"You have stated that you are not comfortable with the Scandinavian approach to well being.
Not sure how you concluded that, since I expressly stated in an earlier post: "If it promotes wellbeing, the Scandinavian model is one that I can comfortably support." -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have probably caused confusion for which I apologize. You did indeed post that line, but went on. The full quote was:
"If it promotes wellbeing, the Scandinavian model is one that I can comfortably support.
The reality is however, that the Scandinavian model is atheistic. As much as some may wish to shout and scream, the world is predominatly theistic and so the Baha'i Faith offers a model that enables theism and atheism to thrive without hindering societal wellbeing."
So what if the Scandinavian model is atheistic? They are a happy people and many want to move there (in spite of the climate) Compare their atheistic model to many theist models. You can be openly religious in Scandinavian countries. Try being openly atheist in many theist countries, and see how far that gets you. ============================================================================= You have taken me to task about advocating love, tolerance, and respect in the face of an adversary..
Where are you drawing these conclusions from whereu? The central principle of the Baha'i Faith is love, sacrifice for others, selfless service, respect, but not tolerance. Baha'is should strive to not tolerate people, butBaha'ullah wants us to"let your heart burn with loving-kindness for all who may cross your path"
So I'm not really sure what aspect of the Baha'i Faith you are not convinced about? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have tried to explain this before. I'll try again. When I mentioned Nelson Mandela's response of love, respect and kindness to those who robbed him of the most productive period of his life your response was to take me to task by asking me how I would react if my close family were tortured? Enough said on this score.
You also go out of you way to justify the actions of Mohamed. If he was really writing under divine direction/ inspiration then the period in which he lived should not have affected the ethics that he passed on from the divine.
If Baha'ullah wants to"let your heart burn with loving-kindness for all who may cross your path" then just adhering to the flavour of the times is. for me, not good enough.
If ethics is relative then it is by definition all over the place. I see no more than an OT rendition transplanted to the 21st century.
) Compare their atheistic model to many theist models. You can be openly religious in Scandinavian countries. Try being openly atheist in many theist countries, and see how far that gets you.
