richard wrote:Force, coercion, swords, and war are not manifestations of truth and can never spread nor reveal truth.
Then you will feel right at home here, as Baha'u'llah has abolished the use of the sword as a means of spreading the Faith.
richard wrote:Neither force nor the dead theory of even the highest religious doctrines have the power to transform human character or to control mortal behavior.
Very true. Only the person can change himself, and others cannot force that change upon him. That is the whole idea of the Baha'i principle of the independent investigation of truth. When a kid in a Baha'i family turns 15, he has to decide for himself which direction he will go religiously speaking. His parents cannot force him to become a Baha'i, or any other religion.
richard wrote:What the world of today needs is the truth which your teacher of old declared: "Not in word only but also in the spiritual truth & power of the Holy Spirit." The seed of theoretical truth is dead, the highest moral concepts without effect, unless and until the divine Spirit breathes upon the forms of truth and quickens the formulas of righteousness without force.
I agree with that...except that what the world needs most of all right now is the teachings and social principles of Baha'u'llah. Study them if you want, and look at the state of the world, then see if you agree.
richard wrote:The Spirit of Truth never drives, only leads. If you are a willing learner, if you want to attain spirit levels and reach divine heights, if you sincerely desire to reach the eternal goal, then the divine Spirit will gently and lovingly lead you along the pathway of sonship, spiritual progress, even on to Truth. Every step you take must be one of willingness, intelligent and cheerful co-operation. The domination of the Spirit is never tainted with coercion nor compromised by compulsion.
All of this is true.
richard wrote:Always respect the personality of man. Never should a righteous cause be promoted by force; spiritual victories can be won only by spiritual power.
Again, 100% in conformity with Baha'i belief.
...I am getting the sense at this point that your are quoting from a source...if you are, could you please always cite your sources Richard!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!