourselves by our actions, much more than our words. We're all part of the same humanity and no one should exalt himself above another.

Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other.
Baha'u'llah

 

[Looncall]

Something we need to remember. Every country on the face of this planet have the following five (5) commandments enacted as the law of the land regardless of what religious faith they may follow.

1. Thou shalt not kill.
2. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
3. Thou shalt not steal.
4. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
5. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ***, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

The above is what religion has brought to the table & we need to keep it the law of the land no matter where you live.

These can easily be derived without any input from religion. In fact they are necessary for any society.

Religions promoting them is nothing special.

 

[Trailblazer]

I'm sticking with it's more likely a myth and legend, a good fiction story that makes God out to be all powerful and in total control. 'Cause the Flood is only one story. We've got the Tower of Babel, The Red Sea, a walking stick turning into a snake, manna from heaven, Samson with his long hair, a woman turning into a pillar of salt, a talking donkey, Jonah getting swallowed by a big fish, three boys surviving being thrown into a furnace... it doesn't end. Where do we draw the line?

Some Baha’is draw the line at what is scientifically possible, as well as what is logical, reasonable and rational. I draw my line at what is no longer important since it is all in the past.

Fundamental/Evangelical Christians need it all to be true. What do Baha'is need? I don't see how they can have any of these stories be true. So then, the Baha'is will be stuck coming up with the "symbolic" "true" meaning in all these stories. But, I've already read some of Abdul Baha's, and they aren't very convincing to me. Like his explanation of the "true" meaning of the resurrection. Sorry, they aren't that good. I'll check back tomorrow for your thoughts. Thanks for hanging in there and answering my questions.

The explanation for the resurrection and the explanation for the story of Adam and Eve are just two Christian beliefs Abdu’l-Baha addressed since they are such important Christian beliefs. Baha’is are not stuck coming up with anything unless they are hung up on the Bible. I do not need anything but the Revelation of Baha’u’llah. I could not care less what these stories mean. The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh unconditionally abrogated all the Dispensations gone before it, so there is no need to mull over what happened in past Dispensations. It is history now.

That is why you do not see me hanging out much on these threads about older religions, but I will always come back if I get a post from you.

 

[Trailblazer]

I've known many Baha'is. They are only people. People with problems... divorce, affairs, kids on drugs, daughters getting pregnant. I've known Baha'is drinking and taking drugs. I've seen Baha'is have the same problems as everyone else.

But you cannot blame the Baha'i Faith or Baha'u'llah for what some Baha'is do by virtue of their own free will.

If Baha'is have personal problems they need to work on them. Personally, I think that Baha'is need to get their own acts together before teaching the Baha'i Faith. I would go as far as to say that they should not even work in the administrative order or identify themselves as Baha'is unless they meet minimum standards.

I dropped out of the Baha'i Faith for decades because I did not meet the cut, as far as I was concerned. I spent 20 years in counseling, 12 step programs and homeopathic treatment, in order to resolve all my problems from childhood, which meant addressing my defects of character. I am in no way perfect, but I came a long way before I would even tell anyone I was a Baha'i. Then again, I have very high standards, so I thing that sex out of wedlock is a serious offense. Others do not take it that seriously.

“Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a set of new and noble principles, not by an organized campaign of teaching—no matter how worldwide and elaborate in its character—not even by the staunchness of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical age the supreme claim of the Abhá Revelation. One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.” Bahá’í Administration, p. 66​

So what do Baha'is offer that is any better?

We have the Revelation of Baha'u'llah.

Baha'is say that all religions are one, but in these debates have shown that they really believe that they are the only ones that are correct.

Baha'is believe that the Baha'i Faith is the religion for this age and that the Dispensations of the past have been abrogated. I do not know how to say that so it does not offend people, but that is not my problem. I am just relaying what Shoghi Effendi wrote. To say anything less than that would be dishonest.

That's not "oneness". How many people here have left a debate thread, because Baha'is don't try and find points of unity, but dig in and fight for their beliefs as being the only logical and true one.

There are points of unity but that does not change the belief in progressive revelation. There can be no progression as long as people continue to cling to the past.

Like the Christians, like some of the sects of Christianity like the Mormons and JW's, they are going out and telling the people the "truth" about God. But is it The Truth? Baha'is are saying very different things about God. Someone has got it wrong.

Some of it is right and some of it is wrong. In short, there has been an important update. The computer will not run run properly unless that update is installed.

Baha'is make it very clear, that they believe it is not them, but the other religions that have it wrong. And that is conducive to bringing peace, understanding and love between people from other religions?

We believe that they have some things wrong. So what? Is it better to pretend we believe exactly what they believe even if we don't? Most of them believe that the Baha'is have everything wrong. Is that conducive to bringing peace, understanding and love?

I don't think so, but what are you or any other people in the other religions supposed to do? You all think you are the ones that are right. And argue as to why you think that is. That's causing somebody misery, don't you think?

True, it does cause discord, but what do you think is the solution?
I do not think we should argue, we should just share. If people do not like what we have we should shake the dust off our feet and move along the road.

 

[CG Didymus]

There is no wriggle needed, Christ rose from the dead.

How people choose to see it in this age is their choice. Bahau'llah offered us another choice

I know about the Abdul Baha quote from SAQ, but what are you referring to when you say Baha'u'llah offered another choice about how Jesus rose from the dead?

John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

In that day, is this day, the Father is Baha'u'llah. Thus Baha'u'llah has shown us what these proverbs really mean.

A couple of problems... One is that it is out of context. Are Baha'is implying that Jesus always spoke in parables or "proverbs" or that all the writings in the NT should be taken as "proverbs"? 'Cause later in John it says, " 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb." So Jesus didn't always speak in "proverbs." So that's an exaggeration. Then if you say that the gospels were also written as "proverbs" and weren't literal, then you are extending this one verse that Jesus said about himself and how he communicating, to mean the people that wrote the gospel stories.

In one of these posts I had a list of unlikely occurrences. It included Adam and Eve. Right there we have a talking snake and God walking in the garden with them. You say "proverb". I say probably a man made myth inspired by what the writer believed about his concept of God. There's also the Flood, the Tower of Babel, the Nephilim, people living hundreds of years, Abraham hearing voices telling him to sacrifice his son, Lots wife turning into a pillar of salt... so pretty much all of Genesis. Any of it literal? Or did God inspire somebody to write all these things with some hidden spiritual meaning? And, who was that person? Moses? If not then the stories weren't even written down by a manifestation.

But the Bible doesn't stop there. Moses and the plagues. Moses' cane turns into a snake. Moses parts the sea. Elijah is taken up into heaven. But, it continues into the NT. A moving star leads the wise men to the baby Jesus. An angel appears to shepherds and to Mary. Jesus heals the sick and walks on water and brings two people back to life, then he, himself, comes back to life. So all this written about Jesus, and written by separate people, all wrote similar things about Jesus but they were all symbolic and never happened?

My continued question to Baha'is... why complicate it. If the Flood didn't happen and Jesus is dead and buried, then just say it's all a myth. That somebody had a vivid imaginations and came up with all these mythical stories. But not because they had some special hidden meaning that only Baha'u'llah knew about... but that those writers wanted to make their God into something special. And with the NT, the writers wanted to make Jesus a God/man. And they did. And why is it still believed by some to be the literal truth? Because it was written it as if it was the literal truth.

Oh, and what is the symbolic meaning of Noah not having kids until he was 500 and not dying until he was 950?

 

[CG Didymus]

Some Baha’is draw the line at what is scientifically possible, as well as what is logical, reasonable and rational. I draw my line at what is no longer important since it is all in the past.

The explanation for the resurrection and the explanation for the story of Adam and Eve are just two Christian beliefs Abdu’l-Baha addressed since they are such important Christian beliefs. Baha’is are not stuck coming up with anything unless they are hung up on the Bible. I do not need anything but the Revelation of Baha’u’llah. I could not care less what these stories mean. The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh unconditionally abrogated all the Dispensations gone before it, so there is no need to mull over what happened in past Dispensations. It is history now.

That is why you do not see me hanging out much on these threads about older religions, but I will always come back if I get a post from you.

Except that it makes "progressive" revelation a joke. All these other religions are different and say different things about truth. If they were wrong, then just say so. Like so many ancient spiritual beliefs, who cares? Most people believe them to be myths. Why not with all the major religions too? Just say they were meaningful for those people, but weren't the real truth. And move on. What makes spiritual sense today. Baha'is make them relevant by saying they were all part of the same truth revealed by God.

 

[Ancient Soul]

Not everything is from "distorted" preconceived ideas. Some ideas are plain and simple and directly stated in the Bible. Plain and simple. There was a world-wide flood and Noah was 950 years old when he died. True or false? Baha'is say this is false. Christians say it's true and build their theology from what the Bible says. If Baha'i say a lot of it isn't accurate, then Christians have built their beliefs on these that never really happened.

The biggest one being, Jesus rising from the dead. If Christians are wrong about that, something clearly stated in the NT, then their whole religions is based on myths and legends. Baha'is wiggle out of it by claiming... "but they are true, just not literally." No, if they aren't true literally, that means it's not true. It's made up. Sure you can make up all sorts of nice little symbolic things. But really, a guy writes about a flood and a man that builds a big boat and everything in the story is symbolic for something else?

And that something else is the true meaning of the story? And that was what God intended? That the story be taken symbolically? And the people thousands, and even hundreds, no forget that, even today take it literally? Now, when we do have the science to challenge those kinds of beliefs? But what about then? Why would a Jew or a Christian 2000 years ago even question whether the Flood really happened?

But, if we knew it was a fable, and we're looking for meaning in the story, why not the obvious... God hates evil and will destroy all evil doers. Why come up with the Baha'i "symbolic" things where nothing is what it seems. But I already know why... it's because that way you can say that was all along the true meaning and what God wanted to convey. The people were just too spiritually blind to see it. Like I said, hundreds of years ago, why would they be looking for that "spiritual" symbolic meaning, when the story and the moral of the story are plain and simple. People were doing evil. God got mad and drowned all the evil doers. But, God saved the righteous ones.

And THAT is why the flood story is so important to the Christian fear mongering brainwashing system.

That's what tried to drum into us kids when I was in "bible study", the FEAR of their "god" and the only way to "save" oneself from this wrathful evil "god" is to blindly believe in the jesus myth.

 

[Trailblazer]

Except that it makes "progressive" revelation a joke. All these other religions are different and say different things about truth. If they were wrong, then just say so.

It does not make progressive revelation into a joke.
The other religions are different because the past was different and the people were different.

The scriptures were not wrong, they were just different because they were suited to the needs of those times. They seem silly to some of us now because we are no longer living in those times. Riding in a horse and buggy to get across the United States would also seem silly to us now that we have airplanes. .

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I know about the Abdul Baha quote from SAQ, but what are you referring to when you say Baha'u'llah offered another choice about how Jesus rose from the dead?

Abdul'baha explains what Baha'u'llah has offered in a condensed form.

Most of the explanations about this subject are in the Kitab-i-iqan, thus there are too many quotes to give it but one explanation. Open this link and search pages 41-80, 93-120, 121-160, 161-200, 201-220 and 221-257 for Resurrection - Bahá'í Reference Library - The Kitáb-i-Íqán

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

But not because they had some special hidden meaning that only Baha'u'llah knew about

A Baha'i sees Christ is Baha'u'llah. It is the same Christ spirit offering the further explanation.

Thus in reality, it is Christ that is explaining what was said in all the religious scriptures from the beginning and will do until the end.

Regards Tony