Bahá'í Faith

This may be the first time I've dipped my toe in this thread without being brought here from a thread move.

So, I'm checking out some info on Seals and Crofts and find out they are both part of the Bahá'í Faith. I had never heard of it before, so I checked it out (a little).

There are some aspects that I really agree with, giving deference to people having their right to beliefs. And, given my very limited research, maybe some thing(s) I'm not sure about (animal kingdom vs. pure socialism).

Has anybody here looked into this or formed opinions about it?

The things I agree with are the basic premise that the dominant religions (Muslim, Christian, Judaism... in no particular order) have the same basic foundation... more in common than different. Hindu and Buddhism aren't too far off. And, from what I can tell, some dude back in the 1800's saw this and formed a new religious sect.

I'm not tipping my hand on my personal beliefs anything more than live and let live, and let people believe as long as it isn't a detriment to society.

Could the cultures that believe, to the extent that they wish to end the lives of those who believe differently benefit from this "religion"?

As far as religions go, it seems like a fairly pleasant one that I could vibe with. However, it's still founded on the same basic principle that there's an omnipotent and omniscient god out there manipulating humans and the rest of the universe to their will, which to me is just stupid.

It seems to validate the Abrahamic religions and their prophets in a way as well.

I don't think most religions are inherently violent, even though many have really crazy and violent shit in their books. People kill each other for reasons well beyond faith at this point. Everyone could convert to the most peaceful religion imaginable, and we would still find excuses to kill each other.

Interesting SawGreen.  I'm gonna do some reading myself.  Thanks.(it is, however, still religion, and I'm not sure we wouldn't be better off without any religions.)

DWags wrote:Interesting SawGreen.  I'm gonna do some reading myself.  Thanks.(it is, however, still religion, and I'm not sure we wouldn't be better off without any religions.)

I'm not on board on the no religion bend. I know very devout people (I'm not one) who give so much of themselves, or draw so much from their faith. I think it's fun for many to paint them in hypocrisy, and belittle them for their beliefs.

But, when I look at American society as a whole, I think religion has been more positive than negative (over periods of adjustment).

I had a regional mgr who was a real free spirit who quit after landing some monster bonus money and went to live in the Caribbean.

He and his wife had been straight arrow Mormans who converted to the Baha’i faith. It’s a real live and let live, non-judgemental belief system.

I have found knowing about it is the best thing I’ve ever used to chase Jehovah Witnesses and Evangelicals from your door because they typically have no quick comebacks to “I am a member of the Baha’i community”

SawGreen wrote:

DWags wrote:Interesting SawGreen.  I'm gonna do some reading myself.  Thanks.(it is, however, still religion, and I'm not sure we wouldn't be better off without any religions.)

I'm not on board on the no religion bend. I know very devout people (I'm not one) who give so much of themselves, or draw so much from their faith. I think it's fun for many to paint them in hypocrisy, and belittle them for their beliefs.

But, when I look at American society as a whole, I think religion has been more positive than negative (over periods of adjustment).

Could you elaborate on that? When I look at the more secular nations, they all seem to live by "religious values" better than the USA.

AnomanderRake wrote:
Could you elaborate on that? When I look at the more secular nations, they all seem to live by "religious values" better than the USA.

I think many other nations live more strictly.

I think American and the whole freedom dynamic has tempered things greatly so behavior is less by-the-book and more of a guideline (mostly among the Christian faith).

But, I think: those guidelines; the community formed from your house of worship; and maybe your personal fear of God can and has had a calming effect.

I was never a church goer, so this is all outside perspective. But I know plenty with faith, many who work on missions, etc. If nothing else, their faith or at least their association with worship somewhat presents that good angel on the shoulder... and something to think about when it comes down to moral decisions.