I figured something out.

[Postmaster]

I know what attracted me to the Baha'i faith.

Before I became interested, I was reading alot of Atheist point of view on the net on the origins of religion and how they influenced each other. Atheists use this pattern of history to DISPROVE religion altogether. However although I agreed with many of the Atheist point of views, I couldn't let go of the idea of a Supreme Being or mysticism and afterlife. Mainly because of an experience which happened to my family some years back, an Icon of the Virgin Mary crying an oil substance and flooding the window seal on serval occasions. This is why I decided to just accept Christianity fully. It's when I started looking into Christianity more heavily when by some mysterious way I was diverted to the Baha'i faith. I made a thread regarding the return of Christ in the Christian forum on this site, without any knowledge of Baha'i faith what so ever and for some reason I wrote I had a feeling if he did return he would in Iran, that’s when a member posted and informed me of the Baha'i faith. I've showed Arthra the thread before. Other wise if it wasn’t for that I wouldn't have even bother looking in to the faith I would have regraded it as just another modern cult with no respect or reason to even look into it.

What the Baha'i faith does is take Atheists concepts of religion (of which are quite reasonable) and adds a theological twist to them (which is quite human and spiritual). This I think is very powerful formula for the Baha'i faith.

[BruceDLimber]

Fascinating, Postmaster; thank you for explaining this! :-)

I, too, would be most interested in hearing more and seeing the thread in question if you're interested in sharing more.

Best regards, :-)

Bruce

[Postmaster]

Jesus Christ, he will return?

[Postmaster]

I think it's quite true though. What is a cynical view of religion to Atheists, is used in a theological light in the Baha'i faith who say all religions are the same because they reflect the same source (God). Whereas an Atheist would say all religions are caused by the same negative aspect of humanity because they all show the same trade marks. Atheists who are enlightened on religion, choose to be like this maybe because they try to break anyway from the mainstream of religion because deep down they are on to something.

[BruceDLimber]

Thanis for the link, Postmaster!

I've never been in that area, though I do post regularly on the general-religion, comparative-religion, and Abrahamic/Baha'i threads.

And as you're well aware, Art, others, and myself are always more than happy to reply if you come up with any additional questions!

Cheers! :-)

Bruce

[Postmaster]

Do you think that it was just mere coincidence that without any knowledge of the Baha'i faith at the time I suggested the return of Christ would return in Iran? William miller calculated the return of Christ on the date that the Bab announced his mission, that's why I have been fascinated with that because something came through my intuition to say something on the return of Christ and that was without any knowledge of William Miller either. Ashame that it can always be debated if I had prior knowledge of the Baha'i faith but I can 100% assure you I didn't. The most I'd say is subconsciously seeing a forum on this sites menu with the word Baha'i faith, I didn't even enter this forum till I was pointed to the Baha’i faith.

[arthra]

Some say there are no "coincidences" but I suspect you were drawn to the Faith for a reason. Many people have become Baha'is with far less "coincidences" than you have had. After the Bab declared His Mission in May 23rd 1844 He indicated that His first disciples would come to Him on their own without even being called. Tahireh had a dream and later became His first female disciple and the others had intimations and recognized Him as the Promised One.

- Art

[Postmaster]

I've also mentioned other happenings too including dreams, which at one point had me questioning myself. I think this is a reason why I challenged the Baha'i faith quite alot especially on this forum.

[wil]

I think it interesting that most Athiests are litteralists. If are ok with biblical inconsistencies, metaphor, myth, parables, and analogies in religious text they go bonkers...

[Postmaster]

And I can't blame them, I could have seen myself going down this path too. But as a child, an Icon of the Virgin Mary bought home would on occasions weep oil. Before then, we used to think weeping icons were hoaxed by certain stupid individuals. This phenomenon has occurred to many others too. I used to think only Christianity was involved in such happenings, but not quite so long ago there was also the Hindu milk drinking miracles that occurred, enough for media and scientific interest, this happened globally at the same time and mysteriously stopped I believe.

[BruceDLimber]

Hi again! :-)

Originally Posted by Postmaster

I've also mentioned other happenings too including dreams, which at one point had me questioning myself. I think this is a reason why I challenged the Baha'i faith quite alot especially on this forum.

(BTW, you may want to tell us your first name so we have a better handle for you than just Postmaster.)

As I think you're aware already, such challenges are always most welcome!

Not only can they get you some considered and potentially very good answers (and food for thought), but they're very useful to us because whether the questions are friendly or otherwise, they help us Baha'is hone our skills at understanding things ourselves and formulating reasoned answers about the topics in question! Hence our constant encouragement of all and sundry to continue to throw more questions at us.

So if you will permit me, now maybe this all comes down to: having questioned and considered all this, what conclusions about it are you beginning to draw?

Best regards, :-)

Bruce

[niranjan]

The Bahai religion is definetely a very noble and good religion,perhaps the noblest on earth, and it has the potential to be the panacea for the present evils of the world like religious fundamentalism, because it unites both the east and the west.

The Bahai religion indeed should prosper, as it is vital for the worlds spiritual health.

[9Harmony]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

Do you think that it was just mere coincidence that without any knowledge of the Baha'i faith at the time I suggested the return of Christ would return in Iran? William miller calculated the return of Christ on the date that the Bab announced his mission, that's why I have been fascinated with that because something came through my intuition to say something on the return of Christ and that was without any knowledge of William Miller either. Ashame that it can always be debated if I had prior knowledge of the Baha'i faith but I can 100% assure you I didn't. The most I'd say is subconsciously seeing a forum on this sites menu with the word Baha'i faith, I didn't even enter this forum till I was pointed to the Baha’i faith.

personally, no...i don't think it's coincidence.

I know of many people who feel that the Faith persued them for sometimes over 30 years before they decided to investigate it. In my case it was 19-20 years between when i first heard of it and when i investigated it. (albeit, i was a child when i first heard of it. )

I think God is oh so patient...but also He is the All-Relentless.

[BruceDLimber]

"Good things come to those who wait," eh?

:-)

Bruce

[Postmaster]

Originally Posted by BruceDLimber

Hi again! :-)



(BTW, you may want to tell us your first name so we have a better handle for you than just Postmaster.)

As I think you're aware already, such challenges are always most welcome!

Not only can they get you some considered and potentially very good answers (and food for thought), but they're very useful to us because whether the questions are friendly or otherwise, they help us Baha'is hone our skills at understanding things ourselves and formulating reasoned answers about the topics in question! Hence our constant encouragement of all and sundry to continue to throw more questions at us.

So if you will permit me, now maybe this all comes down to: having questioned and considered all this, what conclusions about it are you beginning to draw?

Best regards, :-)

Bruce

My name is Peter. I must admit I was quite wary with the Baha'i faith at first, I was quite critical with Baha'is and even the founders of the faith. Like I said I was only drawn in by my post on the Christian forum and then followed some dreams (which made me rationally question myself). I don't think its part of a Zionist plot and I can't say the Baha'i faith is a cult, although doesn't mean cult like behaviour doesn't happen. I'm quite pleased on the high level of morality too. Has definitely changed my view on certain parts of my life, but I don't want to sound like a religous nut saying its made my life complete and full, I'm not regarding it for kicks. Like niranjan said, very noble, positive. I say let it flourish.