The Bahai Faith
Part One / Jacob Neusner – World Religions in America
Read Neusner page 159-176
Every religion has its claim(s) as to why it is the one true faith. The Baha’i Faith is no different. Briefly explain what their claim is actually. (page 160 right column, last paragraph.)
Even though Bahai Faith has experienced slow but steady growth across the world, they continue to spread their message of one God, one religion and one humanity. One of the fundamental beliefs among the Buhai faith is that the author of one universal and unified religion is the one God who created the universe. However, this one religion was revealed by God in stages throughout the history of humanity through prophets whose appearance at different times and cultures has been misinterpreted as opposing and rival religious civilizations. Bahai believes that the objective of these past instalments of God’s religion is to educate humanity about spiritual reality and develop ethical as well as unite the whole civilization in peace.
Read ‘Racial Unity,’ ‘The Example of Abdu’l-Baha’ and ‘The Guidance of Shoghi Effendi.’
What is the overriding issue for the Baha’i Faith?
Baha’is believe that each religion sent by God was primarily to unite and organize more significant segments of humanity, right from the lowest form of organization, family, to the clan, tribe and even nation. Bahai Faith aims to unify human civilization into one family through total elimination of all kinds of racism and promote unity in diversity. Besides, Abdu’l-Baha travelled across America, spreading the message of racial integration, starting with its believers and siting that interracial couples have a positive influence in fighting racism in America. Individuals with Baha’is view of the world, are distinct from people without Baha’is worldview due to their confidence to express in the establishment of racial unity as well as being sceptical about the entire elimination of prejudice in a world filled with neo-Nazis, race riots, and ethnic cleansing.
Read ‘History.’
Why is it essential that Baha’u’llah has his scripture (called Tablets)?
Baha’is believe that when Baha’u’llah was in exile, he wrote over fifteen thousand copies that elaborated on law, philosophy, spiritual life, ethics and personal conduct. These writings are termed as Tablets by Baha’is, and they argue that Baha’u’llah should have his scripture because his writings are unique in the world’s religious history as he is the first manifestation of God to write his scripture, unlike in the past dispensations where laws, parables and teachings were written years later.
Read ‘Doctrine’ and ‘Progressive Revelation.’
What is progressive revelation? Briefly explain.
Progressive revelation is one of the vital ideological concepts in Baha’is faith that focuses on its vision of unifying the world because all the world’s central religions in God’s plan are evolutionary stages that educate and unite the entire globe. Also, the concept of progressive revelation establishes that only one religion exists, but God reveals it to humans in different historical stages. This is because all the spiritual truth of all faiths are similar even though religions seem to conflict because of the distinct social laws due to the need for social codes and new morals that unify the more significant segments of human civilizations.
When will the next manifestation appear according to Baháʼu’lláh?
Although the Baha’is believe that they are the last stage of religious evolution for humanity, according to Baha’u’llah, he states that the next manifestation will appear after a full one thousand years has passed.
Read ‘Who is considered a Bahai.’
Becoming a Baha’i is a three-stage process. What do you think of this formal process?
Two of the three processes of becoming a Baha’i are formal processes, i.e. declaration and personal life-long transformation journey and socialization. According to the Baha’is, these processes are critical in their religion because it illustrates one’s full devotion to their belief which includes fighting racism, sexism, partisan politics, and ignorance. A great emphasis of the core of the value to Baha’is faith, which are spiritual education, universal peace and unifying diversity.
Read ‘Personal Practices.’
Which of the five personal practices (Prayer, Fasting, Reading the Writings, Pilgrimage, and Fund Contributions) do you find the most interesting?
Prayer is one of the most exciting personal practices in Baha’i faith because apart from having hundreds of written prayers by the Bab, Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l-Baha to be used in private, almost all the Baha’is, especially those located in America, possess a prayer book. Also, Baha’is can pray directly to Baha’u’llah or any of God’s manifestations, but all their prayers in the book are directed to God. prayers among the religion is also used in Baha’is gatherings regardless of whether it is a worship gathering or a teaching campaign or an administrative meeting.
Read ‘How the Bahai Govern Themselves.’
Baha’is believe that infallible authority and guidance flow from the Universal House of Justice. What does this mean, and do you agree? (Remember that other religions claim that their faith is infallible.)
Contrary to most religions such as Christianity and other faith traditions that have experienced division and misunderstandings because Christ never discussed the structure of bishops, priests, deacons, ministers or even the church structure. But on the other hand, Baha’is claim that Baha’u’llah taught his followers how to set up and guide the religion after he was gone and this makes it unique and prone to less schism and errors.
What do you think of the Baha’i Faith? Write a short paragraph explaining what you like and don’t like about it.
As much as choosing what to believe is a personal decision that is impacted with several factors, some positive and other negatives, I think the outcome of all these processes is accepting the existence of one supernatural being who controls the universe. After reading and understanding Baha’is religion, some of the things about the faith that I found executing include their belief about the existence of one God, one message and one humanity. Also, their enormous efforts in fighting racism and promoting unity among different humanity segments is another fascinating concept about religion. Some of the things I found to be unappealing in the religion, is their inability to differentiate between spreading the message of racial unity and harmony of humanity and teaching the Americans about the Baha’i Faith.