In looking for information about Bahai for a different Topic, I was surprised to find the following link discussing the Dhammawheel forum: http://bahaiforums.com/bahai-beliefs/11784-hammer.html. Among the comments is the following:
Source.... I came across what I find to be a shocking example in a discussion from about five years ago that is still visible through this link. I found it while looking at how the Baha'i Faith has been portrayed on the Dhamma Wheel Buddhist discussion forum.
In the thread, forum moderator tiltbillings first states that Baha'i is "an Islamic offshoot," and then he dismisses a Baha'i article about the parallels between Buddhism and Baha'i as "silliness."
Then a different Buddhist posts a highly offensive and disrespectful comment about Muhammad. (The comment, which obviously was intended to provoke, is still visible after 5 years.) While some of the Buddhists (including tiltbillings) point out that the comment is inappropriate, what follows is a discussion about the merits of Islam. Some people come to the defense of Islam. When this occurs, the thread is locked, not because of offensive comments, but to prevent any further defense of Islam. (tiltbillings writes, in part: "this is really no place .. to defend Islam from criticisms.")
Apparently this particular Buddhist religious forum is a place where other faiths can be treated disrespectfully, but not a place where coming to the defense of other faiths is welcome. And it appears not much has changed in five years. How sad that these "proselytizers," for lack of a better term, have made their beliefs so much a part of their identity that they apparently have little capacity for treating other faith traditions with respect. I doubt they comprehend how damaging this is to their own agenda of promoting their particular faith.
The "highly offensive and disrespectful comment" referenced above is a comment suggesting that Muhammad should be urinated upon. This was posted here on DW by a Buddhist. I cannot think of a more disrespectful manner of discussion, and I was shocked to see it here on DW.
Provision 2.d. of the TOS on this forum prohibits, among other things: "Unsubstantiated allegations against individuals or traditions." Yet even when purportedly substantiated, the allegations made by some Buddhists here on DW against other faiths is simply embarrassing.
As stated in a different Topic, Muhammad, as the central figure of a world religion revered my a large portion of the world population, is worthy of being discussed in a respectful manner, especially by Buddhists on a Buddhism discussion forum which may present the face of Buddhism to those who visit here. There should be no disagreement that it is proper to be respectful of other religions, and not to mislead.
Buddhist disrespect for Islam is deeply regrettable, especially at a time when the persecution of Rohingya Muslims by Buddhists in Myanmar and Sri Lanki has draw international attention. From here: https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/09/13 ... tolerance/
https://www.cs.colostate.edu/~malaiya/ashoka.htmlOne should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions.
What we say here potentially can be seen by the world. We need to stop damaging the perception of Buddhism by callously disparaging other faiths and showing deep disrespect, deep contempt for the founders of other world religions. It needs to stop.