Is anyone here familiar with the Baha'i Faith?

[BigJohn]

Where I live, each year the local State College puts on a huge Book Fair.
I attend.

As I approach the various religious groups set up at the Book Fair, it is interesting to see 'shadow people' approach me and tell me why I should not go to their booths. I just laugh and continue......

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by sky123

Oh yes, bumpy times, there's potholes along the path.... It's not as straight as it looks from a distance.

Of course and, at times, it's difficult to abide in the stillness.

Nonetheless, I saw my teacher stay perfectly calm when we got caught in the middle of the riots at the Khumba Mela in India in 1998. It is possible to rise above the inner and outer turbulence.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Where I live, each year the local State College puts on a huge Book Fair.
I attend.

As I approach the various religious groups set up at the Book Fair, it is interesting to see 'shadow people' approach me and tell me why I should not go to their booths. I just laugh and continue......

That is hilarious ....but true.

Last night, we had a Baha'i meeting (online) and it was interesting to hear that , while they reportedly accept ALL the messengers of God, their messenger takes precedence when the obvious contradictions arise. They believe that their International House of Justice speaks on behalf of God in the current era. Ultimately, this translates into their way being the only true way and anyone who disagrees must be wrong.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

Of course and, at times, it's difficult to abide in the stillness.

Nonetheless, I saw my teacher stay perfectly calm when we got caught in the middle of the riots at the Khumba Mela in India in 1998. It is possible to rise above the inner and outer turbulence.

Crossed wires, I'm referring to Religions, never mind....

[Morpheus]

As far as I know the Bahai's do not subscribe to the Bible very much. They do have a problem with the supernatural.

They believe Christ is returning in the sense of a reincarnation. Rather than what the Bible affirms in Acts 1:11. The same way as He left.
Their perspective allows them to accept the prophesied ant-christ as the messiahs appearance.

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

I'm not a Baha'i and am wondering if anyone here is either a Baha'i or familiar with the Baha'i Faith. If so, please share your impressions.

Still Waters.,

No specific comment in regards to Baha'i but general comments in regards to any and all religions. I have observed and I suspect that there are genuine spiritual people in all religions but they are difficult to notice. The reason is that they have been successful in subduing their egos. They do not draw attention to themselves because they allow others their freedom, however errant it might appear, and avoid judgement of others. They do not present themselves as targets for criticism by others knowing that pursuing criticism is spiritually detrimental to others.

A side note: noticing your screen name of Still Waters made me think of a song by Jimmie Dale Gilmore...."Just a Wave, Not the Water".....look for it on YouTube and also look for the lyrics. In regards to this post....the ones we notice are the waves....but the real and genuine people are the water. Take care....:)

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by Morpheus

As far as I know the Bahai's do not subscribe to the Bible very much. They do have a problem with the supernatural.

They believe Christ is returning in the sense of a reincarnation. Rather than what the Bible affirms in Acts 1:11. The same way as He left.
Their perspective allows them to accept the prophesied ant-christ as the messiahs appearance.

My understanding also is that the Bahai's "do have a problem with the supernatural" and explain that as saying that "we are not meant to understand that at this time".

While they claim to accept the teachings of ALL messengers, I have never heard them quote anything from the Judaic-Christian Bible.

Also, it is not clear how they recognize "messengers" so I cannot rule out mistaking an anti-Christ for a "messenger". I don't know enough to comment on that one.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by Molearner

Still Waters.,

No specific comment in regards to Baha'i but general comments in regards to any and all religions. I have observed and I suspect that there are genuine spiritual people in all religions but they are difficult to notice. The reason is that they have been successful in subduing their egos. They do not draw attention to themselves because they allow others their freedom, however errant it might appear, and avoid judgement of others. They do not present themselves as targets for criticism by others knowing that pursuing criticism is spiritually detrimental to others.

A side note: noticing your screen name of Still Waters made me think of a song by Jimmie Dale Gilmore...."Just a Wave, Not the Water".....look for it on YouTube and also look for the lyrics. In regards to this post....the ones we notice are the waves....but the real and genuine people are the water. Take care....:)

Your general point is very well-taken. Over the years, I have noticed "genuine spiritual people in all religions but they are difficult to notice". They are often very very quiet and "do not draw attention to themselves because they allow others their freedom, however errant it might appear, and thus avoid judgment of others".

There are also what I call hidden masters who are not associated with any religion and they are incredibly wise if one has the good fortune to meet them.

As I mentioned in a post in the past, I met a "homeless" black man in NYC many years ago during my formative years and knew him for 9 years. He didn't reveal himself for 2 years and vanished mysteriously in clear daylight when "my work with you is done".

I absolutely LOVE your post !

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by sky123

Crossed wires, I'm referring to Religions, never mind....

Religions too have their "potholes" and some are so glaring that one wonders how people fall into them.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

My understanding also is that the Bahai's "do have a problem with the supernatural" and explain that as saying that "we are not meant to understand that at this time".

While they claim to accept the teachings of ALL messengers, I have never heard them quote anything from the Judaic-Christian Bible.

Also, it is not clear how they recognize "messengers" so I cannot rule out mistaking an anti-Christ for a "messenger". I don't know enough to comment on that one.

The Old Testament and New Testament are full of ' Supernatural '.

' Manifold are the verses that have been repeatedly revealed in all the heavenly Books and the holy Scriptures,..."[23] (Bahá'u'lláh)

"You must know the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God"[24] ('Abdu'l-Bahá)

"Surely the Bible is the book of God"[25] ('Abdu'l-Bahá) '

You will find lots of Biblical Quotes in Bahai's Scriptures.....