Lets discuss Baha'i. It's a faith. A religion, if you will.
I read about it and was really intrigued. I did a Google search for Carole Lombard, and the article mentioned that she was a second-generation Baha'i. What's a Baha'i?
Partial quote from the article: "The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; the oneness of the entire human race, the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of human kind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a universal auxiliary language; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of worship; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind—these stand out as the essential elements (of Baha'i)."
They also are monotheistic (one God), but they recognize all of the "messengers" (Abraham, Jesus, Mohammed, Krishna, Buddha, Moses.). They believe in a "Progressive Revelation" which essentially means: truths will be revealed over time. And thirdly, they believe in the unity of mankind.
I wonder why I've never heard of this faith... We've heard of Scientology, and the plethora of names by which the protestants huddle under, Islam (ism?), Buddhism, Catholicism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Don't Look Here-ism, Mormonism, etc., etc., etc.
My surprise came when I saw that it is a close relative of Islam.
What do you know?
MsAmber
Bad Poetry?
- MsAmber
- I am complex, yet simple. I am hearty and frail. I am selfish and generous. I let my emotions prevail. I want to make some sense of it. Of Life, and Love, and God. I want to bring back the simple things. I know that makes me odd. But if you'll stay and read awhile maybe you'll start to see. Then maybe I can share with you a little part of me. MsAmber
6 comments:
Ms Amber how does second generation apply to a faith? Was it newly founded and she followed in the footsteps of her parents? (Just curious).
On to the issue at hand: I'm Baha'i and I didn't even know it! I like the principles. Basic principles of for bettering the world! Thanks to wesley for the links.
"it is a close relative of Islam"
Just like Christianity is a close relative of Judaism. :-)
But they are independentent. That means they have their own Sacred books, laws, adminstrative structure...
I read a little about Bahai at church, and we had a woman from the Bahai come to our interfaith dinner. There is a Bahai' meeting in town, and they meet at 9:30. Never been there yet.
It seems to be like you mentioned. A friend once said it's like Unitarian muslims. I know I could never believe in allah as God, so I haven't gotten to into an islamic faiths. I'm not opposed to them though. I like going to the Unitarian church. Closest to my beliefs.
'Allah' is Arabic for 'God'. The Arabic Bible, for instance, read by Arab Christians, uses the word 'Allah' for God. Baha'is use the the word for God in whatever language they speak or write. French Baha'is call Him 'Dieu', Spanish Baha'is call Him 'Dios', Tswana Baha'is 'Modimo', English Baha'is 'God', Arabic and Persian Baha'is 'Allah', and so on.
Jesus is the .way, .the Truth and the Light...He is the only one true god. He died fir sins, was cricifued, died and was resurrected. No one...no one had ever come back from the dead like Jesus!
Unfortunately so many "religions"(man's attempt to reach God) want to claim that they are "the one, the true" religion but impose so many rules, laws, punishments etc...that people become either bored, frustrated or disillusioned & then angry, that they give up altogether..atheism.
When one seeks Jesus...that's it...He is The One, The Only true God. His life not only while on this earth proves it but also His resurrection after physically dying on the cross, cements it.
When He physically died on the cross to pay for our sins, the sins of the world, there was only one requirement of mankind to be saved...put your belief & faith in Jesus, accept the gift of Grace that Jesus provides. Unfortunately mankind has continued to put stipulations on this...WORKS!! No works can save you..only Faith & acceptance of Jesus as Lord can save you from a terrible fate in death.
Works do nothing...Faith will produce good works..not the other way around!!
After Jesus was crucified on the cross the apostles hid and were afraid for their own lives. But Jesus is faithful to us even when we aren't always faithful to him (we are only human, not perfect as He is) and as He promised He
was raised again on the 3rd day. Over 500 people (1Corinthians 15:6), not just the apostles; saw/spoke to & spent time with Jesus at various times over a 40 day period (Acts 1:3-12) and then they SAW HIM GO UP INTO THE CLOUDS....God's angels here on earth at the time & spoke to the people witnessing this; that Jesus would return in the same manner that He left.
Then Jesus sat down at the Right hand of God & became God. Jesus gave His Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1). So that His followers could continue the Message of Grace through the trials of persecution that believers in Jesus have endured throughout the ages. This is all known as the God Head (Father,Son & Holy Spirit).
Do we as followers of Jesus demand that others believe as we do? No, True Believers know that it is a personal choice and that it is a one on one fellowship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. A true believer in Jesus Christ does not impose onto others, SHARE THE MESSAGE YES! Those people that are misguided into thinking that they must "force" their religious beliefs onto others are not true followers of Jesus. BUT nor should we allow non-believers to dilute the Gospel with corrupted messages. We must always speak the truth and then pray for that person. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide them & show that person the truth. Some will never accept Jesus, some it will take time before their spiritual eyes are opened to the Real Truth. Some will have faith for a while and then fall away.
But my suggestion is for you to go to the word of God. Get a good study bible and in addition to the scriptures themselves read the study notes that help to give you a deeper understanding. Also the scripture references (shows how God's Word interacts it self in the scriptures over the time frame of both the old & new testaments - showing the TRUTH of His Word.)
READ THE GOSPEL FOR YOURSELF!! Pray first for God to send the Holy Spirit to help you & to reveal Himself to you in His Word.
I hope this is of help to you & I will also be praying for you.
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