Introduction to Baha’i
Fast becoming recognized as one of the world’s fastest spreading religions, Baha’i now claims to have more than five million followers.
Origins: Baha’i was founded by Bahá’u'lláh in 19th-century Persia. Bahá’u'lláh claimed to be the most recent of holy messengers in a line that includes Moses, Krishna, and Jesus. The Baha’i regard him as the bringer of a new religion like Jesus or Mohammed. He also claimed to be a descendant of Abraham through Abraham’s third wife.
Beliefs: As it says on the Baha’i site, the Baha’i teachings are essentially of unity and love. They believe that all messengers of god have gradually revealed the teachings of the one major religion over time and that all religions are truly to the one god who has sent the messengers such as Krishna and Jesus. “Together, the world’s great religions are expressions of a single unfolding Divine plan…â€? [Source]
God: Baha’i teaches that there is only one god and that god is too great for humans to understand. God is thus revealed through his manifestations. A person’s purpose on earth is to learn to know and love God through such methods as prayer and reflection.
Social Principles [Source]:
Unity of God
Unity of religion
Unity of humankind
Gender equality
Elimination of all forms of prejudice
World peace
Harmony of religion and science
Independent investigation of truth
Universal compulsory education
Universal auxiliary language
Obedience to government and non-involvement in partisan politics
Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty
Other sources of information:
Baha’i.org
Baha’i Faith @ Wikipedia
Bahá’u'lláh @ Wikipedia
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