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Baha'i |
| Return to Home Page | Sources for information on this page: University of Glasgow, Interfaith Chaplaincy Religion & Belief Guide 2010–11, with permission; |
Basic beliefs The Baha’i Faith is an independent world religion which proclaims the oneness of God, religion and humankind. Baha’is believe that God reveals His purpose progressively through prophets such as the founders of all the major world religions which exist today. The Baha’i Faith began in Persia on 23rd May 1844, when a person known as the Bab (Gate) proclaimed that he was a Messenger from God and also the herald of ‘the Promised One’, a messenger greater than himself. In 1863 a person known as Baha’u’llah (the Glory of God) claimed to be the one whose coming the Bab had foretold. He announced that he had come to help bring about a new age of global civilisation which would be characterised by unity and peace. Key Baha’i beliefs are, belief in one God; the unity of mankind; independent investigation of truth; the common foundation of all religions; the essential harmony of science and religion; equality of opportunity for men and women; elimination of prejudice of all kinds; universal compulsory education; the need for a universal auxiliary language; abolition of extremes of wealth and poverty; the protection of religious and cultural diversity, and the establishment of universal peace by a world government which will have international courts of justice. Baha’i custom and practice is founded on authenticated scripture written by Baha’u’llah. The focus of Baha’i community life is the Nineteen Day Feast when local Baha’is meet to worship, discuss the affairs of their faith and have fellowship together. Obligations on individual Baha’is include daily prayer and keeping a yearly nineteen day fast when no food is consumed from sunrise to sunset. The affairs of the Baha’i Faith are administered by ‘Spiritual Assemblies’ which consist of nine people elected by the Baha’i community. These democratic assemblies operate at local, national and international level. The international administrative body is known as the Universal House of Justice and is based on Mount Carmel in Israel. Worldwide, the Baha’i Faith has a temple on every continent where Baha’is and people of every faith can come and worship God. Depending on the size of their community, Baha’is may worship at their local centre or meet to worship in individual homes. UK website: http://www.bahai.org.uk/ |
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