To read an official/well-written answer, please visit: http://info.bahai.org/abdulbaha-center-of-covenant.html
OR...
For your amusement and consideration of a four-year-old's perspective, I have provided Jamilah's current understanding below
During our weekly prayer gathering yesterday evening, Jamilah identified a photo of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in one of the books, and pointed to it and said "God." Not quite Jamilah, since we were in the middle of a prayer, I just simply shook my head.
After prayers, I decided to teach Jamilah a song about 'Abdu'l-Bahá -- I taught her "Look at me, Follow me" and explained that 'Abdu'l-Bahá is someone we should look to and follow -- he is a good example of how we should behave.
When Jamilah was asked this week on numerous occasions what does 'Abdu'l-Bahá want us to do, her responses included:
Do nice things
Listen to our Moms and Dads and the teachers
Say prayers and be nice to the trees
Be nice to the plants
Don't hit, and don't scratch, and don't kick, and don't pinch, and don't punch their nose
Play at the park
Don't throw sand
I personally think she comprehends his being and purpose quite well for only four years of being acquainted with his words, stories, photos, and spirit.
So this religion proclaims that it is a bridge between the major religions of christianity and islam? I have to be honest and have never heard of of this religion and read the link you provided. So from my understanding that, Abdu'l-Baha is viewed like Jesus. That he is a form of God or a servant of God. Which would you say would be more closely related to Bahai....Islam or Christianity?
ReplyDeleteRE: Baha'i Faith being a bridge between major religions -- I hope the below helps to clarify your understanding.
ReplyDeleteBahá'ís believe that Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Muhammad, The Bab, and Bahá'u'lláh are all equally authentic messengers of one God. The teachings of these divine messengers are seen as paths to salvation which contribute to the "carrying forward of an ever-advancing civilization."
"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose."
-- Bahá'u'lláh
RE: 'Abdu'l-Bahá being viewed like Jesus -- I hope the below helps to clarify your understanding.
'Abdu'l-Bahá was the son of the manifestation of God and founder of the Baha'i Faith, Bahá'u'lláh. The name, 'Abdu'l-Bahá translates to Servant of Glory and Bahá'u'lláh translates to Glory of God. Baha'is believe Bahá'u'lláh was a manifestation of God in similar manner to viewing Jesus Christ as a manifestation and/or son of God. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was not a manifestation of God but a servant of God with the sacred duty to ensure the unity of the Bahá'í community and preserve the integrity of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh. Baha'is consider 'Abdu'l-Bahá's life and being to be a perfect example for how we should be/act/serve in accordance with Bahá'u'lláh's teachings and to fulfill our purpose in this world.
RE: Which religion Baha'i Faith is more closely related to? -- I hope the below helps to clarify your understanding.
Buddhism emerged from a traditional Hindu background, and only after it had crossed the Himalayas did it assume its full character as a separate faith destined to become a major cultural force in China, Japan, and the lands of Southeast Asia. Similarly, Jesus Christ and his immediate followers began their mission within the context of Judaism and for some two centuries the movement was regarded by neighboring peoples as a reformed branch of the parent religion. Christianity did not appear as a separate religion with its own scriptures, laws, and institutional and ritual forms until it had begun to attract large numbers of adherents from the many non-Semitic races in the Mediterranean world.
The religious matrix of the Bahá'í Faith was Islam. Much as Christianity was born out of the messianic expectations of Judaism, the religion that was to become the Bahá'í Faith arose from eschatological tensions within Islam.
(A large portion of the above wording came from www.bahai.org)
so in essence Bahai is more related to Islam (Muhammed) than Christianity (Jesus). What are YOUR views of your religion and how it does or doesn't mesh with Christianity. Does your religion state its the "right" religion as many Christian religions state or does it look at more of on inclusive viewpoint? Thanks for the education :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Baha'i Faith is in harmony with Christianity... and also with Islam. It is rooted in both religions. In essence there is one religion of God that has been manifested throughout time into separate religions. The fundamental beliefs of every religion at the core are similar and of the same source -- those that do not agree are primarily man-made and not of God.
ReplyDeleteThe Baha'i Faith states that all religions are of God and by their very nature are all 'right.' As a Baha'i, I believe in the Baha'i teachings being a relevant message for humanity today and during our lifetime. I do not dispute or deny the relevance however of Christ and his teachings as they are from God and foundational to the teachings of the Baha'i Faith. Without the teachings of Christ and Muhammad, the Baha'u'llah's teachings could not be comprehended, embraced, or put into action.
These are my thoughts and reflections on this subject for today.
Thank you for clarifying your thoughts and ideas. My question would be to you is if the Baha'i religion sees both Muhammed and Jesus as coming from God then how does Baha'i explain the contradictions of the religions that are fundamentally different?
ReplyDeleteAgain thanks for the discussion. I am very interested in this religion as I have never heard of it and I like the idea of this religion.
The differences in the funadmental teachings of Jesus and Muhammad are due to their messages being pertinent for the time in which they came.
ReplyDeleteIn the same manner that Jesus brought different teachings than Moses, Muhammad brought different teachings than Jesus, and Baha'u'llah yet again brought differing teachings from Muhammad and/or Jesus. The relgion of God is progressive and each Messenger of God built upon the last in their teachings/message for the time period in which they came to deliver a new message from God.
Each message from God was for the advancement of civilization and throughout history often came at times when society was in a state of turmoil and had perhaps lost sight of God and His teachings.
Religion has also become man-made and in some ways perversed/corrupted by man -- For this reason I find it's important to investigate the truths of the sacred Word of God and not look to people (by very nature being imperfect) for understanding the Manifestation of Gods' teachings. (This goes for me also -- when responding to your thought-inspiring comments, I try to use the quotes from the Baha'i Faith more than give you my own thoughts -- as I am, by very nature of being human, imperfect)
I also would like to share with you that we do believe that the eternal truths brought by Jesus and Muhammad (and other manifestations of God mentioned in earlier comments) are in complete harmony/agreement because they are truths from God that are eternal. Examples of this include the fact that the religions believe in and pray to the same one God and have the same morals and virtues (i.e. the golden rule).
Thanks for the response. New ideas, beliefs are of great interest of mine as Ive been searching to find a good religious fit in my life. I read some more about this religion and find it very interesting.
ReplyDelete