When Strangers Come Knocking---Part 15

 

This is the next installment of my series to be published the first Monday of each month.

There are members of false sects, like Jehovah's Witnesses, that come knocking door-to-door hoping to convert you. Instead of ignoring them, it is we who should try and convert them. In 1 Peter 3:16, our first Pope writes, "But in thy hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks thee to give the reason for the hope that thou hast. But do this with gentleness and respect,..." Before the Great Apostasy, the Church would send missionaries to the ends of the Earth to make as many converts as possible. 

Those in false religions don't always come (literally) knocking at your door. It may be a Hindu at work who wants you to try yoga. It could be a "Christian Scientist" who lives next door and invites you to come to their reading room. Each month, I will present a false sect. Unlike the Vatican II sect, I do not see them as a "means of salvation" or possessing "elements of truth" that lead to salvation. That is heresy. They lead to damnation, and the adherents of the various sects must be converted so they may be saved.

In each month's post, I will present one false sect and give an overview of:  

• The sect's history
• Their theology
• Tips on how to share the True Faith with them

Baha'i

The Baha'i sect is a relatively new religion having been founded only 176 years ago. Most people have never heard of them. Personally, I only became aware of them ten years ago when they opened a Mashriqu'l-Adhkar or Temple not far from where I live. The sect originated in Persia (modern day Iran) and was perceived as an offshoot of Islam. This assessment is manifestly false. Baha'ism should be considered an independent false religion; just as Buddhism grew out of the context of  Hinduism but is distinguished from the former. The name Baha'i  comes from the Persian word meaning a "follower of Baha Allah" (from Arabic for splendor of God). The Baha’i Faith is known by its claims for religious acceptance. Baha’is with pride declare, “We accept all the manifestations of God.” 

The Baha’i Faith stands at the pinnacle, perhaps, in claims for religious harmony and acceptance. Yet, as this post will demonstrate, these claims are without foundation, since each religion it claims to accept is not permitted to speak for itself but is re-interpreted to con­form to the teachings of the Baha’i faith. In essence, other religions are reinvented to teach the Baha’i philosophy. No amount of intellectual gymnastics can change this basic fact: The Baha’i Faith is not as tolerant as it would have us believe. Fundamentally, it recognizes what all religions have accepted: only absolute truths have value. It is thus underhanded in claiming one thing (the acceptance of the basic teachings of all religions) while teaching another (religious exclusivism). This post will show the internal contradiction and false beliefs of a sect which, like the Vatican II sect, wants a One World Religion. 

(My sources on Baha'i are taken primarily from: William McLwee Miller, The Baha’i Faith: Its History and Teachings , (1974), Dr. Francis Beckwith, Baha'i (1985), and the sect's official website, https://www.bahai.org/. ---Introibo). 

Origin

The history of the Baha’is begins in 1844. This was the year that Mizra Ali Muhammad, otherwise known as “the Bab,” proclaimed to the world that he was the greatest Manifesta­tion of God to date and the fulfillment of prophecies in all world Scriptures. Baha’is believe that of the nine or more historic manifestations of God (for example, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus—the exact number has changed historically), the Bab was the greatest revealer of truth up to his time. For this reason the Bahai symbol of the nine-pointed star reflects the importance of the number for the Faith. The number nine is the highest single digit number which therefore symbolizes completeness and the fulfillment of the expectations of all prior religions. The star is often portrayed on Bahai temples, which are nine-sided. (The Baha'i star is depicted at the top of this post). 

The Bab also told of another Manifestation, even greater, who would follow him. The Baha’is interpret this as being his follower Mirza Husayn Ali, otherwise known as Baha’u’llah (1817-1892, author of the Al-Kitab-Al-Aqdas ["The Most Holy Book"], and the Kitab-l-Iqan ["The Book of Certitude"]) who came after the Bab. Baha’u’llah (i.e., “the Glory of God”) is as close as one can come to a Baha’i equivalent of Jesus Christ. Baha’is today view the Bab as his forerunner and give Baha’u’llah preeminence. Hence, the teachings and writings of the Bab are of less import, as they are superseded by those of Baha’u’llah, who brought greater revelation to light.

Known by Baha'i adherents as "The Divine Educator," here is what the Baha'is claim about Baha’u’llah:

Throughout history, the great religions have provided the primary driving force behind the civilizing of human character, eliciting self-discipline, devotion and heroism from their followers. Many of religion’s moral principles have been translated into structures and patterns of conduct which have served to elevate human relationships and advance humanity’s collective life.

Every time a Manifestation of God appears, a fuller measure of inspiration for the next stage in the awakening and progress of humanity is released into the world. A human being—ordinary in every outward respect—is called to be a mouthpiece for God. One may call to mind Moses standing before the Burning Bush, the Buddha receiving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove, or the archangel Gabriel appearing to Muhammad.

In the middle of the 19th century, God summoned Baha’u’llah—meaning the “Glory of God”—to deliver a new Revelation to humanity. For four decades thousands of verses, letters and books flowed from His pen. In His Writings, He outlined a framework for the development of a global civilization which takes into account both the spiritual and material dimensions of human life.

I have never aspired after worldly leadership. My sole purpose hath been to hand down unto men that which I was bidden to deliver by God…

— Baha’u’llah (See https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/; Emphasis mine). 

Notice the absolute and abhorrent egalitarianism; Jesus Christ is equal to Moses, Buddha, and Mohammed. What did all of these writings of Baha’u’llah teach? The Baha'i doctrines will be examined next.

Doctrines

 1. One World Government and Religion

The fundamental principles of Baha’i revolve around an emphasis on world unity. Thus Baha’is emphasize belief in the oneness of God, the oneness of religion (in a sense, a world religion evolving “into” oneness through progressive revelation) and the oneness of mankind. They also stress the harmony of science and religion and universal compulsory education (which would incorporate Baha'i teachings). They advocate for:

•  complete equal­ity of the sexes
• a universal language to be learned by all
• Baha'i as the source of unity
• international peace maintained by a One-World Government
• elimination of all forms of prejudice (read: sodomite/transgender perversion)
• the abolition of extremes of wealth and poverty 

 Baha’is insist that they are a progressive, uniting factor among all religions, and that they are not a new religion. Nevertheless, their writings prove that The Baha’i Faith is a new religion, one in active competition with all others and hence not a uniting factor. This rejection of other faiths is maintained even while Baha’i offers the other faiths the hand of unity and friendship. When this is seen for what it is, this spiritual pre­tense is distasteful to the neutral observer or committed member of another faith. Baha’is only tell a member of another religion exactly what he or she may wish to hear: “Baha’i does not deny your beliefs, it teaches that you can be a devout Christian and also a Baha’i.” Thus new prospects are promised, “The Baha’i Faith invites us to broaden our religious horizons, not to become an apostate.”(See Baha'i magazine World Order, Fall, 1977, p. 11).

Unfortunately, this is precisely what happens. After one commits oneself to The Baha’i Faith, one learns that “true religion” is found only in the teachings of Baha’u’llah; it is one’s own religion that has been seriously corrupted. According to Baha'i all religions teach the same truth, despite variation due to local customs, cultures and the depth of religious evolution of man at that point. The world’s religions will eventually accept the truth and unite under Baha’i teachings into one grand ecumenical brotherhood. 

2. Manifestations of God

Baha'i's founder, the Bab, was considered a heretic by Moslems as he declared himself a greater manifestation of truth than Mohammed. For this, he was executed. According to the Baha'i myth, 750 soldiers fired upon him and he was unscathed. After he finished writing his last words of a text, he "permitted" the execution to take place. Bab's successor, Baha’u’llah attempted to distinguish between the proph­ets’ station (rank) and mission. As to their station, the prophets are all equal in an absolute sense. As to the prophets’ mission, however, “the words and utterances … appear to diverge and differ… [still] all their utterances are, in reality, but the expressions of one Truth.”(See Shoghi Effendi, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah  (1976), pgs. 66-67). Therefore, Buddha and Mohammad are one, despite Buddha’s practical atheism and Mohammad’s zealous theism.

Dr. Beckwith writes, "The problem with this concept of revelation is that it is self-defeating. The statement, “revelation is relative,” which is allegedly a revelation spoken by Baha’u’llah, must be either relative or absolute. If the statement is relative, it is not absolutely binding, and it is possible that absolute revelation does exist. If the statement, “revelation is relative,” is absolute, then the statement, “revelation is relative,” cannot be true. Thus, the Baha’i doctrine of relative revelation is self-defeating and untrue." (See Beckwith, cited above, pgs.20-21). 

Bahai's will tell potential converts they are not anti-Christian and may be both Christian and Baha'i because, like Christianity, they believe Jesus is the Christ, born of the Virgin Mary. What they conveniently omit to tell them is that Baha’u’llah is the promised Messiah of the Bible and other holy scriptures, and that Baha’u’llah’s teachings supersede all others. Baha’u’llah was none other than Jesus Christ returned, and it is to him, not Jesus, that Christians and others must look. Why then are Christians still looking for Jesus’ return? Because Christ’s erring disciples falsely interpreted Jesus’ teachings. This explains why such teachings do not seem to conform to Baha’u’llah’s revelations. (This will not be made explicit until the conversion is complete, and the person has decided to sever ties with their former religion). 

Other tenets:

God: God is unknowable except through conflicting manifestations. God cannot incarnate Himself.

Jesus Christ: One of many manifestations of the divine; Jesus Christ returned as Baha’u’llah.

Divine Revelation: Written revelation is incomplete and continuing; religious truth is ultimately relative. In their true essence and teaching all religions are true or reflect facets of the truth.

Heaven and Hell: Neither place exists. When you die, your soul will enter a "spiritual realm" wherein your spiritual development determines whether one is closer or farther from God. You develop spiritually according to (a) how closely you believed the teachings of Baha'i and (b) how ethical or "nice" you were in life. 

The Baha'i have a governing body called The Universal House of Justice. There are no clergy properly so-called. They have simple prayer services with readings from  Baha’u’llah. If there is no temple nearby, they gather in houses for this purpose. 

Proselytizing Tips for Baha'is

• Point out that their sect is internally inconsistent.  "God" cannot be both Trinity and non-trinitarian. If God cannot Incarnate Himself, Christ lied. How can they accept a liar as a "manifestation" of God?

• Show how Baha'i undermines itself. Baha’is believe that Christians have rejected God. They decry the fact that the prophets, especially Baha’u’llah, have not been accepted by Christians. If this is true, Baha'i also teach that one who denies any of the manifestation of God, has denied all. Baha’is deny Christ is God Incarnate, which is to deny His message and Mission. Therefore, they deny Baha’u’llah

• The simple fact is that the Baha’i approach to religion is opposed in reason. The only way to accept all "manifestations of God" is to claim that the Law of Non-Contradiction in logic, which states that contradictory propositions cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense (e.g., Christ is God Incarnate and Christ is not God Incarnate), is to be abandoned. To abandon the Law of Non-Contradiction is to abandon being rational

The Vatican II Sect: DON'T Proselytize

The Vatican II sect put out a leaflet (part of a "Getting to Know Other Faiths" series) on Baha'i. Here's the introduction section to said leaflet:

In the Vatican II 'Declaration on the relationship of the Church with Non-Christians' [ Nostra Aetate] we find that the Church speaks with warmth and openness and greets People of Faith as partners in a single great enterprise. These religions contain much that is good and holy and provide ways of salvation for millions of people all over the world. Throughout the documents of Vatican II we find encouragement to respect, accept and meet as friends, those who profess faiths different from our own. The Baha’í Faith will be introduced here in this spirit. (See https://bahai-faith.manvell.org.uk/fragrant/catholic.html; Emphasis mine).  It doesn't matter what you believe because all faiths are pathways to salvation--sounds almost like Baha'i, doesn't it? 

The leaflet has a couple of "Questions for Discussion," one of which states, "In what areas would cooperation with people of [the] Baha'i Faith be most fruitful and possible?" Notice: cooperation; not a word about converting them to save their souls. This is the sad and repulsive sect of Jorge Bergoglio.

Conclusion

The Baha'i sect attracts people because of its emphasis on "universal peace and harmony" as well as its giving a great significance to ethics and truthfulness. They want a One World Religion that allows all to become Baha'i without giving up their own "faith community." This has been shown to be a lie by those same Baha'is who purport to value truthfulness. The Baha'i sect wants to absorb all faiths into accepting their doctrines which are irrational; that allow mutually exclusive ideas to be held. They want a One World Government with compulsory education in Baha'i. The Vatican II sect holds a similar belief that all religions are more or less good and they [truthfully] do not want anyone, including Baha'is, to convert. The times are evil.

We must do all we can to convert as many people as we can to the One True Church of Jesus Christ. She alone is the Mystical Body of Christ, and Jesus alone could rightfully say, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one cometh to the Father, but by Me." (St. John 14:6).