The Bahai Faith

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Postmaster

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Ok, something very strange has happened to me recently, before I start this off I want to say something that I hope doesn't cause a stir and that people don't start to question my sincerity around here, this is nothing to brag about btw. But ever since I was a child I've had the ability to predict things before they happen, mainly deaths, family members getting ill, world events. My parents are aware of it, infact my Great grand mother is well known for her extra sense and it seemed to have skipped a generation to my mum, it was only 1 week ago I told my mum that my sister and fiancé were not going to be well, a few days latter got a call from Cyprus they were in hospital with food poisoning but that’s hardly anything. We don’t talk about it to my friends and relatives simply because it’s something that’s not accepted by some, they have no idea. Recently, I started a post on this forum it was the mention of the return of Christ and I said he may well return in Iran and someone pointed this Baha'i faith out to me, I don't know why I said that and I said it without even having a clue about the Baha’i faith as a matter of fact I didn't even know such a faith existed... But I felt like it was something I was trying to seek, so I did do some reading about the religion. They recognise all religious founders and they say that there is some divine plan by God and each time he sends a messenger for that period of time in history its to change people and that we are being led to the kingdom of God. One of the other points is that nationalism is wrong and that we should be aiming in unifying the world. Well this couldn't have come at a worst time for me, I just about became very proud and very patriotic about my ethnic heritage, but even by myself I had these feelings of one human and that nationalism is wrong. But what I find disturbing about the religion is that the messenger as hard as he had it with imprisonment he was prophesied by the Bab (the gate, there version of John the Baptist) Bahá'u'lláh was not a virgin he had children, at least a son and this to me is new concept that someone pure and has a strong relationship with God to not be so devoted and more human. Apparently a lot of the world religions prophesised the coming of Bahá'u'lláh. I have decided I will do 2 things, the first will be to read the bible and if I fill the bible allows and that this is a prophecies fulfilled by the bible I will accept the teachings of Baha’i, the second will be to practise the teachings of Baha’i but not convert simply because of my culture it will cause more harm then good in other people's lives. Also this religion in many ways is a step forward, for humanity just even reading some of there teachings is remarkable.



Mainly this post is for spiritual guidance, I would much appreciate anyone say a few words to me. Even people who appose this religion. I like to hear your views.
 
Moved the thread to Bah'ai forum for discussion there rather than Belief & Spirituality...

.... Bruce
 
hey Postmaster-

it's strange, i've got a bunch of friends over here who are feeling drwn to the Bahai faith, as well.

There was Bahai group discussion here last night, and a few stories were told very similar to yours- a Christian finding that Bahai faith, examining the teachings of Christ and the New Testament, and coming to embrace or at least accept Bahai teachings.

good luck to you on this spiritual journey, Postmaster- And God Bless!
 
Can anyone one see the connection with this faith and the first and second world wars? This faith came just before them wars... 10's of Millions died.

The Báb (1819-1850)
Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892) founder

Abdu'l-Bahá (1844-1921)

World war one started 1914 then onward to world war 2
 
Genuine best wishes with your spiritual searches, Postmaster. :)
 
Thanks, Brian....

I found your business-talk forums from "SEO link" to your site you posted out of a Turkish forum where I was arguing and degrading Turks (all within reason and argument most the time). Then from that forum found my way here where I found out about Baha’i faith which preaches that we are all one human and disagrees with nationalism..

See how good lightens up dark places, even without us realising what we are doing. In return me posting and saying that in a way you helped me, will also help you too. You can take this as a coincidence or you can take this as something more sincere.

 
PM, as it appears not many Baha'i members have been visiting here recently and you are keen to discuss the Baha'i Faith, I suggest you visit Plant Baha'i at Delphi Forums.

Best wishes!

lunamoth
 
Hi, there! :)

As one of the Baha'is here, please let me welcome you to the forum and wish you well on your search! :)

I heartily agree with the suggestion that you check out the discussion area at www.planetbahai.org! It's mainly a batch message area like this one, but also has occasional live chats. We have a bunch of great folks there (both Baha'i and other), and they'll be more than happy to answer your questions and assist you.

As you plan to study the Bible, you might also want to check out:
http://bci.org/prophecy-fulfilled
which gives lots of details about the various Biblical prophecies about the Baha'i Faith, and how they fit together.

I wish you good hunting, and look forward to seeing you around, both here and at Planet Baha'i!

Best, :)

Bruce
 
thanks for your help, much appreciated.. think the site's server is down or maybe wrong url?
 
Postmaster said:
Can anyone one see the connection with this faith and the first and second world wars? This faith came just before them wars... 10's of Millions died.

The Báb (1819-1850)
Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892) founder

Abdu'l-Bahá (1844-1921)

World war one started 1914 then onward to world war 2
Click to expand...

As early as 1871 Baha'u'llah addressed Letetrs to the Rulers (Kaiser Wilhelm, Queen Victoria , Franz Josef, Napoleon III, Czar Alexander etc.) of Europe as well as Persia and the Ottoman Empire urgng them to reduce their armaments and establsih a world parliament.

For the most part these warnings and recommendations were ignored.

When Abdul-Baha came to the USA in 1912 He was invited to attend a Peace Conference held in New York, again He warned of impending war and of the necessity to establish peace.

Shoghi Effendi, Abdul-Baha's grandson also warned of the impending clouds of war well before WWII.

Baha'is today are supporting Baha'u'llah's principles of establshing a world parliament that He first recommended in 1871.

- Art
 
Amazing stuff... I figured out the connection of the faith and world wars by myself.. This is for sure a true religion.
 
Hi!

As was mentioned above, all the rulers to whom Baha'u'llah wrote ignored or rejected His announcement except Queen Victoria, who replied warmly. Baha'u'llah then promised her a long and successful reign, and issued further warnings to those who had rejected Him.

He specifically warned that Germany would have two upcoming chances, and would blow them both--which we see as a prophecy of the two world wars!

Regards,

Bruce
 
You can imagine how hard it would be for someone out of a strict christian upbringing to accpet a faith. Something drawn me to baha'i there is some pull on people with this faith for sure and I accpet its teachings. I don't need predictions to convince me otherwise however, they are interesting. I won't convert but I will forsure live my life differently from the teachings and it has helped me. The funny thing is, I had already thought about Baha'i teachings even before I knew about the faith.

You imagine messengers sent by God as part of divine plan to change man, its like God drops stones into a pond, the impact of each stone happens then the ripples will travel and largen untill they eventually expire. This is my idea :) Baha'i is a very powerfull faith at the moment because the impact of it has recently hit.
 
Postmaster,

The book Art mentioned is an excellent choice. It is from the the words of Baha'u'llah Himself, called The Summons of the Lord of Hosts.

I would like to add a book which might be of interest to you. It is called The Servant, The General, and Armageddon written by Roderic Maude and Derwent Maude. It is based on the papers of Field-Marshal Viscount Allenby. Some of the events were not recorded until years later, so conversations attested to could be inventions of the author, but the essence of the book is considered accurate. It is a good book to do more in-depth research from.

I would like to add something. You talked of "not wanting to convert to the Baha'i Faith". The word convert is not a term we use when talking of the acceptance of Baha'u'llah. We don't convert anyone. We don't even proselytize. If you accept the Baha'i Faith, the teaching of the Central Figures and Shoghi Effendi and the administrative order of the Universal House of Justice, then, in essence you are a Baha'i. If you wish to become part of the administrative order, then there is a declaration card which you can sign.

Baha'u'llah has told us that the world will unite one heart at a time. We believe that the process of this unification will come about because of peoples acceptance of the principles that Baha'u'llah gave us. Already many people have accepted these principles without any knowldge of Baha'u'llah.

So I wish you well in your journey and if someday you do choose to accept the station of Baha'u'llah openly maybe we will meet.

warmly,

Sassafras
 
Postmaster,

You asked for some form of spiritual guidance, and I fear that the responses, which centered mostly on Baha'i beliefs, didn't offer much by way of spiritual guidance.

Baha'u'llah enjoins us to, "Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths." (Note, according to Baha'i belief, the "ocean of My words" would include the Bible. The Word of God is the Word of God regardless of the name on the cover of the Book.)

Now, consider this metaphor. An ocean has currents. Its waters are deep. The expanse is vast.

The ocean moves us. We do not mold or shape it. Trying to mold or shape it is an exercise in futility. This is not immersion. When we are immersed, the ocean changes us. We do not change it.

Within this ocean, we find pearls of wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is about facts and figures. Knowledge is about what's true. Wisdom shows us how knowledge should be used. Wisdom is about proper conduct.

Lastly, my signature is about justice. It's only part of the full passage. The full passage reads:

O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behoveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.
Click to expand...

I pray the Holy Spirit shall guide you in your endeavor.
 
Postmaster,

You asked for some form of spiritual guidance, and I fear that the responses, which centered mostly on Baha'i beliefs, didn't offer much by way of spiritual guidance.

Baha'u'llah enjoins us to, "Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths." (Note, according to Baha'i belief, the "ocean of My words" would include the Bible. The Word of God is the Word of God regardless of the name on the cover of the Book.)

Now, consider this metaphor. An ocean has currents. Its waters are deep. The expanse is vast.

The ocean moves us. We do not mold or shape it. Trying to mold or shape it is an exercise in futility. This is not immersion. When we are immersed, the ocean changes us. We do not change it.

Within this ocean, we find pearls of wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is about facts and figures. Knowledge is about what's true. Wisdom shows us how knowledge should be used. Wisdom is about proper conduct.

Lastly, my signature is about justice. It's only part of the full passage. The full passage reads:

O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behoveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.
Click to expand...

I pray the Holy Spirit shall guide you in your endeavor.
 
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