Baha'i, what is it?

[EturnaL]

......please and thank you.

 

[I_are_sceptical]

The Baha'i Faith claims to be the fulfillment of prophecies of several religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and even some earlier Faiths.

It's purpose is to eliminate prejudice and discrimination, and unite the entire human race.

When Arthra and 9Harmony get here they will explain much better than I can.

 

[Theowne]

I'm not a member of it, but I do know it's a great religion that seems to contain a lot of solutions to common problems that people have following their usual religions - tolerance, equity.

 

[anatolian]

A religion tht claims to be fulfilment of every religion which was found by a man from Iran in 19th who is a false prophet, false Mahdi, and false Messiah for muslims....

this religion contradicts with the basic laws of logic, says God Jesus understanding of christianity and only human prophet Isa of islam are both true..

 

[Arthra]

Thanks Eturnal for your question.. and "I are sceptical" is correct and Thowne as well...

The Baha'is Faith is in some ways a twin revelation we believe from God through the Bab (Declared His MIssion on May 22-23, 1844 (or 1260 AH) in Shiraz, Iran). The Bab was martyred in Tabriz, Persia July, 1850 and Baha'u'llah (Who announced He was Him Whom God would make manifest by the Bab near Bagdad, Iraq in April, 1863.

Baha'is believe that Baha'u'llah is the latest Manifestation of God but there will be more in the millenia to come.

Baha'u'llah revealed principles suited for the crises of the times around 1868-1871 and sent Tablets to the powerful rulers of the world at the time urging them to adopt a world parliament and reduction of arms as well as provisions for a world court. He also taught that religious, racial and sexist prejudices should be eliminated.

Baha'u'llah was exiled from Persia by the Shah around 1853 and later ordered to Ederne and finally to Akka around 1868 by the Sultan. He spent most of His life in prison or exile.

The Writings of the Baha'i Faith have by and large been preserved for future generations and many have been translated are on-line.

After the passing of Baha'u'llah in 1892 His eldest Son Abdul-Baha was the Center of the Faith until His passing in 1921. Shoghi Effendi a descendent of both the Bab and Baha'u'llah became the Guardian of the Faith until his passing in 1957. In 1963 the Universal HOuse of Justice was elected as the supreme administrative body of the Faith.

The Baha'i Faith was outlawed by Stalin in the days of the Soviet Union as well as by the Nazis in Germany... It is also not recognized in some Muslim countries and in Iran it is suppressed. But the Faith continues and Baha'is live in most all the countries of the globe... numbering today about six to seven millions.

So that should give you a brief summary.

Baha'is also accept the Bible as inspired and that Jesus Christ was a Manifestation of God which means God was perfectly reflected in Him and through Him was Divine Revelation.

- Art

 

[MemeBuster]

Baha'is believe that Baha'u'llah is the latest Manifestation of God but there will be more in the millenia to come.

Baha'is also accept the Bible as inspired and that Jesus Christ was a Manifestation of God which means God was perfectly reflected in Him and through Him was Divine Revelation.

So, Baha'u'llah was divine like Jesus?

If Baha'is consider Jesus to be a true "manifestation of god," isn't a problem that the Bible says only false prophets will come after Jesus?! If Jesus was really divine and said the truth, doesn't that undermine the claims of Baha'u'llah?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

So, Baha'u'llah was divine like Jesus?

If Baha'is consider Jesus to be a true "manifestation of god," isn't a problem that the Bible says only false prophets will come after Jesus?! If Jesus was really divine and said the truth, doesn't that undermine the claims of Baha'u'llah?

Hi. They also believe Saul/Paul was an inspired Apostle sent by Jesus I believe.

(Young) Acts 9:15 And the Lord said unto him, `Be going on, because a choice vessel to Me is this one, to bear My Name before nations and kings--the sons also of Israel;

 

[MemeBuster]

Hi. They also believe Saul/Paul was an inspired Apostle sent by Jesus I believe.

(Young) Acts 9:15 And the Lord said unto him, `Be going on, because a choice vessel to Me is this one, to bear My Name before nations and kings--the sons also of Israel;

So, you think Baha'u'llah was really the latest manifestation of the Christian god?

 

[Arthra]

The problem with responding to some of these questions here on this board is that they could be taken as promoting the Faith... so I hope you understand that I am trying to be as accurate as possible in answering.

The area of prophecy and how it was fulfilled is also something we Baha'is are interested in... You know that Jesus promised His Return and faithful Christians over the centuries have expected it! Many Baha'is with Christian backgrounds believe these prophecies were fulfilled and that Baha'u'llah was the Return of Christ.

Baha'is accept the divine inspiration of the New Testament.

A Manifestation of God for us Baha'is reflects God perfectly... thus through Jesus God was perfectly shown ... The Will of God for this day is reflected perfectly we believe in the revealed teachings of Baha'u'llah.

Now many will scoff and deny and reject these teachings but all I would ask is that you impartially investigate them for yourself and don't take anyone elses word for it... independent investigation is a Baha'i principle.

- Art

 

[TrevorKamal]

So, Baha'u'llah was divine like Jesus?

If Baha'is consider Jesus to be a true "manifestation of god," isn't a problem that the Bible says only false prophets will come after Jesus?! If Jesus was really divine and said the truth, doesn't that undermine the claims of Baha'u'llah?

Does the Bible ever say that? I know of a part where Jesus says there will be false prophets (and there are) but not that there will ONLY be false prophets.

 

[MemeBuster]

The area of prophecy and how it was fulfilled is also something we Baha'is are interested in... You know that Jesus promised His Return and faithful Christians over the centuries have expected it! Many Baha'is with Christian backgrounds believe these prophecies were fulfilled and that Baha'u'llah was the Return of Christ.

So, Baha'u'llah was both the Christ and Mahdi?

Also, there were certain Earth-shattering things that were suppose to happen with the return of Christ that no one could miss. I could be wrong, but I don't think any such thing has happened.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

The area of prophecy and how it was fulfilled is also something we Baha'is are interested in... You know that Jesus promised His Return and faithful Christians over the centuries have expected it! Many Baha'is with Christian backgrounds believe these prophecies were fulfilled and that Baha'u'llah was the Return of Christ.

Hi. I believe there are even Christians that believe the Bible was biblically fulfilled for Israel and Judah.
Do you think this event is the one in Revelation as this appears to be a prophecy against the Jews and Israel? Thoughts?

Luke 21: 27 `And then they shall see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud, with power and much glory; 28 and these things beginning to happen bend yourselves back, and lift up your heads, because your redemption doth draw nigh.' [Daniel 12]

 

[Arthra]

So, Baha'u'llah was both the Christ and Mahdi?

Also, there were certain Earth-shattering things that were suppose to happen with the return of Christ that no one could miss. I could be wrong, but I don't think any such thing has happened.

Thanks for your post Memebuster!

The Bab is usually viewed by Baha'is as fulfilling the prophecies of the Mahdi.. I think you could study this in a book that's online called the Dawn Breakers.

We interpret many of these prophecies symbolically...for instance the heaven of religions will be cleft asunder meaning the ecclesiastical order will be disrupted and so on...so we Baha'is normally do not interpret scriptural passages about the end times as literally as do many.

- Art

 

[anatolian]

Arthra

I respect the Bahai faith but the first princible of the logic says something is either A or not A.If you say Jesus is the manifestation of God then you contradict Quran which says Jesus is not.And Bahais say Quran is true revelaton of God too.

can I ask whats your explanation ?

 

[Clark_98C]

Arthra

I respect the Bahai faith but the first princible of the logic says something is either A or not A.If you say Jesus is the manifestation of God then you contradict Quran which says Jesus is not.And Bahais say Quran is true revelaton of God too.

can I ask whats your explanation ?

You see, this is where you and the OP are getting a little confused. The Baha'i Faith does not in any way proclaim Jesus or Baha'u'llah to be divine. Your getting a little caught up in the wording which is understandable. As Arthra explained, they are mirrors that reflect the will and atributes of God. The sun reflects its light in the mirror, but the sun does not actually come down to dwell within it.

Why don't you go read "Some Answered Questions" by Abdul'Baha?

And each revelation is meant for that time and place to cure the ill's of that era. Necessarily new problems are going to arise in the future; and the cures of the past are going to be a little lacking for the new diseases, no?

 

[Arthra]

Arthra

I respect the Bahai faith but the first princible of the logic says something is either A or not A.If you say Jesus is the manifestation of God then you contradict Quran which says Jesus is not.And Bahais say Quran is true revelaton of God too.

can I ask whats your explanation ?

The term Manifestation of God is unique as far as I know to the Baha'i Revelation so it was not used in the time of Prophet Muhammad. The terms Nabi and Rasuli are used in the Qur'an and Jesus it would seem to me is some one you call a Rasuli...He brought His own Book and Dispensation.

The concept of Manifestation of God is to me a clarification and not contradictory to the Qur'an. A Manifestation is Someone designated by God that perfectly reflects Him. Jesus was born a man a human being Who was designation for the purpose we believe of perfectly reflecting God. We Baha'is do not believe God incarnates Himself as some believe in Hinduism and Christianity.

- Art

 

[anatolian]

Ok then you dont accept Christian understanding of trinity, I get it.And how do you correct the beginning passage of John which says '...and the Word was God'?

Do you accept Muslim understanding of Unity which is described in the surah Ihlas 'Say He Allah is one'?

 

[anatolian]

And each revelation is meant for that time and place to cure the ill's of that era. Necessarily new problems are going to arise in the future; and the cures of the past are going to be a little lacking for the new diseases, no?

WE believe that Quran is a cure for all mankind and untill the End.And Hz.Muhammed said that there will not be any other revelation.There will be only some scolars for each century to comment Quran and Sunnah for the new problems.

 

[Clark_98C]

Reply to above post:

I know this. And this is where the Baha'i faith breaks from Muslim understanding of "Judgement Day."

To Baha'i's, as taught by Baha'u'llah, the Day of Judgement as described in Christianity and Islam, is a misconception. It is instead, a metaphorical description of the advent of the next dispensation and the next Messenger. I won't bore you with colorful language, there are many books for you to read. It's what I did. Since there is no climactic end of the world, there will necessarily have to be more Messengers.

Ok then you dont accept Christian understanding of trinity, I get it.And how do you correct the beginning passage of John which says '...and the Word was God'?

Well in the original Greek the word "Word" was Logos, and the context of the passage is taken from earlier religious concepts which allude that the Logos was creation itself.

Note the pagan philosopher, whose name I forget, who traveled the earth and "found the Logos within us all."

In its originality, it was kind of a glorification of pantheism. "John" just took it and attempted to confine it to one person.

That being said, it is possible that "John" as the later people who created Christianity as we know it today, misunderstood Jesus and so on and so forth.

Do you accept Muslim understanding of Unity which is described in the surah Ihlas 'Say He Allah is one'?

Of course. It only makes sense.

 

[9Harmony]

So, Baha'u'llah was divine like Jesus?

If Baha'is consider Jesus to be a true "manifestation of god," isn't a problem that the Bible says only false prophets will come after Jesus?! If Jesus was really divine and said the truth, doesn't that undermine the claims of Baha'u'llah?

We believe Baha'u'llah was the Voice of God on earth for this day, as was Jesus in His day.

The Bible doesn't say that only false prophets will come after Jesus. But it does tell us how to tell the difference. So, Baha'i's believe Baha'u'llah's claims are completely inline with what the Bible teaches.

"7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew KJV)

The proof of a prophet is in His life, His character, His teachings and the transformative effect He has on His followers.

The fruits of Baha'u'llah's Revelation are available for all to see.

http://www.bahai.org/