the baha'i faith

The Baha'i Faith“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” -

Bahá'u'lláh

By: Monica Pittman and Mate Mackenzie

Basic Beliefs All human beings have a soul that lives forever

and goes beyond their own lives.

Inequalities such as poverty should be eradicated as they are immoral and it is the government and citizens who should be responsible for this eradication.

“We are a single people, inhabiting the planet Earth, one human family bound together in a common destiny, a single entity created from one same substance, obligated to 'be even as one soul'”. – Official Bahá'í statement, August 2001

Beliefs: Other Faiths It attempts to unify all faiths and promotes peace

and unity between all religions. “The differences among the religions of the world

are due to the varying types of minds.” – Abdu’l-Bahá

Beliefs: God God is transcendent; beyond the range of normal

human experiences. God’s teachings are alive through his prophets.

The History In 1844, a Persian merchant named Bab claimed

to have been touched by God and told to spread His word. He was also told there would be a second messenger greater than he.

In 1863, Bahá'u'lláh, a member of Persian nobility, had a moment of “Divine Revelation.”

The History Cont’d Followers of Baha'i

say that Bahá'u'lláh was the true messenger of God during his life.

When he died he named his eldest son, Abdu’l-Bahá, as the successor to his faith.

Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921)

Persecution of the Baha’i Faith in Iran

Iranian Baha’i followers have been prosecuted for their beliefs throughout history.

In the past thousands of followers have been killed, books containing information on the religion have been burned and even marriages have gone unrecognized.

Ceremonies/Mass “Bahá'u'lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an

absolute minimum in His Faith. The few forms that there are - like those associated with the two longer obligatory daily prayers - are only symbols of the inner attitude.” - Shoghi Effendi

Local worship groups are often set into place in communities so that those of the Baha’i faith have a place to come and discuss their faith.

The Short Obligatory Prayer by Bahá'u'lláh

Temples The Baha'i faith has temples called Baha'i Houses

of Worship (Mashriqu'l-Adhkars).These buildings are open to all and there is no pulpit. Scriptures from other religions can also be recited in them.

There are currently seven Houses of Worship:o Wilmette, Illinois, USAo Frankfurt am Main, Germanyo Kampala, Ugandao Sydney, Australiao Panama City, Panamao Apia, Samoao New Delhi, India

Houses of Worship

Apia, Samoa

New Delhi, India

Wilmette, Illinois

Sites of Pilgrimages

Holidays There are nine holy days recognized on the Baha'i

calendar. On these days no work is done and instead the day is devoted to celebrating the lives of many important people within the Baha'i faith.

The Nineteen Day Feast is held once every 19 days and is a day for worship and helping promote unity.

Naw-Ruz (Baha'i New Year)

Celebrated on March 21st it marks the start of the Baha'i calendar which dictates the movement of the Baha'i community.

Sacred Texts Teachings and scriptures from the Manifestations

of God. All the writings of the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh are

considered to be Divine Revelation.

Writings of Bahá'u'lláh

Revelations

The Qur'an

The central religious text of the Islam faith is recognized and revered by the Baha'i faith. Although the interpretation differs greatly from orthodox Islamic faith.

Facts Recognized by the

United Nations. 17,148 Local Spiritual

Assemblies of the Baha'i faith in the world and 4,515 in the United States, has an estimated membership of 5, 000, 000, their literature has been translated into approximately 700 languages.

Bibliography "The Babi Faith - Origin and History."

Bahaiawareness.com. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bahaiawareness.com/bahai03.html>.

"Baha'i Calendar Holy Days." Baha'i Calendar. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://bahaical.org/calendar.aspx>.

"Baha'i Faith." Bahai Faith Bahai Faith United States Official Website. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bahai.us/welcome/founders-and-history/bahai-sacred-writings/>.

BBC News. BBC. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/>.

Bibliography Cont’d "Information Directory." The Bahá'à s:. Web. 28 Nov.

2012. <http://www.bahai.org/dir/>. "Library." Rites and Ceremonies. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.

<http://www.patheos.com/Library/Bahai/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Rites-and-Ceremonies?offset=1>.

"The Life of Baha'u'llah." "Revelation" Writing. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bahaullah.org/tablets/revelation-writing>.

"Persecution." The Baha'is:. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution>.

"The Rhythms and Routines of Bahá'à Communities." The Rhythms and Routines of Bahá'à Communities. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://info.bahai.org/article-1-6-0-3.html>.