Brief Summary of the Bahá’í Faith
All Religions in Essence are One
The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion which began in 1844. Bahá’ís follow the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh (a title meaning the Glory of God), Whom they recognize as a Messenger from God. Bahá’u’lláh taught us that the God we all worship is the same God, though we may use different names – Alláh, Jehovah, the Creator, or Higher Power. We cannot know God because He is far above our ability to understand His Essence. The only way that we can attempt to perceive His Greatness and to feel His Love for us is through His Messengers. Bahá’ís also believe that over the course of thousands of years, from time to time and in different parts of the world, a small number of these Enlightened Ones have appeared. Bahá’ís believe that Bahá’u’lláh was the most recent of these Teachers. The Bahá’í Faith does not attempt to undermine any religion. Instead, it recognizes the missions of the great religions of the world as stages in the evolution of the spiritual life of humankind.
When each one is carefully examined and stripped of the rituals that its followers have implemented, it becomes clear that they have brought the same spiritual teachings of love and goodwill to all humanity, changing hearts and bringing new life to the world. The only differences between them are the social teachings, teachings that differ because God’s Messengers come into the world at different times and their teachings serve the needs of the age in which they live. Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad are all Messengers of God who appeared at different times in history and each changed the course of history. Krishna’s Teachings brought civilization to India and neighbouring countries. Moses also founded a great civilization after rescuing his people from bondage. Buddha brought light to the Asian peoples. Zoroaster’s Teachings changed a culture steeped in superstition in Persia. Jesus altered the course of the Western world. Muhammad uplifted and unified uneducated and disunited people to become a nation. Each fulfilled the prophecies of the last Messenger and promised the renewal of religion in the future.
The pivotal point of the Bahá’í Teachings is the unity of the human race as one family, erasing all traces of enmity and prejudice from the hearts of men. Through science and technology, we can travel to any corner of the globe in a day and communicate with each other instantly. Nations depend on each other’s cooperation and the need for understanding and assistance among all nations has generally become accepted. It is therefore possible for mankind to conceive of the idea of uniting the planet. And it is only through unity that we will be able to solve the problems the world is experiencing today. The purpose of the Bahá’í Faith is to erase every trace of enmity and hatred from men’s hearts and unite the entire world as one family. The Bahá’í Writings provide the outline of institutions necessary for the establishment of a peaceful society. These include a world federation or commonwealth that would preserve the independence of all nations with a world parliament in which all governments are represented, a world executive to administer laws, and a world tribunal to settle disputes. A world economy, a universal system of weights, measures and currency, as well as the adoption of a universal auxiliary language and script would also be features of the world commonwealth. The planet’s resources would be safeguarded for the benefit of all. Humanity, free from war and strife, would then be able to work towards such things as raising living standards, advancing education, eliminating disease, developing the arts and sciences, and cultivating its spiritual life.
Another important Teaching is the independent investigation of truth. We must search out the truth for ourselves and not follow blindly the ways of others or customs and traditions of the past. Science and religion must also go hand in hand. Religion that depends on blind faith rather than reason is superstition and can lead to fanaticism. We have been given an intellect to investigate all truth, including religious truth. Universal education, another Bahá’í Teaching, provides the framework for all to have equal opportunities so that men and women can advance equally and women throughout the world can take their rightful place beside men in working for the peace and prosperity of humankind. Bahá’u’lláh advocates the elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty and the abandonment of all forms of prejudice. The Bahá’í Writings provide guidance that helps an individual develop the spiritual and intellectual qualities lying at the core of his nature and therefore contribute to an ever-advancing civilization. In addition to prayer to assist us to become spiritual beings, work done in the spirit of service is also considered worship for Bahá’ís and service to humanity is the most worthy endeavor.