Baha'i Beliefs about God Bahá'ís believe that there is only one God, the Creator of the universe. Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi, (2008) "Anti-Bahaiʼism and Islamism in Iran". From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer dated 9 June 1932, Stockman, R. H. (2012). [2][3] Though transcendent and inaccessible directly, his image is reflected in his creation. [59], The Baháʼí Faith formed from the Iranian religion of the Báb, a merchant who began preaching a new interpretation of Shia Islam in 1844. There is but one religion (known by many names) which has been progressively revealed by successive Messengers of God 3. 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. [73][74][75], In 1937, Shoghi Effendi launched a seven-year plan for the Baháʼís of North America, followed by another in 1946. By 1987, the number of officially recognized development projects had increased to 1482. [90] Baháʼí sources since 1991 usually estimate the worldwide Baháʼí population to be above 5 million. "We have used Bahaʼi Faith most frequently (rather than Bahaʼism) as this is the more commonly used name for the religion". [citation needed] Religious history is interpreted as a series of dispensations, where each manifestation brings a somewhat broader and more advanced revelation that is rendered as a text of scripture and passed on through history with greater or lesser reliability but at least true in substance,[32] suited for the time and place in which it was expressed. [14] It is derived from the Arabic Baháʼ (بهاء), meaning "glory" or "splendor". Following his release he led a life of travelling, speaking, teaching, and maintaining correspondence with communities of believers and individuals, expounding the principles of the Baháʼí Faith.[24]. [42] Through recognition and obedience, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice, the Baháʼí writings state that the soul becomes closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Baháʼí belief. The Bahá'í Faith is an Abrahamic religion started in the 1800s by an Iranian person called Bahá'u'lláh who was born in Tehran, Iran.Followers of this religion call themselves Bahá'ís.The name Bahá'u'lláh is Arabic for "The Glory of God". [109], 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. [54], Some of Baháʼu'lláh's most important writings include the Kitáb-i-Aqdas ("Most Holy Book"), which defines many laws and practices for individuals and society,[55] the Kitáb-i-Íqán ("Book of Certitude"), which became the foundation of much of Baháʼí belief,[56] and Gems of Divine Mysteries, which includes further doctrinal foundations. The second sign instructs the Diné to look for a “great chief with twelve feathers” or “twelve great principles.” There are twelve basic principles in the Baha’i Faith. The Lesser Covenant is viewed as an agreement between a Messenger of God and his followers and includes social practices and the continuation of authority in the religion. God is the imperishable, uncreated being who is the source of all existence. World peace. [41], 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. [30][31] According to the Baháʼí teachings the human purpose is to learn to know and love God through such methods as prayer, reflection, and being of service to others. Embalming or cremating the body is strongly discouraged. Obedience to government and non-involvement in partisan politics. This knowledge of the attributes is also proportioned. These days commemorate important anniversaries in the history of the religion.[120]. In Brookshaw & Fazel, eds. The most severe persecutions have occurred in Iran, where more than 200 Baháʼís were executed between 1978 and 1998. Baha’i Religion QUESTION: What does the Baha’i religion believe about God? The year consists of 19 months, each having 19 days, with four or five intercalary days, to make a full solar year. HOPE in a chaotic world Baha'is believe it is time for humanity to come together as one family. The One true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words. As the anti-Shah movement gained ground and support, revolutionary propaganda was spread which alleged that some of the Shah's advisors were Baháʼís. Prayer and fasting is required by all, they strongly encourage marriage, and don't believe in drinking alcohol. "[94] This source's only systematic flaw was to consistently have a higher estimate of Christians than other cross-national data sets. [85] Annually, on 21 April, the Universal House of Justice sends a 'Ridván' message to the worldwide Baháʼí community,[86] that updates Baháʼís on current developments and provides further guidance for the year to come. In May 2018, the Iranian authorities expelled a young woman student from university of Isfahan because she was Baháʼí. For the establishment of a lasting peace (The Most Great Peace) and the purging of the "overwhelming Corruptions" it is necessary that all the people of the world universally unite under a universal Faith. [62] Under the leadership of his son, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, the religion gained a footing in Europe and America, and was consolidated in Iran, where it still suffers intense persecution. They have a commitment both to bettering themselves and the world. Religion is thus seen as orderly, unified, and progressive from age to age. [33], Baháʼí beliefs are sometimes described as syncretic combinations of earlier religious beliefs. He produced over 18,000 works in his lifetime, in both Arabic and Persian, of which only 8% have been translated into English. The differences, instead of being regarded as irreconcilable constructs of mutually exclusive cultures, are seen as purposefully reflective of the varying needs of the societies in which the divine messages were revealed. “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2) 1. [112] Baháʼu'lláh highly praised marriage, discouraged divorce, and required chastity outside of marriage; Baháʼu'lláh taught that a husband and wife should strive to improve the spiritual life of each other. Without documents, they could not be employed, educated, treated in hospitals, travel outside of the country, or vote, among other hardships. [44][45] The list is not authoritative and a variety of such lists circulate. Oneness of humankind. [7] Shoghi Effendi, the head of the Baháʼí Faith in the first half of the 20th century, described God as inaccessible, omniscient, almighty, personal, and rational, and rejected pantheistic, anthropomorphic and incarnationist beliefs.[2]. "[169], Baháʼí institutions and community activities have been illegal under Egyptian law since 1960. [69] During the period in Adrianople, he began declaring his mission as a Messenger of God in letters to the world's religious and secular rulers, including Pope Pius IX, Napoleon III, and Queen Victoria. Consequently, Baháʼís were unable to obtain government identification documents (such as national identification cards, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, or passports) necessary to exercise their rights in their country unless they lied about their religion, which conflicts with Baháʼí religious principle. [112] 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. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating. Baháʼu'lláh was put in prison. Baha'u'llah (1817-1892) was the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, considered by adherents to be the Universal Manifestation of God who has ushered in a new age of world unity. [161], 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. The Báb taught that God would soon send a new messenger, and Baháʼís consider Baháʼu'lláh to be that person. – Baha’u’llah. 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 Baháʼí belief when a human dies the soul is permanently separated from the body and carries on in the next world where it is judged based on the person's actions in the physical world. [40] Baháʼu'lláh is believed to have fulfilled the messianic expectations of these precursor faiths. [57] The Seven Valleys is considered Baháʼu'lláh's "greatest mystical composition. Even the defence lawyers, who for two years have had minimal access to the defendants, had difficulty entering the courtroom. ... Knowing God, therefore, means the comprehension and the knowledge of His attributes, and not of His Reality. Baháʼís do not expect a new manifestation of God to appear within 1000 years of Baháʼu'lláh's revelation. Their scriptures specifically acknowledge the divine origin of most of the major world religions. Although they acted alone, the government responded with collective punishment, killing many Bábís. That may be a bit surprising considering the religion started in the heart of Islamic Persia (Iran) where woman have little equality. Knowledge of God's will for humanity in the modern age was revealed just over 100 years ago by Bahá'u'lláh, who is the latest of these divine Messengers. The Baha'is sacred text or Most Holy Book, contains the laws for behavior, both personal and public. To say that God is a personal Reality does not mean that He has a physical form, or does in any way resemble a human being. Following the coming of a Manifestation of God extraordinary progress occurs in the world. (Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 288) "The Call of God," 'Abdu'l-Bahá has written, "when raised, breathed a new life into the body of mankind, and infused a new spirit into the whole creation. Baháʼís regard the major religions as fundamentally unified in purpose, though varied in social practices and interpretations. It was initiated and established by the Báb and various works were written in calligraphy shaped into a five-pointed star. [143] In the late 1970s the Shah's regime consistently lost legitimacy due to criticism that it was pro-Western. [72], Shoghi Effendi throughout his lifetime translated Baháʼí texts; developed global plans for the expansion of the Baháʼí community; developed the Baháʼí World Centre; carried on a voluminous correspondence with communities and individuals around the world; and built the administrative structure of the religion, preparing the community for the election of the Universal House of Justice. [61], The Baháʼí community was mostly confined to the Iranian and Ottoman empires until after the death of Baháʼu'lláh in 1892, at which time he had followers in 13 countries of Asia and Africa. [67] He died there in 1892. “…The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Independent investigation of truth. "[151], On 14 May 2008, members of an informal body known as the "Friends" that oversaw the needs of the Baháʼí community in Iran were arrested and taken to Evin prison. "Glory" is a word that means "importance", "power", and "beauty". [119] 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. World Religion Day has been observed annually for the past 50 years by the Bermudian Baha’i community. Religion is thus seen as orderly, unified, and progressive from age to age. [111] 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. Shoghi Effendi, the head of the religion from 1921 to 1957, wrote the following summary of what he considered to be the distinguishing principles of Baháʼu'lláh's teachings, which, he said, together with the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas constitute the bedrock of the Baháʼí Faith: The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; the oneness of the entire human race, the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of human kind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a universal auxiliary language; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of worship; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind—these stand out as the essential elements [which Baháʼu'lláh proclaimed]. [65][71] In his Will, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá appointed Shoghi Effendi, his eldest grandson, as the first Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith. [27][87] 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. [27] Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of creation, with a will and purpose expressed through messengers called Manifestations of God. [11] Additionally, Baháʼís have self-organized in most of the nations of the world. He is forced to leave Baghdad for Constantinople, then Adrianople, Baháʼu'lláh is forced into harsher confinement in ʻAkká, in present-day Israel, His Will appointed ʻAbdu'l-Bahá as successor, His Will appointed Shoghi Effendi as Guardian, The Universal House of Justice is first elected. [18][19], Baháʼís believe that God expresses his will at all times and in many ways, and specifically through a series of divine messengers referred to as Manifestations of God or sometimes divine educators. [110], The purpose of marriage in the Baháʼí faith is mainly to foster spiritual harmony, fellowship and unity between a man and a woman and to provide a stable and loving environment for the rearing of children. According to Britannica, the Baháʼí Faith (as of 2010) is established in 221 countries and territories and has an estimated seven million adherents worldwide. [12], So perfect and comprehensive is His creation that no mind or heart, however keen or pure, can ever grasp the nature of the most insignificant of His creatures; much less fathom the mystery of Him Who is the Day Star of Truth, Who is the invisible and unknowable Essence...[13][14]. [27], Most Baháʼí meetings occur in individuals' homes, local Baháʼí centers, or rented facilities. After ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's death in 1921, leadership of the religion fell to his grandson Shoghi Effendi (1897–1957). [81][82] Additional lines of action include social action and participation in the prevalent discourses of society. [10] His followers were therefore known as Bábís. The general functions of this body are defined through the writings of Baháʼu'lláh and clarified in the writings of Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. Bahá'ís see their religion as the latest, but not final, in a series of prophetic dispensations, which include various world religions as previous cycles. It is through these divine educators that humans can approach God, and through them God brings divine revelation and law. [27] The conflicts escalated in several places to military sieges by the Shah's army. 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). While its teachings are many, its core principles are three; one God, one religion, and one people: 1. 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. [149][152] The Friends court case has been postponed several times, but was finally underway on 12 January 2010. [95], The Baháʼí Faith is currently the largest religious minority in Iran,[96] Panama[97] and Belize,[98] the second largest international religion in Bolivia,[99] Zambia,[100] and Papua New Guinea;[101] and the third largest international religion in Chad[102][103] and Kenya.[104]. There is only one God Who created all that is and is known many names 2. They are derived from transcripts of speeches given by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá during his tour of Europe and North America in 1912. According to the Baháʼí teachings, God is single and all-powerful. Beyond this lay the difficulty which the regime faced in harnessing the nationalist movement that had supported Musaddiq. [20] In revealing God's will, these Manifestations establish religion in the world. As the Báb's teachings spread, which the Islamic clergy saw as blasphemous, his followers came under increased persecution and torture. All major religions come from God 3. [36] Most religious specialists now see it as an independent religion, with its religious background in Shiʻa Islam being seen as analogous to the Jewish context in which Christianity was established. [77] 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. Its purpose is to spread the knowledge of the oneness of all revealed religions … [89], A Baháʼí-published document reported 4.74 million Baháʼís in 1986 growing at a rate of 4.4%. 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