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Other Religions |
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1. Is the Baha'i
Faith judgmental against other people and religions? 1. Is the Baha'i Faith judgmental against other people and religions?
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2. In Baha'i belief, who can go to Heaven?
Baha'is do not believe that Heaven is only limited to a certain religion. All people pass into the next life and are judged individually, according to their personal merits and how they have grown spiritually in this world. We believe that spiritual growth is achieved by following the teachings and laws of the different religions. By following Baha'i teachings, we believe that people receive the most recent teachings from God. These teachings have been offered to us through the different Prophets from God throughout history therefore they all offer opportunities for growth. Top
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3. What does the Baha'i faith say about Western Religions such as Christianity and Judaism?
Baha'is fully accept the teachings of Jesus and Moses. Both were Prophets from God who came with spiritual guidance that is immortal, and social messages that were vital to their time. We consider ourselves true believers in both Prophets, and see Baha'u'llah as having come to fulfill their prophecies, and carry on with their work. We welcome all Christians and Jews to join us in our daily struggle to better apply the teachings of God in our daily lives. Top
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4. What does the Baha'i faith say about Eastern Religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam?
Like Christianity and Judaism, Baha'is completely accept the teachings of Mohammad, Buddha and Krishna. Though western religions and eastern religions have long been separated by geography, culture and politics, Baha'is believe that they have always been equal in the sight of God, and that it is our task today to build a world society that unites these different religions. We have the technology to overcome the geographic differences, and we have the social and spiritual maturity to recognize the unity of our religions and overcome our social differences. We invite all religious believers, from east or west, to participate in this challenging process. Top
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5. Does the Baha'i Faith wish to "convert" other religions to its views?
Baha'is are encouraged by our Holy Writings to teach our Faith to anyone who is interested. But we are prohibited from converting people by force, or even putting the slightest social pressure on them. Baha'is are forbidden to proselytize. We welcome people to join our Faith, and are excited to find people who are curious enough to ask questions. We believe that each individual has a responsibility to his or her Creator to investigate Truth and decided what he or she believes - the reality of His purpose in giving us a brain and a soul. Top
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6. Are there any religions that the Baha'i faith believes are "wrong?"
No. All religions are accepted by Baha'is as originating in a belief in one God. This goes both for major religions begun Divine Teachers referred to as Major Prophets (Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Moses, Christ, Mohamed, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah) and traditional religions begun by Minor Prophets whose names have not been recorded by Western History (Native American religions, for example). There are isolated teachings within some religions that Baha'is do not agree with. For example, in some religions, women are not given equal status as men. This is against Baha'i principals. However, the religions themselves are still accepted. Top
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7. What does the Baha'i Faith say will happen to people who are not Baha'is in the afterlife?
In the afterlife, Baha'is believe that all will pass into Heaven, regardless of whatever religion (if any) they believed in during this life. Heaven is not a place for one religion only. Instead, we believe that at death each person is judged by God, The All Knowing, according to his or her capacity and actions in this life. According to God's Mercy and Justice we are all given a station in the next world according to what we have earned here in this one. Which station you achieve is much more complicated than simply deciding which religion to believe in. Baha'is believe that the purpose of life is to acquire spiritual virtues, and the best way to do that is to follow God's teachings and laws. No matter which religion you believe in, following its laws will make you a better person. Baha'is believe that the teachings and laws Baha'u'llah brought give us new chances for understanding and growth, simply because we see them as the most recent word from God. But that doesn't invalidate the spiritual growth that other religious believers make.
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