Dishonest treatment of other religions

Ezra T. posted the following message on the alt.religion.bahai discussion group explaining an important reason why he decided to reject Baha'ism:

Subject: the wrongness of Pat Kohli and Baha'i
From: Ezrat
Date: Sep 25 1999
URL: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.religion.bahai/msg/5e1ecd228940d5cd

Someone -- Bruce, I think -- posted a couple of quotes from Shoghi Effendi, in which the "Guardian" asserted that no authentic writings of the Buddha had been preserved. It is odd, therefore, to see Pat trying to prove that the Buddha believed in a Creator by quoting Buddhist Scriptures. If there are no authentic writings of the Buddha, how does Pat know that what (s)he quotes actually comes from the Buddha? It is obvious to me that Pat is doing what Baha'is do with scriptures from all religions: (s)he is starting with Baha'i doctrine and then finding proof-texts to support the Baha'i doctrines in an effort to make converts. It's a dishonest way of dealing with people, and shows real contempt for the convictions of members of other religions. For all the talk of respect for other religions, Baha'iism is really a triumphalist negation of what is unique and distinctive in each tradition. Other religions are only valued as far as they can be fitted into the Baha'i system. Whatever won't fit is cut off, negated, denied, or condemned as corrupt. Baha'is do it with Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, as well as Buddhism, and members of each religion cry foul! There has been more constructive and honest dialogue between members of religions who were once at one another's throats (Jews with Christians, Christians with Muslims, for example) than there has been between Baha'is and members of other religions. As a former Baha'i, I am well aware that Baha'i outreach to members of other religions is always motivated at a fundamental level by a desire to gain converts. Then, when someone joins Baha'i, he or she is expected to abandon association with his or her previous faith community and practice. Baha'iism "unifies" the world's religions only in the sense that former members of various faiths, who become Baha'is, are united in negating the distinctive features of their original faiths.

Ezra

Former Baha'is and Ex-Baha'i Christians: Selected Testimonials

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