Search found 753 matches
- Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:11 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: OVERCOMING THE CHAOS OF INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY
- Replies: 27
- Views: 56922
Re: Covenant and fundamentalism (Universal House of Justice)
... not only are Bahá'ís urged to uphold the principle of unfettered search after truth, but they have also been encouraged from the time of the Faith's inception to pursue knowledge in all its forms and to excel in such attainments. ... Yes, we persue knowledge from all sources. We disgard the one...
- Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:26 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Another movies thread b
- Replies: 2
- Views: 7835
Hello Brett, Perhaps you are too kind, and lenient. His stated occupation does not inspire confidence in his character or comfort with his sense of "humor." :( You are right. On his profile, his stated occupation is "Running over hippy scum." Apart from it not being the sort of thing I'd expect a c...
- Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:03 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Overcoming the chaos of religious diversity
- Replies: 3
- Views: 10140
Excellent, excellent post yet again... Let's see. Obviously there is a lot of financial gain for mother's letting their sons detonate themselves. Their families get a lot in return. I don't agree with some of the stuff, especially the theory of the pent-up libido which is relieved through suicide. A...
- Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:23 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: OVERCOMING THE CHAOS OF INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY
- Replies: 27
- Views: 56922
Re: green meme / Jean Gebser's book "The Ever-Present O
Baha'i culture, at present, is highly influenced by the "feel good" narcicissm of postmodernity. Postmodernists will engage in "inquisitorial" behavior (thought policing) against any form of expression that is considered "potentially offensive" to some "victimized" social group. In general, violati...
- Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:07 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: THINKERS ANONYMOUS
- Replies: 12
- Views: 26259
I'm lost...is this your own personal story? You mention "the wife and the husband." Anyhow, it is saddening to think that there are people who don't think at all about the meaning of life... However, as the story poignantly illustrates, if there is an excess of time devoted to thinking about these t...
- Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:48 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: It is not his to boast who loveth his country , but
- Replies: 3
- Views: 11640
Richard: I don't really get your question. If it's about disciple, Baha'is do believe in discipline. When you discipline (i.e. different from vengeance) someone, you do it because you love him. You do it because you know that if you do not correct his maladaptive behavior, he will go on acting in dy...
- Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:16 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: OVERCOMING THE CHAOS OF INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY
- Replies: 27
- Views: 56922
- Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:10 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: OVERCOMING THE CHAOS OF INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY
- Replies: 27
- Views: 56922
Although it is not comparable to this, I might also add that in the other thread, BW, please do tone it down a bit with Abbas. It's fine (and appreciated) to offer points and counterpoints, but we don't need to force anything. It can be just as productive, and moreso without doing so. I agree Brett...
- Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:59 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Thoughts for teachers and believers
- Replies: 2
- Views: 9602
Dear Richard: You said: You concluded with: "Thanks again for the post, and I hope it leads to a fruitful discussion." Thank you, BW, I hope so too, but i think many of us have gone through the religious problem of excesses in egotistical intellectualism and theological dogma before we become intere...
- Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:38 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Thoughts for teachers and believers
- Replies: 2
- Views: 9602
Nice post. A lot of Baha'i principles can be found that discourse. For example, the quote "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if any man will open, I will come in" reminded me of a Hidden Word by Baha'u'llah comparing the heart (house, door, etc.) to a place where He takes refuge if one open...
- Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:37 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
- Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:54 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Abbas, Brett and Pilgrimbrent both make good points, and you should try to see that what they are saying is logical. Again, Abbas, let's go back to the quote by Baha'u'llah: Abú-`Abdi'lláh, questioned concerning the character of the Mihdí, answered saying: "He will perform that which Muhammad, the M...
- Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:22 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Anti-Bahai Websites
- Replies: 13
- Views: 25903
"Sipihr, the Qajar Court chronicler mustering the full force of his sobriety, reports that Qurratul Ayn Tahera not only believed in the unveiling of women, but endorsed the marriage of one wife to nine husbands. For her public addresses, he says: "She would decorate her assembly room like a bridal ...
- Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:14 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Anti-Bahai Websites
- Replies: 13
- Views: 25903
"If any man were to arise to defend, in his writings, the Cause of God against its assailants, such a man, however inconsiderable his share, shall be so honored in the world to come that the Concourse on high would envy his glory. No pen can depict the loftiness of his station, neither can any tong...
- Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:53 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Pretending to be Intrested in Bahai faith???
- Replies: 5
- Views: 15222
Even in Iran as I have heard, Muslims would be paid to attend, for example, Baha'i firesides, and in the middle of the event they'd start shouting (protesting) things like "Why does Baha'u'llah say to be like a fire to your enemies," things like that. And they'd have a few verses memorized and keep ...
- Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:47 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Anti-Bahai Websites
- Replies: 13
- Views: 25903
- Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:17 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
All right then, the exam is over, let's get started. :) Again, your assertion that, "To me, the difference between symbolism and literal verses are showed clearly in Quran," is obviously wrong. It obviously isnt since you havent proved anything to indicate that it is a mistake. Technically, it isn't...
- Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:25 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
- Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:51 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Anti-Bahai Websites
- Replies: 13
- Views: 25903
- Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:45 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Abbas, Again, your assertion that, "To me, the difference between symbolism and literal verses are showed clearly in Quran," is obviously wrong. If that were the case, then there would be no need for scholarship. Perhaps you have another explanation as to why there are Muslim scholars, and why there...
- Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:53 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Thanks for adding that, Brett. Personally I'm partial to Rodwell myself, though I recognize his cynicism toward the Prophet. (For example, Rodwell speculates that the Prophet in the later suras spoke less of the Houri because at that time His older wife died and He received many young wives—I can tr...
- Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:36 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Sun and Moon
- Replies: 4
- Views: 11215
- Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:33 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
No thats not true. As shown above, it does not say we cannot differentiate between what is symbolic and what is literal, so therefore Muslims can say which verses are figurative/literal. Apparently not, at least those who think the Resurrection is literal, for example. See my previous post where I ...
- Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:23 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Well since Muslims believe Islam as being the way of life, they dont see a need for another revelation. Religion is the law of life and doesnt need to change to suit society. Society requires change to suit Allah's laws. I guess it depends how you look at it. The only reason for religion is to bett...
- Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:12 pm
- Forum: Commercial
- Topic: Divine thinkings (a site created by the sikh community)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 22534
- Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:11 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Right BW, though I love the best spiritual truths I see in all religions, I must believe they all focus on the same, one and only God of all, even though He is given many names. This same belief is held by Baha'is, as you know. Further, I am unable to believe He is affiliated with any church or rel...
- Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:08 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: was Baha'u'llah green?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 16781
- Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:17 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Sun and Moon
- Replies: 4
- Views: 11215
No, not specifically—not to the best of my knowledge anyway. Here is an explanation by someone who is now either a covenant breaker or disenrolled (and attacks the Faith), but this was written before he became embittered with the Faith, I believe, so it's okay: "Any verse of scripture, then, carries...
- Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:56 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Well Abbas, Brett seems to have responded to your comments quite well, and I don't think I could have provided a reply nearly as dexterously as he did. In addition, I suggest two things. Again, as Brett said, read the Iqan , but don't read it like it's your organic chemistry textbook that you want t...
- Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:33 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Let me put it this way. Does the Bible talk about a physical heaven and hell? Now ask yourself, can some of what the Bible says be taken symbolically? (I assume your answer here is also yes since you said so of the Koran.) Yes ofcourse some of what the Bible says should be taken symbolically. The s...
- Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:33 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Vegetarian,uncut hairs....... according to bahai faith??
- Replies: 13
- Views: 28086
- Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:31 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Wat is diffrence between bahai and muslims?????
- Replies: 19
- Views: 42805
Sikhsm, For more info, check out http://www.bahaindia.org/ . (Also babai.org). You can easily find Baha'is in your area, and given that the greatest number of Baha'is live in India, it shouldn't be hard locating them. They would be more than happy to have you there. You can exchange ideas, etc., and...
- Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:27 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Because a physical heaven and hell in the next life wouldn't make any sense. The only material life we will live in is this one. If you assume that there is a hell, then there are many problems that come up. Isn't your flesh going to blacken to a point, and then be burnt to a crisp when you're burn...
- Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:17 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
abbas tell me one thing who is more important GOD...or UHJ?....I just answered your question... Surely no man or institution is more important than God. But the UHJ has been divinely appointed, and in my opinion, whatever the UHJ declares is the same as God declaring it, since their decisions are i...
- Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:08 pm
- Forum: Non-Baha'i issues
- Topic: Guru nanak's birthday
- Replies: 2
- Views: 22932
- Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:47 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Re: Symbolic = Confusion????
and also i really want to know why the word symbolic happens to be answer to everything..... No, there are prophesies that are fulfilled literally (like those referring to the 12th imams age, height, etc.) Most of the things that i read in the quran since i have started reserach in this forum, we e...
- Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:37 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Symbolic = Confusion????
- Replies: 44
- Views: 77011
Asal: I don't know what made you think that (my last post in "my confusion"?) But 'Abdu'l-Baha tells us to learn the proofs and go use them to teach the Cause. Dialogue between members of other Faiths, including discourse using the proofs, is actually encouraged—as long as it doesn't turn into some ...
- Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:59 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: who are the members??
- Replies: 1
- Views: 7099
For info on the UHJ: http://www.bahai.org/article-1-3-0-6.html Also this wikipedia page provides a good overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_House_of_Justice "The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith. Its nine members are elected every five ...
- Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:53 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: WHEN FREEWILL LOSES ITS THRILL
- Replies: 2
- Views: 9404
It is certainly tempting to misuse this free will to satisfy the perverted lusts of men, be it for power, correctness, or whatever. This free will needs some direction, and religion should be the director. But not the religion of men—man's idle fancies—but the religion of God, which is far exalted a...
- Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:45 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
Abbas: I can see this is going no where, and I think Richard saw this long before. I hope you at least admit that the majority of people of particular religions were wrong in their (mis)interpretations of the Texts, as the Koran says, and thus the Manifestation of God passes them by without them kno...
- Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:35 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
Hi Nilofer: You said: my mother asked some mullah at my place and wat they said is that bahais are misguided. He wouldn't have been a mullah had he said otherwise. according to wat he said, after prophet muhammed and before the day of the judgement there will be no more prophets or messengers who wi...
- Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:54 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
Masjid=place of worship. Though this word just means place of worship, it was adopted by Muslims to mean their place of worship. Yes, it was adopted by Muslims to mean their place of worship, a place of prayer. Doesnt necessarily mean a Mosque. If i say i want to go to the Jamai (cant spell it corr...
- Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:03 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
"O children of Adam! wear your goodly apparel when ye repair to any mosque, and eat ye and drink; but exceed not, for He loveth not those who exceed." Who are mosques intended for? Muslims. So if Muhammad is talking to Muslims in a "O children of Adam" verse, telling them (Muslims) to worship, then...
- Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:55 am
- Forum: News
- Topic: "Marijuana May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease"
- Replies: 19
- Views: 74427
- Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:14 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: False Prophets
- Replies: 8
- Views: 17888
Here's a whole bunch more of 'false prophets' <<(my designation)>> listed by Shoghi Effendi in 'The World Order of Baha'u'llah' p.187: "The recrudescence of religious intolerance, of racial animosity, and of patriotic arrogance; the increasing evidences of selfishness, of suspicion, of fear and of ...
- Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:58 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
For Surah 7, i didnt realise that it was the same Surah where Allah creates Adam and Ibliss doesnt bow down to him. Until i read it, i realised what the Surah was about. Again, personally im reading it as a story and Allah saying to Adam's people that there will be messengers amongst you. And again...
- Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:40 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Men
- Replies: 7
- Views: 13499
Re: obscure
"You must excuse me for keeping you waiting, Dr Grant. I am very, very sorry to have kept you waiting, very sorry. But I was captured by three hundred women this afternoon. Is it not a dreadful thing to be captured by so many women? (At this I felt wickedly amused.) "The women in America dominate t...
- Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:51 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Jinn
- Replies: 12
- Views: 27298
'Abdu'l-Baha suggests that while the jinn might signify be people who are created with the fire of the love of God, etc. it can also refer to people who reject God's Manifestation (hence Adam) because of their haughtiness and arrogance. Interesting. So what do you think, Abbas? Sound like is reason...
- Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:39 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Helo from Singapore girl! :)
- Replies: 0
- Views: 7268
- Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:37 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: False Prophets
- Replies: 8
- Views: 17888
- Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:33 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
Richard, Agreed. Proofs, while useful, will do no good (even if the seeker is convinced of the proofs) unless the seeker can open the soul to Baha'u'llah's words, and allow his soul to do the work (respond to the spiritual energy contained within these Words). (I am not talking about anyone here spe...
- Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:28 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
Plus the Quran doesnt actually clearly state there is a coming manifestation. Its all to do with a persons interpretation and understanding. If it was clear, then i would have signed my membership card by now. ;) Yes it does. As I have shown you in 7:34–35; you haven't provided a counterargument. W...
- Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:14 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Men
- Replies: 7
- Views: 13499
I don't know what you mean about boys dressing less masculine, unless you mean cross-dressing; the Bible speaks against this, but I don't know of anything in the Baha'i Writings about it (besides perhaps the injunction to be normal and moderate, but this can obviously be bent quite a bit without an...
- Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:51 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Men
- Replies: 7
- Views: 13499
Men
This topic concerns this quote: The world in the past has been ruled by force, and man has dominated over woman by reason of his more forceful and aggressive qualities both of body and mind. But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance, and mental alertness, intuition, and the ...
- Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:48 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
- Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:41 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: my confusion
- Replies: 85
- Views: 129717
one lady is coming home to teach me the verses in the quran n its meaning.. whenever there comes any verse about the revelations being given to the messengers she says it is to prophet muhammed n not any other. she says that the quran soesnt speak of a coming of another prophet after prophet muhamm...
- Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:05 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
I was just saying that I was under the impression that Sunnis used the word "mahdi" and Shi'ahs used Qa'im. I've seen lplenty of Shi'as use the word Mahdi. Mahdi in Shiite = twelfth imam (Qa'im). Sunnis don't use the "Qa'im," right? Well, maybe some Shi'as prefer the one term over the other. Not th...
- Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:05 pm
- Forum: News
- Topic: "Marijuana May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease"
- Replies: 19
- Views: 74427
Thanks again Brett for your input. You truly yourself are a Baha'i warrior, and you are very skilled in the use of spiritual weaponry (the Baha'i Writings). There is no stronger fortress than a fixed knowledge of the Baha'i texts, and of knowledge in general. This forum, in my opinion, would indeed ...
- Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:56 am
- Forum: Non-Baha'i issues
- Topic: Please introduce yourself???
- Replies: 26
- Views: 93218
The reason i came to this website is to determine whether the Imam Mahdi (a.s) and Prophet Isa (a.s) have truly returned as prophecised in Islam. Also, to understand the Bahai faith and teach my gf the true beliefs. They have returned, trust me. :) <--See, doesn't this emoticon give you the sense t...
- Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:37 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Responding to those who take advantage of others...
- Replies: 3
- Views: 9757
Yes, it is very easy to feel friendly toward the friendly, particularly when they really believe in friendliness. You are not a Baha'i?! Wow, now that is a rude awakening for me :shock:. The whole time I was thinking, if there's any Baha'i on this forum, it's got to be you. As for joining anything,...
- Sun Oct 29, 2006 12:55 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
- Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:34 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
- Sun Oct 29, 2006 2:09 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
Ok cool. Just wanted to confirm that manifestation didnt actually mean he was a material form of God as others may have interpreted it. Thanks Abbas No, that would contradict the Koran, and our holy writings too! :) By the way, am I correct to assume that you are Sunni? What country do you live in/...
- Sun Oct 29, 2006 2:04 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Need Help Before Convert
- Replies: 15
- Views: 29209
Studies also show that the longer people have lived with others, the less likely a future marriage for either of them will be able to succeed. Thanks for bringing this important point up, Brett. I have also read this, that cohabitation statistically leads to less satisfactory marriages. I have a fa...
- Sun Oct 29, 2006 12:14 am
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
So would it be correct to say that God communicated directly to Bahaullah who revealed His revelations? Yes. He receives the revelation from God, and whatever spiritual knowledge or learning from the books of men that He may wish to possess, this knowledge is instantly given (revealed) to Him. Here...
- Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:28 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
As the Koran says, we can't see God. So through His Manifestation He communicates with us. In other words, what Manifestations reveal are in essence what God reveals. What Baha'u'llah revealed wasn't through angels, it was through God. No intermediaries. But still, like Muhammad, Baha'u'llah receive...
- Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:20 pm
- Forum: News
- Topic: "Marijuana May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease"
- Replies: 19
- Views: 74427
most doctors agree that when you do it, it relaxes you, and therefore allows you to concentrate more. :) lol. I don't know where you get your statistics from... http://www.rxmarihuana.com/pembroke.htm also, http://www.rxmarijuana.com "Shared stories" don't weight that much, sorry. Same with Los Ang...
- Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:10 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Jinn
- Replies: 12
- Views: 27298
- Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:52 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Revelation
- Replies: 16
- Views: 25315
- Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:51 pm
- Forum: Discussion
- Topic: Need Help Before Convert
- Replies: 15
- Views: 29209