Would the Baha'i faith be good for me?

[JeremK]

I had a bad experience with Christianity but still believe in it to an extent. I by no means take the Bible literally and consider it as rules for a different time. The same applies to Islam. I'm not entirely sure whether or not I believe in a god or an afterlife, but if there is an afterlife, I don't think I believe in an (eternal) hell because it seems inhumane and out of character for any deity that would be willing to create humanity. I also fully support the unification of mankind, the abolishment of racism, etc.

Does the Baha'i faith suit my viewpoints? Could I be some kind of "secular Baha'i?"

 

[vaguelyhumanoid]

IIRC you're bi and homophobia/biphobia is a major issue driving you away from Christianity. If so, I would not recommend the Baha'i Faith. They have a central organizational structure, with an orthodox interpretation of the texts, and the leadership is very firmly homophobic. It's rancid and hypocritical, but there you have it. There are probably many individual Baha'is who disagree, but I feel like it's very much worth bringing up. Here's a couple links to source my claims:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bah.htm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicholas-snow/brokenhearted-bahais-lgbt_b_7111164.html

 

[Corthos]

Have you considered Zoroastrianism? It seems to match your personal views (from what I can tell), and has links to Abrahamic faiths (though it is more eastern in philosophy, IMO). =)

 

[Valjean]

Are you looking for truth, or happiness? Your post sounds a little like you're seeking a treatment modality.

Your avatar looks like a UU symbol. If you're looking for a 'secular' religion, UU wouldn't be a bad choice.

 

[Zardoz]

Have you considered Noachide?

 

[arthra]

I had a bad experience with Christianity but still believe in it to an extent. I by no means take the Bible literally and consider it as rules for a different time. The same applies to Islam. I'm not entirely sure whether or not I believe in a god or an afterlife, but if there is an afterlife, I don't think I believe in an (eternal) hell because it seems inhumane and out of character for any deity that would be willing to create humanity. I also fully support the unification of mankind, the abolishment of racism, etc.

Does the Baha'i faith suit my viewpoints? Could I be some kind of "secular Baha'i?"

I think you asked basically the same questions on the Baha'i Forum so please see my responses there... The Baha'i teachings recognize the past dispensations as progressive revelations till the present age which we believe began around 1844.. The principles of the Faith include accepting the oneness of humanity and the unification of the planet through building a representative world parliament and establishing a court of arbitration for international issues. Baha'is do not believe in an eternal hell of punishment... Hell is a spiritual condition of being distant from God.. We do not accept the literal word by word interpretations of the Bible or the Quran.

 

[Rival]

Mazdayasna is the way to go None of the Abrahamic hang-ups.

 

[JeremK]

Are you looking for truth, or happiness? Your post sounds a little like you're seeking a treatment modality.

Your avatar looks like a UU symbol. If you're looking for a 'secular' religion, UU wouldn't be a bad choice.

I don't really know what could be defined as truth in the case of religion... There are thousands of them, and it's unlikely that any are 100% truthful.

I guess I just want something that can complete me. Without feeling like I have something to follow, I feel somewhat incomplete.

 

[Valjean]

Of course, if you need structure (" I feel somewhat incomplete"); if you feel like a cog in need of a machine, then perhaps UU isn't a good fit.

 

[JeremK]

Of course, if you need structure (" I feel somewhat incomplete"); if you feel like a cog in need of a machine, then perhaps UU isn't a good fit.

I want something that's structured, yet lets me be who I am instead of repressing me. I also want a faith that welcomes me to question and encourages free thinking. I feel as if UU fits that more than the majority of other faiths.

 

[Valjean]

Well, "structured" isn't an adjective that usually comes to mind when I think of UU, but if it's a fit for you, great.

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

I had a bad experience with Christianity but still believe in it to an extent. I by no means take the Bible literally and consider it as rules for a different time. The same applies to Islam. I'm not entirely sure whether or not I believe in a god or an afterlife, but if there is an afterlife, I don't think I believe in an (eternal) hell because it seems inhumane and out of character for any deity that would be willing to create humanity. I also fully support the unification of mankind, the abolishment of racism, etc.

Does the Baha'i faith suit my viewpoints? Could I be some kind of "secular Baha'i?"

The Baha'i are a very tolerant and peaceful people in general.

They do have scripture however and do rely on the idea of their being a anthromorpic god.

I would suggest a religion not based on scripture that is tolerant and has a vague or non-existent concept of deity.

 

[loverofhumanity]

I've been a Baha'i for forty years and I keep wondering what on earth I did to find this beautiful Faith. I'm not worthy to be so blest. My heart is so filled with joy and happiness I often cannot fathom why I received such a beautiful gift. I always say to others that I must have been wandering around near the gates of heaven and someone dropped a ticket saying 'enter' and by accident I must have picked it up and entered, for now the beauty I behold and the joy I experience was meant for angels and gods not puny, insignificant me. I want to leave because of unworthiness but I was told the only way to leave was to stop loving this place which I cannot do. Unfortunately I can't open the gates for others to enter because I found out that love, pure love for God and His creatures is the only way in.

Quran 15:46

Enter ye therein in peace and security

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I had a bad experience with Christianity but still believe in it to an extent. I by no means take the Bible literally and consider it as rules for a different time. The same applies to Islam. I'm not entirely sure whether or not I believe in a god or an afterlife, but if there is an afterlife, I don't think I believe in an (eternal) hell because it seems inhumane and out of character for any deity that would be willing to create humanity. I also fully support the unification of mankind, the abolishment of racism, etc.

Does the Baha'i faith suit my viewpoints? Could I be some kind of "secular Baha'i?"

Based on what I read from your posts and others, Bahai may not be a good fit. It is a structured religion with a central prophet for lack of better words. They believe in equality but culturally they have rituals (things they do in the name of their faith). They believe in god and what he says. Here is a good link. http://www.bahai.org

UU sounds a good fit. I visited them twice and they have people from all spiritual and the above walks of life. You may find this helpful.

http://www.uua.org

 

[arthra]

It is a structured religion with a central prophet for lack of better words. They believe in equality but culturally they have rituals (things they do in the name of their faith). They believe in god and what he says. Here is a good link. http://www.bahai.org

Yes http://www.bahai.org is a good place to learn more about Baha'i Faith...

Another would be to visit a nearby Baha'i Center and learn at first hand how Baha'i communities function...with a minimum of "ritual" and no sacerdotal class of priests or ministers.

 

[George-ananda]

I had a bad experience with Christianity but still believe in it to an extent. I by no means take the Bible literally and consider it as rules for a different time. The same applies to Islam. I'm not entirely sure whether or not I believe in a god or an afterlife, but if there is an afterlife, I don't think I believe in an (eternal) hell because it seems inhumane and out of character for any deity that would be willing to create humanity. I also fully support the unification of mankind, the abolishment of racism, etc.

No as an ex-Baha'i it pains me still to report the negative to you. Its rules are strict and the law book of the faith seems to be based on a mid-19th century Persian worldview. It is supposed to be all implemented in the future but the modern westernized faith you hear of is the parts they want you to hear. Homosexual behavior is definitely not allowed.

Does the Baha'i faith suit my viewpoints? Could I be some kind of "secular Baha'i?"

To be officially recognized you can look at it as an all or nothing choice.

Nice people though!

 

[SSDSSDSSD3]

Have you considered Zoroastrianism? It seems to match your personal views (from what I can tell), and has links to Abrahamic faiths (though it is more eastern in philosophy, IMO). =)

Can you even convert to Zoroastrianism?

 

[SSDSSDSSD3]

Your beliefs seem totally compatible with the Sikh faith, can I ask what exactly is it that makes you dislike Christianity? Other than hell?

 

[Corthos]

Can you even convert to Zoroastrianism?

There's actually a thread in the Zoroastrian DIR covering this
http://www.religiousforums.com/threads/i-heard-you-cant-convert-to-zoroastrianism.184063/
http://www.religiousforums.com/threads/i-heard-you-cant-convert-to-zoroastrianism.184063/.

Parsis are the ones who say that people outside of the community cannot join the religion. Here was my reply in that thread...

This was a point of confusion for me when I first heard of Zoroastrianism. I didn't know at the time that Parsis were just one denomination of Zoroastrianism, and they are exclusivist and isolated at that.

If you wanted to convert to Christianity and an Amish man said you couldn't join, that doesn't mean you can't be Christian; that just means you wouldn't be accepted by that Amish community. =)

 

[arthra]

No as an ex-Baha'i it pains me still to report the negative to you. Its rules are strict and the law book of the faith seems to be based on a mid-19th century Persian worldview. It is supposed to be all implemented in the future but the modern westernized faith you hear of is the parts they want you to hear. Homosexual behavior is definitely not allowed.

To be officially recognized you can look at it as an all or nothing choice.

Nice people though!

So George where/when were you a Baha'i?