March 24, 2010

What is Religion?

… religion is the channel of love unto all peoples. ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 36)

.. religion [is] the guarantor of mankind's great advances, the very means of attaining everlasting life, the fosterer of infinite excellence, the light of both worlds .. ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 52)

Religion, moreover, is not a series of beliefs, a set of customs; religion is the teachings of the Lord God, teachings which constitute the very life of humankind, which urge high thoughts upon the mind, refine the character, and lay the groundwork for man's everlasting honour. (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 52)

… by religion is meant that which is ascertained by investigation and not that which is based on mere imitation, the foundations of Divine Religions and not human imitations. (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 303)