The problem I have with the criteria that Baha'u'llah sets out as to
recognition of himself as the representative of God is that he ignores
the fact that the majority of good and noble people will never
recognize his claims of divinity, for one reason or another. Maybe
they're Buddhists and don't believe in God at all, maybe they're
secular humanists and are agnostic when it comes to belief in God.
Perhaps they are atheists or polytheists or pagans or Muslims or
Christians or Jews or Mormons or whatever. To state that every human
being who doesn't recognize his claims has: " gone astray " is so
narrow-minded as to begger the imagination. How such exclusivistic
thinking is to unity humanity is beyond me.
Cheers
Larry Rowe
The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition
of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His
laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause
and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained
unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof, hath gone astray, though
he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who
reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory,
to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world.
These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the
other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine
inspiration.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 330)
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