Baha’i Oneness of Human Race

Haifa Israel Baha’i Temple World center of Baha’is

Baha’i Historical Development Emerged from Shi’ite Islam Followed Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law Imams were not only political leaders but spiritual leaders with “nass” inspiration as Muhammad had. Twelve imams Twelfth disappeared in 9th century (874) and is expected by Shi’a to return as messiah (Mahdi) In the meantime they have been waiting for the “Bab” meaning “gate” or “gateway” who will reopen communication with the hidden imam (Mahdi). Some of this expectation has now been lost.

Baha’i Historical Development Sayyid Ali Muhammad (1844) Iranian Shi’a Muslim Declared himself to be the Bab in 1844. Journeyed to Mecca and declared in Grand Mosque Muslims persecuted because had a revelation after Muhammad Called himself a Bab-ud-Din – Gate of faith Disciples called Babis, repudiated Shari’ah law

Baha’i Historical Development Sayyid Ali Muhammad (Bab to Mahdi) Bab predicted he had prepared the way for one who is yet to come 1848 – proclaims himself as the hidden Imam and conflict between Babis and government increased Before he was executed in 1850, predicted Yahya as his successor

Baha’i Historical Development Succession: Mirza Yahya Took the name Subh-i-Azal “dawn of eternity” Followers – Azalis Not a great leader so in 1863 leadership passed to his half-brother

Baha’i Historical Development Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri declared leader - called Bahaullah (1817-92) Baha’u’llah – “Glory of God” Had not met the Bab personally Followers – Babis also known as Baha’is Imprisoned and executed Preserved body for couple a years Buried in Palestine in Haifa

Baha’i Historical Development Husayn Ali Nuri Imprisoned in Tehran, Iran in 1852 On his release, he was exiled to Baghdad, Iraq (under Turkish control at that time) Had a twelve day mystical experience in 1862 In 1863 he was moved to Istanbul After 10 years in Baghdad he revealed to his followers that he was the one Bab had predicted “the one whom God shall manifest” Assumed the name Bahaullah Forced from one capital to another Spent the remainder of his life in Acre, Turkish prison in Palestine (now in state of Israel) Was able to send missionaries and receive guests

Baha’i Historical Development Bahaullah wrote letters and books The Seven Valleys (1856) – a mystical work dealing with seven spiritual stages: search, love, knowledge, unity, contentment, wonderment, true poverty and absolute nothingness. The Hidden Words (1858) – teaching on ethics Kitab-i-Iqan – The Book of Certitude (1861) – contains the main doctrines of Baha’i Kitab-i-Aqdas The Most Holy Book (1873) contains Baha’is laws Wrote to Pope and heads of States about their calling Died in 1892 (lead from 1863-1892) For 65 years authority of interpretation control by family heirs

Baha’i Historical Development Baha’u’llah

Baha’i Historical Development Abbas Effendi (Son of Bahaullah) Became known as Abdul Baha (Servant of Baha) Was the infallible interpreter of his fathers writings Carried on writings Freed by Turks in 1908 Traveled widely to spread Baha’i faith 1920 British conferred the Order of the British Empire because of his work of peace Died in 1921

Baha’i Historical Development Shoghi Effendi (Grandson of Abbas) Carried on as infallible interpreter of Baha’u’llah’s writings Appointed the first International Baha’i Council (leadership is vest in the council from 1963) Died in 1957

Baha’i Historical Development After Islamic revolution 1979 outlawed Many Baha’is were persecuted and property seized Not allowed in Iran Leadership Today Body elected from Baha’is all over the world Missionary in activity Estimated size 6,104,000

Baha’i Beliefs Progressive revelation Moses Zoroaster Jesus Muhammad Buddha Bab Bahaullah Other messengers will appear All religions spring from one source There is a basic unity of all religious truth All prophets had a partial message

Baha’i Beliefs ONENESS OF GOD All-praise to the unity of God, and all-honor to Him, the sovereign Lord, the incomparable and all-glorious Ruler of the universe, Who, out of utter nothingness, hath created the reality of all things, Who, from naught, hath brought into being the most refined and subtle elements of His creation, and Who, rescuing His creatures from the abasement of remoteness and the perils of ultimate extinction, hath received them into His kingdom of incorruptible glory. Nothing short of His all-encompassing grace, His all-pervading mercy, could have possibly achieved it. (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings 64-65 as cited in Hatcher 74)

Baha’i Beliefs Afterlife for immortal soul Soul eternal Soul after death can continue to developing in realms beyond earth Afterlife is not well defined Heaven and Hell are not places but conditions of the soul Soul is the reality of humankind which is eternal and in continuous progress. When the soul is close to God and God’s purpose, that is heaven, when the soul is distant from God that is hell.

Afterlife for immortal soul Baha’i Beliefs Afterlife for immortal soul Know thou of truth that the soul, after its separation will continue to progress until it attains the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure (Baha’u’llah Gleanings 155-156 cited in Hatcher 105).

Afterlife for immortal soul Baha’i Beliefs Afterlife for immortal soul The incomparable creator hath created all men from one same substance, and hath exalted their reality above the rest of His creatures. Success or failure, gain or loss, must, therefore, depend upon man’s own exertions. The more he strives, the greater his progress will be (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings 81-82 cited in Hatcher 105).

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs Oneness of human race “There can be no doubt that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derives their inspiration from one heavenly source and are the subjects of one God.” Unity of the living and the dead are possible This explains the powers of the prophets and saints to see into the other world and commune with it.

Baha’i Beliefs Having created the world and all that liveth and moveth therein, He [God], through the direct operation of His unconstrained and sovereign Will, chose to confer upon man the unique distinction and capacity to know Him and to love Him-a capacity that must needs be regarded as the generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole of creation…Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favor, so enduring a bounty. (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings 65 as cited in Hatcher 75)

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs There is a basic unity of all religions All religions teach the same basic message Difference should be ignored

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs There must be an independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition Cannot depend on traditions of the past Must have an unfettered search for truth

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs All form of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class related or national, are condemned Abdul Baha said in a speech in Paris “Religion should unite and cause wars and disputes to vanish from the face of the earth; it should give birth to spirituality, and bring light and life to every soul. If religion becomes a cause of dislike, hatred and division, it would be better to be without it… Any religion which is not a cause of love and unity is no religion.”

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs Harmony must exist between religion and science Started in modern science era Need to harmonize them “Religion and science walk hand in hand, and any religion contrary to science is not the truth”

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs There is equality of men and women In past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been incomplete. War and its ravages have blighted the world; the education of woman will be a mighty step toward its abolition and ending, for she will use her whole influence against war… In truth, she will be the greatest factor in establishing world peace and international arbitration. Assuredly, woman will abolish warfare among mankind Abdul’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace cited in Hatcher 90

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs Compulsory education must prevail There should be a universal language

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs Extremes of wealth and poverty should be abolished Rich should open their hearts and contribute to the poor Governments should pass laws to prevent the two extremes

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs A world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes among nations should be instituted League of Nations was considered too weak by Abdul Baha Work performed in the spirit of service should be exalted to the rank of worship

Baha’i Beliefs Main Beliefs Justice should be glorified as the ruling principle in human society and religion for the protection of all peoples and nations. The establishment of a permanent and universal peace should be the supreme goal of humankind The capstone of Baha’i faith

Baha’i Beliefs Writings Don’t accept Qur’an as authoritative but symbolic Bible and Jewish Scripture is symbolic and not authoritative Inclusive or exclusive? Baha’u’llah’s authority supersedes all others

Physical Realm Practices Strive to live peacably and ethically Governed by many regulations Pray everyday, ones entire life must be prayer, all deeds are to be done in a spirit of prayer Abdul Baha in Some Answered Questions said, “Chant (recite) the Words of God every morning and evening. The one who neglects this has not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His agreement, and he who turns away from it today is of those who have turned away from God.”

Physical Realm Practices The most frequently used prayer is this: I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and so worship Thee. I testify at this moment to my powerlessness and Thy might, to my poverty and Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting (Baha’i Prayers 117 cited in Garlington 42).

Physical Realm Practices Divorce allowed for extreme incompatibility Must wait one year and seek to re-establish but if that fail divorce is granted Alcohol and narcotics forbidden Fast one month (Ala) – full fast not required Not to eat during daylight Symbolizes abstinence from lust, self-appetites and self-desires

Physical Realm Meet in houses or buildings Worship No special houses of worship generally Constructed several great places of worship Frankfurt, Sydney, Kampala, Wilmette, Panama City, New Delhi, Apia, Haifa Nine sides with a dome Number nine is largest unit number and symbolic of worldwide unity they seek to develop

Baha’i House of Worship Panama City, Panama

Physical Realm Worship World center of Baha’is Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel Near Acre where Bahaullah died No special clergy to lead worship Simple with little form and no ritual Reading of writing of Bahaullah or scripture of other religions Prayers led by members of community Reject sermons and offerings from non-members Baha’is are expected to contribute to faith

Physical Realm Organization Three levels Local spiritual assembly of nine or more adults select nine-member administrative body In 1993 were approximately 20,000 Second level – national spiritual assembly Nine members elected at national conventions In 1993 there were 165 assemblies Third level – Universal House of Justice Nine member elected by members of the national spiritual assemblies Serve five years

Physical Realm Calendar Have a calendar of 19 months containing 19 days Local assemblies feast on first day of every month Starts March 21 with birth of Spring Day begins at sunset Final month is dawn-to-dusk fasting (March) Feast of New Year Feast of Ridvan – celebrates Bahaullahs declaration he is the promised one.