"We spend our lives trying
to unlock the mystery of the universe, but there was a Turkish prisoner,
Baha'u'llah, in Akka, Palestine Who had the Key."
Count Leo Tolstoy
The
Bahá'í Faith is a worldwide community representing virtually every race,
nation, and tribe on earth. We are united by our belief, there is one God,
one human race, and one evolving religion. The Bahá'í Faith is a new
revelation from God whose goal it is to establish world unity.
This Web site has been designed to
give you a basic introduction to the Bahá'í Faith. |
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A New Name
Founded in the mid-nineteenth century, the
Bahá'í Faith has spread to some 232 nations and territories and is now
accepted by more than five million people.
The Word Bahá'í means
"follower of Bahá'u'lláh." Bahá'u'lláh was the Prophet-Founder
of the Bahá'í Faith. His name in Arabic means "The Glory of
God." His followers believe that Bahá'u'lláh's writings are an
expression of the Holy Spirit and are the Word of God.
Accelerated Growth
Like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other
great religions, the Bahá'í Faith began in the East. But the Bahá'í
teachings are not Eastern or Western; they are universal, revealed for all
the people of the planet. The Bahá'í Faith has spread throughout the
world, gaining adherents from every nation, race, culture and class. More
than 2,100 tribes, races and ethnic groups are represented in the Bahá'í
world community. Bahá'u'lláh's writings are translated into 800 languages.
Idealistic and Practical
A growing number of people are becoming
interested in the Bahá'í Faith, not only because it contains profound
spiritual teachings, but also because it shows how spiritual principle can
be put into action in effective ways. Bahá'u'lláh's message offers
intelligent and reasonable solutions to the myriad issues faced by humanity
in the modern age.
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We
desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations.... That all
nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of
affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that
diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled... |
Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes,
these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the "Most Great Peace" shall
come.... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men
be as one kindred and one family.... Let not a man glory in this, that he loves
his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind....
(words spoken by Bahaullah to Prof. E.G. Browne
of Cambridge University in 1890)
Some Principles of the
Baha'i Faith:
Oneness of God
Oneness of Humankind
Spiritual foundation of all religions is one
Individual, independent search for truth
Elimination of prejudice of all kinds
Universal auxiliary language
Equality of men and women
Universal education for all
Harmony of science and religion
Elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty
Universal peace upheld by a world government
Protection of cultural diversity
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Shrine of The Bab
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Social Teachings
a. Freedom
from Prejudice
b. The Advancement of Women
c. Science, Technology, and the Environment
d. Liberty and Human Rights
e.Agriculture
f. Prohibition of membership in party politics and
secret societies.
g. Teachings on Government and Social Policy
h. Teachings on Economics
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Theological
Teachings
a. The
Nature of the Highest Reality (God)
b. The Divine Educator, the Manifestation of
God
c. True Religion
d. The Goal of Human Life (Salvation)
e. The Cause and Purpose of Suffering
f. Life after death
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The Bahá'í Community
a. Organization and structure (includes the
Bahá'í Calendar and the House of Worship)
b. Principles of Bahá'í Administration (includes the Covenant,
consultation,
the rights
of minorities and Bahá'í elections)
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Bahá'í Laws
a. Prayer,
reading of scripture, and meditation
b. Fasting
c. Marriage and divorce
d. Death and Burial
e. Cruelty to animals
f. Abolitions and Prohibitions
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Global concerns
(includes
social and economic development)
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You may also want try calling the USA National Baha'i '800' phone number.
The Bahá'í Writings are translated
into over 800 languages. To check whether a certain book is in another language,
please contact Bahá'í Distribution Service in USA (BDS) at 1-800-999-9019.
If you have good bandwidth welcome to enjoy these video presentations but do
not forget to come back to the site
Video Presentations:
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July 9
A meditation on
the Martyrdom of the Bab
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Site address < http://www.christreturn.net
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