Continued from message #965686.

I think it is time to move some of the unrelated topics off the thread "Job market...".

>Basically, it is my understanding the different sets of scripture you've mentioned have some unreconcilable conflicts.

I sometimes feel like this myself. I have difficulties with some parts of both the Bible and the Qur'án.

But then again, there are different possible explanations for this. Some would prefer one, some another, of the following explanations, or perhaps a combination of them:

For the atheists: None of the books should really be considered holy.

The only true belief is [insert your favorite here]. Its holy books are to be used to callibrate others, i.e., whatever is in conflict with it, is wrong.

Many books are holy, but since not all of them have been written by the respective founder, some misunderstands may have crept in. Problems with translations can also be grouped in this general category.

Differences between the Holy Writings are due to differences in the requierements of the times. For example, some laws and teachings have to be gradually introduced, so as not to cause too great a shock.

Differences between the Holy Writings are due to my own limited understanding. A more detailed analysis might actually reconcile these differences.

Personally, I think the last two points are especially relevant.

> For instance, I have been told that the Koran considers Jesus only to be a prophet - not the Son of God (and thus cannot the Savior of the world).

It is an important part of the belief of the Bahá'í Faith, and - according to my limited understanding - also of Islám, that God sends a series of Messengers. So, the mission of Jesus is part of a greater whole. God has sent other Messengers before, and after, Jesus. The message has been basically the same.

IOW, Salvation is not something that is done, once and for all. Mankind must be educated continuously.

As to the title, "Son of God": different Messengers of God have been given different titles, such as "Son of God", "The Friend of God", "He who conversed with God", or "The Glory of God". I wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

A search in the Qur'án (I used "Ocean"), indeed, doesn't seem to turn up the phrase "Son of God". But when Jesus is mentioned, it is done in respectful terms.

> Further, it is my understanding that the Koran states that there will be no more prophets after Muhammed. If so, this would seem to be a big problem with reconciling the Koran with the Bahai scriptures.

Not at all. Precisely because we don't believe that Bahá'u'lláh is "only a prophet". I have been told that the Qurán uses two different terms, which have both been translated as "prophet"; now, I don't remember what the exact terms were.

>I realize this doesn't prove which is the only book of God. All I can say is keep searching and be honest with yourself. For me, I try to seek God at least with the same fervor (if not more) as I seek to learn Visual Foxpro or anything else. Years ago, I did not have that attitude, but I've improved on that quite a bit over the last several years.

Although we obviously have different points of views, it is nice to see that some people are still interested in religious topics.

Regards,

Hilmar.

Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)