Guest Author - Sandy Mullins
The Baha’i Faith is one of the world’s fastest growing religions. It is a major religion with more than 13,000 Spiritual Assemblies all over the world.
The Baha’i Faith started back in 1844 in Persia.
The followers of Baha’u’llah are believers in giving up all prejudices and to recognize the fellowship of one God. He foretold of a time of a wold civilization built on a foundation of love and justice for all people, regardless of ethnic group or race.
The major principles of the Baha’i Faith are:
There is only one God
Each religion shares the same God. There isn’t a different god for Buddhists, or Hebrews, Muslims, Christians, Baha’is, or any other religion.
All religions share the same origins
Baha’is believe that God sends us a prophet when we need one. That the body of the prophet is basically a shell that the spirit inside the prophet is the same, just the name of the prophet has changed with each manifestation. So, basically when Buddha was the profit and when his time was done it returned to be with God. Then when the next prophet was needed Moses was sent, to guide us with the same spirit and so on through then Christ, then Mohammad and then to Baha’u’llah.
Humanity is one
People of all races, nations and economic groups and religions are equal.
Each individual is responsible for their own investigation
In this day and age when most of the world can read, you do not need a minister to educate you about god and religion. You can and should look into all religions, so you have a better understanding of what others believe in and that you made the right choice for yourself. (Baha’i Youths do this at the age of 15 before becoming Baha’i).
Science and religion are one
Science and religion are one, religion gives science humanity and science and discovery is a gift, God doesn’t give us them till we are ready or it’s time for it.
Women and men are equal
One of my favorites is, women and men are like wings of a bird and without each wing the bird cannot fly.
Education
Every child and person is entitled to a good education
Economic Problems
There is a spiritual solution to economic problems with prayer and coming together as a whole we can find solutions.
Auxiliary Language
The world needs an international language so we can all communicate and not have language misunderstandings,
Universal Peace
We must establish a universal peace by a world commonwealth, all countries coming together to achieve peace on earth.
Baha’is are people of diverse backgrounds, all striving to develop unity and eliminate division and prejudice of the world and become one, because ‘The Earth is but one county and mankind its citizens'.
Prayer for America
O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.
- `Abdu'l-Bahá
Directory of Baha’i Faith (offsite link)
Baha’i Faith: US (offsite link)
Planet Baha’i (offsite link)
