[91] Any male Baháʼí, 21 years or older, is eligible to be elected to the Universal House of Justice; all other positions are open to male and female Baháʼís. The Báb taught that God would soon send a new messenger, and Baháʼís consider Baháʼu'lláh to be that person. [114] The Baháʼí teachings on marriage call it a fortress for well-being and salvation and place marriage and the family as the foundation of the structure of human society. For Baha'is, there is no independent evil force in the world. [45][46] The list is not authoritative and a variety of such lists circulate. ISBN 0853983844; Momen, Moojan. Bahá'ís believe there is one God and that all the universe and creation belong to him; God is omnipotent, perfect and has complete knowledge of life [147] Baháʼís were portrayed as economic threats, and as supporters of Israel and the West, and societal hostility against the Baháʼís increased.[143][148]. [117] Monasticism is forbidden, and Baháʼís are taught to practice spirituality while engaging in useful work. The Bahá'í faith is one of the youngest of the world's major religions. From 1844-1850, when The Bab, the Herald of Baha’i Faith, unfurled his revelation, he taught a number of truths also deeply held by Indigenous peoples around the world. Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, is recognized as the most recent in a line of Divine Messengers that includes … The Baha'i faith was founded in the mid-19th century C.E. [75][76][77], In 1937, Shoghi Effendi launched a seven-year plan for the Baháʼís of North America, followed by another in 1946. Religion is thus seen as orderly, unified, and progressive from age to age. Baháʼís annually elect local, regional, and national Spiritual Assemblies that govern the religion's affairs. [142] When the Báb started attracting a large following, the clergy hoped to stop the movement from spreading by stating that its followers were enemies of God. This plan included extremely ambitious goals for the expansion of Baháʼí communities and institutions, the translation of Baháʼí texts into several new languages, and the sending of Baháʼí pioneers into previously unreached nations. According to the Baháʼí teachings, God is single and all-powerful. The Baha’i Faith is … The origins of the Bahá’í Faith and the source of its distinctive unity, The eternal soul, the purpose of life, and the development of spiritual qualities, God, revelation, humanity, the natural world, and the advancement of civilization, The development of relationships among individuals, communities, and institutions that reflect the principle of the oneness of humanity, The principles required for the attainment of peace and the building of a new global civilization. Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, Baháʼís over the age of 15 should individually recite an. For more than fifty years, the Bahá’í Faith has been part of the Guam community quietly attracting members from the island’s diverse population. Letters written by Baháʼu'lláh to various people, including some heads of state, have been collected and assembled into a canon of Baháʼí scripture. The Baháʼí Faith (/bəˈhɑːiː, bəˈhaɪ/; Persian: بهائی‎ Bahāʼi) is a new religion[a] teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. Islam and Christianity are false interpretations and extensions of Judaism. Baha’i Religion or Baha’i is believed that God periodically reveals his will through divine messengers, whose purpose is to transform the character of humankind and to develop, within those who respond to moral and spiritual qualities. [116] Interracial marriage is also highly praised throughout Baháʼí scripture. He said that a messenger would soon arrive from God, who would be the latest in a line of prophets including Moses, Muhammad and Jesus Christ. According to some estimates, the largest Baháʼí community in the world is in India, with 2.2 million Baháʼís, next is Iran, with 350,000, the US, with 150,000, and Brazil, with 60,000. Baha'i Beliefs The Bahá'í Faith is monotheistic, believing in one, all-powerful creator God. There are over 27,000 extant documents by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, mostly letters, of which only a fraction have been translated into English. [156] Other observers were not allowed in the court. The Baha’i Faith. They are derived from transcripts of speeches given by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá during his tour of Europe and North America in 1912. The Baha'i: The Religious Construction of a Global Identity. BASIC BELIEFS OF THE Bahá'í Adherents of Baha'i BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, they are monotheistic (who sends messengers which the Bahá'í call “the Manifestation of God”). Prominent among Baháʼí literature are the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Kitáb-i-Íqán, Some Answered Questions, and The Dawn-Breakers. The Baha’i Faith is … [f] An approved and coordinated anti-Baháʼí campaign (to incite public passion against the Baháʼís) started in 1955 and it included the spreading of anti-Baháʼí propaganda on national radio stations and in official newspapers. [e], At local, regional, and national levels, Baháʼís elect members to nine-person Spiritual Assemblies, which run the affairs of the religion. Baháʼu'lláh's Kitáb-i-Aqdas and The Will and Testament of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá are foundational documents of the Baháʼí administrative order. [28] The Báb's tomb, located in Haifa, Israel, is an important place of pilgrimage for Baháʼís. [79] He announced in letters during the Ten Year Crusade that it would be followed by other plans under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, which was elected in 1963 at the culmination of the Crusade. The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men…Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure. [166] The Iranian government also accuses the Baháʼí Faith of being associated with Zionism. [122] The Baháʼí week is familiar in that it consists of seven days, with each day of the week also named after an attribute of God. The Baha’i Faith. This site is an individual initiative and is not affiliated with any Baha'i Institutions. [112], While some of the laws from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas are applicable at the present time, others are dependent upon the existence of a predominantly Baháʼí society, such as the punishments for arson or murder. [28], Each of the 19 months is given a name which is an attribute of God; some examples include Baháʼ (Splendour), ʻIlm (Knowledge), and Jamál (Beauty). Later, the Universal House of Justice was founded as the governing body for the religion. Baha’i believe that we are all one human family and that the profound challenges facing humanity can only be resolved by recognizing and applying this fundamental … According to The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004: The majority of Baháʼís live in Asia (3.6 million), Africa (1.8 million), and Latin America (900,000). As the anti-Shah movement gained ground and support, revolutionary propaganda was spread which alleged that some of the Shah's advisors were Baháʼís. It was in or near the Ottoman penal colony of ʻAkká, in present-day Israel, that Baháʼu'lláh spent the remainder of his life. […] Other principles that will bring about universal peace, as listed on their website, are equality between men and women, harmony between religion and science, a universal … Statements This includes works by his son ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and the Báb, who is regarded as Baháʼu'lláh's forerunner. [25] In Baghdad, his leadership revived the persecuted followers of the Báb in Iran, so Iranian authorities requested his removal, which instigated a summons to Constantinople (now Istanbul) from the Ottoman Sultan. It was initiated and established by the Báb and various works were written in calligraphy shaped into a five-pointed star. From a Bahá’í viewpoint, true health extends beyond the physical. These clerical directives led to mob attacks and public executions. [c], The older term "Bahaʼism" (or "Bahaism") is still used,[16][17][18][19][20] for example as a variant of "Bahai Faith" by the US Library of Congress,[21] but it is now less common[22] and the Baháʼí community prefers "Baháʼí Faith". [11] Starting in the twentieth century, in addition to repression aimed at individual Baháʼís, centrally directed campaigns that targeted the entire Baháʼí community and its institutions were initiated. [42], The Baháʼí writings state that human beings have a "rational soul", and that this provides the species with a unique capacity to recognize God's status and humanity's relationship with its creator. [121], The Baháʼí calendar is based upon the calendar established by the Báb. [92], A Baháʼí-published document reported 4.74 million Baháʼís in 1986 growing at a rate of 4.4%. Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Bahá'í­ at a glance. The beliefs of the Baha’i faith are a mixture of many religions. Baha’i Faith. [66], Baháʼís see the Báb as the forerunner of the Baháʼí Faith, because the Báb's writings introduced the concept of "He whom God shall make manifest", a Messianic figure whose coming, according to Baháʼís, was announced in the scriptures of all of the world's great religions, and whom Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, claimed to be. From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer dated 9 June 1932, Stockman, R. H. (2012). The Bahá’í Faith teaches that individuals should seek the assistance of competent physicians for medical treatment. Worldwide, as of 2018, ten Baháʼí Houses of Worship, including eight Mother Temples and two local Houses of Worship have been built[118] and a further five are planned for construction. He first designated his son Abbas Effendi as leader of the Baha'i faith. Beliefnet Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, is recognized as the most recent in a line of Divine Messengers that includes … For reference to a particular belief, please reference our articles dealing with specific beliefs within the Baha’i faith. Centers of Learning The Baha’is of the United States operate three year-round conference and retreat centers that offer a wide range of programming for adults, youth and children. [161] After the sentence, they were transferred to Gohardasht prison. [151] In March 2018, two more Baháʼí students were expelled from universities in the cities of Zanjan and Gilan because of their religion. It also introduces the Universal House of Justice, the institution ordained by Bahá’u’lláh to which the entire Bahá’í community today turns for guidance in the application of the Bahá’í teachings. Shortly thereafter he was expelled from Iran and traveled to Baghdad, in the Ottoman Empire. in Iran. Although the Baháʼí teachings have a strong emphasis on social and ethical issues, a number of foundational texts have been described as mystical. [115] Although parents should not choose partners for their children, once two individuals decide to marry, they must receive the consent of all living biological parents, whether they are Baháʼí or not. "Glory" is a word that means "importance", "power", and "beauty". in Iran. A summary of the main Bahá’í beliefs is set out in the collected talks which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave in the USA. [28][90] The Universal House of Justice remains the supreme governing body of the Baháʼí Faith, and its 9 members are elected every five years by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies. In 1863, at the time of his removal from Baghdad, Baháʼu'lláh first announced his claim of prophethood to his family and followers, which he said came to him years earlier while in a dungeon of Tehran. [38] Muslim institutions and clergy, both Sunni and Shi'a, consider Baháʼís to be deserters or apostates from Islam, which has led to Baháʼís being persecuted. [164], The Iranian government claims that the Baháʼí Faith is not a religion, but is instead a political organization, and hence refuses to recognize it as a minority religion. [61], The Baháʼí Faith formed from the Iranian religion of the Báb, a merchant who began preaching a new interpretation of Shia Islam in 1844. [128], Since its inception the Baháʼí Faith has had involvement in socio-economic development beginning by giving greater freedom to women,[130] promulgating the promotion of female education as a priority concern,[131] and that involvement was given practical expression by creating schools, agricultural co-ops, and clinics. pp. Baháʼu'lláh and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá established rules and institutions for an authoritative line of succession of leadership, in order to maintain unity and prevent schism. (2005). [152][153] The United Nations Commission on Human Rights revealed an October 2005 confidential letter from Command Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Iran ordering its members to identify Baháʼís and to monitor their activities. Baha'is believe that God periodically reveals his will through divine messengers, whose purpose is to transform the character of humankind and to develop, within those who respond, moral and spiritual qualities. Humanity is seen as essentially one, though highly varied; its diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance. Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class, and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to unity. Baháʼu'lláh established the elected Universal House of Justice, and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá established the appointed hereditary Guardianship and clarified the relationship between the two institutions. [82], The House of Justice directs the work of the Baháʼí community through a series of multi-year international plans that began with a nine-year plan in 1964. The Baha'i faith is an independent world religion that originated in Persia (now Iran) in the middle of the 19th century. [11][149][150] Figures, such as the Devil or evil spirits, are symbols for the base nature of human beings that is the source of evil. The Baha’i Faith is a dynamic world religion with several million adherents from a variety of different religious and cultural backgrounds. His father left a will that appointed ʻAbdu'l-Bahá as the leader of the Baháʼí community, and designated him as the "Centre of the Covenant", "Head of the Faith", and the sole authoritative interpreter of Baháʼu'lláh's writings. Believing in the oneness of humanity and the pursuit of world peace is foundational. 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