“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” - Bahá'u'lláh By: Monica Pittman and Mate Mackenzie
All human beings have a soul that lives forever and goes beyond their own lives. Inequalities such as poverty should be eradicated as they are immoral and it is the government and citizens who should be responsible for this eradication. “We are a single people, inhabiting the planet Earth, one human family bound together in a common destiny, a single entity created from one same substance, obligated to 'be even as one soul'”. – Official Bahá'í statement, August 2001
It attempts to unify all faiths and promotes peace and unity between all religions. “The differences among the religions of the world are due to the varying types of minds.” – Abdu’l-Bahá
God is transcendent; beyond the range of normal human experiences. God’s teachings are alive through his prophets.
In 1844, a Persian merchant named Bab claimed to have been touched by God and told to spread His word. He was also told there would be a second messenger greater than he. In 1863, Bahá'u'lláh, a member of Persian nobility, had a moment of “Divine Revelation.”
Followers of Baha'i say that Bahá'u'lláh was the true messenger of God during his life. When he died he named his eldest son, Abdu’l-Bahá, as the successor to his faith. Abdu’l-Bahá ( )
Iranian Baha’i followers have been prosecuted for their beliefs throughout history. In the past thousands of followers have been killed, books containing information on the religion have been burned and even marriages have gone unrecognized.
“Bahá'u'lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an absolute minimum in His Faith. The few forms that there are - like those associated with the two longer obligatory daily prayers - are only symbols of the inner attitude.” - Shoghi Effendi Local worship groups are often set into place in communities so that those of the Baha’i faith have a place to come and discuss their faith.
The Baha'i faith has temples called Baha'i Houses of Worship (Mashriqu'l-Adhkars).These buildings are open to all and there is no pulpit. Scriptures from other religions can also be recited in them. There are currently seven Houses of Worship: o Wilmette, Illinois, USA o Frankfurt am Main, Germany o Kampala, Uganda o Sydney, Australia o Panama City, Panama o Apia, Samoa o New Delhi, India
Apia, Samoa New Delhi, India Wilmette, Illinois
There are nine holy days recognized on the Baha'i calendar. On these days no work is done and instead the day is devoted to celebrating the lives of many important people within the Baha'i faith. The Nineteen Day Feast is held once every 19 days and is a day for worship and helping promote unity.
Celebrated on March 21 st it marks the start of the Baha'i calendar which dictates the movement of the Baha'i community.
Teachings and scriptures from the Manifestations of God. All the writings of the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh are considered to be Divine Revelation.
Revelations
The central religious text of the Islam faith is recognized and revered by the Baha'i faith. Although the interpretation differs greatly from orthodox Islamic faith.
Recognized by the United Nations. 17,148 Local Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i faith in the world and 4,515 in the United States, has an estimated membership of 5, 000, 000, their literature has been translated into approximately 700 languages.
"The Babi Faith - Origin and History." Bahaiawareness.com. Web. 29 Nov "Baha'i Calendar Holy Days." Baha'i Calendar. Web. 28 Nov "Baha'i Faith." Bahai Faith Bahai Faith United States Official Website. Web. 28 Nov BBC News. BBC. Web. 29 Nov
"Information Directory." The Bahá'Ãs:. Web. 28 Nov "Library." Rites and Ceremonies. Web. 29 Nov "The Life of Baha'u'llah." "Revelation" Writing. Web. 28 Nov "Persecution." The Baha'is:. Web. 29 Nov "The Rhythms and Routines of Bahá'à Communities." The Rhythms and Routines of Bahá'à Communities. Web. 29 Nov