@xxxcrowwingsxxx Thank you for your comment. A scholarly essay written at Vanderbilt University in 1996 identifies 5 defining characteristics of a cult: 1) a leader demanding total authority, 2) the use of "controlling" techniques, 3) social and physical isolation, 4) extreme or fanatical behavior, and 5) secrecy and deception. A critical examination of the Bahai Faith showed that it did not embody any of these characteristics.
The reason there are many religions is that this is a Garden of Eden, full of many paths suited to different karmic development and predilections. Just as a school (which is there for knowledge) has many different kinds of courses and classes. Many religions all sincerely seeking and revealing God (by varied paths) is way better than "one religion" that is materialistic and does not seek God. (The Baha'i Faith.)
The Baha'i faith has few spiritual concepts. Mostly all worldly/material concepts.
@BookOfFlaws Thank you for your comment. Yes, the Baha'i Faith is active in the world, building Houses of Worship, publishing literature, engaging in service and administering the affairs of a global community, but this doesn’t make the Baha’i Faith materialistic. Looking after the spiritual and practical needs of a world-wide community of more than 5 million souls requires material means. Rest assured that contributions are voluntary and resources are used wisely for the benefit of humanity.
What makes the Baha'i Faith materialistic, aside from their prominent emphasis on their buildings, is the fact that Baha'i conversation is all about the world, saving the world, "teaching," getting more numbers. This is all you hear about at their events and meetings. There is very little emphasis on the soul, the God within, meditation, metaphysics. It is indeed a very world-focused religion.
@BookOfFlaws As Baha’is we believe that we have a twofold moral purpose. It is crucial to focus on spiritual growth and the acquisition of virtues. However, we are also cautioned not to focus solely on our own spiritual development in a manner that is removed from a consideration of the context in which we live. That is to say that our efforts to acquire spiritual perfections must go hand in hand with our efforts to serve humanity and contribute to the advancement of civilization.
Spiritual growth comes from recognizing the exterior world as transitory and worthless and coming to seek God within. That's actually what your "Hidden Words" says, plus the scriptures you say that you "recognize," but the "Baha'i Faith" ignores it.
"and the acquisition of virtues."
The chief virtue is love-of-God. Your religion does not give guidance about this. It loves the world instead.
humans need spiritually ( to wonder about our purpose and place ) and religion takes alot away from spiritually. hooks you in with promises and propaganda. this is just like scientology without the aliens, so far
@stalkingcat123 -- Religion and spiritual knowledge are intimately connected, of course. Religion is the guidebook left by others for how to acquire spiritual knowledge. There is no profound spiritual knowledge/experience without religion pointing to how to get it, except in the case of those who come into it naturally through karmic development. Then if they try to record their methods, that becomes "religion." Those who praise the "spiritual" but attack religion are complete idiots.
@BookOfFlaws Naw, people that follow religion and claim to be spiritual and enlightened are complete idiots. As you explain religion, one guy finds a great way to live and writes it down. Next generation comes around it becomes waterd down and uneffective, because the needs of society change. If you cannot think for yourself, if you have to be told what to think which is what religion does (thats why they are called "preachers"), then your not spiritual, your a pretender.
@stalkingcat123 -- Whoever attains samadhi and tells the way for others has recorded valuable knowledge. That's religion: The highest and most useful knowledge available in the world for the ending of sorrows. Lusting over buildings is no substitute for genuine religious knowledge.
@BookOfFlaws Just thinking that religion is required for a person to be spiritual is nothing but absurd brainwashing at work. All religions say "you need us". When really it's religions that need us, without your donations where would religion be?
@stalkingcat123 -- Religious is the body of knowledge on how to attain spiritual knowledge. That is obvious. Saying "religion is one thing, spiritual knowledge is another" -- is like saying "milk is one thing, cows are something completely different." Simply dumb.
@BookOfFlaws Then why do all mammals make milk? Every single mammal. milks is completely different then a cow... a cow has many proteins, fats,carbs, electrical signals and thoughts that milk simply does not have. Milk is not living it comes from life but so does honey and sap. simply bad analogy
@xxxcrowwingsxxx Thank you for your comment. A scholarly essay written at Vanderbilt University in 1996 identifies 5 defining characteristics of a cult: 1) a leader demanding total authority, 2) the use of "controlling" techniques, 3) social and physical isolation, 4) extreme or fanatical behavior, and 5) secrecy and deception. A critical examination of the Bahai Faith showed that it did not embody any of these characteristics.
BahaiNationalCenter 1 month ago
The reason there are many religions is that this is a Garden of Eden, full of many paths suited to different karmic development and predilections. Just as a school (which is there for knowledge) has many different kinds of courses and classes. Many religions all sincerely seeking and revealing God (by varied paths) is way better than "one religion" that is materialistic and does not seek God. (The Baha'i Faith.)
The Baha'i faith has few spiritual concepts. Mostly all worldly/material concepts.
BookOfFlaws 1 month ago
@BookOfFlaws Thank you for your comment. Yes, the Baha'i Faith is active in the world, building Houses of Worship, publishing literature, engaging in service and administering the affairs of a global community, but this doesn’t make the Baha’i Faith materialistic. Looking after the spiritual and practical needs of a world-wide community of more than 5 million souls requires material means. Rest assured that contributions are voluntary and resources are used wisely for the benefit of humanity.
BahaiNationalCenter 1 month ago
@BahaiNationalCenter -- "but this doesn’t make the Baha’i Faith materialistic."
What makes the Baha'i Faith materialistic, aside from their prominent emphasis on their buildings, is the fact that Baha'i conversation is all about the world, saving the world, "teaching," getting more numbers. This is all you hear about at their events and meetings. There is very little emphasis on the soul, the God within, meditation, metaphysics. It is indeed a very world-focused religion.
BookOfFlaws 1 week ago
@BookOfFlaws As Baha’is we believe that we have a twofold moral purpose. It is crucial to focus on spiritual growth and the acquisition of virtues. However, we are also cautioned not to focus solely on our own spiritual development in a manner that is removed from a consideration of the context in which we live. That is to say that our efforts to acquire spiritual perfections must go hand in hand with our efforts to serve humanity and contribute to the advancement of civilization.
BahaiNationalCenter 1 week ago
@BahaiNationalCenter -- "It is crucial to focus on spiritual growth"
Spiritual growth comes from recognizing the exterior world as transitory and worthless and coming to seek God within. That's actually what your "Hidden Words" says, plus the scriptures you say that you "recognize," but the "Baha'i Faith" ignores it.
"and the acquisition of virtues."
The chief virtue is love-of-God. Your religion does not give guidance about this. It loves the world instead.
BookOfFlaws 5 days ago
humans need spiritually ( to wonder about our purpose and place ) and religion takes alot away from spiritually. hooks you in with promises and propaganda. this is just like scientology without the aliens, so far
stalkingcat123 1 month ago
@stalkingcat123 -- Religion and spiritual knowledge are intimately connected, of course. Religion is the guidebook left by others for how to acquire spiritual knowledge. There is no profound spiritual knowledge/experience without religion pointing to how to get it, except in the case of those who come into it naturally through karmic development. Then if they try to record their methods, that becomes "religion." Those who praise the "spiritual" but attack religion are complete idiots.
BookOfFlaws 1 month ago
@BookOfFlaws Naw, people that follow religion and claim to be spiritual and enlightened are complete idiots. As you explain religion, one guy finds a great way to live and writes it down. Next generation comes around it becomes waterd down and uneffective, because the needs of society change. If you cannot think for yourself, if you have to be told what to think which is what religion does (thats why they are called "preachers"), then your not spiritual, your a pretender.
stalkingcat123 1 month ago
@stalkingcat123 -- Whoever attains samadhi and tells the way for others has recorded valuable knowledge. That's religion: The highest and most useful knowledge available in the world for the ending of sorrows. Lusting over buildings is no substitute for genuine religious knowledge.
BookOfFlaws 1 week ago
@BookOfFlaws Just thinking that religion is required for a person to be spiritual is nothing but absurd brainwashing at work. All religions say "you need us". When really it's religions that need us, without your donations where would religion be?
stalkingcat123 1 month ago
@stalkingcat123 -- Religious is the body of knowledge on how to attain spiritual knowledge. That is obvious. Saying "religion is one thing, spiritual knowledge is another" -- is like saying "milk is one thing, cows are something completely different." Simply dumb.
BookOfFlaws 1 week ago
@BookOfFlaws Then why do all mammals make milk? Every single mammal. milks is completely different then a cow... a cow has many proteins, fats,carbs, electrical signals and thoughts that milk simply does not have. Milk is not living it comes from life but so does honey and sap. simply bad analogy
stalkingcat123 1 week ago