u/Fantastic_Ad7576

Hello, I hope you're all doing well.

From what I understand, the Baha'i faith teaches that every "era" has a "Manifestation of God" whose job it is to guide humanity. As such, previous religions, though true, are effectively "abrogated".

All of that makes sense so far, but then I learned that in Baha'i houses of worship, scriptures from various religions are read, not just of the Baha'i faith. If what those scriptures taught is abrogated, why do you still read them? Wouldn't it be better to focus on your own scriptures?

Additionally, the language surrounding "unity of religions" is a bit confusing to me. If someone is not a Baha'i do they have a chance of salvation following another religion? Or must one accept Baha'ullah and his teachings to be properly guided?

Would really appreciate any insights on this.

Thanks.

Salam, hope everyone is doing well.

I've been seeing some questions about the Adam and Eve narrative, and how our current scientific understanding points to that being impossible.

This video I came across discusses how all of humanity can trace their origins back to one man and one woman, genetically speaking at least. Watch the video for a better explanation.

While this isn't definitive proof that the Adam and Eve story is true in this way, I would like this chance to make a point: our understanding of both the natural world through science, as well as our understanding of the metaphysical world through revelation is imperfect.

If revelation and science seem to be at odds, we shouldn't jump to the conclusion that one must necessarily be true and the other false. Nor does it mean we should only stick to science or only stick to revekation. We should simply leave what is ambiguous as ambiguous, acknowledging that our knowledge in all aspects is limited and imperfect.

>Family of Imran (3:7)

>هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَـٰتٌۭ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌۭ ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌۭ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّۭ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ٧

>He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.

>— M. Pickthall

Clarification on Baha'i views of other religions