What We Believe
Ponder in Your Heart
A worldwide religion promoting the unity of humanity
Throughout history, God has sent to humanity a series of divine Educators—known as Manifestations of God—whose teachings have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization. These Manifestations have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, explained that the religions of the world come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God.
Bahá'ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh.
Bahá’í beliefs address such essential themes as the oneness of God and religion, the oneness of humanity and freedom from prejudice, the inherent nobility of the human being, the progressive revelation of religious truth, the development of spiritual qualities, the integration of worship and service, the fundamental equality of the sexes, the harmony between religion and science, the centrality of justice to all human endeavours, the importance of education, and the dynamics of the relationships that are to bind together individuals, communities, and institutions as humanity advances towards its collective maturity.
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To gain a fuller appreciation of Bahá’í beliefs you may wish to visit:
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In an organic process of action, learning, and reflection, you too can work with us
to empower children, youth, and adults to meet the needs of their community.
Find out more about what we do and how you can be a part of it.
You do not have to be an enrolled Bahá'í to participate.
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ONE HUMAN
Family
We believe God created us to be one human family.
Together, we are all citizens and caretakers of one planet.
Our purpose in life is to draw closer to God by offering selfless service to those with whom we share the planet.
This core belief in oneness calls us to actively root out our prejudices and the systemic inequalities that divide people of different backgrounds, genders and social classes.
LOVE OF ONE
God
We believe there is one God, a loving Creator. God is limitless, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-merciful. All the best human qualities are reflections of God’s divine attributes.
As God’s creation, we may never understand God completely. God communicates through Messengers, also referred to as Divine Educators. We can know God through studying the words and scriptures of these Messengers.
THE
DIVINE
Messengers
The Baha’i Faith was founded by two prophets, the Bab and Baha’u’llah. The Bab encouraged all to seek spiritual truth with independent hearts, by removing attachment to superstition and reliance on clergy. Baha’u’llah envisioned a future where all of humanity operates as one family. His teachings help us create more harmonious relationships between women and men, friend and stranger.
THE
HOLY
Scriptures
Baha’u’llah revealed over a hundred volumes of sacred texts, including prayers and meditations, a book of laws, mystical passages and the Book of Certitude, which covers theology. Baha’u’llah’s Hidden Words are perhaps one of the most accessible scriptural collections, explaining the essence of faith in short and beautiful passages.
OUR
DAILY
Practices
Each Baha’i takes time every day to pray, read from scripture, meditate, and reflect on how to translate Baha’i teachings into action.
There is no clergy or priesthood in the Baha’i Faith.
Each person is responsible for his or her own relationship with God and spiritual development.
THE WAY
OF
Organization
Each year, the Baha’i community elects local and national councils, known as Spiritual Assemblies. In place of a clergy or priesthood, these local assemblies ensure community members feel cared for and connected to one another. An international council, known as the Universal House of Justice, is elected once every five years.