Frank wrote above:
I think you could include baha'i as a christian sect that respects but is not bound to believing in the atonement of Christ, as you posted. Going by this quote:
"Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the unity of god, unity of religion, and the unity of humankind. From these postulates stems the belief that god periodically reveals his will through divine messengers, whose purpose is to transform the character of humankind and develop, within those who respond, moral and spiritual qualities."
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My reply:
It's interesting that Frank has not cited the source for his quote above. I would suspect it's from a wikipedia article about the Baha'i Faith..
Bahá'à Faith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
While the quote is fairly accurate in itself about the Baha'i Faith...notice that he doesn't capitalize God. The original article does. Baha'is out of respect to the Almighty always capitalize God.
Anyway had he read further in the wikipedia article he cited he would have read the following:
Bahá'ís, however, assert that their religion is a distinct tradition with its own scriptures, teachings, laws, and history.[12][19] While the religion was initially seen as a sect of Islam, most religious specialists now see it as an independent religion, with its religious background in Shi'a Islam being seen as analogous to the Jewish context in which Christianity was established.[20]
Baha'i Faith is an independent world religion that had it's origins in Iran/Iraq about a hundred sixty eight years ago.. It has never claimed to be "Christian" nor does it have ministers or churches. While it does recognize the Bible as inspired it also recognizes the Qur'an, the Writings of the Bab and Baha'u'llah as authentic repositories of the Word of God.
As to the atonement of Christ the following can be found in the Baha'i Writings:
"As to the souls who are born into this world radiant entities and who through excessive difficulty are deprived of great benefits and thus leave the world -- they are worthy of all sympathy, for in reality this is worthy of regret. It is for this purpose (that is, it is with regard to this wisdom) that the great Manifestations (of God) unveil themselves in this world, bear every difficulty and ordeal -- to make these ready souls dawnings of light and confer upon them eternal life. This is the real atonement that His holiness Christ made-He sacrificed Himself for the life of the world."
~ Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 542