1. By: Jeff STUDENT and Erin STUDENT

2. Followers of the Bahai  There are over five million believers and that number is growing.  The religion originated in Iran in the mid- nineteenth century.  Followed in 236 countries and mostly found in African tribes.

3. Becoming a Bahai follower  Recognize Bahaullah as the messenger of God  Follow his laws and teachings and the administrative institutions  Enroll in the Bahai community by signifying you have belief and commitment, orally or in writing, to the Bahai institution

4. Requirements to be Clergy  Can be men and women.  Follow the faith.  Democratically elected by the members of all the national councils for the Head of the Universal House of Justice.  Currently there is no clergy.  Each Bahai takes the role of clergy upon themselves.

5. Leaders  Bahai is a religion that is personal, so they do not attend church.  They have local, national, and international leaders. The international leaders are elected by select national leaders.  Women are looked on as equals in every aspect of life and could be a leader.

6. The Bab(1819-1850)  Meaning “The Gate”  He is the messenger of God, who prepared the people for the coming of Bahaullah.  Declared his mission on May 23 rd 1844 in Persia.  Founded the Babism. His followers were called Babi’s.

7. Bahullah (1817-1892)  Bahullah, which means “glory of god,” is recognized by millions as the messenger of god for this age. He is the fulfillment of the Bab’s promises.  Announced in 1863 that he was the Promised One foretold by the Bab.  He was the authority for the laws and institutions and source of its spiritual and social teachings of the Bahai religion.

8. Abdul-Baha (1844-1921)  Meaning “Servant of Baha”  Eldest son of Bahaullah  Appointed as the Interpreter of his teachings and the Centre of His Covenant  Protected the Bahai faith and passed on that duty to his grandson

9. Shoghi Effendi (1897-1957)  “The Guardian”  Appointed by his grandfather Abdul-Baha  The only interpreter of Bahaullah’s teachings after himself.  Guided the Baha’is for thirty-six years and developed the Administrative Order of the Faith.  Appointed twenty-seven individuals to promote and protect the faith and gave them the title “Hands of the Cause of God”.  After his passing, for six years the Hands of the Cause held the Bahai’s together until the Universal House of Justice was established.

10. Ecclesiastical Law  Pray everyday.  Observe the Bahai Fast from sunrise to sunset each day from March 2 through 21.  Consider work as worship.  Teach the Cause of God.  Avoid alcoholic drinks and drugs.

11. Ecclesiastical Law  Observe Bahai marriage.  Obey the government and not participate in politics.  Avoid backbiting and gossip.  Observe Bahai Holy Days.  Contribute to the Bahai Fund.

12. Holy Days/Work  They observe eleven holy days each year.  The most important are the Bahai’s New Year on March 21 and Ridvan which is a twelve day period in April that commemorates Bahullah.  The holy work is done daily through disciplines of the faith.

13. Rites/Rituals/Ceremonies  Have communion from birth and everyday after.  Rituals take place during feasts and holy days.  No special birth or death ceremony.  No baptisms take place.  Marriage is looked on as being the foundation of family life.

14. Religious Persecutions  The Bahai religion faces danger throughout Iran, the homeland.  The nine members of Iran’s Baha’is National Spiritual Assembly were believed to be abducted and executed in August 1980 and 20 were executed by the government.  Executions were common every year.

15. The Afterlife  Your soul never dies. It spends eternity in the spiritual world.  Here you are either close to god or far from him.  It’s progress depends on how well you followed the teachings of god’s messenger.

17. The Nine Executed National Spiritual Assembly

18. Sources  bahai.org  en.wikepedia.org  bahai-religion.org  probe.org  bahai-library.com