What do you think about Baha'i a religion?

[Helm]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD_Faith




I'm quite impressed by it it seems like the kind of non-exclusive unifying religion the world needs. Just a couple of things I'm not too keen on, they would forbid pre-marital and homosexual sex for instance, and alcohol. It's a little bit socialist as well but I don't mind that myself. And they have forbidden fantacism which is fine with me. To me this seems a little bit like Islam with many of the less than ideal bits removed, so I wouldn't mind seeing this take hold of that part of the world, and perhaps a good alternative to Christianity in the West as well. Not an alternative for atheism of course because we pretty much agree with this minus the God whole aspect, but you can't get the world to stop believing in God.

• Unity of God
• Unity of religion
• Unity of humankind
• Equality between men and women
• Elimination of all forms of prejudice
• World peace
• Harmony of religion and science
• Independent investigation of truth
• Universal compulsory education
• Universal auxiliary language
• Obedience to government and non-involvement in partisan politics unless submission to law amounts to a denial of Faith.
• Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty

[Dr. Oza]

What about it?

Started as an Islamic offshoot.

Became a "combine it all" modern religion that kind of artificially made itself more rational and "humane" than what people consider the religions to be.

[Helm]

What about it?

Started as an Islamic offshoot.

Became a "combine it all" modern religion that kind of artificially made itself more rational and "humane" than what people consider the religions to be.

But all religions are "artificially made" at the end of the day as far as I'm concerned. This religion like most others founded by a prophet whos coming was foretold through divine revelation so it has all the proper credentials. Also this prophet is 100% historical and he was certainly forward thinking, there was very little concept of ethnic and gender equality in the 19th century.

[Tuor]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD_Faith




I'm quite impressed by it it seems like the kind of non-exclusive unifying religion the world needs. Just a couple of things I'm not too keen on, they would forbid pre-marital and homosexual sex for instance, and alcohol. It's a little bit socialist as well but I don't mind that myself. And they have forbidden fantacism which is fine with me. To me this seems a little bit like Islam with many of the less than ideal bits removed, so I wouldn't mind seeing this take hold of that part of the world, and perhaps a good alternative to Christianity in the West as well. Not an alternative for atheism of course because we pretty much agree with this minus the God whole aspect, but you can't get the world to stop believing in God.

• Unity of God
• Unity of religion
• Unity of humankind
• Equality between men and women
• Elimination of all forms of prejudice
• World peace
• Harmony of religion and science
• Independent investigation of truth
• Universal compulsory education
• Universal auxiliary language
• Obedience to government and non-involvement in partisan politics unless submission to law amounts to a denial of Faith.
• Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty

Why do we need a religion to accomplish all of those things? I have no problem with it, excluding the no gay intercourse and no pre-marital sex parts.

[Col. Tartleton]

I know some people who are Baha'i but that's all I know about it. I'm sure it will catch on... (I doubt it will catch on.)

[boofhead]

It's rubbish.

[Babur]

It's rubbish.

elaborate on that , Baha'is don't seem that bad imo

[Helm]

A universal auxiliary language? Isn't that English?

[Col. Tartleton]

I believe so. <-- English being a prime example of an auxiliary language because of it's origins. The only reason against it is the Anglophobia by many people against the anglophonic world. I think a modified version of English would be best (ie streamlined a bit to sort out all the craziness going on) but Latin might be better since it's a very well known language spoken by no one... Even Romans and Catholics don't really speak Latin anymore. But Doctors, Lawyers, Clergy, and anyone with a taste for History will at least be familiar with it. I think that's a better angle. Latin is similar to a lot of languages that are not what we consider close to it. Even Arabic is pretty Latin once you get past that damn calligraphy... (chicken scratch IMO.)

I just don't like people claiming themselves to be prophets. It's one thing if others label you "prophetic" in your insight. But I can't think of any sin worse than believing oneself to be the truth. Every philosopher's life should be spent struggling to make their creed closer to correct (which they will never reach). That's why I don't like prophets who claim to have gotten it right in one go. I don't care if they think Sophia whispered in their ear, they can always work to improve it.

For example I think think the Cardinal Virtues and Theological Virtues to be a good basis to live one's life. I think that's a pretty good list. But in a moderate manner. Faith in a divine intervention (a deus ex machina) is good if it gives you the ability to endure, but doing nothing and expecting to be rescued is irresponsible. Angels might have caught Jesus in the story but I'm going to guess no amount of faith will prevent one from falling to one's death. I think there are some (emphasis on some) I guess "universal truths" philosophically in Catholicism (primarily the works of Aquinas) and no amount of soft or hard atheism will make a sane person say they are bad simply because they are Christian.

[Tiberios]

Nothing. I really don't care about it.

[Helm]

As far as prophets go, and prophets tend to be manipulative con artists who are in it for personal gain, this guy doesn't seem quite so bad to me. Also the faith he came up with seems to address som of the main objections I have in regard to Christianity and Islam so I would give it a thumbs up, but not quite a seal of approval, even though Buddha is included it's still Abrahamic.

This is what the seal of approval looks like.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Gromovnik]

As far as prophets go, and prophets tend to be manipulative con artists who are in it for personal gain...

Can you give us an example? I know a perfect one...
Anyway, I don't mind the Bahai, as long as they don't start blowing things up.

[Helm]

Can you give us an example? I know a perfect one...

Joesph Smith?

Anyway, I don't mind the Bahai, as long as they don't start blowing things up.

They can't seeing as fanaticism is forbidden, it's one up on atheism where fanaticism is technically still allowed.

[Gromovnik]

Joesph Smith?

lol, yeah, this guy is such a pimp. Nr. 2 on my "sickest prophet" list...

[Col. Tartleton]

In it's favor the Shia clergy hate it...

[The Million Dollar Prons]

You can't have your cake but then have all flavors of cake at the same time you're just gonna get fat and then you'll wind up an atheist anyway Oh come on Million Dollar Prons why can't you let any religion have fun?

[Helm]

You can't have your cake but then have all flavors of cake at the same time you're just gonna get fat and then you'll wind up an atheist anyway Oh come on Million Dollar Prons why can't you let any religion have fun?

You could have a slice of neapolitan cake. The layers there you have Islam, Christianity and Buddhism.

[The Million Dollar Prons]

Well the difference between Neopalitan and Islam Chrsitianity and Buddhism is they actually do go together on the cake. Although I have been known to devour Islam and Buddhism for breakfast SPINAROONIE

[Helm]

Well the difference between Neopalitan and Islam Chrsitianity and Buddhism is they actually do go together on the cake. Although I have been known to devour Islam and Buddhism for breakfast SPINAROONIE

Buddhism can go with anything, often people who practice Buddhism follow some other religion or they're material atheists, it's more something you do than believe in. I'm not sure about Christianity and Islam, but they're more or less the same kind of thing with a difference in the details.

[Shot]

I don't comment about religion tho but it seem fine.