Posted by Misagh on April 25, 2101 at 22:00:52:

In Reply to: Re: Baha'u'llah a Prophet of God posted by David on April 25, 2101 at 17:07:24:

Hello,

"Baha'u'llah was a great man, thinker, philisopher, Sufi and leader. But all this doesn't automatically mean that he was a Manifestation."

Earlier today, I wanted to write a response, but decided that I didn't have the time to really sit down and compose something useful.

However, I changed my mind :) I won't post anything huge, just some small comments that came to my mind.

Going back to the quote I took from David's post... I sort of agree with his statement that all of the great qualities he described don't automatically make *anyone* a Manifestation of God.

Now, this is a very large can of worms, and I doubt I have the intellectual prowess or spiritual insight needed to give a worthwhile and convincing argument. But, I'd just like to bring up a question, that will perhaps generate some thought from people. The question is this: What DOES make a Man like Baha'u'llah the Manifestation of God? How can we be sure? Can there be a conclusive "test" of a Manifestation of God?
Hehehe... don't worry, these aren't rhetorical questions. They do have answers.

And, at the same time, I'd like to ask you, David, a question: What kind of "proof" would _you_ need, for yourself, to be convinced that Baha'u'llah was a Manifestation of God? Is there even a chance that you will ever believe it, or will you never believe it no matter how much proof is offered? Can anyone or anything but YOU tell you if Baha'u'llah is a Manifestation of God or not? Would it matter to you that men and women, many of them having much more to lose by accepting Baha'u'llah than you or I, decided to investigate and believe?

Many of these people were probably just as intelligent as you or I... I dare say, some of them maybe even more intelligent! And that's saying a lot, because let's face it, you and I and the readers of this message board are pretty darn sharp! :)

But, yeah, you've brought up an important issue. It's so important, in fact, that it's the second thing Baha'u'llah mentions in his Most Holy Book (Kitab-i-Aqdas). I'm reffering to the recognition of the Manifestation of God for this day and age.

Anyways, there's so much I wanted to say, but I guess this will have to do.

Please go back and look at the questions I raised. I'd like to think that maybe I somehow helped contribute to this train of thought.

Thanks for your patience everybody!

- Misagh

this topic is closed - post at bahai-library.com/forum