Why the Bahá'í Faith is a Really Big Deal

[@rouhiyehk]

Thank you for this wonderful talk.🙏❤️🌺🌷👏👏😀

[@chantal3804]

Thank you for this amazing talk.

[@johndoee3850]

Thanks 4 helping 😘 the Bahai Faith.

[@gayldeboer167]

I understand that the Adamic Cycle was closed by the Seal Hense The Bab means the Gate. The Bab openned the seal. Broke the Seal Then Baha'u'llah came. The cycles of the Word of God for our guidance

[@johndoee3850]

@@gayldeboer167 What is your religion?

[@shamssimin]

I can’t thank you enough for putting all these amazing presentations together. This is a great source of courage and wisdom.

[@brucewilson1958]

Greetings! Highly practical presentation; great knowledge in teaching Christians and Muslims. My opinion regarding...Seal of the Prophets...perhaps it means the end of prophecy and the beginning of fulfillment of the Plan of God.

[@irajaghdasi]

The best short introduction I have encountered.

[@21stCenturyEconomy]

Great work. Make more content like this.

[@patriciarowe2776]

Regarding the "Seal of the Prophets:" Some years ago I read a book by a Baha'i author who approached this problem. I wish I could find the book now or remember the author, but maybe someone else has also read it and can elaborate and verify. The author noted that Islamic texts mention "Prophets" and "Messengers," and suggests that the prophets are those Manifestations of God who prophesied about the Coming of the One who would come in the Day of Judgment, and/or would usher in the time of Heaven on Earth. I believe he said that the Messengers, in contrast, are those who fulfilled the Word of God. The author put forth the idea that when His Holiness Muhammad said "I am the Seal of the Prophets," He meant that the next One would not be a prophet, for the time of prophesy was over, and the time of the fulfillment of prophesy had arrived. As Baha'u'llah has fulfilled the prophesies of all religions and set down for us the blueprint for the actualization of Heaven on earth.

[@davidpetrie3793]

Muhammad was the Seal of the Prophetic Cycle. Baha'u'llah is the beginning of the fulfillment cycle.

[@taranehvargha41]

this is great! thank you so much!

[@lesliefarrell7675]

Love this / thank you!

[@atiqrahman7289]

BAHAI religion seems to be all-inclusive. That is GOOD.

[@husseinmahrus7175]

Only if you are not LGBT

[@KazKuz-ev6yy]

It’s not, women can’t be elected, homosexual relationships are forbidden

[@DivineFellowship]

Baha'is have no answer for almost anything in the Bhagavad-Gita. Hinduism is well beyond the ken of the Baha'i mind. Baha'i rejects reincarnation though it was taught by Buddha and Krishna. Baha'i has almost zero interest in meditation in any technical sense, though meditation is the central technique in most schools of Hinduism and Buddhism. Baha'is even reject the idea of austerities and penances though it is the basic path for the saints, whether of Buddhism. Hinduism, or Christianity. Baha'i Faith is a primitive, Islamic-oriented ersatz form of Sufism, though rejects most of the good things in Sufism.

[@balancepositivetherapy]

Moojan Momen's Islam and the Baha'i Faith explains the Seal of the Prophets very well.

[@danielwallace1653]

one great love

[@nmoe2000]

Thanks

[@janepovey6312]

I just watched this presentation and as a long time Baha'i I found it really informative and extremely easy to listen to. The writings from Ali were fascinating and something I had never come across. I also visited sifterofdust and found it a wonderful site with many thought provoking topics. Thank you for the interview.

[@keithhopkins691]

Thanks for an excellent presentation. I have a close friend interested in the faith and this will make an perfect introduction for me to further expand up. I’m sure she will like it. ✨🙏

[@DivineFellowship]

The best introduction to The Baha'i Faith is to read the short "Book Of Laws" (Kitab-i-Aqdas), preferably the more accurate translation by Elder & Miller. Baha'u'llah commands Baha'is to "Wear sable and squirrel skin" as well as many other real bizarre, primitive things.

[@Zoey5374]

​@DivineFellowship Kitab-i-Aqdas translation from the Baha'i Reference Library online says: Hair doth not invalidate your prayer, nor aught from which the spirit hath departed, such as bones and the like. Ye are free to wear the fur of the sable as ye would that of the beaver, the squirrel, and other animals ¶9 The clarification from the notes say: In some earlier religious Dispensations, the wearing of the hair of certain animals or having certain other objects on one’s person was held to invalidate one’s prayer. Bahá’u’lláh here confirms the Báb’s pronouncement in the Arabic Bayán that such things do not invalidate one’s prayer. In the translation you are referencing: Hair does not make void your worship, nor does that which has been deprived of spirit, such, for example, as bones and other things. [Note 4] Wear sable (sammur) just as you wear silk and squirrel-skin and other things. Indeed, this was not forbidden in the Furqan (i.e. the Qur'an), but the learned ones were uncertain about it. Indeed He is the Knower, the Mighty One. Both translations say that it is allowed, not mandatory. And that wearing it doesn't invalidate prayer as some previously believed. Please be careful about taking anything out of context as you can't understand the true meaning if you take it out of context. Have a nice day/night :)

[@jahlegion]

It’s not just a religion but truly a Gift to every living things on this planet. If one couldn’t find not a single line to be false or wrong then what is holding back everyone from accepting it? Pride? Attachment to the old ways? The most reasonable and perfect religion mankind has ever seen so far and yet there are only few followers of it compared to the others. Will always be in awe I guess.

[@alamrafique6216]

It was a brilliant talk, doc!

[@johnforbes4795]

I'm certainly not an authority, but as to Muhammed in the Koran stating that he is "...the Seal of the Prophets....", one thought on it can be seen from the current Baha'i Global Plans as developed for us so lovingly by the Universal House of Justice. It is said that all of the religions prior to Baha'u'llah were in the Age of Prophecy, which transitioned during the Mission of The Bab to the Age of Fulfillment. Said another way, Religion until the time of Baha'u'llah has been guiding us towards the eventual "Time of the End"; the end of prophecy and the building of the Kingdom of God on Earth. Now, what does that really mean? Probably, Mankind will continue to catch glimmers of God's intention, but ultimately our using words do describe the Unknowable will lead to continuing discussion on these points. And talk is fine, but it must be combined with action as we strive to do our part in fulfilling God's intention.

[@UniversalistSon9]

I love the Baha’i faith, I’ve never really took that whole Baha’u’llah being the return of Christ idea to seriously though, I do see a unity between all religions.

[@tds_pro4037]

Thank you so much Mr. Williams for such a great talk! By the way love the website you created with your wife, Sifters of Dust ! ❤

[@saborivaille1258]

Great listen!

[@ultrasignificantfootnote3378]

May the creator provide for the best blessings for all creation and all eternity and beyond,if he is real.

[@sabrina-hu4ri]

Thank you. ~ a fellow Baha'i.

[@ejvr99]

36:25 I don’t think you are correct about the Samaritans. Modern genetic studies support the Samaritan narrative that they descend from indigenous Israelites. They worship the same God as Jews.

[@kendalwilliams839]

Thank you for that. I was going by what I remembered from college courses on early Christianity. And that was a while ago!

[@deannaway8499]

"This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future." Baha'u'llah ❤

[@atiqrahman7289]

A person can be BAHAI---- and be follower of other religions also. !

[@balancepositivetherapy]

Not liking organized religion... the Edgar Cayce Primer has a good answer to that. (Essentially that organization is sometimes a good thing). Another idea is: Their problem is usually with the old religions. One just try to point out the Baha'i Faith being only 180 years old doesn't have most of the same "problems" of the religions they have problems with.

[@JET4231]

When people say that they don't like organized religion, it is usually because of the way that it has been organized by the followers. In the case of the Baha'i Faith, it has been organized by the Founder Himself (with details added ONLY by His authorized interpreters). One of the aspects of His organization is that there are no individuals who currently have any authority in the Baha'i Faith--no clergy, priests, bishops etc. Instead, all authoritative decision-making is done by elected groups. This takes a lot of the ego out of religion, and a lot of the objections that most people have.

[@weston06.]

My biggest gripe with Baha’i is that it’s believers don’t seem to be consistent. Like affirming homosexuality despite Baha’ism explicitly prohibiting it.

[@stars.inthenightsky]

Individual Baha'is are not representative of the entire faith

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Not convinced even slightly.

[@swifstart_7777]

right the entire world was divided between different tribes, dialects, languages , tribal religions/spiritualities, and cultures

[@catherinewanjiru1239]

❤

[@saniatadarapiza2324]

I understand 'Seal of the Prophets ' as the 'Mark, or impression' ( seal preceeded by 'the ' is a noun) then seal of God then would mean an authentic mark of God; (when preceeded by 'to' is a verb or action to do like 'to seal a book' is to 'close).

[@saniatadarapiza2324]

So I would understand that Muhammad is, in His Day, was an/the authentic Mark or Impression of the earlier Messengers sent by God. ...

[@saniatadarapiza2324]

He did not come 'to seal' or close God's Book. 'Emanate' means to come forth... e.g. His power emanates from God.

[@saniatadarapiza2324]

Thank you so much. ... Also, Manifest is to show or reveal, proclaim.

[@waiotahi52]

I thought..Mohamed was the last of the Prophetic line, that age ended with him?.. all the Manifestations after him are not 'Prophets? Something like that

[@irical100]

To me and my cohorts, Emperor Haile Selassie I and Ethiopian estachological/geneological history really fits the bill more so of purposeful messianic personhood. It is similar in detail I suppose but His Majesty's life fills the prophetic details to more precise degrees. "Rastafari" is one manifestation of people ("of the eye") who rose up out of the upmost degradation perpetuated by hateful whiteness supremacy scheme to declare the fullness of what I am positing here. Everything in this world hinges on the fight against hatred and injustice and The Emperor's struggle against fascism typifies said battle. His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I is the Archetypal Christ figure in this time, whether this blinded world sees it or not

[@toddmaggio2032]

The problem with the Bahai faith is that it is an offshoot of Islam and accepts Islam as a true religion. There is ample evidence that Islam is not a true religion.

[@ejvr99]

Yes! And they both are developed by one man in one life time.

[@mytahirih95]

It is not offshoot of any religion. Baha’i Faith is an independent religion.

[@toddmaggio2032]

@@mytahirih95 Bahai faith is born from the matrix of Islam and accepts Muhammad as a true prophet of God. In fact the God that Baha's worship is the same Allah of Muhammad. But Allah of Islam is not the God in the Bible or the deity Jesus called Father. That claim is made by Muslims but there is evidence that these two deities are very different. Allah of Muhammad is the same Allah of the Quraish and the Quraish worshipped Baal, Allah means the God. it is a title like the King, the Boss or the President. To confuse al lah or Arabs with al lah of Christians is like confusing the president of Mexico with the president or the USA because both have the same titl4e.

[@madra000]

Accidentally clicked but if anyone knows the opening lady shout out her socials she is very attractive ps nice discourse

[@tirandaz7612]

If anything, anything is really a big deal, does it needed to be touted? Especially by the one touting it? Get real.

[@purelythemusic]

Have you heard of the professional violinist in a subway playing one of the most refined violins? He played for an hour the concert pieces he was performing in a nearby theatre and was by the vast majority, unnoticed. In today’s world of distractions, yes it does need some promotion.

[@gokulsampath9345]

I noticed you made a quick but major error in this presentation. India or South Asia in general has never been predominantly Muslim, though isla has always been a large minority religion. As a Bahai you should know this because Sri Krishna is one your manifestations of god.

[@mollymuch2808]

The bible alone is the word of God The bible is about God ,s rescue plan for mankind We live to the audience of only 1 in life To Him we must give account It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgement The question will be asked of you what did you do with my son Jesus

[@jarrakis4834]

What is the Baha’i explanation for the genocidal commands in the Torah and Quran? Just how godly is this?

[@kendalwilliams839]

Good question. Not very godly, but they are both old texts that were from a very different time in history. The Torah is very old and authenticity is an issue with a document that old, but these were tribal peoples and almost all tribal peoples were nearly constantly at war. The Quran was also born in a tribal environment of constant war as well, and the Quran deals bluntly with those realities. Baha'u'llah's first command to His followers was to abrogate any violence associated with religion or the promotion of religion. It was literally His first command after making the announcement of His Mission. He was announcing a new time in history, the one in which we live, where violence and war must be abandoned. The problem is not so much that war was a part of religion of the past, because that's just the reality of immature societies, but that we don't rely on texts meant for people living 1400 years ago to define how we act now.

[@syedinchicago7443]

Genocide in the Quran ???? Where ? Please show me the verse... hmmmm. I have read the Quran numerous times.

[@ejvr99]

47:00 Hinduism and Buddhism aren’t on this map.

[@officercrown]

If Bahai is true then christians are worshipping a man who didnt die for them but was saved by Allah.. this is your updated religion ? You insult jesus and the Holy spirit that testifies of him. Shameful

[@erinsnook8537]

I think you’re not understanding.

[@atiqrahman7289]

Does not look to be that BAHA-ULLAH claimed to be returning Christ.

[@mytahirih95]

Yes he has!

[@ejvr99]

Whether he claimed it or not, I don’t find it an incentive to join.

[@AspenVonFluffer]

Heaven is a mental construct and the only way in is through Jesus. Everything else is a deception... And Jesus is for everyone. Please just go read Matthew and John. You can skip over the genealogy part of Matthew in the beginning. It gets really good from there ;)

[@michaeleast9675]

By God Kendal Williams‼️‼️‼️ It drives me crazy that a Bahai such as yourself cannot answer questions concerning other religions❗️. You weren’t able to answer what Seal of the Prophets actually means. You didn’t answer how to explain what Jesus meant when he spoke of…. I am the way, the truth and the light quote❗️ And finally you weren’t able to give a solid answer to the question about organized religion❗️ How is it your teaching these young people and you can’t answer basic Bahai Knowledge ❗️Maybe you aught to let me explain these things to you. Have you ever read the Bahai teaching book…..TEACHING: The Crown of Immortal Glory?

[@kristibentz4232]

The "problem" is Christians worship a TRIUNE GOD; ONE GOD in 3 Divine persons. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, are ONE in essence, distinct in person, EQUAL in Divinity, from all Eternity; the Alpha and the Omega The second person of the Divine Trinity, God the Son, became FLESH, by the power of the Holy Ghost, and was born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is the GOD-MAN; God from all eternity, and man who humbled Himself and took on our flesh in time circa 2000 years ago. Thus it is rightly said Mary is the mother of God. Jesus was not just a prophet, He was prophet, priest, and King. Divine revelation ended on the death of the last of the 12 Apostles; St. John. Mohamad was a false prophet as is the Bab, as well as Baha u llah . Brilliant plan to deceive to the masses. One world religion which does not recognize One God in Three Divine Persons. Jesus will return in all his Glory! Christ is KING! He will come to judge the living and the dead. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1) Again, St. Thomas exclaims, ", "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). The Athanasian Creed: Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity. Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.

[@kristibentz4232]

@@noself7889 That is correct, "there is only one God, not three" ONE God in 3 divine persons. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost from all eternity....there is no "time" in God. Jesus is the God-Man....the second person of the divine Trinity who was BORN in the flesh in time...by the power of the Holy Ghost, born of the ever virgin Mary, 2,000 years ago. Read Genesis 1:26 "And he said: Let US make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea..... We read in John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The proper understanding is, "In the beginning was the word:[1] or rather, the word was in the beginning. The eternal word, the uncreated wisdom, the second Person of the blessed Trinity, the only begotten Son of the Father, as he is here called of the same nature and substance, and the same God, with the Father and Holy Ghost. This word was always; so that it was never true to say, he was not, as the Arians blasphemed. This word was in the beginning. Some, by the beginning, expound the Father himself, in whom he was always. Others give this plain and obvious sense, that the word, or the Son of God, was, when all other things began to have a being; he never began, but was from all eternity. And the word was with God; i.e. was with the Father; and as it is said, (ver. 18) in the bosom of the Father; which implies, that he is indeed a distinct person, but the same in nature and substance with the Father and the Holy Ghost. This is repeated again in the second verse, as repetitions are very frequent in St. John. - And the word was God. This without question is the construction; where, according to the letter we read, and God was the word. (Witham) - The Greek for the word is Logos, which signifies not only the exterior word, but also the interior word, or thought; and in this latter sense it is taken here. (Bible de Vence) - Philo Judæus, in the apostolic age, uses the word Logos, p. 823, to personify the wisdom and the power of God. Logos estin eikon Theou di ou sumpas o Kosmos edemiourgeito. By a similar metonymy, Jesus Christ is called the way, the truth, the life, the resurrection. - And the word was God. Here the eternity and the divinity of the second Person are incontrovertibly established..." (Haydock)

[@stevenclark5682]

Many words,not true

[@kristibentz4232]

@@stevenclark5682 "Many words, not true"? What "words" are not true? Also, on what authority do have the right to claim they are not true?

[@atiqrahman7289]

Purpose of Religion is UNITY------ but unfortunately people continue to fight on the basis of religion.

[@DivineFellowship]

No, the purpose of religion is to enable people to know God directly and personally.

[@deborahjcaudillo3587]

Thank you ive been away from the faith for over 20 years

[@maybenjaminbenjamin9330]

Can we stop the adds from this very important work!

[@faunwillow]

The Sacred Root Black Elk saw in his Great Vision. We need to plant it and watch it grow. Thank you all so much.

[@nighistiadgoiy8129]

Moses thought hai gin and Ten Commandments Mohamed thought maths and science

[@randyman1739]

Am praying that the beautiful woman in the beginning and the rest speaking and watching call upon Jesus when this world goes into the Great Tribulation. We all have to endure the false messiah first (Anti-Christ). kNOw JESUS kNOw PEACE ✝️ 🙏

[@CrankyCorvid]

What’s interesting about the Baha’i Faith is that it’s brought me to an even greater understanding of and love for Jesus the Christ! You don’t lose Jesus…you GAIN Baha’u’llah.

[@randyman1739]

@CrankyCorvid I'm happy to see you say that. The best person you could ever get to know is Jesus Christ on a personal level. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. The Great Tribulation is right around the corner for a worldwide genocide by the so called leaders n rich men of our world n soon here Anti-Christ. Call upon Jesus in your time of need, make Him your Lord n Savior and you will be saved. Maranatha! 🙏 ⚡️☁️☁️✝️☁️☁️⚡️ 🙌⬆️💞

[@SeraphimGoose]

​@@CrankyCorvid If you don't know that Jesus is God then you don't have Jesus.

[@randyman1739]

@SeraphimGoose Right on brother.

[@lenkabosma5629]

Thank you for your prayers. We must all live in a prayerful state. Much better for all.

[@1089S]

Nothing in human history has divided civilizatios more than the religion. Come to Jesus which is not a religion but His way of life. He is the Truth that became flesh and lived amoung us. The God of Islam is Allah and according to Quran 3:54 is the best of deceivers (almakereen). Bahai faith is combining Islam and Christianity. Ok, what happens if you combine Truth with deception? It is like adding positive and negative. The net result is nothing. Case closed .

[@JET4231]

Actually, if you were able to listen to the words of Jesus in the Aramaic language which He spoke, you would find that Jesus did not use the Germanic word "God". Rather, the word He used for "God" at that time was "Elah". This is related to the Arabic word "Allah". (See "Names of God in Judaism" on Wikipedia for details.) It has been the unfortunate custom of many translators of the Qur'an to refrain from translating "Allah" as "God". However, whenever the Baha'i Writings have been translated into English, "Allah" has always been translated as "God". And it is clear from the context, when the Qur'an says that this is the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc--it doesn't matter what term is used. A rose by any other name is still a rose.

[@razzram1629]

It is irrational to think that Jesus is not inextricable to Christianity. Christ and religion go hand in hand. That is the reality. That is christendom. Yes, religion has divided but the blame should rest upon the individuals who follow the religion rather the religion itself. For religion's essence is to create a moral foundation and should unite rather than divide. The abrahimic religions are very similar, has always been connected by the essential fundamentals and teaching of each religion, and yet differ in certain laws. Therefore, religions have always been a combination. Are we to say that its net result is zero? Impossible!

[@xxbigdaddyxxky]

‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‭-‬7‬ [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:2‭-‬4‬ ‭ [2] For yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. [3] While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [4] But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ [6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 700 years before Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is God and the only God of this world. He has not come back yet. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ and save your souls.