From Getting to Know People of Other Faiths — No. 8 WHAT IS THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH?
Introduction
In the Vatican II 'Declaration on the relationship of the Church with Non-Christians' we find that the Church speaks with warmth and openness and greets People of Faith as partners in a single great enterprise. These religions contain much that is good and holy and provide ways of salvation for millions of people all over the world. Throughout the documents of Vatican II we find encouragement to respect, accept and meet as friends, those who profess faiths different from our own. The Bahá’í Faith will be introduced here in this spirit.
Who are the Bahá’ís?
The Bahá’í founders sprang from Islamic roots, but are seen by the Bahá’ís as founding a religion that fulfils all previous religions. Today Bahá’ís are people who formerly had different religious backgrounds. They have been Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians or else they had no religion at all. They give equal homage to all the past prophets, but believe that religion progressively evolves, and the Bahá'u'lláh is God's spokesman for this age. Although Bahá’ís are from different religious, racial, national, economic and social classes, the Bahá’í teachings gave given them a higher loyalty--the loyalty to humanity.
To a Bahá’í there is no demarcation between religion and everyday life. The most important prayer, Bahá’ís say, is a person's daily life. Religion, in other words, is an attitude towards God reflected in life.
Today there are between 5 and 6 milion Bahá’ís in the world, extending over more than three hundred and forty countries, territories and island groups. In England there are 6,000 registered Bahá’ís (1989) with 180 local Assemblies, resident in over 400 localities. At least 9 people are needed to form a local assembly. The Scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith consist of the writings of the founders and are translated into over six hundred languages. The rapid growth they have experienced puts them in the category of a world religion, the youngest in the line of the prophetic tradition.
Origins of the Bahá’í Faith
The Forerunner of the Bahá’í Faith was a young Persian merchant known as the BáB (the Gate), who in 1844 proclaimed Himself to be a Messenger of God and a herald of One greater than Himself--One who would inaugurate a new era in religion and civilization. LIke earlier Messengers of God, the BáB was opposed and denounced. After six years of persecution He was publicly martyred at the age of 30 in Tabriz.
Its founder was Bahá'u'lláh (the Glory of God), a Persian nobleman who in 1863 declared Himself to be the One whose coming the BáB and all the previous Prophets had foretold. Like His predecessor, He was bitterly opposed and persecuted. During nearly forty years of exile and imprisonment He committed to writing the teachings of His revelation, some of them in letters to the most important kings and leaders of religion, as well and teaching and training His followers. His fourth and last place of banishment, reached in 1865, was the prison city of 'Akka (Acre), Palestine, where He passed away in 1892 at the age of seventy-four.
Its authorised interpreter and exemplar was 'Abdu'l-Bahá (the servant of the Glory), eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh, who was appointed by his father as the Centre of His Covenant and the one to whom all must turn for instruction and guidance. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was the close companion and constant helper of his father, whose sufferings he shared. He remained a prisoner untiol 1908, when the old regime in Turkey was overthrown and all religious and political prisoners were liberated. AFterwards he travelled widely in Egypt, Europe and America, explaining the principles of the Faith and inspiring and directing the activities of its followers throughout the world. He passed away in Haifa in 1921, mourned by people of all faiths. His life was and continues to be a shining example to all. In his will and testament, 'Abdu'l-Bahá appointed his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to be the Guardian of the Faith, and the interpreter of its scripture. Under his guiding hand, the faith spread rapidly. He passed away in London in 1957. Since 1963, the Faith has been under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice.
The Bahá’í Faith
Proclaims: The Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religion and of Mankind, and the equality of men and women. It encourages the elimination of prejudice of all kinds, universal education, elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, the protection of cultural diversity. It also advocates indivudual search after truth, the harmony of science and religion, use of an auxiliary universal language and world government.
The Bahá’í House of Worship
A Bahá’í house of worship is open to people of all nations, races, classes and creeds. It is a place of prayer and meditation for all, a gift from the Bahá’ís and a demonstration of their faith in the oneness of God, the oneness of His Prophets and the oneness of mankind.
There is one major Bahá’í House of Worship in each continent. For local regular gatherings the Bahá’ís hold meetings in their homes or in hired halls. The community has neither a priesthood nor rituals. The Bahá’ís see their teachings as a ringing call to action. They see them as offering hope, courage and vision, in a world beset with universal problems.
Bahá’í Administration
Consultation is the keynote of all Bahá’í administration.
There is no clergy and no ritual.
The Scripture is in written form, preserved and authentic. Administrative bodies are called Spiritual Assemblies; they are local, national, and international. All Assemblies meet in a spirit of prayer.
These spiritual Assemblies are elected by the people, but their responsibility is trust from God to whom alone they are answerable.
There is no seeking for votes, no candidates, no platform promises, no parties.
The Nineteen Day Feast is a community occasion, for the reading of prayers, discussions of affairs with the Local Spiritual Assembly, and material refreshment together.
The Universal House of Justice--an elected International body constituted by Bahá'u'lláh as the supreme legislative and governing body of the Faith--carries out its duties at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa Israel.
Only members of the Bahá’í Faith may contribute to the Bahá’í Fund.
Questions for discussion
Bahá’ís clearly place great emphasis on social teaching and the community of humankind. How do we as Christians respond to the social teaching of the Church?
In what areas would cooperation with people of [the] Bahá’í Faith be most fruitful and possible?
Suggested further reading
'The Bahá’í Faith' Leaflet published by the Bahá’í publishing
Trust, 2 South Street, Oakham, Leicestershire.
'The Bahá’í Faith' Booklet Ibid.
'Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh" by Bahá''u'lláh.
'Paris Talks' by 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
'Gyuidelines for Today and Tomorrow' by Shoghi Effendi.
'Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era' by Dr. J. E. Esslemont.
A complete catalogue of Bahá’í literature can be obtained by writing to :
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 2 South Street, Oakham, Leicerstershire LE15 6HY.
Telephone (01572) 722780 Fax (01572b) 724280
UK Freephone number for Orders and Catalogues 0500 223849