If the Trinity is real, how can we celebrate birthdays and deaths?

Question

The monotheistic Christian God is three parts but one: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This Trinity has always been and always shall be. How could one inseperable part be born or begotten and how could it die and rise again from the dead.
I know. The simple answer is that you have to accept this weird concept by faith.
Some early Christians did not believe this odd conceptualization. The dilemma lingers for those of who are fans of Jesus teachings but cannot accept the Trinity concept.
Any new insights I may be missing?

I had a Lebanese room mate in college who was of the Bahai faith. Their interpretation is interesting and your response was quite well researched. And long.
Another response suggested that I am ignorant and stupid in spiritual matters, that I will not dispute. God knows I do not know everything, that's why I'm spending time on Yahoo Answers.
And, yes, I have read the Bible, PK and Army Brat.

Answer 1

"The purpose of these new laws is to destroy antagonism by finding a point of agreement. We cannot induce men to lay down their arms by  85  fighting with them. If two individuals dispute about religion both are wrong. The Protestants and Catholics, the Mohammedans and Christians war over religion. The Nestorians claim that Christ was merely a slave, a man like the rest, but God put his spirit upon him. The Catholics say that he was one of the persons of the trinity. Both are wrong."

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 84)

Our belief in regard to Christ is exactly what is recorded in the New Testament; however, we elucidate this matter and do not speak literally or in a manner based merely on blind belief. For instance, it is recorded in the Gospel of St. John, "In the beginning was the word, the word was with God and the word was God." The majority of Christians accept this matter literally, but we give a logical explanation that no one need find occasion to reject.

The Christians have made this statement about "the word," the foundation of the trinity; but philosophers state that the trinity as regards the identity of divinity is impossible.

We explain this subject as follows: By the "word" we mean that creation with its infinite forms is like unto letters and the individual members of humanity are likewise like unto letters. A letter individually has no meaning, no independent significance, but the station of Christ is the station of the word. That is why we say Christ is the "word" - a complete significance. The universal bestowal of divinity is manifest in Christ. It is obvious that the evolution of other souls is approximate, or only a part of the whole, but the perfections of the Christ are universal, or the whole. The reality of Christ is the collective center of all the independent virtues and infinite significances.

For example, this lamp sheds light and the moon illumines the night with its silvery beams, but neither light is self created.  149 

His Holiness the Christ is like unto the sun; his light issued forth from his own identity. He received it not from another person - therefore we give him the comprehensive title of the "word." By this we mean the all-comprehending reality and the depository of the infinite divine characteristics. This "word" has an honorary beginning and not a beginning of time. For instance, we say this person has precedence over all. This precedence comes to him through the station and honor which he now holds in life, but it is not a precedence of time. In reality the "word" has neither beginning nor ending. The letters of the "word" are those qualities which appeared in Christ and not his physical body. These attributes were from God - like unto the rays of the sun reflected in a clear mirror. The rays, the light and the heat of the sun are its qualities which have become manifest in the mirror. It is evident that these qualities were ever with God, even at this time they are with him, they are inseparable from him because divinity is not subject to division. Division is a sign of imperfection and God is the perfect one.

It is clear that the attributes of divinity are co-equal and co-existent with the essence. In that station there is absolute unity. This in brief is the exposition of the station of the Christ.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 148)

What is the relationship of Christ and BAHA'O'LLAH with God?

ABDUL BAHA: His Holiness Christ said: "The Father is in me." This we must understand through logical and scientific evidences, for if religious principles do not accord with science and reason, they do not inspire the heart with confidence and assurance.

It is said that once John of Chrysostom was walking along the seashore thinking over the question of the trinity and trying to reconcile it with finite reason; his attention was attracted to a boy sitting on the shore putting water into a cup. Approaching him, he said, "My child, what art thou doing?" "I am trying to put the sea into this cup," was the answer. "How foolish art thou," said John, "in trying to do the impossible." The child replied, "Thy work is stranger than mine, for thou art laboring to bring within the grasp of human intellect the conception of the trinity."

Let us, free from past tradition, investigate the reality of this matter. What is the meaning of the father and the son?

This fatherhood and sonship are allegorical and symbolical. The Messianic reality is like  153  unto a mirror through which the sun of divinity has become resplendent. If this mirror expresses "The light is in me" - it is sincere in its claim; therefore Jesus was truthful when he said, "The Father is in me."

The sun in the sky and the sun in the mirror are one, are they not? - and yet we see there are apparently two suns.

The Jews were expecting the coming of the Messiah, lamenting day and night, saying: "O God, send to us our deliverer!" But as they walked in the path of dogmas, rather than reality, when the Messiah appeared they denied him. Had they been investigators of reality, they would not have crucified - but would have recognized him instantly.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 152)

THE TRINITY

Question. -- What is the meaning of the Trinity, of the Three Persons in One?

Answer. -- The Divine Reality, which is purified and sanctified from the understanding of human beings and which can never be imagined by the people of wisdom and of intelligence, is exempt from all conception. That Lordly Reality admits of no division; for division and multiplicity are properties of creatures which are contingent existences, and not accidents which happen to the self-existent.

The Divine Reality is sanctified from singleness, then how much more from plurality. The descent of that Lordly Reality into conditions and degrees would be equivalent to imperfection and contrary to perfection, and is, therefore, absolutely impossible. It perpetually has been, and is, in the exaltation of holiness and sanctity. All that is mentioned of the Manifestations and Dawning-places of God signifies the divine reflection, and not a descent into the conditions of existence.[1]
[1 Cf. "Pantheism," p. 290.]

God is pure perfection, and creatures are but imperfections. For God to descend into the conditions of existence would be the greatest of imperfections; on the contrary, His manifestation, His appearance, His rising are like the reflection of the sun in a clear, pure, polished mirror. All the creatures are evident signs of God, like the earthly beings upon all of which the rays of the sun shine. But upon the plains, the mountains, the trees and fruits, only a portion  114  of the light shines, through which they become visible, and are reared, and attain to the object of their existence, while the Perfect Man [1] is in the condition of a clear mirror in which the Sun of Reality becomes visible and manifest with all its qualities and perfections. So the Reality of Christ was a clear and polished mirror of the greatest purity and fineness. The Sun of Reality, the Essence of Divinity, reflected itself in this mirror and manifested its light and heat in it; but from the exaltation of its holiness, and the heaven of its sanctity, the Sun did not descend to dwell and abide in the mirror. No, it continues to subsist in its exaltation and sublimity, while appearing and becoming manifest in the mirror in beauty and perfection.
[1 The Divine Manifestation.]

Now if we say that we have seen the Sun in two mirrors -- one the Christ and one the Holy Spirit -- that is to say, that we have seen three Suns, one in heaven and the two others on the earth, we speak truly. And if we say that there is one Sun, and it is pure singleness, and has no partner and equal, we again speak truly.

The epitome of the discourse is that the Reality of Christ was a clear mirror, and the Sun of Reality -- that is to say, the Essence of Oneness, with its infinite perfections and attributes -- became visible in the mirror. The meaning is not that the Sun, which is the Essence of the Divinity, became divided and multiplied -- for the Sun is one -- but it appeared in the mirror. This is why Christ said, "The Father is in the Son," meaning that the Sun is visible and manifest in this mirror.

The Holy Spirit is the Bounty of God which becomes visible and evident in the Reality of Christ. The Sonship station is the heart of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the station of the spirit of Christ. Hence it has become certain and proved that the Essence of Divinity is absolutely unique and has no equal, no likeness, no equivalent.  115 

This is the signification of the Three Persons of the Trinity. If it were otherwise, the foundations of the Religion of God would rest upon an illogical proposition which the mind could never conceive, and how can the mind be forced to believe a thing which it cannot conceive? A thing cannot be grasped by the intelligence except when it is clothed in an intelligible form; otherwise, it is but an effort of the imagination.

It has now become clear, from this explanation, what is the meaning of the Three Persons of the Trinity. The Oneness of God is also proved.  116 

(Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 112)

Answer 2

the only observance the bible instructs us to maintain is the Passover, Gods weekly and annual Sabbaths. in case you look up the Nicene Creed from 325AD you will see all of the flaws the Catholic church created. They replaced the Sabbath to Sunday so as that they'd substitute Passover to Easter, Invented the Trinity concept, Christmas (The mass of Christ), This church has created greater chaos and confusion then the different church, the subject now's that an excellent form of splinter church homes immediately carry out some or all of those techniques to unsuspecting people. Is it any ask your self why if there is in basic terms one bible for Christianity, there as many techniques as there is church homes. If there is in basic terms one God and one way, then there can in basic terms be one fact. that's our pastime to discover that fact, whether it opposes subject-loose ideals.

Answer 3

Yes, the Most Holy trinity has existed from all eternity, but at one point IN TIME, the Father sent His Son Jesus to take upon himself our humanity in order to show us what the Father is truly like and to reconcile us with the Father since all of mankind has lost that intimate relationship with the Father by the sin of Adam & Eve.

Jesus always maintained two natures while he was on earth -- he was fully human and fully divine at the same time.

The birthday part, the physical death and resurrection part were experiences of Jesus in the flesh. With Christmas we celebrate his birth here on earth. Good Friday commemorates his death on a cross and his resurrection celebrates just that!

Here's a good way to think of the nature of God: think of a lightbulb.....it gives off light, heat and energy. They are three separate and distinct functions -- yet they come from the same source. You don't even need one of those 3-way bulbs since all bulbs act in the same manner.

I think the energy comes first -- God's creative energy; then comes the light and then the heat which. of course, creates more energy.

Answer 4

yes....you missed this.
we celebrate the HUMAN birth of the Son of God, Jesus, a part of the divine Holy Trinity.
God, the Father, sent part of the Trinity to do that.
He, Jesus, suffered a HUMAN death.
His divine Spirit never died so it was rather easy for His Spirit to arise from the earthly dead and reinhabit His old, earthly body.
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
1 Corinthians 2:14 (New International Version)

Answer 5

http://reference.bahai.org/search?max=10&first=1&query=trinity&idxname%5B%5D=

Check out the trinity from the Bahi perspective,

Meg

Answer 6

No It's founded on lies and superstition turned political .
Buy a cake and catering .Take my advise and don't believe every thing you are told.
peace

Answer 7

During his preaching, Jesus had never called himself as God or Son-God. Now, look upon those people who consider Jesus as God or Son-God. They are, baselessly, blaming even those people who were present at the spot and knew that Jesus was not God or son-god. In other words, the people with the belief that Jesus is God or Son-god; are far more enemies of Jesus who tried to crucify him.

The people who say that Jesus is God or Son-God or in his guise, the Lord descended upon earth because of God’s love for humanity. They are, baselessly, blaming Jesus and the Lord of Jesus, the both. Jesus was born after Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ismael, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Moses and the numerous other Prophets (peace & blessings of God be upon all of them). If he were the Son-God, then, all of the foregoing Prophets, must have been the believers of Trinity. But the case is not like that at all. None of them was the believer of Trinity, rather, none of them, had, even, heard about the name of Trinity, in their times. Hence, Trinity is nothing else but an invented and artificial concept which has no existence, even, during the time of Jesus. It is, therefore, a rootless concept from all accounts.

Jesus believed in the same God___ who was believed in__ by Adam, Noah, Ibrahim, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and all the prophets (peace &blessings of the LORD be upon all of them).

According to Jesus, God, the Holy One; is the Saviour of the Whole mankind. God is capable (be God glorified as God is) to relive off every infliction. None of the human beings is saviour beside God. Jesus, himself is also, not a saviour at all. The people who have chosen him as their saviour__ they have denied the Holy One___ who alone is the saviour of Jesus and whole mankind and the act of choosing Jesus as saviour__ is equal to hate the Holy One___ as it is clearly written in the old Testament:-

“I am the Lord your God. Worship no God but Me. Do not make for yourself images of anything in heavens or on earth or in the water under the earth. Do not bow down to any idol or worship it. Because I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me, on their descendants, down to third and fourth generation.”
(Exodus 20:1-5)

Now, ponder over the point that whosoever says that Jesus is God___ Holy Spirit is God___ Mary is God; has he not made an idol beside the One God? While nothing is there in the earth and heavens which could be considered in terms of the One God.

Beware please! A father is a father__ a mother is a mother___ and a son is a son__ and they all are the creatures of God. They cannot be considered as God___ as god is their Creator__ and nothing is like the Lord.

God is the Lord whose praises are recited by Israel. God is the originator of Torah (the law of Moses) including the Ten Commandments. And God has effected the 1st Commandment in the following words:-

“Worship no God but Me. Do not make for yourself images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth.”

The Same God is the God of Jesus who was the God of Jacob and Moses (peace & blessings of God be upon all the three). The one God, beside whom, there is no God at all.

Jesus is not the inventor of Trinity. Nor he is presenting him as one of three Gods. Nor he is telling the One God as the third of the three gods. Instead, he is openly rejecting the concept of Trinity, which stands for the following three gods.

1.The God of Moses____ Jehovah
2.The word of God_____ Jesus
3.Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost.

The Trinity is a baseless concept in terms of the Verse under reference, the verse 3 of the prayer.

Torah says,
“Remember This! The Lord and the Lord alone___ is our God.
Love the Lord your god with all your heart,
With all your soul, and with all your strength.”
(Deut 6:4-5)

“Fear the Lord your God, worship only God,
and make your promises in God’s name alone.
Do not worship other gods,
Any of the gods of the people around you.
If you do worship other gods,
The Lord’s anger will come against you
Like fire and will destroy you completely,
Because the Lord your God,
Who is present with you, tolerates no rivals.”
(Deut 6:13-14-15)

“God is a great god and (only) one to be feared.’
(Deut 7:21)
All the messengers preached the same___ before man or idol worship. True followers of the messengers always followed the True religion and there was no difference of message of the messengers.
For example:
Jesus preached:-
1.HONOUR GOD
2.WORSHIP GOD
3.SERVE GOD
And today’s Christian leaders preach
1.Honour God and Jesus
2.Serve Jesus
3.Worship Jesus, Holy Ghost and God
Same is the case with Muslims. Muslims at the messengers’ time believed in God and followed and worshipped God only___ today’s Muslims follow the religion of their leader and call it Islam. Though, messenger Muhammad clearly mentioned the true religion is Islam:
TO BELIEVE IN ONE ALONE GOD___ TO PERFORM GOOD DEEDS___ TO BELIEVE IN THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT AFTER RESURRECTION.
On record is his word that Islam is to believe in God and to remain firm on that. So, even today we believe in the true religion of all nations__ according to the saying of all messengers.

Krishna Jee said to his father:-
‘Leave worship of all demi-gods and worship One, Alone God Only. Who is the Great Master and to serve whom is the duty of the slaves of God.’
God said to Moses:-
“I__AND I ALONE___AM GOD
AND ALL OTHER GODS ARE UNREAL.”
And in Quran God says:-
“I__AND I ALONE AM THE NOURISHER OF THE UNIVERSE.”
And, the word GOD means:-
1.G___ FOR GENERATOR OF THE UNIVERSE
2.O___ FOR ORGANIZER OF THE UNIVERSE AND COSMOS.
3.D___ FOR DESTROYER OF EVERYTHING.

All Holy Books tell us, that everything will be perished and nothing will be left but The One, Alone God to resurrect all whom God created for the judgement. All the messengers sent to mankind by the Great, AlMighty God__ died but the true religion of the God lives. So, to be the one nation of God:
BELIEVE IN ONE ALONE GOD___ PERFORM GOOD DEEDS___ BELIEVE IN THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT AFTER RESURRECTION.