Quotes from Baha'i sources:

[arthra]

Around 1911 Abdul-Baha visited London and the following was recorded:

A gentleman connected with the work of a Settlement then asked what was the best method of raising up and civilizing the very lowest and most degraded and ignorant of the people and would their education come about gradually through the enlightenment of the Spirit, or was there any special means we could adopt to further this end?

'Abdu'l-Bahá replied that the best way was to give them spiritual teachings and enlightenment. He also remarked that the way to broaden the outlook of the very narrow-hearted and prejudiced, and to make them listen to a wider teaching, was by showing towards them the greatest kindness and love. The example of our lives was of more value than words.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 72)

[Dawud]

The world is but a show, vain and empty, a mere nothing, bearing the semblance of reality. Set not your affections upon it. Break not the bond that uniteth you with your Creator, and be not of those that have erred and strayed from His ways. Verily I say, the world is like the vapor in a desert, which the thirsty dreameth to be water and striveth after it with all his might, until when he cometh unto it, he findeth it to be mere 329 illusion. It may, moreover, be likened unto the lifeless image of the beloved whom the lover hath sought and found, in the end, after long search and to his utmost regret, to be such as cannot “fatten nor appease his hunger.”
O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain.

(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings From the Writings of Baha'u'llah)

[arthra]

He standeth ready to obey whatsoever His Lord should please to decree as to his beginning and his end. With every breath he layeth down his life and offereth up his soul. He bareth his breast to meet the darts of the enemy and raiseth his head to greet the sword of destiny; nay rather, he kisseth the hand of his would-be murderer and surrendereth his all. He yieldeth up spirit, soul, and body in the path of his Lord, and yet he doeth so by the leave of his Beloved and not of his own whim and desire. Thou findest him chill in the fire and dry in the sea, abiding in every land and treading every path.

(Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 28)

[Dream]

Please help. One of you came into another forum and said that Jesus will not be returning in person, but in another person or persons. I'm not interested in arguing, however I would like to know where to find commentary on this. Is it a thoroughly developed idea that lots of Bahai's are familiar with? Do you rely upon a post-Christian prophet (like a Baha'i or Islamic prophet) for proof or is it arguable strictly from Christians and pre-Christians? Naturally that's what Christians have to work with. Ideally, can you argue it strictly from the Tanach?

Also, is there a figure in your religion called the 'Crimson General'? I heard this title somewhere, but I don't know who said it. I thought with your emphasis on crimson it might be one of yours.

Respectfully,
Dream

[arthra]

Originally Posted by Dream

Please help. One of you came into another forum and said that Jesus will not be returning in person, but in another person or persons. I'm not interested in arguing, however I would like to know where to find commentary on this. Is it a thoroughly developed idea that lots of Bahai's are familiar with? Do you rely upon a post-Christian prophet (like a Baha'i or Islamic prophet) for proof or is it arguable strictly from Christians and pre-Christians? Naturally that's what Christians have to work with. Ideally, can you argue it strictly from the Tanach?

Also, is there a figure in your religion called the 'Crimson General'? I heard this title somewhere, but I don't know who said it. I thought with your emphasis on crimson it might be one of yours.

Respectfully,
Dream

Well hello "Dream"... !

Welcome to the Baha'i Forum!

To be honest with you, I don't know if I really understand your question but let me say that we Baha'is do believe that the Bab was the Return of Christ and fulfilled the prophecies of the Bible as well as being the Promised One of the other religions...that being said we believe there are a series of Manifestations of God that have appeared to mankind and that Baha'u'llah is the latest One.

As to "Crimson General" I've not heard of that one.. there is a reference though in the Baha'i Writings to the crimson Spot:

'Advance, O people, with snow-white faces and radiant hearts, unto the blest and crimson Spot, wherein the Tree beyond which there is no passing is calling: 'Verily, there is none other God beside Me, the Omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting!'

(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 128)

About the Tenach ... We believe there are prophecies that point as I mentioned above to the Bab and Baha'u'llah.

Thanks for your questions!

- Art

[Dream]

Thanks for your answer, which is sufficient.

Originally Posted by arthra

we believe there are a series of Manifestations of God that have appeared to mankind and that Baha'u'llah is the latest One

This raises another question, if its appropriate to ask more questions in the quote section. Are these manifestations thought of as facets of God as if God is a puzzle? Are they more like whole impressions as with bits from a hologram (in which each piece shows the whole thing). Are they more like small trees that will grow up into the full size parent? In other words how do the facets fit together to reveal God or otherwise reveal God?

[arthra]

Originally Posted by Dream

Thanks for your answer, which is sufficient.
This raises another question, if its appropriate to ask more questions in the quote section. Are these manifestations thought of as facets of God as if God is a puzzle? Are they more like whole impressions as with bits from a hologram (in which each piece shows the whole thing). Are they more like small trees that will grow up into the full size parent? In other words how do the facets fit together to reveal God or otherwise reveal God?

Hello Dream,

Thanks for the questions..

To Baha'is the Manifestations of God reflect His attributes perfectly and without effort.. and so reveal perfectly to man as a stainless rustless mirror reflecting the attributes of God to us at various stages of our developement and we believe this is a progressive developement over the ages and for the circumstances in which we live.

You can read an essay on the Manifestations of God at

The Eternal Quest for God: Chapter 6

- Art

[Dream]

By-the-way. Take a look at this thread, which may be of interest to Baha'i, although it was put in the Abrahamic section: http://www.comparative-religion.com/...isee-9317.html

[arthra]

Thanks Dream for your post! I had been away for a week or so and just noticed it!

Anyway for Baha'is Jesus was a Manifestation of God and so His role was in my view to shake things up and that would mean "rattling the cages" of the Pharisees (the Religious establishment) who as a sort of class were the "bean counters" of the religion at the time of Jesus.. Jesus didn't inspire bean counting so in my view He was not a Pharisee.

- Art

[arthra]

The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.[1]

"All of us belong to humankind, but our society has yet to grasp the full meaning of this spiritual truth. Without understanding this principle, it is impossible to fathom or envision what is happening to society--what one great thinker called the ``planetization'' of humankind. As a result, humankind has yet a long way to go before we can finish the transition from the old world order, organized along the lines of ``sovereign'' and ``independent'' nations, to the new nonviolent civilization that is now only in its embryonic stage. Without the principle of the oneness of humankind, it is indeed difficult even to imagine a world ordered and governed globally through interdependent institutions of planetary scope. How can the earth become a common homeland if all of us are not fully and equally accepted as part of a single humanity? Indeed, it cannot!"

by M.V. Gandhimoham "Mahatam Gandhi and the Baha'is"

[arthra]

Among the great prophets was His Holiness Abraham who being an iconoclast and a herald of the oneness of God, was banished from His native land. He founded a family upon which the blessing of God descended; and it was owing to this religious basis and ordination that the Abrahamic house progressed and advanced. Through the divine benediction, noteworthy and luminous prophets issued from the lineage of His Holiness. There appeared Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon. The Holy Land was conquered by the power of the Covenant of God with Abraham, and the glory of the Solomonic wisdom and sovereignty dawned. All this was due to the religion of God which this blessed lineage established and upheld. It is evident that throughout the history of Abraham and His posterity this was the source of their honor, advancement and civilization. Even today the descendants of His household and lineage are found throughout the world.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 270)

[arthra]

Thus they relate that the possessions of a certain Bábí in Kashan were plundered, and his household scattered and dispersed. They stripped him naked and scourged him, defiled his beard, mounted him face backwards on an ***, and paraded him through the streets and bazaars with the utmost cruelty, to the sound of drums, trumpets, guitars, and tambourines. A certain gabr (A Zoroastrian) who knew absolutely naught of the world or its denizens chanced to be seated apart in a corner of a caravansary. When the clamor of the people rose high he hastened into the street, and, becoming cognizant of the offence and the offender, and the cause of his public disgrace and punishment in full detail, he fell to making search, and that very day entered the society of the Bábís, saying,

"This very ill-usage and public humiliation is a proof of truth and the very best of arguments. Had it not been thus it might have been that a thousand years would have passed ere one like me became informed."

(Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 21)

[arthra]

Yet the whole Bahá'u'lláh's life was spent in the midst of great trial and cruel tyranny. In Persia He was thrown into prison, put into chains, and lived constantly under the menace of the sword. He was scorned and scourged.
When He was about thirty years old He was exiled to Baghdad, and from Baghdad to Constantinople, and from there to Adrianople and lastly to the prison of 'Akká.
Yet under chains and from His cell He succeeded in spreading His cause, and uplifting the banner of the oneness of humanity.
Now, God be praised, we see the light of Love shining in the East and in the West; and the tent of fellowship is raised in the midst of all the peoples for the drawing together of all hearts and souls.
The call of the Kingdom has been sounded, and the annunciation of the world's need for Universal Peace has enlightened the world's conscience.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 37)

[arthra]

Partaking of knowledge and education is one of the requisites of religion. The education of each child is obligatory.

If there are no parents, the community must look after the child. It is suggested that the childless educate a child.

It is incumbent on every one to engage in some occupation, such as arts, trades, and the like. We have made this -- your occupation -- identical with the worship of God, the true one.

Reflect, O people, upon the mercy of God and upon his favors, then thank him in mornings and evenings.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 26)

[arthra]

"Truly, the killing of animals and the eating of their meat is somewhat contrary to pity and compassion, and if one can content oneself with cereals, fruit, oil and nuts, such as pistachios, almonds and so on, it would undoubtedly be better and more pleasing."

- From a Tablet by Abdul-Baha
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 295)