A dialogue between three composite characters—two representing common views from the poles of the faith and reason "debate" and one representing a Baha'i attempt to bridge the divide. This was presented at the 2010 Association of Baha'i Studies conference by members of Common Ground Group.net
The Forum Online Event: The Incoherent Notion of “Tolerant” Indifference Appl...Third Column Ministries
Guest Bruce Boeckel with Evidence for Christ
The demand for “tolerance” in today’s society is an item in an ideological programme rather than an actual commitment to accept or at least consider new and different ideas. In addition, the demand for “tolerance” makes little sense when that demand is made of a monotheistic religion committed to the truth of an exclusive divine revelation. In other words, for historic and orthodox Christians, the demand that we be “tolerant” reveals that those making the demand either understand nothing about Christianity or that they do understand and demand that we stop being Bible-believing Christians. This is the incoherence of contemporary “tolerance”: I demand that you stop believing what you believe, that you stop acting according to your beliefs, then I congratulate myself on how “tolerant” I am of those whose beliefs differ from mine. We will look at this incoherent demand for “tolerance” both in present-day academia (including religious studies) and in the European Enlightenment of the 18th century, the period in which demands for “tolerance” first emerged in Western society and when “ideology” first appeared as a word and as a socio-political programme. As a result of this presentation, you will know more about the history and dynamics of “tolerance” than do 95% of those who throw the word around — most of whom know nothing of this history and haven’t spent a single minute thinking critically about a concept that they pretend to understand.
Part one in a small group series, Love God with All Your Mind. What is the state of the mind in the church today? According to Jesus, the greatest commandment in the Old Testament is: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37-38). How are we to fulfill this commandment, especially the part about loving God with all our mind? Jesus implied that what we think and what we believe is extremely important to God, and being a thinking Christian is a major part of our loving God. Using Dr. J.P. Moreland's book, Love Your God With All Your Mind, this class will explore how we can use our minds to love and glorify God.
Storying-- Redemptive Analogies, and Metaphors in Cross-Cultural MinistryRobert Munson
Looks at the utilization of stories and metaphors of various types by cross-cultural ministers/missionaries. Special emphasis is placed on parables as a means of seeking positive cultural transformation.
Dialogue, Other Religions and EvangelismRobert Munson
Some see interreligious dialogue as inconsistent with evangelism. Some see dialogue as pointless unless it is for evangelism. However, there is a middle position where dialogue for its own sake, but also respects the call to share the one's faith in an understandable way.
The Forum Online Event: The Incoherent Notion of “Tolerant” Indifference Appl...Third Column Ministries
Guest Bruce Boeckel with Evidence for Christ
The demand for “tolerance” in today’s society is an item in an ideological programme rather than an actual commitment to accept or at least consider new and different ideas. In addition, the demand for “tolerance” makes little sense when that demand is made of a monotheistic religion committed to the truth of an exclusive divine revelation. In other words, for historic and orthodox Christians, the demand that we be “tolerant” reveals that those making the demand either understand nothing about Christianity or that they do understand and demand that we stop being Bible-believing Christians. This is the incoherence of contemporary “tolerance”: I demand that you stop believing what you believe, that you stop acting according to your beliefs, then I congratulate myself on how “tolerant” I am of those whose beliefs differ from mine. We will look at this incoherent demand for “tolerance” both in present-day academia (including religious studies) and in the European Enlightenment of the 18th century, the period in which demands for “tolerance” first emerged in Western society and when “ideology” first appeared as a word and as a socio-political programme. As a result of this presentation, you will know more about the history and dynamics of “tolerance” than do 95% of those who throw the word around — most of whom know nothing of this history and haven’t spent a single minute thinking critically about a concept that they pretend to understand.
Part one in a small group series, Love God with All Your Mind. What is the state of the mind in the church today? According to Jesus, the greatest commandment in the Old Testament is: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37-38). How are we to fulfill this commandment, especially the part about loving God with all our mind? Jesus implied that what we think and what we believe is extremely important to God, and being a thinking Christian is a major part of our loving God. Using Dr. J.P. Moreland's book, Love Your God With All Your Mind, this class will explore how we can use our minds to love and glorify God.
Storying-- Redemptive Analogies, and Metaphors in Cross-Cultural MinistryRobert Munson
Looks at the utilization of stories and metaphors of various types by cross-cultural ministers/missionaries. Special emphasis is placed on parables as a means of seeking positive cultural transformation.
Dialogue, Other Religions and EvangelismRobert Munson
Some see interreligious dialogue as inconsistent with evangelism. Some see dialogue as pointless unless it is for evangelism. However, there is a middle position where dialogue for its own sake, but also respects the call to share the one's faith in an understandable way.
Singing sounds from trees and the movement of tree branches inspired few thoughts on complexity. The video embed makes easier to follow up on those thoughts. Using trees with leaves inside balls give rise to a complex system in which many pendulums are moving and yet we may hear sounds with rhythm and see neighboring leaves getting away from each other as they take different trajectories. The presentation offers a new setup idea for conducting brainstorming sessions, in emulation of trees.
This PowerPoint presentation was designed to accompany a lecture on the Catholic Counter-Reformation with special emphasis on the Council of Trent, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and the revival of Catholic spirituality in response to the Protestant Reformation.
This presentation was designed primarily for AP European History and Western Civilization courses, but could be used for World History, Church History, and History of Religion courses, as well.
A life of inspiration - Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948Shivam Dhawan
Mahatma Gandhi, Father of our nation, whose profound spirituality and belief in justice inspired the world. In remembrance of his life of inspiration on his birth anniversary.
Canadian Social Science Vol.3 No.6 December 2007
112
A Comparison between the Christian and Confucian
Major Doctrines:
a Survey
LA COMPARAISON DE DOCTRINES MAJEURES CHRISTIANISTES
ET CONFUSCIANISTES :
UNE ENQUETE
Dong Rui1
Abstract: Many people wonder about the differences between Chinese people and the Westerners
especially in their thinking patterns. As a matter of fact, the influence of Confucianism and
Christianity has played a very important role in cultivating the people’s ideas. Although Christian
doctrines share a lot of common cores with Confucian theories, a great many differences still exist
particularly in beliefs, human nature and life. This paper is aimed to make a comparison between
the two systems.
Key Words: Confucianism, Christianity, Jesus, Confucius, religion, cultural differences
Résumé: Beaucoup de gens s’intéressent aux différences du peuple chinois avec les Occidentaux,
surtout en ce qui concerne leur modèle de penser. En effet, l’influence du confucianisme et du
christianisme a joué un rôle très important dans la formation des idées du peuple. Malgré de
nombreux noyaux communs entre eux, il existe quand même beaucoup de différences, notamment
sur la foi, la nature humaine et la vie. L’article présent tente de faire une comparaison de ces deux
systèmes.
Mots-Clés: confucianisme, christianisme, Jésus, Confucius, religion, différences culturelles
1 Beijing Foreign Studies University, China.
* Received 6 August 2007; accepted 5 October 2007
It is well-acknowledged that both Christianity and
Confucianism are great. Their teachings have helped to
form the value systems of Western and Eastern cultures,
which have guided millions of people in spirit, behavior,
mind and relationships. Go through their doctrines, we
can find something in common. However, if we take a
close look, we can see that the whole systems of their
philosophies are quite different. In this essay, I am going
to compare the major doctrines between the two
religions, mainly about the differences.
It is true that Christianity and Confucianism share a
lot in common in their doctrines. The first big similarity
in the two philosophic systems is about love. We all
know that the essential teaching of Christianity is “Love
all people as yourself”. We are told to love God more
than anything else; love your neighbor as yourself.
What’s more, we are also taught to “love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may
be the children of your Father in heaven.” The definition
of love has been extended, so love can apply to anyone
in any occasion in people’s life. Tuning to
Confucianism, one of the main themes in Confucian
teachings is called ren, which is frequently translated as
love, goodness, or human-heartedness. “The Master
said, To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must
be …love f.
Dr. John Oakes taught a class titled Christianity in a Postmodern World at the 2013 ICEC at San Diego State University. He proposes a rational Christian response to both the good and the bad which comes with postmodern thinking. The class covers the history of modernism and why it was replaced by postmodernism, as well as a brief bio of the major influences in the movement as well as suggesting both the strengths and weaknesses of the postmodern mood.
DULL QUESTION of the existence of God
#dull-questioning #brain #god #existence-god #existence_of_god
https://bittube.tv/post/d1640d0f-8a26-4f23-856e-a25807b234d6
https://odysee.com/@periodic-reset-of-civilizations:c/DULL-QUESTION-of-the-existence-of-God:d
https://tube.midov.pl/w/3xS2i3nuSfDmmYhiNnqSfM
https://www.bitchute.com/video/bgZXsZBQhaIe/
All the platforms I Am on:
https://steemit.com/links/@resetciviliz/link-s
▶ BITCOIN
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https://periodic-reset.creator-spring.com
This presentation looks at the global issue of sexual street harassment, especially of women and girls in light of the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith on the equality of women and men and the necessity of women sharing equally in public arenas and having access to public spaces—something harassment significantly impacts
Science & Religion: Conflict or Conversation?Maya Bohnhoff
Is religion opposed to science? Has science made religion intellectually implausible? Does science rule out the existence of a “personal” God? What does "personal" mean? Does evolution do away with Divine Providence?Haven’t recent biological and neurological discoveries made illusions of the concepts of soul or spirit?
These are all questions that I've fielded from correspondents for some time. They're good questions because they call on people who hold to diverse models of the universe to do a reality check.
Terms of Faith: Discoursing on ReligionMaya Bohnhoff
How we use language in discussing and writing about religion and faith. Ways in which language can illuminate and obscure and how to cut through verbal camouflage, avoid straw arguments, and actually communicate.
Pearls Upon a String: the Essential Unity of ReligionMaya Bohnhoff
A look through scripture at several of the world's revealed religions and their teachings about God, the Founders of faith, and humankind ... and the nature of the relationship between the three.
Mythbusting: Are Science and Religion Really at War?Maya Bohnhoff
An exploration of common myths surrounding the historical relationship between science an religion. From a Baha'i perspective, though the information is largely from Ronald Numbers's anthology on the subject of science and religion: Galileo Goes to Jail.
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
Discover various methods for clearing negative entities from your space and spirit, including energy clearing techniques, spiritual rituals, and professional assistance. Gain practical knowledge on how to implement these techniques to restore peace and harmony. For more information visit here: https://www.reikihealingdistance.com/negative-entity-removal/
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
2. Proposition: Progressive revelation reconciles the
problems raised by the diversity of religious
experience—revelation, dogma, effects on humanity,
etc—for secular humanists and religionists alike.
3. The Left
The Secular Humanist
speaks: Might not God be
better found in a modern
scientific journal than in
religious doctrine?
4. Argument for Science
❖ Science is natural. ❖ It does not indulge in
magical thinking.
❖ It explains the existence &
order of the universe & ❖ It deals with human reality,
human consciousness. which is the material
world.
❖ It is rational, fact-based,
objective & non-dogmatic. ❖ It is progressive, evolving
as we evolve.
❖ It is antithetical to
sectarianism, dogmatism, ❖ It is self-correcting,
intolerance & violence. acknowledges its mistakes
& moves on.
5. Argument Against Religion
❖ It was invented by man. ❖ It indulges in magical
thinking.
❖ It misrepresents the origins
of man & cosmos and ❖ It combines servility &
represses human intellect. solipsism.
❖ It is irrational, dogmatic, ❖ It represents an
subjective. anachronistic, Bronze Age
philosophy.
❖ It gives rise to sectarianism,
disunity, intolerance,
repression & violence.
6. This is the sum of duty: do naught to others
which if done to thee would cause thee pain.
— Krishna, The Mahabharata
7. The Right
The Evangelical Christian
speaks: Isn’t God found
only in the Bible, thereby
making all other religions
false, and science an
illusion at worst and the
product of human
intellect at best?
8. Argument for Religion
❖ Religion was created by ❖ It recognizes that material
God. reality is an illusion & a test.
❖ It explains the creation of ❖ It puts the human spirit in
the Universe & human touch with reality, which is
consciousness. the spiritual world.
❖ It is antithetical to ❖ It is absolute—it doesn’t
materialism & immorality. change.
❖ It teaches us to love others ❖ It rejects “progress” that is
as we love ourselves. detrimental to the human
spirit.
9. Argument Against Science
❖ Science misrepresents the ❖ It encourages the denial of
origins of man and cosmos God’s existence and
& derails human therefore, the need to obey
development. His laws.
❖ It is amoral, illusory & ❖ It is grounded in hubris.
misleading.
❖ It combines arrogance &
❖ It gives birth to materialism, solipsism.
repression of the human
spirit, & glorification of the ❖ It has become disconnected
creation over the Creator. from human reality & from
history.
10. Argument Against Other Religions
Evangelical: The Bible tells us
that the master of deceit, Satan,
will do anything to stop souls
from going to Heaven. So if he
can prevent you from having a
relationship with Jesus by
distracting you with a false
religion, he’s achieved his goal!
That is why you see so many
religions—the more there are
the better the chance Satan can
confuse people and keep them
from seeing the Truth.
11. What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men.
That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.
—Hillel, The Talmud
12. Continuing the Conversation
Humanist: But religion is
archaic. It’s an artifact from
mankind’s childhood and
represents an absolute and
not a relative way of looking
at the universe. It can’t be
progressive by its very
nature, and so, it can’t guide
mankind’s ethical evolution.
We must be guided by our
“ethical intuitions”—an
inherent moral compass—
that evolves as we evolve.
13. Allow me to quote an expert:
“Religion spoke its last
intelligible or noble or inspiring
words a long time ago ... or it
mutated into an admirable but
nebulous humanism. We shall
have no more prophets or sages
from the ancient quarter, which
is why the devotions of today
are only the echoing repetitions
of yesterday.” — Christopher
Hitchens, God is Not Great, p 6
14. Continuing the Conversation
Evangelical: Religion is ancient,
absolute and infallible. It can’t be
progressive and there’s no room
for diversity of belief. The
message that can change the
world hasn’t changed—God has
spoken through Christ once for all
time. I’m sure He’ll make some
provision for non-believers, but it
must involve Christ in some way.
Allow me to quote an expert: “I
am the Way the Truth and Life, no
man comes to the Father but by me.”
— Jesus Christ
15. The Center
The Bahá’í speaks:
You’ve found a point of
unity: you both say that
revelation is at an end.
But is it?
16. Humanist: It has to be because religion is manmade and its
creation relies on myth-making. That takes time.
Evangelical: It has to be because God spoke to mankind
once and for all time through Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.
17. Bahá’í: We’ll get back to the idea that revelation has ended. But if man has an
inherent moral compass that evolves as we evolve, why didn’t it guide us to
create an evolving, inclusive religion? Why does religion deteriorate? Why does
dogma get more exclusive and irrational as the religion ages instead of more
inclusive and rational?
Humanist: That’s just the nature of religion. It’s inherently evil. Look at all the evil
things it’s done—the Crusades, the witch burnings, terrorism, even the
persecution of your own faith in Iran.
18. Bahá’í: But science and secular politics have perpetrated evils too
—atomic weapons, eugenics, Social Darwinism, communism,
Nazism—yet you’re not saying that the manmade institutions of
politics and science are “inherently evil.” Isn’t that a double
standard?
Humanist: No comment.
19. Bahá’í: And, Evangelical, if religion is absolute, why do the
teachings of the Old Testament differ from the teachings in
the Gospel?
Evangelical: But they don’t differ. God is always the same, so
His teachings are always the same.
20. Bahá’í: What about the law of divorce? Moses gave one law and Christ
changed it, saying: “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts,
permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not
so.” (Matthew 19:8) Isn’t Christ showing that God gives us His laws
according to our capacity to understand them?
Evangelical: No comment.
22. Humanist: So what’s your solution, Bahá’í? What explains the
unique position of religion among human institutions? What
accounts for its “deterioration,” as you call it?
Evangelical: Yeah, and how do you explain the changes Christ
made in Mosaic law? Why do you think His laws would change?
25. Bahá’í: Let’s look at the Bahá’í
concept of progressive revelation—
each Founder of a revealed religion
brings a message that reflects
God’s will for that age.
The message is consistent with the
capacity of the audience; the
Teacher asks the believers to stretch
just a bit to take in new ideas—for
example, as Christ asks His
followers to change the way they
understood marriage and divorce.
26. Humanist: But aren’t these “Teachers” just men? They may be
wise or enlightened, but they’re still just human beings, right?
Evangelical: Yeah, aren’t they just men? They may be wise or
enlightened, but they’re not divine like Christ.
27. Bahá’í: If these Teachers are going to
tell us anything about God that we
can’t figure out by ourselves, then
They must have capacities beyond
ours.
Try this metaphor on for size: Each
divine Mediator is like a perfectly
polished Mirror capable of reflecting
the full glory of the Sun (God) in a
way that we can comprehend.
So, yes, Humanist, They’re human.
And yes, Evangelical, They’re divine.
28. Bahá’í: These Mediators restate the eternal
principles of religion—the sort of principle
represented by the Golden Rule, for example
—and give social teachings that suit the age.
In its growth period—its spring and summer
—religion flourishes as its teachings take
root. It begins to absorb artifacts from the
culture around it. In its autumn and winter
—it deteriorates as those artifacts begin to
overshadow the original message.
Sometimes this results in changes in
doctrine. Sometimes it results in new
denominations. And sometimes it results in
violent conflict. That’s why God continues to
send His Messengers … in every age.
29. Do not impose on others what you yourself do
not desire.
—Kung-fu-tse, Analects
30. Humanist: So, you’re saying God Evangelical: No, she’s saying that
created religion and man “edited” God created all the religions and
it. And you’re saying God has that He’s revealed Himself to us
revealed Himself to us within the through someone other than
last 2000 years. Please explain. Christ! How can that be?
31. Bahá’í: Well, think about it. If the
point of God speaking to us is to
bring us into a closer relationship to
Him—to give life to our souls—then
does it make sense that He’d speak
one time, then fall silent?
If He’s the God revealed by Christ
(among others), then won’t He
behave as the loving Parent that
Christ revealed? What good human
parent would speak to his child once
when he was ten, say, then refuse to
say another word until the child was
on his death bed?
And if He’s a rational God, won’t he
educate us in a similar fashion to the
way we educate our children—in
keeping with each child’s capacity?
32. Bahá’í: Let me quote from my
own expert:
“Religion must be living,
vitalized, moving and
progressive. If it be non-
progressive it is dead. The
divine institutes are
evolutionary; therefore
[their] revelation must be
progressive and
continuous.” —Abdu’l-Bahá
33. Bahá’í: To put the pieces together...
❖ There is one God who manifests Himself in many ways.
❖ One of those ways is through the observable universe,
which we study scientifically.
❖ Another is through religion, which represents our spiritual
education, and which must be ongoing.
❖ This education is given to us through the teachings of
God’s Manifestations, i.e., Krishna, Christ, and
Bahá’u’lláh.
❖ These teachings evolve as we evolve.
❖ So, each religious system represents a stage in our
evolution.
34. Humanist: Okay, maybe that explains the dogmatism, but what about
the magical thinking? Science and religion are like oil and water. The
two don’t mix.
Evangelical: Yeah, what he said … about science and religion, anyway. I
mean, evolution? Give me a break. Liberal scientists planted those
dinosaur bones to throw doubt on the Bible.
35. Bahá’í: Funny I was going to say
that science and religion were like
the two wings of a bird. In fact,
that’s the metaphor the Bahá’í
writings use. Abdu’l-Bahá, the
Bahá’í expert I quoted just now,
says that “Material and spiritual
science are the two wings of human
uplift and attainment. Both are
necessary...”
Necessary, not optional. Bahá’ís
believe—and this is straight from
our scripture—that scientific
knowledge is the highest
attainment in the human world,
because science—whether material
or spiritual—informs the way we
investigate our reality.
36. Hatred does not cease by hatred; hatred ceases by
love. This is an eternal law.
—Buddha, Dhammapada
37. Humanist: But there is no “why”—reality just is. Reality is entirely
physical. Reality is what science explains. Religion is just human
imagination because it doesn't explain things the same way that science
does.
Bahá’í: Is reality entirely physical? Tell me, what do you think about
most of the time? What do you talk about with others? What do you
interact with most of the time?
38. Humanist: I suppose you’re going to tell me.
Bahá’í: Don’t we interact mostly with our own intellect and consciousness
and the intellect and consciousness of others? Certainly we take physical
input through our senses, but we always filter it through our intellect.
After all, in the last half-hour, Humanist, have we once discussed anything
physical except as a metaphor for an intellectual concept?
39. Evangelical: Wait just a
minute! It’s my turn.
Look, Bahá’í, science is
clearly in conflict with the
Bible record. The Bible says
we were created; science says
we just happened by
accident through the process
of evolution.
There’s a huge difference
between a creation and a
natural process.
40. Bahá’í: Yes, evolution
is a process. But isn’t
creation also a process?
A sculptor would say it was. The Bible
says God molded us like clay. If you
watch a sculptor work, you’ll see that
the form the finished piece takes
evolves slowly through a series of
stages until it reaches its finished state.
The path from conception to birth
is also a process. At one time each
one of us looked more like an
amoeba than a human being … but
we were always human beings.
Right?
41. All things whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the
law and the prophets.
—Christ, The Gospel of Matthew
42. Bahá’í: Look around at nature
and at our own intellect. Both are
products of a process—whether
you call it creation or evolution.
We’re surrounded by processes.
The birth and growth of suns and
planets, of life on this planet, of
ideas and inventions … of
civilization itself—all these are
processes. Our own intellect is in
a constant state of evolution—so
is our understanding of it.
Would either of you argue that
our intellect hasn’t changed
since, say, the time of Christ?
43. Humanist: No, I certainly wouldn’t make that argument.
Evangelical: Okay, no. I think we’ve changed too. We’ve
grown. But in some ways, haven’t we grown away from
God?
44. Bahá’í: In some ways we have.
Maybe we should listen to the
man who said that if we’d only
Humanist & Evangelical:
put the teachings of the Sermon Thomas Aquinas?
on the Mount into practice, we’d
have a transformed world.
45. Bahá’í: Wrong. That would be
Bertrand Russell, Welsh earl,
philosopher, logician,
mathematician, historian, co-
founder of analytic philosophy
and most prominent 20th
century atheist.
Though he decried religion as
superstition based in fear, he
understood on some level that
its beneficial effects were limited
by humanity’s choice not to live
by the religions they professed.
46. Bahá’í: In suggesting that religious
principles are only beneficial if we
follow them, Bertrand Russell stands in
complete agreement with religious
scripture.
“The well-being of mankind, its
peace and security, are
unattainable unless and until its
unity is firmly established. This
unity can never be achieved so
long as the counsels which the Pen
of the Most High hath revealed are
suffered to pass unheeded.
Through the power of the words
He hath uttered the whole of the
human race can be illumined with
the light of unity...” — Bahá’u’lláh
47. No one of you is a believer until he desires for his
brother that which he desires for himself.
—Muhammad, Hadith
48. Humanist: But this raises a
key issue. In order to believe
in any religious doctrine,
you have to have faith. Faith
is irrational. It’s believing in
something without any
evidence or proof.
In a word, it’s blind.
49. Evangelical: What’s wrong with that?
The Bible says: “Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. For by it
the elders obtained a good testimony.
By faith we understand that the
worlds were framed by the word of
God, so that the things which are seen
were not made of things which are
visible.” —Hebrews 11:1-3
See what it says about “a good
testimony?” We have faith because of
the testimony of Christ and His
apostles. We have faith because of
what the Holy Spirit does in our own
lives.
50. Humanist: Aha! But that’s
not real faith, is it? You Evangelical: What? No—
believe because of what wait a minute. Did I say
you’ve “seen,” not what that?
you haven’t seen!
51. Humanist: Yes, that’s
Bahá’í: Hold on, Humanist
exactly what I’m saying. I
—are you saying you never
believe in reason. Having
exercise faith?
faith is unreasonable.
52. Humanist: A neutrino? Of
Bahá’í: Have you ever
course not. Neutrinos are
seen a neutrino?
too small to see.
53. Humanist: I don’t believe
Bahá’í: But you believe they exist. I know they
they exist. exist because scientists
have measured them.
54. Bahá’í: So you trust the authority
of the scientists who have Humanist: No, I don’t have faith.
measured neutrinos—you have I simply base my assumption that
faith that these scientists are neutrinos exist on the facts that
doing their work properly and these scientists have ascertained.
coming to the right conclusions.
55. Bahá’í: Then, you’re saying that you’ve
organized your feelings about the
existence of something—in this case, Humanist: Yes. That’s what I just said.
neutrinos—around the assumption that What’s your point?
an authority on the subject has
experienced them in some way.
56. Bahá’í: Only that that’s how I’d define
“faith.”
So would a great many other people,
including philosopher and mathematician
William S. Hatcher, a Bahá’í scholar. I thought
he put it very succinctly when he wrote:
“We need a good word to sum up this process
of organizing our emotions around our
assumptions, and religion has provided us
with the word: faith. We can define an
individual’s faith to be his total emotional
and psychological orientation resulting from
the body of assumptions about reality which
he has made (consciously or unconsciously).”
He also noted that: “Every human being has
faith just as surely as he has a mind and a
body. We are not free to choose not to have
faith any more than we can choose whether to
be born.”
57. Evangelical: No, it’s not silly.
Humanist: That’s silly. And it’s just That’s exactly how I feel. Faith in
semantics. You’d call it faith. I’d God is a natural response to what
call it … He’s done for us and what we’ve
observed in His universe—just as
… something else. you believe in neutrinos because of
what scientists have observed.
58. Bahá’í: So, what you’re both saying is
that through experience, observation,
what the Bible calls testimony—that is,
the expert opinions of people whose
judgment, experience and expertise we
trust—we gather a body of evidence
around which we organize our beliefs.
You, Humanist, primarily consider the
testimony of scientific literature.
You, Evangelical, consider primarily the
testimony of scripture.
As a Bahá’í, I consider both.
What I’m asking you both to do is
question your assumptions—to be open-
minded about the validity of the other’s
experience and “testimony.”
59. Evangelical: And I always
Humanist: I always do try to try to observe truth and
be open-minded. reason as we’re instructed by
the Apostle Paul’s example.
60. Bahá’í: Another point of unity. So, Would you
Humanist: Well, of course I’d have to agree
agree, Humanist, that to be reasonable and
with that. It would be hypocritical of me not
just, you’d judge religion and faith by the
to. After all, it wouldn’t be fair to judge
same standards you’d like others to use when
science solely by the behavior of scientists.
they judge science and scientific thought?
BUT...
And would you agree, Evangelical, that to be
Evangelical: Okay, I agree. Christ did ask us
just (and obedient to Christ) you’d judge both
to judge others by their fruits. And I’d
science and “other” religions by their fruits—
certainly not want Christ judged solely by the
rather than the behavior of their worst
behavior of Christians. BUT...
“adherents?”
61. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice,
choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou
choosest for thyself.
—Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf
62. BUT...
Thereby hangs a dialogue. We invite you to continue the conversation on
your own forums, in your own neighborhoods, with your collegial groups.
63. “Shoghi Effendi has for years urged
the Bahá’ís ... to study history,
economics, sociology, etc., in order to
be au courant with all the progressive
movements and thoughts being put
forth today, and so that they could
correlate these to the Bahá’í teachings.
What he wants the Bahá’ís to do is to
study more, not to study less. The
more general knowledge, scientific
and otherwise, they possess, the
better. Likewise he is constantly
urging them to really study the Bahá’í
teachings more deeply.”
— Universal House of Justice,
Compilation on Scholarship, p. 18