Here are a podcast and notes on Bahá’í & 21st Century Tolerance (18 minutes).
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LESSON 7: Bahá’í & 21st Century Tolerance
- 1863
- Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892)
- From the perfect font of all wisdom, Wikipedia: "The canonical texts are the writings of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, and the authenticated talks of `Abdu'l-Bahá."
- Persia, India, Iran, and many other countries
Outreach tips
- Realize that the differences among the various world religions outweigh the similarities.
- Rethink what tolerance means (tolerance of persons, not tolerance of ideas!).
- Affirm the general spiritual "unity" of mankind in the sense of Acts 17:28. Yet take a stand on the more specific fact that only those born again are sons and daughters of God (Galatians 3:36-37; John 3:3,5,7; etc).
- Explain how Christianity is both inclusive and exclusive.
- Tell your friend you wish the Bahá’ís were right, but in life wishing for something doesn't necessarily make it so. For colorful illustration / humor, take a look at some of the bizarre religions people have invented in recent times.
- Re-study the doctrine of the Narrow Road in the Bible.
Further study: World Religions
- Order the AIM DVD series on Worldviews -- about 9 hours of study of the major religions of the world.
- Read Jesus & Islam.
- Visit the Worldviews section of my Amazon store for many helpful titles.
- Read chapter 11 of Compelling.
- Further facts:
- The Bab (1819-1850) the "John the Baptist" of Baha’i, was martyred in 1850.
- In 1852 Baha-Ullah received a vision, while in prison, of a divine woman who declared him to be “The Beauty of God amongst you.” Baha-Ullah claimed to be:
- the second coming of Christ—that John 14:16 was about him
- Maitreya—the second coming of Buddha.
- the new incarnation of Krishna
- the fulfillment of the “Day of God” in the Koran.
- The new religion began in Iran, then moved to Iraq and Lebanon before flooding the world.
- Ba’hai is the culmination of all the world’s religions. Progressive Revelation: Moses -> Krishna -> Buddha -> Jesus -> Muhammad -> Baha’Ullah. “Religious truth is not absolute, but relative.”
- No priests, no ceremony. Emphasis: good deeds, helping the poor, education.
- Monotheistic, but God is unknowable (“the most Exalted, the Inaccessible”).
- Strong emphasis on equality, education, peace.
- Salvation comes through keeping the law as handed down by Baha-Ullah.
- Jesus didn’t die for our sins, because he did not have to. Claims we’re imperfect, but not lost.
Response from a Baha'i:
Here is a challenging question for you: Can you be both a Bahai and Christian at the same time? I believe the Bahai Faith is not so broad as you make it out to be. As a Bahai I have to follow a narrow path too. By this I mean - I have to believe that Baha'u'llah is the latest Manifestation of God and then I must worship God by serving humanity (which I do -so I am a Bahai). It also means that I have to believe in Jesus Christ too. Therefore, I am still a Christian. No one can tell me that I do not love Jesus and that I am not "saved". Only God can do this. As a Bahai , I know there are many differences between the world religions, but I also know that they are all part of God's plan. In closing, I would have to agree with when you say: you wish the Bahá’ís were right, but "in life wishing for something doesn't necessarily make it so". Those that want to know, and truly pray to know, if Baha'u'llah is the Promised One of all religions, will find the truth. Oh, another challenging question: Why does history have to repeat itself when it comes to accepting the next Manifestation of God? (ie: Many didn't accept Moses and become Jewish. Many Jews are still awaiting the Messiah and haven't recognised Christ And most Christians (not this one) are still awaiting Christ's return.)
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