Renewal of Religion

It's quite understandable to me how a person could look at the current religions and decide they want none of the organized brands of spirituality.

Thing is, as long as someone is judging the religions by the member's actions, they'll only see the differences and lack of unity.

Today's excerpt from Reality gives us a means to reconcile the differences by looking to the Essence...

"In the beginning the tree was in all its beauty, and full of blossoms and fruits, but at last it became old and entirely fruitless, and it withered and decayed. This is why the True Gardener plants again an incomparable young tree of the same kind and species, which grows and develops day by day, and spreads a wide shadow in the divine garden, and yields admirable fruit. So it is with religions; through the passing of time they change from their original foundation, the truth of the Religion of God entirely departs, and the spirit of it does not stay; heresies appear, and it becomes a body without a soul. That is why it is renewed."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 43: "The Two Classes of Prophets", p. 166

What, Really, Is Worship ?

Today's quote from Reality is easy enough to understand but may be hard to "imagine".

We've been told that worship must be in a building, or that it can only be done at a specific time, or, even, sometimes, that living right is worship.

But, learning an art or science...?

"If a man engageth with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in churches and temples."

Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 144

Which Education Is Better ?

Here's another quote from Reality that some (especially some educators) may want to challenge.

As you read, ask yourself which child you would want to relate to...

"Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning. A child that is cleanly, agreeable, of good character, well-behaved -- even though he be ignorant -- is preferable to a child that is rude, unwashed, ill-natured, and yet becoming deeply versed in all the sciences and arts. The reason for this is that the child who conducts himself well, even though he be ignorant, is of benefit to others, while an ill-natured, ill-behaved child is corrupted and harmful to others, even though he be learned. If, however, the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light."

Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 135

Science & Religion

It's interesting to me how personal bias in understanding can result in vastly different interpretations of Scripture.

The quote from Reality for today, if presented to a typical scientist, would be deemed to be far too limiting on the freedom they need to do science.

If it were presented to a typical religious person, they would judge it too liberal!


Hmmm...


"O thou true friend! Read, in the school of God, the lessons of the spirit, and learn from love's Teacher the innermost truths. Seek out the secrets of Heaven, and tell of the overflowing grace and favour of God.

"Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of mankind, this is so only on condition that man's river flow into the mighty sea, and draw from God's ancient source His inspiration. When this cometh to pass, then every teacher is as a shoreless ocean, every pupil a prodigal fountain of knowledge. If, then, the pursuit of knowledge lead to the beauty of Him Who is the Object of all Knowledge, how excellent that goal; but if not, a mere drop will perhaps shut a man off from flooding grace, for with learning cometh arrogance and pride, and it bringeth on error and
indifference to God.

"The sciences of today are bridges to reality; if then they lead not to reality, naught remains but fruitless illusion. By the one true God! If learning be not a means of access to Him, the Most Manifest, it is nothing but evident loss."

Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 110

Evolution of Religion

Many folk are turned off by religion because they feel the forms of worship are outmoded--not fit for our modern world.

Some folk feel that the moral dimension of religion should be modernized.

Many of the last group actually want to do away with morals...

Today's excerpt from Reality explores how Religion must Evolve:

"Note thou carefully that in this world of being, all things must ever be made new. Look at the material world about thee, see how it hath now been renewed. The thoughts have changed, the ways of life have been revised, the sciences and arts show a new vigour, discoveries and inventions are new, perceptions are new. How then could such a vital power as religion -- the guarantor of mankind's great advances, the very means of attaining everlasting life, the fosterer of infinite excellence, the light of both worlds -- not be made new? This would be incompatible with the grace and lovingkindness of the Lord."

Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 52

the Faith of God

So many times in life, people want a closer relationship with God, look into various forms of religion, and decide that they can't decide...

Rarely do the various organized systems of worship give easy answers with which all Truth-Seekers can readily agree.

Today's excerpt from Reality is here presented as an easy answer about the purpose of religion.

What do you think?

"The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men."

Bahá’u’lláh: Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, "Lawh-i-Maqsúd" or "Tablet of Maqsúd", p. 168

God’s Purpose Unfolding in Time

Once again, I feel inadequate to the task of commentary...

At least there's a variety of quotes from Reality so their meanings can be compared.

I'll rely on something that was given commentary by me in a past post: it doesn't take high brain intelligence to understand Scripture; just a relatively Pure Heart...

"In every age and century, the purpose of the Prophets of God and their chosen ones hath been no other but to affirm the spiritual significance of the terms 'life, 'resurrection,' and 'judgment.'"

Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Íqán, paragraph 128, p. 110

"....in every age the light of God hath, to outward seeming, been quenched by the peoples of the earth, and the Lamps of God extinguished by them."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Íqán, paragraph 136, p. 117

"In every age and cycle He hath, through the splendorous light shed by the Manifestations of His wondrous Essence, recreated all things, so that whatsoever reflecteth in the heavens and on the earth the signs of His glory may not be deprived of the outpourings of His mercy, nor despair of the showers of His favors. How allencompassing are the wonders of His boundless grace! Behold how they have pervaded the whole of creation."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection XXVI, p. 62

"....He ["God"] hath ordained that in every age and dispensation a pure and stainless Soul be made manifest in the kingdoms of earth and heaven."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection XXVII, p. 66

Child Abuse

Blog Catalog is promoting a Bloggers Unite Against Abuse day, today !

So, I began searching for an appropriate quote in Reality...

Didn't find one seemingly appropriate enough.

But, the Scriptural Writings that Reality comes from are like an Ocean.

Here's the quote I chose, to unite with other bloggers against abuse:

"Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it. Therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse."

Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 125

Seven Candles of Unity

Most folk, if they thought about it, would claim that we need Peace in the World before we can have Unity.

Well, here's another example that people need guidance from beyond their ego consciousness to find Truth.

Turns out we need Unity before Peace can flourish.

Think about it...

Today's quote from Reality explores seven "candles" of unity that humanity is striving to light.

"In cycles gone by, though harmony was established, yet, owing to the absence of means, the unity of all mankind could not have been achieved. Continents remained widely divided, nay even among the peoples of one and the same continent association and interchange of thought were well nigh impossible. Consequently intercourse, understanding and unity amongst all the peoples and kindreds of the earth were unattainable. In this day, however, means of communication have multiplied, and the five continents of the earth have virtually merged into one. And for everyone it is now easy to travel to any land, to associate and exchange views with its peoples, and to become familiar, through publications, with the conditions, the religious beliefs and the thoughts of all men. In like manner all the members of the human family, whether peoples or governments, cities or villages, have become increasingly interdependent. For none is self-sufficiency any longer possible, inasmuch as political ties unite all peoples and nations, and the bonds of trade and
industry, of agriculture and education, are being strengthened every day. Hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved.

"Verily this is none other but one of the wonders of this wondrous age, this glorious century. Of this past ages have been deprived, for this century — the century of light — hath been endowed with unique and unprecedented glory, power and illumination. Hence the miraculous unfolding of a fresh marvel every day. Eventually it will be seen how bright its candles will burn in the assemblage of man.

"Behold how its light is now dawning upon the world’s darkened horizon. The first candle is unity in the political realm, the early glimmerings of which can now be discerned. The second candle is unity of thought in world undertakings, the consummation of which will erelong be witnessed. The third candle is unity in freedom which will surely come to pass. The fourth candle is unity in religion which is the corner-stone of the foundation itself, and which, by the power of God, will be revealed in all its splendour. The fifth candle is the unity of nations—a unity which in this century will be securely established, causing all the peoples of the world to regard themselves as citizens of one common fatherland. The sixth candle is unity of races, making of all that dwell on earth peoples and kindreds of one race. The seventh candle is unity of language, i.e., the choice of a universal tongue in which all peoples will be instructed and converse. Each and every one of these will inevitably come to pass, inasmuch as the power of the Kingdom of God will aid and assist in their realization."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selection #15, pp. 31-32