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Baha'u'llah and the Bab both performed numerous miracles that are well-documented. Yet the Baha'is refer to them only historically, and not as evidence. (1:21) The purpose of showing the irrelevance of miracles to the mission of Messengers is not to undermine the faith of the believers, many of whom have been taught to base their beliefs primarily on demonstrations of miraculous powers by their Savior and Redeemer, but rather to strengthen their faith and devotion. Recognizing the true standards by which God's Messengers distinguish themselves will only validate our beliefs. It will shift our faith from shaky ground to a firm foundation. It will move the evidence from the world of magic to the world of meaning. It will raise the evidence of divine Mission to such supreme heights that no cult leader, no magician, no impostor, no deceiver can ever approach. (1:22) Under future topics, we will study the true standards of divine mission again. As we shall see, those standards are infinitely more reasonable and reliable than that of miraculous records. (1:23) If miracles are not proofs, then what purpose do they serve? Only this purpose: They can awaken the truth seekers. People will say, 'If someone is capable of doing these wonders, maybe I should look into his claim.' If used for this purpose, miracles serve a positive function: They awaken and move the slumbering masses to investigate the truth. (1:24) We are all attracted and impressed by the glamour of the magical and the miraculous. The popularity of magic throughout history is an evidence of this. As long as we use miracles for inspiration and motivation, we have not done wrong. It is the abuse that must be avoided. (1:25) References: 1. Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 122
(1:26)
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