Interfaithforums.com http://www.interfaithforums.com/ At interfaith forums.com you can discuss, compare, debate, world religion, spirituality, true religion, religious education en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:48:43 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.interfaithforums.com/images/aria/misc/rss.jpg Interfaithforums.com http://www.interfaithforums.com/ The high watch http://www.interfaithforums.com/creative-corner/12197-high-watch.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:33:41 GMT THE HIGH WATCH, A view of God's unfolding divine plan. For all who are ready to know where they are on their personal Spiritual Path, and WHY!
http://thehighwatch9.blogspot.com/ ]]> Creative Corner wwwdlhow27 http://www.interfaithforums.com/creative-corner/12197-high-watch.html Ask me anything. http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-debate/12196-ask-me-anything.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:06:43 GMT I know I'm not the most interesting man in the world, but I thought that I'd give someone the chance to get to know me a little better. Sooo, I guess just ask me anything.:cool: ]]> General Debate Deity Cipher http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-debate/12196-ask-me-anything.html <![CDATA[Centennial of Abdul-Baha'is journeys...]]> http://www.interfaithforums.com/baha-i/12195-centennial-abdul-bahais-journeys.html Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:24:43 GMT HAIFA, Israel 30 August (BWNS) —

One hundred years ago, 'Abdu'l-Baha, the eldest son of Baha'u'llah and His appointed successor as head of the Baha'i Faith, embarked on a series of journeys which, over the course of three years, took Him from the Holy Land to the Nile delta, from the Pacific coast of North America to the banks of the River Danube.

Despite His advanced age, 'Abdu'l-Baha set out in August 1910 to present Baha'u'llah's teachings about the dawning of a new age of peace and unity, to high and low alike. These historic journeys launched a fledgling faith on its way to becoming a world religion.

"He was sixty-six years old," the Universal House of Justice has written in a special message, dated 29 August, to mark the centenary, "an exile since childhood, with no formal schooling, a prisoner for forty years, in failing health, and unfamiliar with Western customs and languages. Yet He arose, without thought of comfort, undeterred by the risks involved..."

"With the inauguration of 'Abdu'l-Baha's travels to the West, the Cause of Baha'u'llah, hemmed in for more than half a century by the hosts of enmity and oppression, burst its restraints."

Breakthrough into new cultures

Following the Young Turk Revolution of 1908, when all political and religious prisoners of the Ottoman Empire – including 'Abdu'l-Baha and His family – were set free, He began to plan sharing, in person, the Baha'i teachings with the world beyond the Middle East. Two years later He left the confines of the Holy Land, heading first to Egypt where he stayed for one year.

Then, in August 1911, 'Abdu'l-Baha set sail for Europe, spending a month in London and two months in Paris. After returning to Egypt for the winter, He set off again in March 1912 for an eight-month long tour of North America, followed by second visits to London and Paris, as well as journeys to Austria, Germany, Hungary and Scotland.

"From the time of Baha'u'llah's passing, the Baha'i Faith's spread to North America and Europe had been a very significant development," says Moojan Momen, an historian based in the United Kingdom, "but these communities were rather few in number."

"So 'Abdu'l-Baha's visits not only saw Him generally proclaiming the Baha'i teachings further afield, but also consolidating the religion's breakthrough into new cultures."

At 'Abdu'l-Baha's first ever public talk – given at the City Temple church in London on 10 September 1911 – 'Abdu'l-Baha told the congregation, "The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion."

"Over and over again, He stressed the need for understanding between people, for bringing religions together, for world peace," explains Paris-based writer Jan Jasion, who is researching 'Abdu'l-Baha's travels in Europe. "He wanted to bring people closer to God and for them to understand the reality of religion and rid themselves of superstitions."

'Abdu'l-Baha was also able to participate comfortably in discourses about themes that lay outside of the Middle Eastern experience. "For example, the great dangers of racism;" notes Firuz Kazemzadeh, emeritus professor of history at Yale University, "the relationship between capital and labour, and the conflict between worker and employer; the impending Great War; and federalism as a solution to the problems among the States."

For three years, 'Abdu'l-Baha tirelessly addressed thousands of people – including clergymen, journalists, academics, diplomats, philosophers, suffragettes, and social reformers. He also – perhaps most importantly for Him – met with, and attended to the needs of, the poor.

Among those deeply impressed by Him was Dr. David Starr Jordan, the American scientist and university administrator, who famously said, "'Abdu'l-Baha will surely unite the East and the West, for He walks the mystical path with practical feet."

Dr. T. K. Cheyne of Oxford, the celebrated theologian, spoke of 'Abdu'l-Baha as the "Ambassador to Humanity."

"What is striking is that, while 'Abdu'l-Baha had a great deal of praise for progressive thinkers, He was also very clear-eyed and uncompromising in His assessment of the ways in which they fell short of their own ideals," says Kenneth E. Bowers, the current Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. "He challenged people to rise above their own understanding of reality, to a higher level of realisation – a spiritual level as well as the social."

There were other aspects of 'Abdu'l-Baha's personality that further delighted those He met, says Mr. Bowers.

"He carried Himself remarkably well in cultures that were entirely alien to Him. I think one of the things we should remember about Him – and which we sometimes forget as a characteristic of a 'spiritual' figure – is that He was someone who was extremely witty and charming."

"A major religious event"

By the time 'Abdu'l-Baha's travels came to an end, the nascent Baha'i community had received a wider vision of their Faith, and citizens of nine countries, on three continents, had been informed of the Baha'i teachings for the first time.

"At the beginning of 'Abdu'l-Baha's ministry, the Baha'i Faith was a fairly obscure religious movement. There was very little accurate information about it anywhere," says Moojan Momen. "By the end of His life, not just in Europe and North America but all over the world - in Asia, the Pacific, Australia, South Africa, South America - large numbers of people knew about the Faith and had a positive impression of it."

"His travels were certainly a major religious event of the 20th century," says Dr. Momen. "They had much the same sort of effect as St. Paul's journeys which had a sizable impact on the spread of Christianity."

Kenneth E. Bowers believes it is impossible to conceive of today's American Baha'i community, for example, without taking 'Abdul-Baha's visit into account. "Through His life and words, He was the personification of Baha'u'llah's teachings. He inspired the first handful of Baha'is not only to spread their Faith but, just as importantly, withstand all sorts of tests. In a very tactful, loving and wise way, He set the example to be followed."

As a result of 'Abdu'l-Baha's journeys, the Baha'i community began to propagate His ideas further and these became reinforced in the general population. "This is where the real impact of His visits lies - in the capacity of the community He raised to continue what He taught them after all these years," says Firuz Kazemzadeh.

In its letter, the Universal House of Justice invites today's worldwide Baha'i community to reflect not only upon what 'Abdu'l-Baha achieved and set in motion, but on the work still left to do.

His words and actions during His travels, the Universal House of Justice writes, offer "an abundance of inspiration and manifold insights" for meeting the challenges of the present day.



To read the article online and view images, go to:
100 years ago, historic journeys transformed a fledgling faith ]]> Baha`i arthra http://www.interfaithforums.com/baha-i/12195-centennial-abdul-bahais-journeys.html Where is YOUR sacred space? http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12193-where-your-sacred-space.html Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:36:25 GMT Where is your sacred space? Do you have one? YouTube - God In America Open Call (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi89PbrFU5M) Where is your sacred space?

Do you have one?

YouTube - God In America Open Call ]]> Religious Debate Rev Chard http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12193-where-your-sacred-space.html American and its core values compatible with Islam http://www.interfaithforums.com/islam/12191-american-its-core-values-compatible-islam.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:58:12 GMT Mr.Abdul Raoof an Imam of a Mosque near Ground Zero in New York,says: *America and its core values are compatible with Islam.* For details: America and its core values compatible with Islam: US imam (http://arabia.msn.com/News/MiddleEast/AFP/2010/August/2616176.aspx) How much do you guys... Mr.Abdul Raoof an Imam of a Mosque near Ground Zero in New York,says:

America and its core values are compatible with Islam.

For details:
America and its core values compatible with Islam: US imam

How much do you guys agree with this statement?

Lets discuss....... ]]> Islam Fahad1 http://www.interfaithforums.com/islam/12191-american-its-core-values-compatible-islam.html She Will Hear You http://www.interfaithforums.com/creative-corner/12190-she-will-hear-you.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:19:30 GMT _She Will Hear You_ She will hear you, hear the loud din The crush and clash and cry of battle Beer-tables broken, benches upturned As fell and fierce the foe you grapple Does shout and scream and shake the ground As rending, ripping, reaching for you His luck is lost. And lost as well... She Will Hear You

She will hear you, hear the loud din
The crush and clash and cry of battle
Beer-tables broken, benches upturned
As fell and fierce the foe you grapple
Does shout and scream and shake the ground
As rending, ripping, reaching for you
His luck is lost. And lost as well
His arm, his bone, his baneful claw
Now moaning, dying, mere-ward he goes
You tongue will tell the tale of battle
She will hear you. And she will come. ]]> Creative Corner ChicagoHeathen http://www.interfaithforums.com/creative-corner/12190-she-will-hear-you.html <![CDATA[Hitler's African/ middle eastern Ancestry]]> http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-discussion/12189-hitlers-african-middle-eastern-ancestry.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:05:40 GMT "The repulsive leader of Nazi Germany may have had Jewish and perhaps African relatives, according to DNA tests conducted on nearly 40 living relatives.

The report comes from the Belgium magazine, Knack, which says it obtained saliva samples after tracking down 39 relatives from throughout Europe, as well as in America.

"One can from this postulate that Hitler was related to people whom he despised," Jean-Paul Mulders, the journalist who wrote the article, stated in his report.

Working with historian Marc Vermeeren, the samples were tested and were found to contain a chromosome called Haplopgroup E1b1b (Y-DNA), which is rarely found in Western Europeans.

"It is most commonly found in the Berbers of Morocco, in Algeria, Libya and Tunisia as well as among Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews," Vermeeren said in the article.

Hitler's heritage has been called into question before, with some suggesting his grandfather was Jewish. But this is the first claim with any scientific data to support it."



Read more: Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had Jewish and African relatives, DNA test suggests ]]> General Discussion bob_chasm http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-discussion/12189-hitlers-african-middle-eastern-ancestry.html Monotheism v. Polytheism http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12188-monotheism-v-polytheism.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:53:02 GMT Since some folks have expressed interest, here it is. To begin with let us establish what is meant by the two terms. monotheism: the belief in a single deity, that being the only deity, in most cases referred to as God. In most cases God is given the attributes of being omnipotent (all... Since some folks have expressed interest, here it is.

To begin with let us establish what is meant by the two terms.

monotheism: the belief in a single deity, that being the only deity, in most cases referred to as God. In most cases God is given the attributes of being omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (ever present) and omnibenevolent (all loving). This is the main theological conception of the main monotheism's of the west, Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

polytheism: the belief in more than one deity, there being many deities, ranging in name depending on culture. Polytheistic gods can range in power from "high" gods, like Zeus or Odin, to "minor" gods of a river, tree or hill. Gods are held to be more powerful than humans, but not in the same way that the god of classical monotheism is. In many cultures, the gods are grouped as pantheons, but this is not the case in every culture. Some modern polytheism's include many of the Pagan religions, Shinto, some branches of Hinduism.

So why is one better than the other, a considerably loaded question. In my opinion, polytheism offers a much better explanation for the diversity of religious experience found throughout the world. Further, since polytheists believe that deity is multiple and separate, they are emphatically not all worshiping the same deity. A polytheistic approach to mythic texts provides a more nuanced approach to understanding, than say trying to reconcile many of the incompossible aspects of belief between religions. Of course most of the religions which find themselves in conflict all claim to worship the same deity, which is difficult even for a polytheist to understand (or "fix".) ]]> Religious Debate Gorm_Sionnach http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12188-monotheism-v-polytheism.html Outlaw /Vargr / Wargs http://www.interfaithforums.com/asatru/12187-outlaw-vargr-wargs.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:40:45 GMT One odd trend I have noticed among some Asatru/Odinist/Heathen newbies on the 'net is their association with the term "outlaw". Over the past decade, I've seen this quite a bit, Outlaw or Vargr or Warg handles. It seems that there is a sub-group that glorifies this "lone-wolf" mentality, claiming it as some expression of individualism, without really understanding what the term means.

Outlaw, along with warg and vargr (a word for wolf) when the latter are applied to humans, have a very specific meaning. That meaning is to be cast, literally, outside of the law, outside of society. However, this wasn't some glorious bid for self-determination. No, one was outlawed for offenses so serious, usually murder, but other things might count, that one was cast outside the law. Making someone an outlaw was not just for the crimes, but also for failing to make due recompense for what one had done. Again, the most common reference we have for this was failing to pay weregild for someone one had murdered.

To be an outlaw meant that, not only had you done something really really bad, but that you could not or would not compensate the victim or the victim's family, and you also did not have enough friends and family able or willing to help you make recompense. You were, in a very real sense, worthless.

If you remained in the community, you could be hunted down and killed like any other wild beast, hence the term vargr or warg. The only requirement was for whoever killed the outlaw to make it publicly know he'd killed the outlaw, so that weregild would not be asked by the outlaw's family. When a person became outlaw, they were literally that: outside of any rights or protections of the law. They were no longer part of the community, no longer had the rights of a person.

The outlaw in our beliefs is not a nice person. He or she has done terrible things, and lacks self-control, lacks restraint, lacks support of family and/or friends, and often lacks any measure of good sense or honor.

People should be wary about taking these sorts of nicknames, because of what they signify to heathens, because of what they indicate about a person's character and intent. I post this first of all for any newcomers to the heathen community who might think being a warg sounds like a cool thing, and second of all as a potential discussion on why people would be so willing to claim such a name for use in a religion that values community so highly.

In frith,
CH ]]> Asatru ChicagoHeathen http://www.interfaithforums.com/asatru/12187-outlaw-vargr-wargs.html My god is realler than your gods, nyah! http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12186-my-god-realler-than-your-gods-nyah.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:23:02 GMT I've seen on this forum a disturbing trend recently, where a certain subset of people are asserting that their god is the One True God (which, in itself, is fine) and then denigrating other people's gods as untrue or lesser. Basically, there's a trend of treating other religious beliefs (and perhaps believers) as inferior.

So I'm going to put it out on the table, right here, right now. Make a case for it. Make a case proving that your god is more real than someone else's god or gods. If you quote some sort of holy book, please provide evidence that your holy book, scripture, or other teaching is somehow more relevant, true, or historically accurate than other holy books, scriptures, teachings. Providing actual sources is encouraged.

This is not fully a formal debate, but there is the potential for there to be a winner. If someone can actually prove their god(s) and their sources have more validity than mine through a preponderance of real argument and actual evidence, I will cease to call them on their BS of claiming my gods aren't real and theirs is/are.

Who is up to the challenge? The floor is yours. ]]> Religious Debate ChicagoHeathen http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12186-my-god-realler-than-your-gods-nyah.html Did Jesus have a choice? http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12185-did-jesus-have-choice.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:35:27 GMT From another thread:
Quote:
When Jesus realized he was wasting his time in prayer at the Gethsemani, he declared, "Be Thy will done and not mine." What was Jesus will, to die on the cross? Obviously not. He did it because there was no other form of escape. The corhots were at his door. If he could have had his will, he would never have taken the cross.

Did Jesus have a choice? Could he have escaped the cohorts at the door?

Was it Jesus’ will to complete what He began and take it to the cross?
Or was He just an innocent puppet in a play that He had no control over?

What do you think? ]]> Religious Debate Rev Chard http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12185-did-jesus-have-choice.html <![CDATA[When did "Church" become a four letter word?]]> http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-discussion/12184-when-did-church-become-four-letter-word.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:46:46 GMT It was pointed out to me today that an increasing number of Churches have dropped the "church" part of their names. It seems many faithful people and prospective congregants are becoming discontented with "church"!

Have any of you noticed formerly affiliated places of worship dropping their identity to National affiliations, associations, etc? ]]> General Discussion wwwdlhow27 http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-discussion/12184-when-did-church-become-four-letter-word.html An explanation for the very first contingent thing to have existence http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12181-explanation-very-first-contingent-thing-have-existence.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:47:12 GMT Hello Peoples :)

I saw the "Universe is God" argument in another thread, and I wanted to respond with my version of the cosmological argument. I started this in a new thread to introduce myself as a new member here. I like a friendly debate and will treat everyone no matter what the believe with respect.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deity Cipher (Post 124992)
I think the universe is God. Can anyone give me a reason to doubt this?...
There is no proof of a creator, but the universe still exist. It must've created itself.
There must be an explanation for the very first contingent thing to have existence. A contingent thing is that which begins to exist and does not have to exist. We are contingent beings. But, we are not the first contingent beings to have existence. Science supports that the universe had a beginning and thus is contingent - it also does not have to exist. We do not have any evidence of any contingent existences prior to the beginning of the universe.

1. Did the universe - the first contingent existence cause itself into existence? Not likely since the universe would have to exist prior to itself in order to cause itself. That would be absurd to believe that.

2. Was the universe caused into existence by "nothing"? That would be hard to believe since nothing has no power to cause something into existence.

3. If the universe was the first contingent existence, then can another contingent existence cause it into existence? There cannot be another contingent existence prior to the first contingent existence. That is absurd.

4. Is the Universe actually infinite? An actual infinite (endlessness with no beginning) of contingent events (what we call time) cannot be traversed to reach a specific day like today. But, we have reached today. This supports that the universe began to exist. There are scientific evidences to show that the universe had a beginning. Are they conclusive? Maybe, maybe not. But, there is more evidence for a beginning to the universe, then any theory out there. So, it's quite reasonable to believe that the universe began to exist.

5. Therefore, if the universe began to exist and it was the 1st contingent existence and "nothing" had anything to do with it, and there was no other contingent existence before the 1st one, and the universe could not cause itself into existence, then there must be another explanation.

6. The only explanation I can trust or reasonably believe would be that something non-contingent existed prior to the first contingent being (the universe in this case). A non-contingent being (existence), would be a necessary one. A necessary existence is that which has always existed and cannot NOT exist. This necessary existence existed before time, space and matter (the make up of the universe) and therefore is not limited by it. A mind likened to a spirit is not necessarily limited by time, space and matter and offers the best explanation for the universe to have an existence.

This only shows and gives weight to believing that there is a necessary existence and it is not unreasonable to believe - that which we call - God is this necessary existence. ]]> Religious Debate Starfleet http://www.interfaithforums.com/religious-debate/12181-explanation-very-first-contingent-thing-have-existence.html Be The Change That You Want To See http://www.interfaithforums.com/spirituality/12180-change-you-want-see.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:46:29 GMT YouTube - Be the Change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r35lAZmrCc) YouTube - Be the Change ]]> Spirituality Lightkeeper http://www.interfaithforums.com/spirituality/12180-change-you-want-see.html Forum Rules http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-discussion/12179-forum-rules.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:05:54 GMT It would be beneficial for all to read the forum rules from time to time. You have rights here and the rules are a good reminder of this. They can be found here. http://www.interfaithforums.com/forum-rules-how-tos/476-forum-rules.html It would be beneficial for all to read the forum rules from time to time. You have rights here and the rules are a good reminder of this.

They can be found here. http://www.interfaithforums.com/foru...rum-rules.html ]]> General Discussion Lightkeeper http://www.interfaithforums.com/general-discussion/12179-forum-rules.html