What if we accepted each others Religion?

[Vinayaka]

First is that the new Manifestation clears up misunderstandings and misconceptions held by the followers of previous religions. Also a way to know this is to read the scriptures of the religions and see if what they are teaching now is in conformity with the original teachings taught by the Founder.

From my own experience. I find it very easy to accept the essence and foundations of all religions as one by clearing away the added man made dogmas and interpretations which were never part of the original teachings in the first place such as ‘Mary mother of God’. That is nowhere in the Bible and did not come from Christ. And many things have been added to religions that were not part of the original teachings.

So the 2.4 billion Christians, 1.9 billion Muslims, and 1.2 billion Hindus all misunderstand and hold misconceptions about their own religion. Thank goodness that guy of yours came along and straightened out 5.5 billion people. What a way to unify the planet!

 

[loverofhumanity]

So the 2.4 billion Christians, 1.9 billion Muslims, and 1.2 billion Hindus all misunderstand and hold misconceptions about their own religion. Thank goodness that guy of yours came along and straightened out 5.5 billion people. What a way to unify the planet!

The reason so many billions have failed to prevent the two world wars is why? Where has the spiritual potency of 5.5 billion people disappeared to? If they had been united, 5.5 billion people, do you honestly believe those world wars could ever have occurred? Or if those 5.5 billion believed all humanity was one family would they have been involved in massacring each other?

The thing is the 5.5 billion are still not united and still conflicting and wars are still continuing so then we condemn Someone calling them to unite and abolish war? We condemn the Person calling for them to see all men not just their own religion but all men as brothers?

Typical of this age of violence and war to condemn those trying to establish unity and peace.

We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem Us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment…. That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled—what harm is there in this?… Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the ‘Most Great Peace’ shall come…. Yet do We see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind…. These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family…. Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind…. (Baha’u’llah)

 

[ppp]

The thing is the 5.5 billion are still not united and still conflicting and wars are still continuing so then we condemn Someone calling them to unite and abolish war? We condemn the Person calling for them to see all men not just their own religion but all men as brothers?

You're not doing that. The stuff that you say is not unique to your religion. You are just one more dissenting voice claiming to have truth.

 

[CG Didymus]

The Baha’i Faith presents all religions to humanity in their ‘pristine purity’ that is, without the man made dogmas ,doctrines and interpretations. In their pure form, all religions complement one another and are one and united and are in perfect agreement.

Okay... present what the Baha'i Faith teaches was their "pristine purity." And what are Baha'is calling the man-made stuff?

Baha’is believe in Muhammad and the Quran. I am from Catholic background but Baha’u’llah taught me that the Quran is the Word of God and Muhammad is His Prophet so I now love reading the Quran and consider it holy and blessed and it is part of my soul and spiritual life forever.

As a Baha’i I take the side of God and His Messengers not man and his divisive ways.

I've asked before, I don't remember if any Baha'i answered, so I'll ask again. Is the story in the Quran about Mary giving birth to Jesus under a date palm the true story? And the ones in the gospels about a manger and Bethlehem wrong?

Yes our agenda is to put forward the truth to people after they have been lied to and brainwashed for centuries to be prejudiced against other races, religions and nations.

There are verses in the Bible that has God telling his people that the other nations, races and religions are evil. You know like having his people kill all the men, women and children in Jericho. And how God had Elijah have all the prophets of Baal killed. How do Baha'is interpret those verses?

It is common for the Prophet of a subsequent religion to correct the misconceptions of the followers of a previous religion.

What misconceptions did Krishna correct? And which manifestation came first Krishna or Moses? Either way what misconceptions got corrected from whichever one came first? Oh... and Christianity doesn't correct Judaism about that thing where Islam and the Baha'i Faith say that Ishmael, not Isaac, was the son taken to be sacrificed. In fact, I think Christianity also says that it was Isaac. So, what happened?

First is that the new Manifestation clears up misunderstandings and misconceptions held by the followers of previous religions. Also a way to know this is to read the scriptures of the religions and see if what they are teaching now is in conformity with the original teachings taught by the Founder.

Yes, do that. What were the original teachings of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity? Might as well add in Zoroastrianism too.

 

[Vinayaka]

The reason so many billions have failed to prevent the two world wars is why? Where has the spiritual potency of 5.5 billion people disappeared to? If they had been united, 5.5 billion people, do you honestly believe those world wars could ever have occurred? Or if those 5.5 billion believed all humanity was one family would they have been involved in massacring each other?

The thing is the 5.5 billion are still not united and still conflicting and wars are still continuing so then we condemn Someone calling them to unite and abolish war? We condemn the Person calling for them to see all men not just their own religion but all men as brothers?

Typical of this age of violence and war to condemn those trying to establish unity and peace.

We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem Us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment…. That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled—what harm is there in this?… Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the ‘Most Great Peace’ shall come…. Yet do We see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind…. These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family…. Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind…. (Baha’u’llah)

The essential difference between you and me, is that I accept all other religions AS IS. You, on the other hand can only accept them through the Baha'i lens, which isn't acceptance at all.

Way to change the topic, BTW.
"he loves his kind' Did he mean other Baha'is? It sure seems like it.

 

[CG Didymus]

Typical of this age of violence and war to condemn those trying to establish unity and peace.

No, work for peace and unity all you want.

But the claim is that your prophet is the return of Christ... and of Krishna, and Buddha and the rest. And the major gripe is how Baha'is keep telling all those people in all the other religions how wrong they are. While, at the same time, telling them how "beautiful" their religion is. And that you accept them and read from their Scriptures.

The "unity" you say you want depends on all of them accepting you and the teachings and the beliefs of the Baha'i Faith. If they don't, and they question your teachings and beliefs, you blame them. Stop doing that and instead, actually really accept them and respect their beliefs and you might start getting somewhere.

 

[CG Didymus]

The essential difference between you and me, is that I accept all other religions AS IS. You, on the other hand can only accept them through the Baha'i lens, which isn't acceptance at all.

Way to change the topic, BTW.
"he loves his kind' Did he mean other Baha'is? It sure seems like it.

I started writing my post before yours got posted. Mine's kind of redundant. So, ditto to yours.

 

[loverofhumanity]

You're not doing that. The stuff that you say is not unique to your religion. You are just one more dissenting voice claiming to have truth.

Baha’u’llah is doing it not myself. If you read His Words you will find that is what His goal and purpose is. He was imprisoned and exiled for forty years so earthy riches or power were not His intention. He could very easily have escaped persecution and lived a life of luxury but like Buddha, truth was more important to Him than earthly gain of any sort.

 

[loverofhumanity]

No, work for peace and unity all you want.

But the claim is that your prophet is the return of Christ... and of Krishna, and Buddha and the rest. And the major gripe is how Baha'is keep telling all those people in all the other religions how wrong they are. While, at the same time, telling they how "beautiful" their religion is. And that you accept them and read from their Scriptures.

The "unity" you say you want depends on all of them accepting you and the teachings and beliefs of the Baha'i Faith. If they don't, and they question your teachings and beliefs, you blame them. Stop doing that and instead, actually really accept them and respect their beliefs and you might start getting somewhere.

Who’s saying the original religion as given by the Founder is wrong? What is being clearly stated is that man made additions which were never part of the original teachings are rejected. The original religion itself rejects the additions. (See Revelation below) Do you see ‘Mary the mother of God’ anywhere in the Bible ? Or the trinity! That’s because they were ‘added’ . But the Beautitudes , the law to love one another and forgive others which Baha’is fully endorse ARE in the original teachings. So please be fair here. We are not rejecting the original teachings Just the added dogmas and interpretations.

Revelation 22:18

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

 

[loverofhumanity]

No, work for peace and unity all you want.

But the claim is that your prophet is the return of Christ... and of Krishna, and Buddha and the rest. And the major gripe is how Baha'is keep telling all those people in all the other religions how wrong they are. While, at the same time, telling they how "beautiful" their religion is. And that you accept them and read from their Scriptures.

The "unity" you say you want depends on all of them accepting you and the teachings and beliefs of the Baha'i Faith. If they don't, and they question your teachings and beliefs, you blame them. Stop doing that and instead, actually really accept them and respect their beliefs and you might start getting somewhere.

It depends on whether the followers of other faiths accept their own teachings. If they do of course I believe they will discover Baha’u’llah embedded in their own scriptures like I have in the Bible. Of course we accept and befriend them. I have many good friends from other religions and we get on very well. They are free to question, reject and blame as much as they like I don’t see that as a problem. I’m not blaming them but reminding them what their own scriptures say. Actually, I would like them to believe more strongly in their own religion.

 

[McBell]

Who’s saying the original religion as given by the Founder is wrong? What is being clearly stated is that man made additions which were never part of the original teachings are rejected. The original religion itself rejects the additions. (See Revelation below) Do you see ‘Mary the mother of God’ anywhere in the Bible ? Or the trinity! That’s because they were ‘added’ . But the Beautitudes , the law to love one another and forgive others which Baha’is fully endorse ARE in the original teachings. So please be fair here. We are not rejecting the original teachings Just the added dogmas and interpretations.

Revelation 22:18

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

One might be of the mind that Revelation 22;18 is about as helpful as Deuteronomy 4:2...

 

[Vinayaka]

Baha’u’llah is doing it not myself. If you read His Words you will find that is what His goal and purpose is. He was imprisoned and exiled for forty years so earthy riches or power were not His intention. He could very easily have escaped persecution and lived a life of luxury but like Buddha, truth was more important to Him than earthly gain of any sort.

It depends on whether the followers of other faiths accept their own teachings. If they do of course I believe they will discover Baha’u’llah embedded in their own scriptures like I have in the Bible. Of course we accept and befriend them. I have many good friends from other religions and we get on very well. They are free to question, reject and blame as much as they like I don’t see that as a problem. I’m not blaming them but reminding them what their own scriptures say. Actually, I would like them to believe more strongly in their own religion.

You speak as if you're the only person on this planet that has friends in other religions, and that that is something special to Baha'i. What exactly makes you think this, as in my experiences, almost anyone with friends at all has friends from other religions.

 

[Vinayaka]

And in most countries(with one notable area of exception) that is true. Edited to add: The 13 countries where being an atheist is punishable by death

@ loverofhumanity ... in which countries is being a Baha'i punishable by death?

 

[ppp]

Baha’u’llah is doing it not myself.

Nope. You are the person who is typing words into this forum. Everything that you say and do is your personal responsibility no matter who did it first. "I am just following orders" is not, and will never be an excuse or an escape from personal responsibility.

But even if B were doing something other than moldering in the ground, what you typed is still not unique. I have heard plenty of Christians and Muslims and non-theists express the same sentiments.

One of the most glaring errors in your approach to this unity is that you do not acknowledge that anyone can legitimately disagree with you, your approach, or your religion. You keep touting unity as a buzzword, but without substance. You do not seek to understand. You seek to bulldoze your message without understanding those who dissent.

 

[loverofhumanity]

The essential difference between you and me, is that I accept all other religions AS IS. You, on the other hand can only accept them through the Baha'i lens, which isn't acceptance at all.

Way to change the topic, BTW.
"he loves his kind' Did he mean other Baha'is? It sure seems like it.

By ‘his kind’ He means our race, the human race.

Religionists are fully accepted as is because they are fellow humans.

But common sense tells us we cannot accept ’as is’ things like terrorism or any religious teaching blessing or promoting violence as in Myanmar Buddhist monks bless the Burmese military and say Buddhist prayers before they go on campaigns of genocide. Clearly we cannot accept that as an ‘as is’. And the crusades where followers were told they would go to heaven for fighting and killing . Many of these dogmas are parts of what you call ‘as is’ but they are abhorrent and in no way acceptable human behaviour. The burning of witches at the stake. A lot of harmful teachings have been added to religions which you say you accept ‘as is’. Teachings which promote friendship are always accepted.

 

[Vinayaka]

Nope. You are the person who is typing words into this forum. Everything that you say and do is your personal responsibility no matter who did it first. "I am just following orders" is not, and will never be an excuse or an escape from personal responsibility.

But even if B were doing something other than moldering in the ground, what you typed is still not unique. I have heard plenty of Christians and Muslims and non-theists express the same sentiments.

One of the most glaring errors in your approach to this unity is that you do not acknowledge that anyone can legitimately disagree with you, your approach, or your religion. You keep touting unity as a buzzword, but without substance. You do not seek to understand. You seek to bulldoze your message without understanding those who dissent.

What I do is all my parent's fault. Without Mom and Dad, I wouldn't even be here.

I have read a little bit of B's words. Most of it was in self aggrandizing archaic English, that, much like a politician, had no real usable message or practical strategy.

 

[Vinayaka]

By ‘his kind’ He means our race, the human race.

Religionists are fully accepted as is because they are fellow humans.

But common sense tells us we cannot accept ’as is’ things like terrorism or any religious teaching blessing or promoting violence as in Myanmar Buddhist monks bless the Burmese military and say Buddhist prayers before they go on campaigns of genocide. Clearly we cannot accept that as an ‘as is’. And the crusades where followers were told they would go to heaven for fighting and killing . Many of these dogmas are parts of what you call ‘as is’ but they are abhorrent and in no way acceptable human behaviour. The burning of witches at the stake. A lot of harmful teachings have been added to religions which you say you accept ‘as is’. Teachings which promote friendship are always accepted.

A good start would be to find the nice things that 95% of the people on this planet do, and not focus on the negative instinctive behaviors of the few. I never said I accepted terrorism 'as is', but Buddhists are my brothers and sisters, 99% are peaceful citizens, and besides that, there are ALWAYS two side to every story. Terrorism isn't religion. Just who do you think is at fault for what's happening in the middle east?

 

[ppp]

What I do is all my parent's fault. Without Mom and Dad, I wouldn't even be here.

Yeah. I am so tired of people so desperately try to evade ownership of their own words. Another thing that is not unique to @loverofhumanity, or the Baha'i.

I have read a little bit of B's words. Most of it was in self aggrandizing archaic English, that, much like a politician, had no real usable message or practical strategy.

His books go on and on like that. Some good things. Some meh things. And a whole lot of self-congratulatory schlock.

 

[CG Didymus]

Who’s saying the original religion as given by the Founder is wrong? What is being clearly stated is that man made additions which were never part of the original teachings are rejected. The original religion itself rejects the additions. (See Revelation below) Do you see ‘Mary the mother of God’ anywhere in the Bible ? Or the trinity! That’s because they were ‘added’ . But the Beautitudes , the law to love one another and forgive others which Baha’is fully endorse ARE in the original teachings. So please be fair here. We are not rejecting the original teachings Just the added dogmas and interpretations.

Revelation 22:18

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Let's be fair? How about let's be real. Baha'is believe the Bible, which I think you include the NT with it, is not "wholly" authentic. And I completely understand why Baha'is would say that. It wasn't written by Jesus. Even when it says that it was Jesus speaking... how do we know?

The NT, to me, clearly says Jesus came back to life. So, who has the wrong interpretation? The Baha'is who say that the resurrection was symbolic? Or the Christians that believe and trust what was written? They aren't interpreting anything. They are taking it for what is says.

But then... who picked which gospels and epistles got accepted into the canon of Christian Scriptures? It was the religious leaders that you've said added man-made things in and misinterpreted those writings they decided to make into their Scriptures. Why then believe any of it?

But, as with the other religions, there's some things in the Scriptures that Baha'is need. But there is also lots of things Baha'is don't need nor want.

These "original" teachings are what then? What the Baha'is say they are? That is the problem. Are these friends of yours from the other religions okay with Baha'is believing that all the other religions have man-made doctrines and wrong interpretations?

 

[Dawnofhope]

I don't assign meanings, I'm rather just defending their clear implications by contextualizing them with respect to each other.

Muslims are in falsehood. Shiites are not fully on truth either. Neither am I.

However, the Quran is a clear book per Quran. So it makes sense to seek clear insights and stick to what is clear, and only build on what is clear. If it forbid following unclear or ambiguity from it, then we should heed that paradigm.

I don't claim to know all of the implications of any verse. Just telling you some of it's implications which are clear.

What is clear to you is anything but clear to another. When it comes to prophecies and end times, the ambiguity amplifies by several orders of magnitude.