Trailblazer
Veteran Member
I cannot argue with that, and it also takes wisdom knowing how to manage the money so you don't run out!Facilitate means make more likely. Money multiplies options. But it takes wisdom to know how to use the money, wisdom is knowing what brings lasting contentment.
Lots of rich people wind up being poor.
That's true, and a good way of putting it. It changed overnight, but it can change again, overnight.Your material world changed, and with it, your inner world. That was the point.
Only God has perfect foreknowledge. Scientists can predict certain occurrences such as an eclipse at a certain place and a certain time and that is the next best thing, but a human who makes plans for the future cannot always know for sure that those plans will work out as planned since there are many things that can interfere with their plans.Then we are in agreement now. Originally, you, "thought only God has foreknowledge."
How old the religion is is not the only determining factor as to how large it is.If that were the reason, Judaism, which is older, would be larger than Christianity.
I ran across this website about Ethnic vs. Universalizing Religions several years ago. It explains the difference between these two kinds of religions. A universalizing religion looks for new members and welcomes anyone and everyone who wishes to adopt their belief system. Throughout history, some of these religions such as Christianity have attempted to convert people to their religion.
By contrast, ethnic religions consist of beliefs that were handed down from generation to generation within an ethnicity and culture and these religions do not try to convert others to their belief system. That is one reason Judaism is relatively small religion, with only about 14 million after over 4000 years. Compare that with Christianity and Islam, who have 2.3 billion and 1.9 billion members, respectively.
The Baha’i Faith is not included on this website but it goes without saying that it is universalizing religion.
Ethnic vs. Universalizing Religions: AP Human Geography Crash Course
That is true at the inception of the religion, and when the religion is still young, but eventually the religion spreads, as had happened with all the older religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The Baha'i Faith is still very young by comparison to those other religions. We won't be around to see the day when everyone in the world knows about Baha'u'llah and most people believe in Him.I wasn't discussing whether the message was true, but rather, whether using messengers was an efficient method for a god to use to get its word out. My comment had been, "Regarding your question so what, it answers why this method of message dissemination didn't work. Few people see the message, and fewer are convinced of its authenticity."
No, every time a believer has a belief it is not deviating from critical thinking.This is you deviating from critical thinking. Don't take it personally. Learn if you can. Learn how and why.
I predicted you would react that way, but I am entitled to my beliefs.
If God is all-knowing and all-wise God does not do things that are bad ideas. That is not logical.
The Baha'i Faith is spread by print and word of mouth, and sometimes it is spread by broadcast media.Sure they can. The news of the pandemic was spread by print and broadcast media as well as by word of mouth.
I can distinguish it and I did. Of course, it is only my personal opinion that no man could have written what Baha'u'llah wrote unless he was Messenger of God, just as it is your personal opinion that any ordinary man could have written it.Then your power of discernment is low here. You can't distinguish between what any man could have written and what no man could have written.
Stand down and agree that only atheists can think critically? Not on your life, because I won't stand down for what I know is not true. Baha'u'llah taught that truth is the foundation of all virtues.That doesn't make it adversarial to me like it does to you. You could stand down, but you prefer to engage. So do I. But I don't feel like we are at war. You would be able to discern that in my posting style if I did. It might contain pokes at you, or snark. It doesn't.
You do not have to be snarky and poking fun of me, but you are constantly criticizing my thinking abilities. Do I do that to you? No, I don't, but you think it is fine because you think you are right. That is called ego.
For example, you said:
"This is you deviating from critical thinking."
"Then your power of discernment is low here."
If you did not need to pump yourself up you would not be doing it. I don't know why you need to but I can read what is on the page.Sorry that you feel that way, but that interpretation is your choice. So you think I'm pumping myself up to point out to you where I find you wrong? I don't need to pump myself up. I need to exercise my mind. I'm amazed that you see me that way. And disappointed. It doesn't have to be this way. Or maybe it does.
Pointing out that I am wrong and you are right constantly is pumping yourself up. Why not just speak for yourself like I do? Why the need to point out that I am wrong? So you can think you are right. That's ego.
No, I am not the only person for whom that is true, there are others.Then you are the only human being for whom that is true.
My spiritual happiness is an inner state that is not contingent on what happens in my life.
I have been through hell to get to where I am at now so nobody can take it away from me.
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