I've been studying the Baha'i Faith for a little over a year now. I wasn't raised by a certain religion or even slightly nudged towards one. I've done my own research, readings and the like to come to my own conclusions. The Baha'i belief of continue manifestations of God makes the most sense to me. Most of what I read about the Faith I've ended up agreeing with. There are a few small things, though, that I don't understand. Why did Baha'u'llah and later other Baha'is say that homosexuality is wrong? Baha'is believe in science and science has pr oven that one cannot chose their sexual orientation, they're born with it. I've heard that gay Baha'is are to be sympathized with, and that gay Baha'is are to not have sex, because you're not supposed to have sex until marriage, which to Baha'is is defined as man and woman.
I also understand that Baha'is believe that the Faith is about getting closer to God, not necessarily the traditional view of Heaven. Baha'is suggest many great things in order to get closer to God, but I don't understand why someone who's in a committed relationship with a same-sex partner is considered to be furthering themselves from God by going against "natural law" as defined by Baha'u'llah.
I hope I don't offend anyone by asking, but it's pretty much the one grudge myself and others have had with the Faith, otherwise, most of us have thought of joining. I'm not a homosexual, but I believe in equal rights for all of God's creatures.
Cheers.
Calling something "retarded" that you don't know or understand is pretty ignorant. This is a chance for Baha'is to explain what we don't know. For all I know, I misinterpreted the readings.
To be fair, other Baha'is I've talked to about this say that they respect the personal beliefs of other Baha'is and/or people. I just know that Baha'u'llah, the last prophet, made a comment about same-sex relationships, and would like to give Baha'is the chance to respond.
I assumed the social norms suggestion. However, Baha'u'llah wrote about many things that weren't being discussed during that time period, especially in the places he lived, so, once again, I figured Baha'is might be able to enlighten me.
Calling the Baha'is a cult is not fair and ignorant. Have you studied their Faith? That's fine if you're a Christian, but please don't insult other belief systems. I came close to the Baha'i Faith, because of my studies of people like Jesus, as well as the other prophets they mention. Jesus is a large part of that religion, so please read up before making insulting accusations.
Baha'i, I know, is not a Muslim sect. It is an independent religion. In fact, Baha'is are being persecuted in Iran especially for their beliefs by radical Muslims.
Religions tend to codify as beliefs that which are social norms in the society from which the religion sprang in the first place.
Bahaii is a Middle Eastern religion. Just like every Middle Eastern religion to date (Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam) it is homophobic.
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"I assumed the social norms suggestion. However, Baha'u'llah wrote about many things that weren't being discussed during that time period, especially in the places he lived, so, once again, I figured Baha'is might be able to enlighten me."
Bahaii was my last hope for theism. It was the last religion i rigorously studied in hopes of finding a logical religion. It like all the others failed. I'm now an atheist.
I don't believe there is anything "new" or "revolutionary" in Bahaii. If there is, it is likely a vague quote that in TODAY'S Bahaii is being interpreted as such. This is called hindsight and isn't real evidence of enlightenment. It only demonstrates that followers of a religion are really good at twisting their interpretations to suit reality. I mean look at YouTube or even here on Y!A. You have Muslims, and Christians (mostly) claiming that there is hidden scientific knowledge in their scriptures (the Quran & Bible respectively). A critical and objective research of such claims usually ends in vain.
Would you care do demonstrate some examples of how Baha'u'llah for shadowed any social issues?
Human are desired to material instinct and slain to 5 senses.
Desire, coveting (worldly things), desire (for worldly pleasures,) affection (towards particular things), greediness, egoism,. rejoicing (in world success) and longing (fro wordily objects) are (all) words synonymous with attachment.
Nonattached by understanding. If you understand the result of attachment, the mind develops non attachment but it doesn't mean the duties are gone. You still live in a family, society and you associate with others in your jobs or businesses. You express your sympathy to the poor or those who are in pain. The only difference is your egocentric involvement. Dispassion develops when reality is known; then the mind gets detached to its unreal form.
Some ancient texts and temples depict it as one of many sexual inclinations, while Vedanta discourages homosexual desires as lustful and/or distracting...which emphasize liberation from the material world to the spiritual, allow only heterosexual sex, within marriage and for purposes of procreation...the pleasures that are born out of sensory contacts are sources of pain. They certainly are transient, having a beginning and an end. The intelligent man is wise enough not to indulge in them.
Baha'i Faith does not regard homosexuality as 'normal'. That could mean falling within the two standard deviations of the range of normal human sexual behavior - and they are averse to sodomy as is Islam.
The Baha'i faith doesn't oppose to homosexuality, CZ
to regard homosexuals with prejudice and disdain would be entirely against the spirit of Bah?'? Teachings.
So it only discourages a bit , and probably the science in the future will say some thin else bout homosexuality, CZ we all know that science in the middle ages isn't the same as it is now, so it still can change.
Hello :]
I'm a Gay Baha'i.
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Yes, that's right, openly practicing same-sex lover...right here
I'm actually a Reform Baha'i, but I do not conduct myself differently from any other Baha'i. As far as I see it, the "Reform" part is nothing more than seeing there is a need for a liberalization in the Baha'i Faith, which suits other people's needs, especially when there is science, or even simple rationality, that stands in opposition with the UHJ. This includes homosexuality. I'll note that liberal Baha'is have been around since the 1960's and 70's, and that the "movement" is not necessarily in direct opposition to mainstream Baha'is (although it can be, but it is up to the individual to make that decision).
Ultimately, the decision on ones beliefs is up to you. No human Constitution has the right to tell you what God wants you to do, except for the Prophets (who are not "human", per SE). Their Appointed Interpreters do not add beliefs, just interpret the Prophet's message with clarity. The Baha'i Faith also has emphasis on the individuals right to find spiritual knowledge for themselves.
So, in conclusion, every Baha'i is an individual, and not all Baha'is take up decisions made by the UHJ as universally ineffable. There is a focus on the individual in finding their spirituality. And yes, there has always been a harmoney between science and the Baha'i religion, but some people choose not to look at scientific evidance, but these people are present everywhere.
Why is the Baha'i Faith opposed to homosexuality?
