Sboyce

I woke up to my dog barking in my house
I go to my door and there are two girls standing there with the New World translation
I didn't know the significance of that till they left, but they read of Christ and I spoke of Christ, Buddha, Mohammed Baha'u'llah and the Bab. Progressive revelation and scriptual guidance, and they want to come back. No doubt seeing me as receptive the the Jehovah's Witness idealism. I am just asking for some help in ways that I can teach them without being offensive
They can't read other religious writings
Have independent ideas of the bible
Accept biblical historical literalism
The whore of Babylon is false religion
I believe they came to me for Baha'u'llah, how can I lead them to Him?

arthra

I don't know that you or anyone can lead them to Him.. as it would have to come from themselves I believe...

so their cup is full of whatever was put in there by either them..their family or their Kingdom Hall, etc.

When their cup is emptied then you can offer to fill it for them..

But from this encounter they have disclosed to you a few things..

They can't read other religious writings
Have independent ideas of the bible
Except biblical historical literalism

So about the best you can do in my view is to be gracious to them.. but believe when I say this ..

They are more aware than anyone of the restrictions placed upon them ..

and inside them they feel that and some resent it.

Be gracious... What I would do is thank them but explain to them while smiling that you are a Baha'i. Stop there.

They will ask normally what is that? and you can explain to them what that is... Don't engage in argument with them or try to change their views. If they ask more questions..answer them..The rest is up to them.

cire perdue

Showing them acceptance and love is probably the most you can do. Offering them something to drink probably sealed water or canned soft drink would probably be great. I don't think they know they are looking for Baha'u'llah. Consider being accepting which they do not get much of. If they have at least heard the word Baha'i then you have done your part. Remember people met Baha'u'llah and Abdul'baha and did not become Baha'is.

Rani

From what I recall I think Jehovah's Witnesses are aware of the Baha'i Faith. I think it is included in their information book on other religions and is seen as a sect of Islam. -Think I saw the book in question.

spirit

What is that supposed to mean?? I don't think a person can ever know when anothers cup is empty...except a manifestation

I believe if someone asks for information or spiritual guidance we can relay what we have learned....

cire perdue

This is a reference to a Zen koan (spelling?). A student approaches the master who pours him tea, and keeps pouring, and the student asks why. The master replies, "Your cup is already full, until you empty it, you can receive no more." The student could not take in anything spiritual, he was too full of the world or his own ideas.

You observation about judging others is pretty right on, but Baha'is are not supposed to teach the unwilling or resistant. Sometimes it is all we can do to mention Baha'i or Baha'u'llah. I did not see it as judgmental so much as a fact based on experience, however we should even try to be detached from that.

Essence of GOD

i believe, its when they want more to drink and show more thirst for your wine or thoughts, then their cup is empty. However, if they are trying to offer you some of their thoughts or beliefs to drink, then their cup is full.

so just drink a sample of their wine, and offer some of your choicest wine in return. The rest is up to them and their God.

thats what i think arthra meant, i could be wrong

aidan

There is only one God and He can be called Jehovah

Essence of GOD

prove it

Rani

Quote:

'so just drink a sample of their wine, and offer some of your choicest wine in return.'

Essence of God, that is nice!

tonyfish58

I have many a Jehovah's Witness friend - If you wish to find out the true intent it is very easy. I can assure you a Jehovah's Witness cup is full and it is something that Baha'is can admire - there devotion to their belief

You can suggest that you all sit down and say prayers for Guidance. You can offer to read one of their prayers and offer them one of Baha'u'llah's prayers to be read in return. You can offer to read a passage from Watchtower and in return they can read a passage of Baha'u'llah and you can all discuss the readings.

If they have not come with only the intent to show you the correct path to Jehovah, then there will be no issue.

I had one Jehovah friend who tried & hoped for me to convert for many a year while all the time listening to the proofs that I gave back. His cup will always be full of the path he has chosen and unless he is willing to empty it, He can not fill it again.

Regards Tony

BruceDLimber

Quote:

Originally Posted by aidan There is only one God, and He can be called Jehovah

True, as well as many other names!

In fact, God has MANY names and titles, in the various languages and cultures, and they are all equally acceptable!

Just a few of these names are: God, Boje, Jehovah, Dieu, Wankantanka, El, Gott, Yahweh, Dios, Brahman, Elohim, Allah, Bog, Adonai, Parvadegar, and Huda.

ANY of these are just fine! :-)

Best!

Bruce

MAWillsey

Unless an individual specifically asks you to teach them, you cannot teach them. If you contrive to allow them to teach you about their faith with the hidden agenda to try to somehow bring them around, then that is worse. You must be upfront to the other person, get right to the point about it. You could even go so far as to strike a bargain, I will allow you to tell me about your beliefs, if you allow me equal time to speak of my beliefs. If an individual is incapable or unwilling to hear of the newest teaching then the contact should end.

Yeshua

The Hopi are a Native American tribe, well noted for their monotheism and peaceful teachinggs. They call God, "Grandfather" - which has always struck me as a beautiful and warm way of referring to God.

Sboyce

These pioneers, in their contact with the members of divers creeds, races and nations, covering a range which offers no parallel in either the north or south continents, must neither antagonize them nor compromise with their own essential principles. They must be neither provocative nor supine, neither fanatical nor excessively liberal, in their exposition of the fundamental and distinguishing features of their Faith. They must be either wary or bold, they must act swiftly or mark time, they must use the direct or indirect method, they must be challenging or conciliatory, in strict accordance with the spiritual receptivity of the soul with whom they come in contact, whether he be a nobleman or a commoner, a northerner or a southerner, a layman or a priest, a capitalist or a socialist, a statesman or a prince, an artisan or a beggar. In their presentation of the Message of Bahá'u'lláh they must neither hesitate nor falter. They must be neither contemptuous of the
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poor nor timid before the great. In their exposition of its verities they must neither overstress nor whittle down the truth which they champion, whether their hearer belong to royalty, or be a prince of the church, or a politician, or a tradesman, or a man of the street. To all alike, high or low, rich or poor, they must proffer, with open hands, with a radiant heart, with an eloquent tongue, with infinite patience, with uncompromising loyalty, with great wisdom, with unshakable courage, the Cup of Salvation at so critical an hour, to the confused, the hungry, the distraught and fear-stricken multitudes, in the north, in the west, in the south and in the heart, of that sorely tried continent.

aidan

Dearest brother I cannot prove that the world is round,would you dispute that too?

Essence of GOD

the world? or earth?
based on big bang theory, if it was fact, we can easily assume the world is round, due to particle dispensation in a middle of a void after and explosion.
as for the earth being round, well we have actual pictures from outer space.

as to there being only one god, that also can be proved by using logic, as the first mover.

as for Jehovah, well i was wondering why only that name?

i require more info on how you come to believe that, if you please share your knowledge with this uninformed friend

aidan

Brother,I said that God 'can' be called Jehovah,not that Jehovah is His 'only' name.And I dont believe it is possible to prove the existance of God and that belief in God involves chosing to take a leap of faith