Baha'i Faith

[Dallsiph]

Many people have asked me, "What's your religion?" I answer, "I'm a baha'i?" "What's that?" they ask.

If you have that same question, or you're just curious here are the basics.

A Baha'i believes in the Unity of Mankind, Religion, and God. We believe that all religions is from the same God, and we learn something from every messenger beforehand, and whenever mankind needs guidance, God sends a Manifestation to remind Man of God (examples of Manifestations are Moses, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad, and Baha'u'llah). baha'u'llah is the founder of the Baha'i Faith, and we believe he is the Promised One of All Ages (known to many as the Messiah, or the Return of Christ). I can't give a perfect history of the Baha'i Faith, but if you want to know more about the Baha'i Faith, click this link:
http://info.bahai.org/

Please reply if you have questions or responses

[GetBert]

I had a teacher who was Baha'i, nice enough chap. Isn't it illegal/persecuted in some countries?

[Dallsiph]

I had a teacher who was Baha'i, nice enough chap. Isn't it illegal/persecuted in some countries?

It's persecuted in Iran, because they do not allow any religions besides Shiite Islam. It's also slightly persecuted or frowned upon in other Muslim countries, but I don't exactly know why. It doesn't have anything that threatens anything, or illegal in the Baha'i Faith.

[New Kereptica]

How does Baha'i explain polytheistic religions?

[Dallsiph]

How does Baha'i explain polytheistic religions?

What do you mean by "explain"?

[Conserative Morality]

Why is this god making his followers fight amongst each other, then?

[New Kereptica]

How does Baha'i explain polytheistic religions?

What do you mean by "explain"?

Well, you said the Baha'i claims that "all religions is from the same God". How does Baha'i explain the many, many religions that have more than one god?

[Dallsiph]

Why is this god making his followers fight amongst each other, then?

He doesn't. Mankind does. It's Mankind's interpretation of religion that makes them fight. God never said anything about fighting other religions. That was mankind who did that. In fact, we believe God is trying to tell mankind to stop fighting, and see each other as one human family.

[Conserative Morality]

He doesn't. Mankind does. It's Mankind's interpretation of religion that makes them fight. God never said anything about fighting other religions. That was mankind who did that. In fact, we believe God is trying to tell mankind to stop fighting, and see each other as one human family.

If that's so, the god you worship is powerless or non-existent if he can't even keep his own holy texts from being corrupted by mankind. Which are, as we know, the basis for most major religions. Either that or he actually doesn't care, despite claims to the contrary.

[Dallsiph]

How does Baha'i explain polytheistic religions?

What do you mean by "explain"?

Well, you said the Baha'i claims that "all religions is from the same God". How does Baha'i explain the many, many religions that have more than one god?

I'm not positive about all, but we do see Hinduism as a religion. i guess if it has a moral center we believe it's a religion, but I am not sure. I guess you should look it up. I'll try to get an answer to you about that if you can't find out. The website I posted might have an answer. Start looking there

[Dallsiph]

He doesn't. Mankind does. It's Mankind's interpretation of religion that makes them fight. God never said anything about fighting other religions. That was mankind who did that. In fact, we believe God is trying to tell mankind to stop fighting, and see each other as one human family.

If that's so, the god you worship is powerless or non-existent if he can't even keep his own holy texts from being corrupted by mankind. Which are, as we know, the basis for most major religions. Either that or he actually doesn't care, despite claims to the contrary.

We have a holy text, and our faith's teachings cannot be contradicted so easily. Before Baha'u'llah passed away, he put the power of the Faith to his son, Abdul Baha, the perfect interpreter of his texts. After that, it was put in the power of Abdul Baha's grandson, Shoghi Effendi. After that, the Universal house of Justice (that you can look up).

[Keferum]

How do I pronounce it?

[Dallsiph]

How do I pronounce it?

Say Ba, then hi (as in hi, how are you).

[Conserative Morality]

We have a holy text, and our faith's teachings cannot be contradicted so easily. Before Baha'u'llah passed away, he put the power of the Faith to his son, Abdul Baha, the perfect interpreter of his texts. After that, it was put in the power of Abdul Baha's grandson, Shoghi Effendi. After that, the Universal house of Justice (that you can look up).

Actually, they can, and have been, for thousands of years. Mankind is killing each other in the name of their religions, and holy texts. And your god hasn't been doing much, if anything, to stop it, assuming he exists.

[Rhodmhire]

How prominent is it in modern society?

Was it ever so prominent that it was considered a major religion, like Christianity and Islam are considered today?

When did it first form, and who was at the head of it?

EDIT: Sorry if that's a tad much to put on your plate, you don't have to answer all three if you wish to respond to others. They were just the first three that came to mind.

[Hobit]

I had a teacher who was Baha'i, nice enough chap. Isn't it illegal/persecuted in some countries?

It's persecuted in Iran, because they do not allow any religions besides Shiite Islam. It's also slightly persecuted or frowned upon in other Muslim countries, but I don't exactly know why. It doesn't have anything that threatens anything, or illegal in the Baha'i Faith.

Actually they allow other religions... just not yours

[Rhodmhire]

assuming he exists.

The Baha'i god is a "he" now?

[Conserative Morality]

The Baha'i god is a "he" now?

She, it, whatever is preferred.

[Dallsiph]

How prominent is it in modern society?

Was it ever so prominent that it was considered a major religion, like Christianity and Islam are considered today?

When did it first form, and who was at the head of it?

Our numbers are not so high, but it is the 2nd most widespread religion in the world (members in every country). The Baha'i was founded in 1863, so it's just beginning. Baha'u'llah (means Glory of God) was the founder of the Baha'i Faith, who we believe is the Promised One of All Ages. He founded it in 1863 after he was exiled for following the Bab, who was to prepare mankind for the Promised One. Did I answer your question?

[Rhodmhire]

The Baha'i god is a "he" now?

She, it, whatever is preferred.

Oh, that's another question then:

Is the Baha'i god defined as a he/she, both, or as genderless?

[Rhodmhire]

How prominent is it in modern society?

Was it ever so prominent that it was considered a major religion, like Christianity and Islam are considered today?

When did it first form, and who was at the head of it?

Our numbers are not so high, but it is the 2nd most widespread religion in the world (members in every country). The Baha'i was founded in 1863, so it's just beginning. Baha'u'llah (means Glory of God) was the founder of the Baha'i Faith, who we believe is the Promised One of All Ages. He founded it in 1863 after he was exiled for following the Bab, who was to prepare mankind for the Promised One. Did I answer your question?

Yes you did.

[Takaram]

I had a teacher who was Baha'i, nice enough chap. Isn't it illegal/persecuted in some countries?

It's persecuted in Iran, because they do not allow any religions besides Shiite Islam. It's also slightly persecuted or frowned upon in other Muslim countries, but I don't exactly know why. It doesn't have anything that threatens anything, or illegal in the Baha'i Faith.

Actually they allow other religions... just not yours

And atheism, though it isn't a religion.

[UnhealthyTruthseeker]

It's wrong simply because it is impossible for all of the world's religions to simultaneously be correct.

[New Kereptica]

I had a teacher who was Baha'i, nice enough chap. Isn't it illegal/persecuted in some countries?

It's persecuted in Iran, because they do not allow any religions besides Shiite Islam. It's also slightly persecuted or frowned upon in other Muslim countries, but I don't exactly know why. It doesn't have anything that threatens anything, or illegal in the Baha'i Faith.

Actually they allow other religions... just not yours

And atheism, though it isn't a religion.

Well, that depends on whether you believe that athiesm is completely true or not.

[Takaram]

I had a teacher who was Baha'i, nice enough chap. Isn't it illegal/persecuted in some countries?

It's persecuted in Iran, because they do not allow any religions besides Shiite Islam. It's also slightly persecuted or frowned upon in other Muslim countries, but I don't exactly know why. It doesn't have anything that threatens anything, or illegal in the Baha'i Faith.

Actually they allow other religions... just not yours

And atheism, though it isn't a religion.

Well, that depends on whether you believe that athiesm is completely true or not.

Depends on your definition of religion, really.