About the Bahai Faith
“Let your vision be world-embracing…” —Bahá’u’lláh –
Who We Are
The Bahá’ís are members of a global community that believes in one loving Creator, one unfolding religion and one human family.
“The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.” –Bahá’u’lláh
The Bahá’í Faith is the youngest of the world’s independent religions. Since its inception in Persia (now Iran) in 1844, it has grown to more than five million followers in 236 countries and territories. Bahá’ís believe that there is one loving, all-powerful and unknowable God; the world’s great religions come from God, and that all humanity is one family.
Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.
Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.” —Bahá’u’lláh
What We Believe
Humanity is one species, one race, one family.
In a tumultuous age, world peace is attainable through unity.
The global Bahá’í community is building toward this vision.
The central theme of Bahá’u’lláh’s message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of its members.
The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept our common humanity and to work together toward a peaceful, just and united world. In the chaos of the last century and a half, historical forces have broken down the traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation. Although the process has been frightening and disheartening at times, Bahá’ís believe that humanity is now capable of uniting into a peaceful global civilization.
The worldwide Bahá’í community comprises five million members who represent most of the nations, races and cultures on earth. It is working to build that global civilization based on principles of justice, the equality of men and women, and the harmony of science and religion, among others. They welcome the collaboration of all who share their vision of humanity as one global family and the earth as one homeland.
Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings offer hope to a troubled world. He identified the spiritual principles on which humanity may, with divine assistance, establish lasting peace:
• The oneness of humanity
• Independent investigation of truth
• Elimination of prejudice
• Racial and social justice
• The nobility of each human being
• Equality of women and men
• Harmony between science and religion
• Universal education
• Spiritually guided solutions to economic inequality
• Justice and equity as foundations for world peace
What We DO
In neighborhoods across the country, Bahá’ís and their friends are engaged in a community-building process that cultivates love and translates it into action.
America is going through a tumultuous time. Tensions and divisions surface every day, reminding us that the stains of injustice and racial prejudice are set deeply in the fabric of our society. Bahá’ís are committed to reshaping society around principles of oneness by cultivating love, inclusivity, and reciprocity. We hope to join hands with the countless like-minded Americans working for these same goals, and invite everyone to take a look at our approach. Read more about our beliefs in action.
The Bahá’i Faith teaches that the world’s religions have been the chief civilizing force in human history and that God has sent humanity many divine messengers through the centuries. Despite how different from one-another these religions may seem to human eyes, Bahá’is understand that they are each an equally important part of God’s eternal plan for raising the human race up from its spiritual infancy and guiding it into its spiritual maturity.
The Bahá’i Faith teaches that humanity is now coming of age. For the first time in history, the human race can see itself as a single family: diverse in its beauty and belief, but wholly capable of becoming a united and peaceful civilization.
Bahá’is believe that world peace is not only possible, but inevitable.
Among the principles which the Bahá’i Faith deems vital to the building of this peaceful global society are:
• The oneness of humanity
• Independent investigation of truth
• Elimination of prejudice
• Racial and social justice
• The nobility of each human being
• Equality of women and men
• Harmony between science and religion
• Universal education
• Spiritually guided solutions to economic inequality
• Justice and equity as foundations for world peace
• All human beings must see each other as brothers and sisters, regardless of religion, politics, geography, history, nationality, or race.
• All prejudice–be it racial, religious, national, economic, or any other kind–is destructive and must be confronted and overcome.
• Women are the co-equals of men. They must be granted equal opportunities in all spheres of life.
• We must all learn to investigate truth for ourselves, without preconceptions.
• True religion should be in harmony with reason and scientific pursuit.
• We must understand that many of our economic problems can be directly linked to our spiritual problems.
• Solving problems and resolving conflicts should be done by listening earnestly to one-another, speaking frankly, seeking concensus, and acting together in unity.
• Every person has a right to a good education and has a responsibility to seek one.
• All human beings must be taught that we were created noble and that our purpose in life is to serve our fellow human beings, to raise healthy families, and to be happy.