Adherent of many religions are at times blinded to such a point that they fail to apply logic or reason to their faith or beliefs. For example, Saint Thomas Aquinas, the most rational of Christian theologians, stopped the use of reason when it came to the basic fundamentals of Christian faith. He then tried to justify faith. So to ask "why Christianity?" is an illegitimate question. However, Allah invites the question as to "why Islam?"?We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason.?3:118
Islam is a rational system which not only allows questions but raises knowledge to a new level of dignity and respect. No other religion has exalted knowledge and its pursuit, as has Islam. In fact, for the first time in human history, a religious book invited people to question the creation of the universe and stated that in it (the universe) were signs for people of understanding. ?In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people of intelligence.?(The Final Testament,i.e.Quran,3:190-191) ?He directs the whole affair. He makes the Signs clear so that hopefully you will be certain about the meeting with your Lord.?(13: 2)
Everything in Islam is subject to rational pursuit.
Islam is an intellectual and historical religion. There are no secrets and no mysteries which cannot be understood by an ordinary person.
We should, therefore, refrain from forming particular ideology or opinion prior to witnessing clear evidence-just as Islam advises us.
The Qur'an, this extraordinary book which was revealed to the Seal of the Prophets,Muhammad (peace and blessings of Almighty be upon him), is a source of inspiration and true knowledge. ?Allah Himself is witness that there is no God save Him. And the angels and the men of learning too are witness?There is no God save Him, the Almighty, the Wise.?3:18.The book of Islam-no matter what subject it refers to-is being proved as Allah's Word as each new piece of historical, scientific or archaeological information comes to light. Facts about scientific subjects and the news delivered to us about the past and future, facts that no being could have known at the time of the Qur'an's revelation, are announced in its verses. It is impossible for this information to have been known with the level of knowledge and technology available in 7Th century Arabia. With this in mind, may we allow our common sense to speak on behalf of us awhile?
Could anyone in 7Th century Arabia have known the precise date of the lunar landings?
Could anyone in 7Th century Arabia have known the atomic number every single element?
Could anyone in 7Th century Arabia have known that the word "Pharaoh" was only used from the 14Th century B.C. and not before, as the Old Testament erroneously claims?
?If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if We brought (another sea) like it for its aid.?(Quran-18:109)
Could anyone in 7Th century Arabia have known the genetic code of many living organisms?
Could anyone in 7Th century Arabia have known that the star ?Sirius? is the brightest star in the night sky?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known that the universe is "steadily expanding," as the Qur'an puts it, when modern scientists have only in recent decades put forward the idea of the "Big Bang"?
?And He shows you His signs. So, which of the signs of Allah do you deny?? 40:81
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known about the fact that each individual's fingertips are absolutely unique, when we have only discovered this fact recently, using modern technology and modern scientific equipment?
Could anyone in 7th century Arabia have known about black holes, Pulsars, the Rosette Nebula, sub-atomic particles, quantum physics, fossilization and iron content, the layers of Earth, the weight of clouds, the relativity of Time, the Force of Gravity, the Orbital Movements, the sun?s trajectory, the programming in genes, the sun?s hydrogen and helium content, or many other facts scientists of our day are only just beginning to discover?
The only answer to these questions is thus: the Qur'an is the Word of the Almighty Creator,God. the Originator of everything and the One Who encompasses everything with His knowledge. In one verse, Allah says, "If it had been from other than Allah, they would have found many inconsistencies in it." (Qur'an, 4:82) Every piece of information the Glorious Qur'an contains reveals the secret miracles of this divine book.
The Baha'i Faith does not combine them any more than high school combines the previous grades. You might want to download Baha'i Ocean http://bahai-education.org/ocean/ I also have something else that might help you. It is pretty comprehensive.
From the cover of The Baha?is magazine, a publication of the International Baha?i Community
In just over 150 years, the Baha?i Faith has grown from an obscure movement in the Middle East to the second-most widespread of the independent world religions. Embracing people from more than 2,100 ethnic, racial and tribal groups, it is quite likely the most diverse organized body of people on the planet. Its unity challenges prevailing theories about human nature and the prospects for our common future.
http://www.bahai.com/thebahais/
Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. Take heed that ye do not vacillate in your determination to embrace the truth of this Cause -- a Cause through which the potentialities of the might of God have been revealed, and His sovereignty established. With faces beaming with joy, hasten ye unto Him. This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Let him that seeker, attain it; and as to him that hath refused to seek it -- verily, God is Self-Sufficient, above any need of His creatures.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 136)
It relay is kinda silly to combine these things.
As it is Christianity and Islam base their stories in the Jewish stories -- but it is the differences that define them as the separate religions they are. If Christians say "Jesus is the Messiah" and Jews say "no he is not" how do you relay combine the two?
As for Budhism - the baseline of the philosophy is that desire causes suffering and the world is an illusion created through desire, but Judaism says that God created the world to be enjoyed by people ... and Christainity and Islam say ...well I'm not sure that they say much on this specifically but desire for heaven is certainly uppermost there.
The Dalai Lama has learned alto from Jews and uses the lessons of Jewish survival in diaspora to teach his people -- but he has not added Judaism to Budhism.
Likewise, there are Jewish and Christian and Muslim mystic groups who have used lessons from Budhist teaching - but in their own individual ways.
Also there are Jewish and christian mystics who have learned from the Muslim Sufis - but again they have integrated it rationally in their own religious structures.
Etc.
What is the religion called that combines Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism?
