Baháʼí teachings
A central tenet of the Baháʼí Faith is the unity of the world's major religions (Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam) as part of a single plan overseen by one God.
The teachings also address theological subjects including the oneness of God, humanity and religion, as well as aspects of human life such as the harmony of science and religion, elimination of extreme wealth and poverty, universal compulsory education, and the equality of all people equality, regardless of gender, race, nationality, colour, or social class.
[1][2] During the course of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s journeys to the west during 1911 and 1912-1913 he clearly summarized the basic principles underlying Baháʼu’llah's teachings, which together with the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas constitute the foundation 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—.
The differences, rather than being regarded as irreconcilable constructs of mutually exclusive cultures, are seen as purposefully reflective of the varying needs of the societies to which the divine messages were revealed.
[10] The Baháʼí teachings state that one draw closer to God through prayer, meditation, study of the holy writings, and service.
The Baháʼí Faith emphasizes that the unity of humanity transcends all divisions of race, nation, gender, caste, and social class, at the same time celebrating its diversity.
[24] It [the Faith] does not ignore, nor does it attempt to suppress, the diversity of ethnic origins, of climate, of history, of language and tradition, of thought and habit, that differentiate the peoples and nations of the world... Its watchword is unity in diversity...[25][26]The Baháʼí teachings state that there is one religion which God reveals progressively to mankind through his prophets/messengers as humanity matures and its capacity to understand grows.
[7] Baháʼu'lláh claimed to be the most recent of God's messengers, but not the last, in a series of divine educators which include, amongst others, Jesus, Buddha and Muhammad.
However, whilst they can be viewed in the same light they are also separate individuals known by different names, each fulfilling a definite mission and entrusted with a specific revelation.
[30] These differences are recognised as being required due to the fact that human society has gradually evolved through higher stages of unification from the family to tribes and then nations.
In his Will and Testament 'Abdu'l-Bahá directed the believers to follow Shoghi Effendi, who in turn promised a continuation of divine guidance through the future Universal House of Justice.
[32] During his tours of Europe and North America 'Abdu'l-Bahá regularly summarised the central points pertinent to Baháʼí belief in lists of principles which include the following.
In his writings and talks ʻAbdu'l-Bahá repeatedly emphasised gender equality as being one of the most distinguishing teachings of the Baháʼí Faith, stating that both women and men possess the same potential for virtues and intelligence; he also compared the status of women and men and the progress of civilization with the two wings of a bird in that only if both wings are strong will the bird of humanity be able to fly.
While the Baháʼí teachings assert the full spiritual and social equality of women and men, they nevertheless confirm gender differentiation in certain areas of life.
[38] ʻAbdu’l-Bahá also affirmed that reasoning powers are required in order to understand the truths of religion,[37] and condemned civilizations based solely on materialistic beliefs which, despite technical excellence, give rise to such moral atrocities as war.
[40] The multiplicity of languages currently in use are considered as being a major impediment to unity, stifling a free flow of information and making it difficult for the average unilingual individual to acquire a universal perspective on world events.
[42] Baháʼu’lláh stressed that complete unity between the various parts of the world would continue to be an unreality until the adoption of an auxiliary language.
Baháʼu’lláh ordained that the rich should protect the poor, who are a divine trust, and in order to address the extremes of wealth and poverty and provide for the welfare of all people, the Bahá’i teachings prescribe effective institutions, including Huqúqu'lláh, and the cultivation of a sense of social mutual concern.
[46] Both Baháʼu’lláh and ʻAbdu’l-Bahá endorsed the economic reorganisation of society as a means by which extremes of poverty and wealth would be abolished, but while they stressed the importance of dignity and equal rights for all despite social status, they did not promote the philosophies of communitarianism or communism, Baháʼu’lláh legitimising the personal ownership of property and the right to transfer property deeds.
[46] ʻAbdu'l-Bahá further noted that whilst being detached from worldly things is a virtue, wealth in itself is not evil, in some circumstances enabling individuals to offer help to society through promoting social welfare and education.
[45] Baháʼu'lláh taught that every individual must investigate truth independently, without blindly following the beliefs of others or relying upon superstition and tradition as sources of knowledge.
The elements of good character include, among others, trustworthiness,[58] truthfulness,[59] faithfulness, sincerity, purity of motive, dignity, avoidance of backbiting, service, justice, moderation, cleanliness, all balanced by reason and knowledge.
Heaven and Hell are taught to be spiritual states of nearness or distance from God that describe relationships in this world and the next, and not physical places of reward and punishment achieved after death.
The institutions of the Administrative Order fall into two distinct bodies, the elected and the appointed, both of which are guided by The Universal House of Justice,[72] which is situated in Haifa, Israel.
Consultation enables a decision-making process in which all those engaged are encouraged to express their thoughts freely without criticism, and which aims to discover truth through universal participation and disciplined cooperation.
