only one correct religion with the truth?

[daler]

I really don’t think it’s morally right for any one religion to say they are the only true religion and that everyone else is wrong. If any one religion claims to be the only truth, then they must surely be a lie? What do you think?

. Of couse there is only one religion to everyone, and its always “mine”. For this extends from the needs of the ego, which is incessantly chanting the line from the old Beatles tune: “I Me Mine”

. The child must survive, and in order to be fed and held must direct others attention to its needs. The baby bird in the nest opens its mouth so very, very wide, as if to dwarf the mouths of its siblings. Its a belly that wants to be fed, and it cries out through the mouth of the bird.

. We are wired the same as birds, but not just in our stomach, but in our minds, as well. The soul wants to be fed, and the apparatus which feeds it lies in the rational mind, which uses symbols to satisfy its need to understand and digest meaning, in order to navigate the world of comprehension and find its place in the pecking order of the universe.

. The emphasis is always on “me” and “my religion”, and there are a host of people and institutions willing to satisfy that craving and reinforce and direct the perceptions associated with all that that entails. Call this “The extension of the ego factory”.

. “Step right up folks, put your nickle in the slot and pull the lever… Bingo! You win!!! You’re goin’ to heaven, kid!! You did it!! Now go and tell your mommy and tell her to bring the whole family. And don’t forget your nickles…”

. So whoever we are, wherever we grow up, whatever inheritance of beliefs we have learned to mimic, we seem to do it well enough to get fed. Rock the boat by asking too many questions and grandma won’t give you any more cookies.

. Ok… So what do you do when you’re one of those characters who has this itch to scratch and a need to rock the boat - just to see if its solid? Well, you do whatcha gotta do, man… but it comes at such a cost!

. No more cookies, for starters. Then they put you in a corner and make you shut up, slap your fingers with a ruler, or drag you out of class by the ear. (Trust me, I’ve seen it!)

. So in the grand search for the “only one correct religion with the truth”, we gotta get past the words, and the traditions, the dogma, the symbols, and really put our ears to the ground and listen for the buffalo. When the ground rumbles, you know they’re coming…

. Its also true that there are variations of buffalo in many lands. Long horned cattle here, water buffalo there, and bisons everywhere. At least until those boys in Dances With Wolves shot damned near every last one of them.

. So this tendancy to dominate, destroy, and control is in us, and always will be. It needs to be subdued, dude. That fella with the feathers in his hair has a sacrament, too, ya know. He envisions his prayer rising with the smoke from his Pipe until the spotted eagle catches wind of it and takes it off to the Great Spirit. Coool…

. No so different than the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, is it? God 's got His ways of teaching His religion to everybody, everywhere, in so many ways. We just gotta get past “I Me Mine” long enough to recognize it.

.

 

[marywarfield]

Dear brother. If you notice I was referring to the grassroots realities that I encountered with Father Nicholas. Of course the Pope has not condemned the Baha’is, but why would this love respect and support for all those who are “spiritually a member of the church” not extend to one of the local Catholic Churches?

This is my primary cause of sadness. I remember talking to Father Nicholas about how in Bahai Temples all adherents of all Faiths will find solace, their Holy Books present and an encouragement to worship God in their own way. I was hinting that this is what the Catholic Church should be doing (not knowing, of course what I read from your posts above).

Why would Father Nicholas not be privy to this all-embracing approach of the Church???

God bless you brother. You are incarnate light!!



.

My suggestion is you ask the man what “being
different” means. Give him the opportunity to explain.

 

[daler]

My suggestion is you ask the man what “being
different” means. Give him the opportunity to explain.

Mary,
. Very good approach to solving a problem. It would provide and opportunity to share, talk, and especially to listen and learn, sharing the spirit of Faith. Always, always talking and dialogue build bridges which draw God’s diverse people together and closer to Him. Thats why I simply loved Vouthon’s post with the Sikh leader and the Pope. Hats off to both of them.
. We “must” see past differeces and look for how similarly God made us, with various systems of belief in Him, the Supreme Being.

. God bless you, Mary

 

[PRmerger]

I am not part of ANY Church, I am not ignorant of Christ, and I have heard of the Catholic Church.

Can you see, possibly, how your statements may be understood as me, my wife and children as not being saved? Or am I reading the entire thing incorrectly?

And seeing how long you have been here, and how many posts you have to your name, can you see, possibly, how your statement could be read as a deliberate feigned interpretation of Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Sallus as meaning, “Oh, so the Church condemns me”?

At any rate, I think that you ought to know, after being on this forum as long as you have, what the Church really teaches regarding EENS.

 

[PRmerger]

Here’s a start…

bahai-library.com/compilation_reini_homosexuality

I am heartened to learn this.

Someone ought to tell Sen this, though.

 

[Googler]

JESUS CHRIST DESIRES THAT ALL MEN SHOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE ONE TRUE CHURCH

The schisms and divisions that exist today are none of the Lord’s doing. They have been brought about by the passions of men. He desires, on the contrary, that all men should be united in one Church. He never spoke of many churches-or 'the churches-but only of one-the church (Matt. 18, 17). He promised only one-I will build My church (Matt. 16, 18). He established only one Church in which He would give to men the fullness of His graces that they might attain to salvation. 'And I say to thee: That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth it shall be bound also in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shalt be loosed also in heaven (Matt. 16, 18, 19).
On the contrary, Our Lord gave a solemn warning, regarding anyone who would not hear the Church: 'Let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican (Matt. XVIII; 17). Hence, no one who remains outside this Church through his own fault can be saved.
Therefore Our Lord prayed most intensely in the last hours of His mortal life: 'Father that they may be one . . . as we also are one (John XVII; 22). That all should become members of this one Church is the constant object of Our Redeemer’s desires. 'Other sheep I have that are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be One Fold and One Shepherd (John X; 16).
St. Paul, the divinely appointed Apostle of the nations, repeated in his day Our Lord’s desire that there be no dissensions and schisms: 'I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine you have learned and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not Christ Our Lord (Rom. XVI; 17).
He spoke clearly to all. 'God our Saviour will have all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. II; 3, 5), and that surely, in the Catholic Church, the only Christian Church then in existence.
For, as he affirmed, there 'is one God and Father of all-one Lord, one Mediator, Christ Jesus-so he insisted there was one Church, 'The Church which is the Body of Christ (Eph. I; 22).
Therefore, the mention of division in the Church was so abhorrent to St. Paul that he cried out: 'Is Christ then divided? Was Paul crucified for you? (1 Cor. I; 13). He pleaded earnestly: 'I beseech you, brethren, by the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Cor. I; 10).
Beyond any shadow of doubt, then, Jesus Christ desires that all men should be members of the One True Church.
His desire is that all men find salvation and sanctity, security and peace, as members of the One True, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

 

[PRmerger]

JESUS CHRIST DESIRES THAT ALL MEN SHOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE ONE TRUE CHURCH

Googler, it is customary and honorable to give credit to the source of your comments, if you are not the author of its contents.

The above treatise you posted is not your own words/thoughts but those from this pamphlet:

pamphlets.org.au/docs/cts/australia/html/acts1146.html

Best to cite the source here.

 

[Matthew_Light]

When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European, or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind. When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, by tradition, it breeds violence. So a man who is trying to understand violence does not belong to any country, to any religion, to any political party or partial system. He is concerned with the total understanding of mankind.

I agree, we should never allow our beliefs to cause us to view ourselves as separate from the rest of humanity.

I like how Abdu’l-Baha describes this:

“The teachings specialized in Bahá’u’lláh are addressed to humanity. He says, “Ye are all the leaves of one tree.” He does not say, “Ye are the leaves of two trees: one divine, the other satanic.” He has declared that each individual member of the human family is a leaf or branch upon the Adamic tree; that all are sheltered beneath the protecting mercy and providence of God; that all are the children of God, fruit upon the one tree of His love. God is equally compassionate and kind to all the leaves, branches and fruit of this tree.”

 

[Matthew_Light]

Bless you brother Matthew

As ever you are a wonderful example to all of us in your respectfulness, magnanimity, open mindedness and love.

You are far too kind. I stumble and fall often, I hold those words you wrote here as ideals and try to re-approach them when I fail to do so, which is far more than I ought to.

 

[Matthew_Light]

This proves that the “god” of the Bahai is not my Christian God. Even if I were to do everything possible to reject my God’s eternal love, He would not cease to love me and provide His blessings in my life, as He seeks to break my heart of stone and help me to return to Himself.

The quote you are responding to simply does not say God ceases to love anyone, ever.

 

[Servant19]

And seeing how long you have been here, and how many posts you have to your name, can you see, possibly, how your statement could be read as a deliberate feigned interpretation of Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Sallus as meaning, “Oh, so the Church condemns me”?

At any rate, I think that you ought to know, after being on this forum as long as you have, what the Church really teaches regarding EENS.

I do know what Church teaching is in this regard PR

I’m wondering how there are so many Catholics that don’t (while also acknowledging and thanking God for those that do . )

I’m also wondering if Father Nicholas does not know Church teaching, which I’m sure you would admit would be saddening indeed. But I do intend to meet up with him, as our sister Mary suggested, and ask him what he means by “different”?

If it is relating to insurance reasons that he would not give our children’s classes shelter, then the godly principles of truthfulness and honesty would surely have impelled him to say so. But he didn’t , he said we are different, and clearly and unequivocally told me that this was the reason. I still understand that there may have been a misunderstanding, a miscommunication and I hold hope that this was the case, and I will find out

My intention is not to criticise, my intention is to praise his correct relationship with God if it’s a misunderstanding on my part, or to accompany him with a stronger understanding of his own Faith, if the need arises…

What a spiritual enterprise of unimaginable glory and hope we have ahead of us.

I LOVE Church teaching, especially in regards to what brother Vouthon has illustrated in his posts here. I wonder though how much work there is to be done to ensure it is LIVED in the grassroots.

Something that the Baha’is could assist and collaborate with the Catholic Church on in this regard is the systematic accompaniment of people to grasp a full understanding of Church teaching.



.

 

[PRmerger]

I do know what Church teaching is in this regard PR

I’m wondering how there are so many Catholics that don’t (while also acknowledging and thanking God for those that do . )

Well, since you yourself have had to have been corrected by fellow Bahais here about what your faith teaches, the answer would seem obvious: lots of folks don’t know the tenets of their faith.

I’m also wondering if Father Nicholas does not know Church teaching, which I’m sure you would admit would be saddening indeed.

I would hesitate to judge to what degree Fr. Nicholas’ knowledge of Church teaching extends.

Rather, I would extend a humble charity to him and think, “Clearly, we all fail to live out the tenets of our faith.”

.

Something that the Baha’is could assist and collaborate with the Catholic Church on in this regard is the systematic accompaniment of people to grasp a full understanding of Church teaching.

.

I hope you do indeed do this. Perhaps God will place you in the presence of an uninformed Catholic and you will be able to correct him when he tells you that you are condemned by the CC. You can tell him, “I once thought this too, and even proclaimed it on a rather public Catholic forum, but now I understand the CC’s teaching better. Let me tell you what your Church actually teaches!”

Yes, the Catholic Church does not put mothers and babies in prison, but I cannot see how condemning me, my wife and my children to no salvation is not too dissimilar, especially when I can put hand on heart and state that the Holy Spirit is very much ALIVE in my life and in my family’s lives (the thought of which puts me to tears, in humility to Gods all encompassing grace). Why would the Catholic Church say no to my salvation when there is such a loving approach to Faith and works? Is this not an injustice inflicted upon me, my children?
.

 

[Servant19]

.

I hope you do indeed do this. Perhaps God will place you in the presence of an uninformed Catholic and you will be able to correct him when he tells you that you are condemned by the CC. You can tell him, “I once thought this too, and even proclaimed it on a rather public Catholic forum, but now I understand the CC’s teaching better. Let me tell you what your Church actually teaches!”

Indeed I will my dear sister PR. I find tremendous solace in these words you shared and I am so delighted and tearfully rejoiced that after such a long campaign of dialogue, we have found something of incredible importance that we can collaborate on and find unity moving forward.

God bless you and God bless the ecumenical Catholic teachings…



.

 

[PRmerger]

Indeed I will my dear sister PR. I find tremendous solace in these words you shared

 

[Vouthon]

Indeed I will my dear sister PR. I find tremendous solace in these words you shared and I am so delighted and tearfully rejoiced that after such a long campaign of dialogue, we have found something of incredible importance that we can collaborate on and find unity moving forward.

God bless you and God bless the ecumenical Catholic teachings…



.

I’ll second that

 

[PJM]

=ggarcia19;11589289]I really don’t think it’s morally right for any one religion to say they are the only true religion and that everyone else is wrong. If any one religion claims to be the only truth, then they must surely be a lie? What do you think?

Friend you may wish to take this point to God; after ALL he is the One that choose Just one People in the OT and Christ followerd with Just One Church in the NT:shrug:

READ the singular tense in
Mt. 16:15-20
Mt. 10: 1-8
Mt. 18:18
John 17L13-22
Mk. 16:15-16
Mt. 28:16-20
Eph.4:1-7

And this IS the short list. Secualr History also proves you to be wrong.

God Bless you,
Patrick

 

[Sochi]

Friend you may wish to take this point to God; after ALL he is the One that choose Just one People in the OT and Christ followerd [sic] with Just One Church in the NT:shrug:

READ the singular tense in
Mt. 16:15-20
Mt. 10: 1-8
Mt. 18:18
John 17L13-22
Mk. 16:15-16
Mt. 28:16-20
Eph.4:1-7

And this IS the short list. Secualr [sic] History also proves you to be wrong.

I think what really disappoints me on here is that I hold with the song that says “They will know that we are Christians by our Love!” Yes so much of what I see on here is legalizing, useless proofing by lines and verses, pedigrees, etc. Does anyone here really find that attractive? Convincing?

The ones on here who have really moved me are those who are able to demonstrate understanding from experience in such a way as to point to foundational virtues that religion might include, but are not themselves necessarily religious, as the Golden Rule in its forms which are found in many times and cultures regardless of religion. People who can demonstrate understanding and compassion beyond their personal faith, or lack of it, and make connections and fell barriers, as does Music, those people have some understanding that all the quoting and legalizations and scriptural verifications used as weapons are vacant of. This is why to some extent Pope Francis is such a breath of fresh air, drawing many to favor by simple goodness. Lawyerizm in religious argument is, to be kind, less than attractive–and, really, very much beside the point.

 

[Cinderbella]

One of the reasons I’m inquiring about Catholic church is because I need an anchor on truth and it must be out there. I see it this way: The Catholic church isn’t a Johnny come lately and it’s values and beliefs go back thousands of years. It will be interesting what I learn during RCIA in a few weeks time.

In the past 20 years I’ve tried to some extent:
WoF
Buddhism
Islam
New Age (including crystals, tarot cards, angel oracle cards, New Thought LOA stuff)

It sounds like I’ve travelled the world but you get this stuff down at the local bookshop and on the Internet.

 

[tonyfish58]

One of the reasons I’m inquiring about Catholic church is because I need an anchor on truth and it must be out there. I see it this way: The Catholic church isn’t a Johnny come lately and it’s values and beliefs go back thousands of years. It will be interesting what I learn during RCIA in a few weeks time.

In the past 20 years I’ve tried to some extent:
WoF
Buddhism
Islam
New Age (including crystals, tarot cards, angel oracle cards, New Thought LOA stuff)

It sounds like I’ve travelled the world but you get this stuff down at the local bookshop and on the Internet.

Welcome from another Queenslander, from the far North East

God bless your spiritual Journey and may you find what you are looking for - Regards Tony

 

[PRmerger]

I think what really disappoints me on here is that I hold with the song that says** “They will know that we are Christians by our Love!”** Yes so much of what I see on here is legalizing, useless proofing by lines and verses, pedigrees, etc. Does anyone here really find that attractive? Convincing?

The ones on here who have really moved me are those who are able to demonstrate understanding from experience in such a way as to point to foundational virtues that religion might include, but are not themselves necessarily religious, as the Golden Rule in its forms which are found in many times and cultures regardless of religion. People who can demonstrate understanding and compassion beyond their personal faith, or lack of it, and make connections and fell barriers, as does Music, those people have some understanding that all the quoting and legalizations and scriptural verifications used as weapons are vacant of. This is why to some extent Pope Francis is such a breath of fresh air, drawing many to favor by simple goodness. Lawyerizm in religious argument is, to be kind, less than attractive–and, really, very much beside the point.

What you are proposing above, your own religious dogma that I have bolded above, sounds like “lawyerizm” and legalism as well.

Why do you reserve for yourself the right to propose legalistic rules while denying Catholics this right?