What is a Baha'i?
Created | Updated Feb 10, 2006
A Baha'i is a person who believes that it is every persons individual right and responsibility to investigate Truth, for themselves. Baha'is believe that this search, when conducted independently and with an open heart will inevitably lead to the identification of more commonality and unity in the family of humankind than opposition and difference. Perhaps the most striking feature of the Baha'i (outside of the specifics of the system of belief) is the search for common truth - common ground between peoples of the planet.
Specifically, a Baha'i is an individual who subscribes to the principals of:
- The oneness of humankind
Regardless of cultural differences (which are respected by a Baha'i rather than reviled) humanity is of one common ancestory and origin and regardless of beliefs and opinions "we're all in this together".
- The Independent Investigation of Truth
Baha'is recognise no living human beings as the interpreters of Truth. A Baha'i will believe that each individual human being has the right and the capacity to find the truth of their soul, life and purpose for themselves - within their individual purpose and ability. A Baha'i will neither participate in nor wish to encounter fanatisism of any flavour, and will disassociate themselves from religious argument - preferring discussion leading to uncovering common ground rather than the anger of a heated disagreement.
- The common foundation of all religions
Now here's a challenging thought for many - Baha'is believe in a "personal God" (ie: a Omniscient Divinity to Whom they are individually accountable) and that He has had a plan all along. Baha'is call it the belief in Progressive Revelation - that One God, throughout the history of humankind, has sent emmisaries, messengers and prophets to the various tribes, groups and nations of people - in accordance with the needs of their time and environments, throughout time. A Baha'i will assert that the "spiritual teachings" of all of these messages - delivered by "Manifestations" (of God in various forms) follow the same thread, whereas the "social teachings" of these sets of messages are particular to the people, place and time of their revelation.
- The essential harmony of science and religion
Basically that science and religion must agree, or one is wrong. That is not to say that Baha'is believe the proofs of religion outweight those of science. Baha'is shun superstition and whilst accepting the possibility of "miracles" - they believe that miracles are for the benefit of those who witness them, and not nescessarily relevant to anyone else's experience of Being.
- The equality of men and woman
Hello! A Baha'i believes in the analogy of men and women as the two wings of one bird (humanity being the bird)- if either is stronger than the other, the bird's progress will be awkward and skewed. Special attention is given by Baha'is to the education of Women in this age, as the mothers of future generations (ie:ensuring perpetuity of the spread of education and information).
- The elimination of predjudice of all kinds
Perhaps the most challenging principal to uphold in this age - a true Baha'i will challenge prejudice at every turn and make every effort to remain apart from demonstrations of or manifestations of bias against any race, gender or nationality.
- A spiritual solution to economic problems
While every Baha'i believes in making a meaningfull contribution to society - and rewards for individual exceptional efforts are not discouraged in the least - Bahai's believe in ensuring equal access to individuals to earn their own livelihood. Where this is not possible, or where disability or other disadvantage is present, Baha'is believe in a world where the wealthy will wilingly - and without compulsion of any kind - provide for the needs of the disadvantaged. Baha'is strive towards the realisation of this state of being.
- A universal auxiliary language
Baha'is believe in ensuring the effectiveness of communication and sharing between all people and that one language will be chosen to be learnt by all children - in addition to their home language - to ensure universal effectiveness of communication.
- Universal Peace
Baha'is do not only believe that world peace is possible, but that it is inevitable. Baha'is follow the belief that when individual citizens of the planet collectively find their voice, world peace will be chosen over greed-mongering and supremacist devastation. Baha'is follow principals and guidelines that respect and honour the diversity of our various cultures and histories as a botanist apreciates varying flowers and scents of a garden, and stives through this to highlight our shared responsibility for the health of our shared soil.
Where are these people?
The Baha'i Faith is the second-most widespread religion of the world (after the collective groups of Christianity) and Baha'is can be found in ever major city on the planet. Baha'is do not proselytise, so you will not find them on street corners or knocking on doors. Baha'is can be found most often in mixed groups of various backgrounds hunting down truth and uncovering common ground between groups and individuals. An individual promoting global healing and understanding whereever nescessary and advocating unity, respect and freedom from the shackles of historical misunderstandings and predjudices, is likely to be a Baha'i.
Further research links:
http://www.bahaindex.com/
http://www.wovoca.com/prophecy-bahai.htm
http://www.bahai.org.za/
Extreme find! : Free Software Library of the World's Religious Litterature can be found at: http://bahai-education.org/ocean/
Specifically, a Baha'i is an individual who subscribes to the principals of:
- The oneness of humankind
Regardless of cultural differences (which are respected by a Baha'i rather than reviled) humanity is of one common ancestory and origin and regardless of beliefs and opinions "we're all in this together".
- The Independent Investigation of Truth
Baha'is recognise no living human beings as the interpreters of Truth. A Baha'i will believe that each individual human being has the right and the capacity to find the truth of their soul, life and purpose for themselves - within their individual purpose and ability. A Baha'i will neither participate in nor wish to encounter fanatisism of any flavour, and will disassociate themselves from religious argument - preferring discussion leading to uncovering common ground rather than the anger of a heated disagreement.
- The common foundation of all religions
Now here's a challenging thought for many - Baha'is believe in a "personal God" (ie: a Omniscient Divinity to Whom they are individually accountable) and that He has had a plan all along. Baha'is call it the belief in Progressive Revelation - that One God, throughout the history of humankind, has sent emmisaries, messengers and prophets to the various tribes, groups and nations of people - in accordance with the needs of their time and environments, throughout time. A Baha'i will assert that the "spiritual teachings" of all of these messages - delivered by "Manifestations" (of God in various forms) follow the same thread, whereas the "social teachings" of these sets of messages are particular to the people, place and time of their revelation.
- The essential harmony of science and religion
Basically that science and religion must agree, or one is wrong. That is not to say that Baha'is believe the proofs of religion outweight those of science. Baha'is shun superstition and whilst accepting the possibility of "miracles" - they believe that miracles are for the benefit of those who witness them, and not nescessarily relevant to anyone else's experience of Being.
- The equality of men and woman
Hello! A Baha'i believes in the analogy of men and women as the two wings of one bird (humanity being the bird)- if either is stronger than the other, the bird's progress will be awkward and skewed. Special attention is given by Baha'is to the education of Women in this age, as the mothers of future generations (ie:ensuring perpetuity of the spread of education and information).
- The elimination of predjudice of all kinds
Perhaps the most challenging principal to uphold in this age - a true Baha'i will challenge prejudice at every turn and make every effort to remain apart from demonstrations of or manifestations of bias against any race, gender or nationality.
- A spiritual solution to economic problems
While every Baha'i believes in making a meaningfull contribution to society - and rewards for individual exceptional efforts are not discouraged in the least - Bahai's believe in ensuring equal access to individuals to earn their own livelihood. Where this is not possible, or where disability or other disadvantage is present, Baha'is believe in a world where the wealthy will wilingly - and without compulsion of any kind - provide for the needs of the disadvantaged. Baha'is strive towards the realisation of this state of being.
- A universal auxiliary language
Baha'is believe in ensuring the effectiveness of communication and sharing between all people and that one language will be chosen to be learnt by all children - in addition to their home language - to ensure universal effectiveness of communication.
- Universal Peace
Baha'is do not only believe that world peace is possible, but that it is inevitable. Baha'is follow the belief that when individual citizens of the planet collectively find their voice, world peace will be chosen over greed-mongering and supremacist devastation. Baha'is follow principals and guidelines that respect and honour the diversity of our various cultures and histories as a botanist apreciates varying flowers and scents of a garden, and stives through this to highlight our shared responsibility for the health of our shared soil.
Where are these people?
The Baha'i Faith is the second-most widespread religion of the world (after the collective groups of Christianity) and Baha'is can be found in ever major city on the planet. Baha'is do not proselytise, so you will not find them on street corners or knocking on doors. Baha'is can be found most often in mixed groups of various backgrounds hunting down truth and uncovering common ground between groups and individuals. An individual promoting global healing and understanding whereever nescessary and advocating unity, respect and freedom from the shackles of historical misunderstandings and predjudices, is likely to be a Baha'i.
Further research links:
http://www.bahaindex.com/
http://www.wovoca.com/prophecy-bahai.htm
http://www.bahai.org.za/
Extreme find! : Free Software Library of the World's Religious Litterature can be found at: http://bahai-education.org/ocean/
