Concerning Bahaism, we observe something similar to assimilation about Bab [1] as the forerunner of an emergency and new manifestation! He became the one made for him not the one claimed by himself and expected by his close disciples. He was put in a position like John, the baptizer and probably John the baptizer has been somebody for himself! Then, the central manifestation of the faith; that is, Bahaullah is the very personified god of Christianity. Next, the really important character saint Paul (Paul the Apostle) becomes the interpreter and preacher of Baha’i faith in new communities and cultures and changes most Baha’i commandments (Abbas Effendi).
Then, the discussion is about power and policy. Of course, there is something about Pope’s authorities in the Guardian, but the universal house of justice is more similar to the centrality of Roman Catholic having a bit superfluities. As a matter of fact, it is more accordance with bureaucracy planned by Max Weber for religious and institutions and is more cluster and pyramided one. Max Weber looked upon this kind of organization with much pessimism. According to him, such organization is against spirituality and also against revitalizing holiness presented by religion. Another important lesson is that we must let divine matters grow in organic and various manner.
There is a problem of overt dual identity concerning the Baha’i researchers in secular institutes such as religious science study departments. Several followers of Roman Catholic [2] church are so. If the Christians are exposed to such pressures of being in accordance with membership conditions and ground rules of censorship and investigation board, then deviation in academic domain and hypocrisy in membership domain will happen.
I personally suggest to the Christians to state the reality so that they find it even when it is contrary to the teachings or interpretation of the Bible. If there are persuasive findings about historical Jesus for instance, it must be said or at least about multi layered nature of Christian teachings or they should be honest about the method of people’s interpretations and understandings of Bible.
The old religions have gotten mature with the passage of time. They can be worried about the representation of their beliefs less. Or at least, this is what I think because Christianity world has been changed into a secular one.
Who knows how will these transformations proceed? Although the Baha’is are claiming for the word of their manifestation and the center of covenant to be infallible, they are not able to predict their community future! However, if secularity and pluralism don’t expand inside the Baha’i community, the Baha’i community gees towards authoritarianism and centralism more. If pluralism is accepted in the Baha’i community, the number covenant breaker will be decreased and they will interpret the Baha’i creed more extensively and they will organize together and will meet and bond.
The Christians must also pay attention that the matters related to the Baha’is are simply misleading. They are not one the growing religions in the world. They don’t eliminate those who leave the Baha’i community. It is not happened for a large number of people who enter into Baha’i creed. Bahaism interprets other religions works and principles based on its favorite method. According to Baha’is, all people must become Baha’is in order for the unity of humane world to be fulfilled!
Baha’ism isn’t even a modernist thought, too! Baha’ism is claiming for the equality between men and women, but the universal house of justice’s gate is just open for Men and this so-called democratic foundation is going to be the source of Baha’i universal government for all secular and religious people in the world. In Baha’i elections, no campaign or candidate is existent; but each level vote to the higher one conservatively. While the Baha’i teaching says there is not any contradiction between religion and science, but there is a kind of absolution in the Baha’i commandments.
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