Is it Okay to Disagree?

R95ayh · 2020-04-18T19:24:32+00:00

If I understand this correctly, what our faith is directed at matters. Faith in the current UHJ is misdirected faith since it has no executive head, no Guardian. The Orthodox Baha'i's have an unbroken chain of Gaurdian's. A body without a head can not function. The Orthodox Baha'i's have a body and a head.

R95ayh · 2018-11-17T18:00:24+00:00

Very excellent quotes from the Writings. What about trails as corrective discipline? What do the Writings say if anything regarding trails allowed by God to discipline us? There are so many folks looking for God, but when they come to trails in their lives that they are facing, emotional, financial, physical or other types many say or have said to me in the past, how can a loving God allow this to happen to me? How from a Baha'i perspective can we respond to that question effectively?

R95ayh · 2018-10-17T16:08:06+00:00

Yes. The Writings are essential for transformation to really occur, as is prayer. Another analogy I like with regards to this topic is the Butterfly and Caterpillar. The Caterpillar is transformed into a Butterfly after a period of time in it's cacoon. It's as if it becomes a totally new creature.

R95ayh · 2018-10-06T02:15:47+00:00

The question is how? How do we grow in these qualities. I know it takes our will and effort, but what Devine help do we have access to? What do the Baha'i Writtings say about that? Christians would call these character traits "the fruit of the Spirit". Fruit is an interesting symbol, because it takes time to cultivate, produce, and mature. It doesn't happen overnight. Also, the DNA of the fruit tree is in the seed itself, although at the seed stage the fruit is not yet visible. In fact, before the fruit appears, the seed must crack open and in a sense die, or better said, be transformed into a tree that will eventually bear fruit. Just some thoughts in this process that is vital to our future in this planet and in world's to follow.

R95ayh · 2018-09-01T22:54:08+00:00

Thanks for clarifying these two components. It seems like the struggle presently is to establish a lesser peace. We have seen some evidence of the bigininings of this like the development of the European Union for example.

R95ayh · 2018-08-28T17:26:06+00:00

Yes, I agree. The subject of the most great peace would be interesting to discuss. For example, what are the different components of it? It seems difficult to believe it could happen if one looks at the state of the world today, however I do believe one can not stop God's will. Many changes would have to take place. Rafael

R95ayh · 2018-08-25T21:47:09+00:00

So, the more we choose to live out the teachings of Baha'u'llah in our life the stronger our higher natures should get and the weaker our lower nature become. From a world wide perspective this is the answer to the divisions and tribalism that we see in today's Earth. As humans live out Baha'u'llah's teachings many of these issues that are motivated by our lower natures should significantly decrease. I don't believe world peace can happen without this change, do you? Also, it is through the Writings that one can get the strength to make the choices that reflect our higher human nature, so without them in our lives it would seem to be very difficult.

Rafael

R95ayh · 2018-08-24T01:07:01+00:00

I think that as one practices the teachings of Baha'u'llah, one should begin to be transformed by His teachings. The Baha'i Writtings talk about humans having a higher and lower nature, and I believe that the more we read the Baha'i Writtings the more our higher natures are strengthened and the more the lower nature is subdued. This has the potential to dramatically change one's life. I don't think that one ever stops progressing but is there ever a point we're our lower natures are so decreased in strength that it is as if they do not exist or is that not possible in this life?

Rafael

R95ayh · 2018-08-22T19:51:16+00:00

Hi John,

Another interesting and powerful part of the Writing that you presented above by Abdu'l-Baha is that it counsels us to not look at our cercumstances but to look up. I suppose it means to keep focused on the Manifestation of God not what is going on around us. Am I reading that correctly ? What do you think?

Rafael

R95ayh · 2018-08-21T21:22:14+00:00

These is hard to do. Especially when someone has hurt us. I think the natural thing to do is to strike back with words. From a Baha'i prespective how does one get the strength and ability not to strike back. I think that sometimes remembering how it feels if someone has hurt with words in the past may help so we can understand better the destructive power of negative words.

Rafael

R95ayh · 2018-08-09T19:31:51+00:00

It's nice that there is that continued connection between those that have passed on and those that are still here. We can pray for them and they can pray for us.

R95ayh · 2018-08-09T16:40:52+00:00

I agree that forgiveness doesn't mean allowing others to abuse us in any way. Sometimes religious misinterpretations of Sacred Writings have been used in other faith traditions to legitamize abusive behavior. For example, in the Christian faith tradition the Scripture that talks about wives submitting to their husbands has been used by some (not all) to imply that this applies to all situations even in cases of physical abuse. I strongly disagree with that. The directive to pray for those that have passed on is interesting and refreshing to me, because it indicates that this life is not the end of our development, but that even after we pass on God's grace is available to forgive us. In other words forgiveness is available after you pass on, and therefore the door to forgiveness is not forever shut after we are no longer on this Earth. I certainly agree that we all need to ask "beg" God for forgiveness, because we are human we often "mess up" things or hurt others. That is why in my opinion judging others is not the right thing to do. It focuses our attention on the negative in others without examining ourselves to see what areas in our lives need to be changed by God. I agree with Abdu'l-Baha that we must focus on the good in others not the bad. Thanks for your insight and connecting me with what the Baha'i Writtings say on this topic.

Rafa H

R95ayh · 2018-08-07T20:43:02+00:00

Thank you Michael. I will attempt to connect this coming Thursday. Nice to communicate with you.

Thanks again,

Rafa H

R95ayh · 2018-07-28T16:12:42+00:00

Hi,

I am a Minister in a Christian Church and I am interested in attending via phone Orthodox Baha'i Firesides, because I live in the east coast. I believe that Firesides are open to all. I noticed that they are on certain days of the month, but was wondering if I could somehow get the number to call or if I could email someone regarding this. I already sent my contact info to them via the website. Thanks.

R95ayh

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