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I'm curious about other people's viewpoints on this. I'm not directing this at Anjali, who's trying to head out of here, but s/he brought up this dichotomy which I find interesting, between looking for a religion that fits, versus looking for the truth.
In a way, I feel like these are completely intertwined. How could I find a religion which seems like it is the truth, yet does not fit me? And how could I find a religion which fits me, yet seems untrue? Logically or intellectually, it seems impossible.
On the other hand, it makes on some emotional or spiritual level to experience this dichotomy. I identify as a Jew, having been raised Jewish and had a Bat Mitzvah, yet I disagree strongly with certain scriptures. The Baha'i Faith appeals to me immensely, and resonates with me spiritually, yet again, some parts of it seem "untrue" or something I can't agree with.
In the end, as I said in the other thread, I feel like I'm not likely to find any religion of any size which conforms 100% to my personal spiritual beliefs, other than a religion which relies completely on individual discovery (UU, Theraveda Buddhism). One of the reasons the Baha'i Faith appeals to me is that it conforms to my spiritual beliefs on a level so much higher than I ever expected to encounter in a popular religion, it shocks me. If I look at any religion, including my own, I try to get to know it well and really tear it apart, so I feel like I'll always encounter these issues.
I began thinking about these issues when I played with this thing on selectsmart.com called the religion selector. My own identified religion never comes up in the results higher than 3rd. I find this to be rather common when I see other people's results - other religions are closer to the person's individual beliefs than the one they practice or were raised in. I don't know anyone of the Baha'i Faith who's taken this test, so if anyone is interested, here's a link. Sadly, Sufism and I think Zoroastrianism are missing from the possible results, although they got Jainism in there:
www.selectsmart.com/RELIGION/
How you rank the importance of your choices affects the outcome quite a bit, by the way.
Also, I'm very interested in anyone's thoughts on this, in general.
In a way, I feel like these are completely intertwined. How could I find a religion which seems like it is the truth, yet does not fit me? And how could I find a religion which fits me, yet seems untrue? Logically or intellectually, it seems impossible.
On the other hand, it makes on some emotional or spiritual level to experience this dichotomy. I identify as a Jew, having been raised Jewish and had a Bat Mitzvah, yet I disagree strongly with certain scriptures. The Baha'i Faith appeals to me immensely, and resonates with me spiritually, yet again, some parts of it seem "untrue" or something I can't agree with.
In the end, as I said in the other thread, I feel like I'm not likely to find any religion of any size which conforms 100% to my personal spiritual beliefs, other than a religion which relies completely on individual discovery (UU, Theraveda Buddhism). One of the reasons the Baha'i Faith appeals to me is that it conforms to my spiritual beliefs on a level so much higher than I ever expected to encounter in a popular religion, it shocks me. If I look at any religion, including my own, I try to get to know it well and really tear it apart, so I feel like I'll always encounter these issues.
I began thinking about these issues when I played with this thing on selectsmart.com called the religion selector. My own identified religion never comes up in the results higher than 3rd. I find this to be rather common when I see other people's results - other religions are closer to the person's individual beliefs than the one they practice or were raised in. I don't know anyone of the Baha'i Faith who's taken this test, so if anyone is interested, here's a link. Sadly, Sufism and I think Zoroastrianism are missing from the possible results, although they got Jainism in there:
www.selectsmart.com/RELIGION/
How you rank the importance of your choices affects the outcome quite a bit, by the way.
Also, I'm very interested in anyone's thoughts on this, in general.
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Re: Looking for a relgion that fits vs. looking for truth
Wed, July 18, 2007 - 1:27 PMOops, and I should share my own results from the selector in the spirit of disclosure. :)
1. UU
2. Liberal Quaker
3. Reform Judaism (I was raised Conservative but I'll count it as a hit, haha)
4. Baha'i (actually more appealing than the top 2)
5. Neopagan (Not for me, but then it's #5)
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Re: Looking for a relgion that fits vs. looking for truth
Mon, July 23, 2007 - 12:31 AMI copied it just to show it was "for real"
Your Results:
1. Bahai (100%)
See selected books about Bahai. Click here for info
2. Reform Judaism (97%)
See selected books about Reform Judaism. Click here for info
3. Liberal Quakers (91%)
See selected books about Liberal Quakers. Click here for info
4. Unitarian Universalism (90%)
See selected books about Unitarian Universalism. Click here for info
5. Sikhism (87%)
See selected books about Sikhism. Click here for info
6. Jainism (85%)
See selected books about Jainism. Click here for info
7. Neo-Pagan (78%)
See selected books about Neo-Pagan. Click here for info
8. Orthodox Judaism (78%)
See selected books about Orthodox Judaism. Click here for info
9. New Age (74%)
See selected books about New Age. Click here for info
10. Islam (71%)
See selected books about Islam. Click here for info
11. Mahayana Buddhism (71%)
See selected books about Mahayana Buddhism. Click here for info
12. Hinduism (66%)
See selected books about Hinduism. Click here for info
13. Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (64%)
See selected books about Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants. Click here for info
14. New Thought (56%)
See selected books about New Thought. Click here for info
15. Secular Humanism (54%)
See selected books about Secular Humanism. Click here for info
16. Theravada Buddhism (52%)
See selected books about Theravada Buddhism. Click here for info
17. Scientology (52%)
See selected books about Scientology. Click here for info
18. Taoism (48%)
See selected books about Taoism. Click here for info
19. Orthodox Quaker (45%)
See selected books about Orthodox Quaker. Click here for info
20. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (41%)
See selected books about Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist). Click here for info
21. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (40%)
See selected books about Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Click here for info
22. Jehovah's Witness (29%)
See selected books about Jehovah's Witness. Click here for info
23. Non-theist (28%)
See selected books about Non-theist. Click here for info
24. Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant (26%)
See selected books about Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant. Click here for info
25. Seventh Day Adventist (22%)
See selected books about Seventh Day Adventist. Click here for info
26. Eastern Orthodox (21%)
See selected books about Eastern Orthodox. Click here for info
27. Roman Catholic (21%)
See selected books about Roman Catholic. Click here for info
Usually these type of tests put me as matching Baha'i within the top three to five. They have such preconceived ideas of how the answers should be, without knowing that so often it is intent of the heart that truly matters and most often the "true" answer isn't given as an option.
I would encourage anyone thinking of joining the Faith to truly study the life of Baha'u'llah. Read the series by Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah. It is four books, approx. 600 ages each (maybe, ish). However, if you have ever read an epic series, that should not faze you in the least. If you have never read an epic, you are in for a treat. The message doesn't matter if you do not love the "messenger". Don't worry about getting the names down perfectly, its like to-may-toe and to-mah-toe, whoever you ask says it slightly different anyhow. :)
Each time I read this series I fall in love all over again. I would give my life for Him in a heart beat. He doesn't ask it though, He asks we live the life, not die for it! Natch, the hard junk!
Also, try to go to a LARGE conference and/or retreat hosted by Baha'is. You will meet such a diverse group of people it will be unbelievable. A person dressed to the nines sitting next to a young person with purple hair, tattoos and multiple piercings. Listen to the music of Baha'i Artists at Divine Notes.com and see the diversity come alive there.
NOTHING is perfect, the plan for perfection is there, however. And learning how to see the potential in everyone and everything is exhilarating. People would write to Baha'u'llah's son, 'Abdu'l-Baha with their plans for teaching or a social and economic development, describing everything down to the last detail. Sometimes 'Abdu'l-Baha's replies would be very short, no matter how long the letter. He only complimented and encouraged the positive and that which should be developed. They would write again, thinking he had missed there point, and he would reply as before, commenting on the avenues they should take and explore and spend time developing. After the third or fourth letter they would get the idea. His job was to encourage, cheer on, commend. It would take very serious misdeeds to get a response from him that did not dwell on the positive aspects of a venture. When the very first National Spiritual Assembly of the North American continent was formed the men did not let the women vote, as the year was around 1907ish, before women had the vote in the government. 'Abdu'l-Baha immediately dissolved the Assembly and called for a new election, with women not only voting but to be considered eligible to sit on the National Assembly.
Keep searching until your HEART says this is it. Then, remember that your heart and soul will be tested. Why? So you will know with absolute certainty the truth of your own self.
One of my favorite Hidden Words:
O SON OF SPIRIT!
I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting. (Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)
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Re: Looking for a relgion that fits vs. looking for truth
Mon, July 23, 2007 - 2:27 PMhere here :) Alla'u'Abha -
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Re: Looking for a relgion that fits vs. looking for truth
Mon, July 23, 2007 - 2:49 PMi was 100% Baha'i, then 98% Hinduism, which i thought was cool! :) then Judaism, next, and i think it was Jainism after that, i dont even know what that is, ill have to check it out, just to know lol. thats a cool test thingy.
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Re: Looking for a relgion that fits vs. looking for truth
Sat, July 28, 2007 - 9:08 AMTwowings, thanks for the tip on the gathering and the book. I suspect I'd enjoy both immensely. There are other people who resonate with religions I don't at all, e.g. religions which seem to me to worship creations over creator. Perhaps these religions are "true" for them and not for me, whether that's a consequence of my religious training or not.
Stephanie, Jainism is a rather interesting, very old religion, which I only discovered because of that selector. It has some parallels with Bahai Faith. All souls are considered equal, of equal potential to be enlightened, and in some sects, the sexes are considered equal. They value education very highly and value all life, human and non. They respect other faiths to the point of assisting worship and have a belief similar to progressive revelation. They don't believe in a God entity, though.
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Re: Looking for a relgion that fits vs. looking for truth
Mon, July 30, 2007 - 11:58 AMThank you for your thoughtful post. I just spent the last hour listening to music on the DivineNotes website - a wonderful collection of music for sure.
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Re: Looking for a relgion that fits vs. looking for truth
Thu, August 2, 2007 - 9:24 PM1. Hinduism (100%)
See selected books about Hinduism. Click here for info
2. Unitarian Universalism (91%)
See selected books about Unitarian Universalism. Click here for info
3. Jainism (91%)
See selected books about Jainism. Click here for info
4. Bahai (88%)
See selected books about Bahai. Click here for info
5. Liberal Quakers (86%)
See selected books about Liberal Quakers. Click here for info
6. Mahayana Buddhism (86%)
See selected books about Mahayana Buddhism. Click here for info
7. Sikhism (85%)
See selected books about Sikhism. Click here for info
8. Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (78%)
See selected books about Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants. Click here for info
9. Theravada Buddhism (77%)
See selected books about Theravada Buddhism. Click here for info
10. Reform Judaism (71%)
See selected books about Reform Judaism. Click here for info
11. Neo-Pagan (70%)
See selected books about Neo-Pagan. Click here for info
12. Orthodox Judaism (66%)
See selected books about Orthodox Judaism. Click here for info
13. New Thought (65%)
See selected books about New Thought. Click here for info
14. Orthodox Quaker (64%)
See selected books about Orthodox Quaker. Click here for info
15. New Age (63%)
See selected books about New Age. Click here for info
16. Scientology (60%)
See selected books about Scientology. Click here for info
17. Islam (59%)
See selected books about Islam. Click here for info
18. Taoism (58%)
See selected books about Taoism. Click here for info
19. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (57%)
See selected books about Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist). Click here for info
20. Eastern Orthodox (52%)
See selected books about Eastern Orthodox. Click here for info
21. Roman Catholic (52%)
See selected books about Roman Catholic. Click here for info
22. Seventh Day Adventist (52%)
See selected books about Seventh Day Adventist. Click here for info
23. Secular Humanism (46%)
See selected books about Secular Humanism. Click here for info
24. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (43%)
See selected books about Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Click here for info
25. Jehovah's Witness (43%)
See selected books about Jehovah's Witness. Click here for info
26. Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant (43%)
See selected books about Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant. Click here for info
27. Non-theist (27%)
See selected books about Non-theist. Click here for info
Funny... I know very little about Hinduism, and I consider myself Baha'i. My usual result for these types of tests is Unitarian Universalism.
