Could Gandhi go to hell?

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Mona Tahiri
by Mona Tahiri
27-Aug-2010
 

by Lisa Schaffer-Harris

I learned about the Baha’i Faith at the age of 18. I was a senior in high school and I was searching for a spiritual path. I had been raised Catholic and although I had a deep abiding love and respect of the teachings of Jesus Christ, I had trouble accepting the concept that I had to be Christian or Catholic to be “saved.” When I was 14, I was supposed go through a ritual the Catholic Church (as well as some other denominations) call confirmation. You are to “confirm” your belief in the Catholic Church. Unlike most teenagers, I took this very seriously. I contemplated what I thought and felt about the religion I had grown up in and found it wanting. I could not believe that all the beautiful souls out there that did not know about, or accept Christ were going to hell. I asked myself, “Could Gandhi go to hell?” Of course not! I did not believe that for a minute. My decision was not easy. I had to leave not only the Catholic Church, but also the parochial school in which I grown up. I had found that I was beyond what they could teach me, and my continual questioning of the teachings of the Catholic Church left my religion teachers bewildered and perturbed.

For the next four years, I was on a spiritual quest. I read everything and anything I could about just about every major religion. I read the Holy Koran, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, the Dhammapada, the Zend Avesta, the Old and New Testament and books about all these different religions. In my studies, I saw more similarities rather than differences; however, rather than a sense of clarity, I felt more confused. I knew I believed in the oneness of religion, and there is one God. I also knew that I believed in the oneness of humanity. Differences, in which wars are started, like religion and race, and ethnicity, were not that important, and that we were one human family. I also ardently believed in the equality of men and women. I recognized that the equality of women was a key component in creating world unity. I wondered and longed for a religion that would support all these beliefs.

At the age of 18, I went to another friend’s 18th birthday party. It was a slumber party at this friend’s home. At the party was a young woman from Tunisia. She was Muslim. I had grown up in a homogenous suburban environment, and craved the company and experiences of people from other lands. I immediately struck up a conversation with this new friend, and we talked about two of the most taboo subjects, religion and politics. When I told her about my beliefs on world events and wars caused by religious or ethnic conflicts, and I told her about my views on the oneness of God, religion and humanity, she told me, “I know a religion that encompasses all that you believe.” I could not believe it. If it had been a movie, a heavenly light would have shown upon her face. What she said to me was an answer to a prayer. She told me about the Baha’i Faith. I asked her if this was just an African religion, and she said, “No, I think it is worldwide.”

I was determined to find the Baha’is and learn more. Amazingly, they were in the phone book. I called the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Anoka, Minnesota and my Muslim friend and I attended a fireside together. Fireside is an informal gathering in which people meet typically in a Baha’is home to learn about and discuss the Baha’i Faith. Thus began my journey to become a Baha’i. The Baha’i Faith did support my beliefs in the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity and the oneness of religion. After I read the writings of Baha’u’llah, I believed whole-heartedly in His teachings and that these words could only come from One divinely inspired by God.

I formally declared my faith in Baha’u’llah three years later while at college in Connecticut; however, I firmly believe that I continue to be a work in progress and this quote from Abdul Baha explains why:

“He is a true Baha’i who strives by day and by night to progress along the path of human endeavor, whose cherished desire is to live and act as to enrich and illumine the world; whose source of inspiration is the essence of Divine Perfection, whose aim is to conduct himself so as to be the cause of infinite progress. Only when he attains unto such perfect gifts can it be said of him that he is a Baha’i.”

For more information about the Baha’i Faith see www.bahai.com

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Aryana-Vaeja

Waters' comment

by Aryana-Vaeja on

Waters' comment to Nadeem Khan is as hateful and hatefilled as it comes. These are the type of people the apparently superb elements in the bahai teachings have reared most superbly. What is the difference between such discourse and that of the regime in Iran who calls Carla Bruni a slut? Nothing!

Keep the superb elements of your teachings. The world is better without them, and let the Baha'is first take counsel with the following proverb before preaching about the superb elements in their teachings to others,

kal agar tabib budi bar sare khod davaa' nemudi!

-

May we be amongst those who are to bring about the transfiguration of the Earth - Zoroastrian prayer


Aryana-Vaeja

What is so superb about Bahaism

by Aryana-Vaeja on

That isn't more so about, say, Hinduism or Zoroastrianism?

And why is a supporter of the Islamic Republic saying Bahaism has superb elements to its (lack) of teachings?

-

May we be amongst those who are to bring about the transfiguration of the Earth - Zoroastrian prayer


Niloufar Parsi

bhaism has

by Niloufar Parsi on

some superb elements in its teachings.

it woud be an ok religion to follow if god actually existed.

Peace


Waters

I dont believe ...

by Waters on

that people just go to hell, some are born in hell, and live in hell. Its just the matter of where the hell in the hell of deprivation they are at any given time.

Hell can be said to be a state in which the prophet abandons his follower to the hell of hate contention and confusion. Nadid khan sure knows how to unite these stages of abandonment into one compelete ignorant self.

At least somebody is trying to unite people Allil khan, better than the rusty sword you use to sever bodies and keep all things seperated!!

 

 

 


nadeem khan

What the hell

by nadeem khan on

Unity of religions ! Good Idea

How about uniting the Baha'i Faith?

I think all the baha'is should sit together on a round table, talk to each other and remove their differences. All the 'guardians' should be invited by the supreme, all male, infallible UHJ to the most 'holy land' and they should be given the opportunity to speak. They must be given all ears and very softly you people can sort out your differences. I think first the Baha'is need to be united themselves only then it will be good to unite all the religions.

One more idea, as the writings of Baha'i faith suggests that there must be a guardian at the UHJ, a good guardian must be choosed from the available guardians and the UHJ must work under him. He will be Rahbar and the UHJ will be Majles. ;-)

Regarding Gandhi, I would pray, may the Blessed Beauty keep him in His blessed company in the 'Abha Kingdom'.