Faith & Modern Society

Baha’is do believe that the universe changes with time. They see the clear and unmistakable evidence of the ancient bones of the past and how plants and animals have altered their appearance to best suit the times they are in. In a way, this is an extension of what Baha’is believe about religion itself. Baha’is believe that religions change from age to age to best suit the needs of mankind at a particular stage of its development. As Abdu’l-Baha wrote, “Know that nothing which exists remains in a state of repose, that is to say, all things are in motion.” (BWF, p. 330).

Baha’is also believe that humanity is growing and developing from childhood to adulthood as a collective species. They believe that currently we are in the stage of adolescence. Adolescence is when people generally find they have enough power over their lives to do great good or great evil. Indeed, humanity in today’s adolescent stage even has the power to destroy all life on this planet with nuclear weapons. Therefore, Baha’is believe that a loving and providing Lord sends ‘teachers’ from age to age to help guide humanity into the next stage of development.

One teaching of the Baha’i Faith that may be slightly at odds with current evolutionary thought, is the idea that there is a ‘missing link’ between humans and animals, and once it is found by anthropologists we will see that all life came from the same blob. Baha’is believe there is no missing link in evolution, and that humans did not come from apes, but rather from a separate species that has changed and evolved over time. While this may not fly with current evolutionary theory that supposes that we all came from the same ancestor, it does coincide with the fact that no ‘missing link’ has been found between humans and animals. Therefore, it is not scientifically inaccurate; it is just not theoretically popular in today’s scientific community. Of course, there was a time when Muhammad’s references to the planets rotating around the sun may not have been popular by Western scientists, but that nonetheless turned out to be true.  The Baha’i teachings on evolution do coincide with DNA evidence that shows how variations over time are ‘pre-programmed’ into our species, and that these variations surface as conditions change. As Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “To recapitulate: as man in the womb of the mother passes from form to form, from shape to shape, changes and develops, and is still the human species from the beginning of the embryonic period -- in the same way man, from the beginning of his existence in the matrix of the world, is also a distinct species -- that is, man -- and has gradually evolved from one form to another.” (SAQ, p. 193).

For Baha’is, there is no conflict between science and religion. One helpful idea is the concept that the universe is made up of two books. This is an old religious concept that Baha’is uphold. The idea is that one book is the Book of Creation, the other is the Book of Divine Revelation. These are not books of paper and ink. They are metaphors for the great collections of knowledge and experience that make up science and religion. Humanity is given both of these books, by God, for our collective education. Both of these books must be studied if we are to prosper. Both of these books should be analyzed for a proper education. And both of these books should be balanced against each other to keep us civilized. As Baha’u’llah wrote, “Out of the wastes of nothingness, with the clay of My command I made thee to appear, and have ordained for thy training every atom in existence and the essence of all created things.” (HW)  Therefore, both Books are essential to the human experience. So Baha’is are encouraged to study both of these two Books of God.

The Book of Creation is the scientific experience; it represents the material worlds around us. This book reveals the qualities of God through the laws of nature, the powers of the senses, and the exactness of the universe. Baha’u’llah wrote, “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is a direct evidence of the revelation within it of the attributes and names of God, inasmuch as within every atom are enshrined the signs that bear eloquent testimony to the revelation of that Most Great Light.” (GWB, p. 177). Therefore, Baha’is are encouraged to study the sciences and find new insights into the wonders of God’s creation.

Clearly, Baha’is embrace intellectualism and scientific endeavor. Baha’is believe this only allows us to grow and develop as human beings in this world. Baha’is therefore, are often open to scientific hypothesis for creation. Baha’is see God as the First Orderer of the universe. It is our task to seek out this Divine Order—and wonder at it. This is one way they find, appreciate, and worship our Lord.  As Abdu’l-Baha said, “God in his wisdom has created all things. Nothing has been created without a special destiny, for every creature has an innate station of attainment. This flower has been created to mirror forth a harmonious ensemble of color and perfume. Each kingdom of nature holds potentialities and each must be cultivated in order to reach its fulfillment.” (DP, p. 110)

The other book of God is the Book of Divine Revelation. This is not referring to the one chapter of the Bible. Instead, it refers to our religious experience. The Book of Divine Revelation comes in the form of the great religions of our world. Each religion brings an actual Book of written record such as the Bible, the Koran, the Bhagavad-Gita and others. And each of these Books offers insight, wisdom, laws, and guidance to live our lives. But each religion also brings Founders, Messengers, or Manifestations of God. On speaking of the Messengers of God, Baha’u’llah says, “By the revelation of these gems of divine virtue all the names and attributes of God, such as knowledge and power, sovereignty and dominion, mercy and wisdom, glory, bounty and grace, are made manifest” (KI, p. 103). This total experience of religion, in the form of the Holy books and the lives of the Manifestations of God, make this Book of Divine Revelation a powerful force in the world. Great civilizations have risen and fallen by the Messages of God that have penetrated every corner of the Globe, in one form or another.

It is also important to mention that these two books have often been corrupted by mankind. The corruption happens when someone studies one of the books exclusively. For example, too much of the book of creation (like too much reliance on science) breeds materialism, it hinders our growth and happiness, and it leads to a hopeless and pointless existence. Too much focus on science, without the moral guidance of the Word of God, has led to great crimes against humanity such as fascism and communism. It has led scientists to immoral and destructive inventions such as atomic bombs and gas chambers. It has hindered our psychologists and psychotherapists in their abilities to treat mental ailments because they do not acknowledge the spiritual nature of humans. And it has also led our politicians and officials to paralyzing incapacity in solving our most difficult social problems. As Abdu’l-Baha wrote, “With the love of God all sciences are accepted and beloved, but without it, are fruitless; nay, rather the cause of insanity. Every science is like unto a tree; if the fruit of it is the love of God, that is a blessed tree. Otherwise it is dried wood and finally a food for fire.” (BWF p. 366).

On the other hand, relying exclusively on the Book of Divine Revelation also creates problems. Studying the revealed Word of God, without balancing it with science and reason, can breed fanaticism and blindness. It leads to mindless and pointless following of traditions, and to blind faith in corrupt leaders who abuse their authority. These religious leaders often deny modern science and medicine because it does not fit with their narrow, ‘traditional’ interpretations of the Word of God. These interpretations were often concocted in the Dark Ages or by uneducated extremists, and are usually based in pure fantasy. When faced with reality and with criticism, these leaders of religion have often been worked into a frenzy of rage and persecution throughout history. This is because nothing makes a group of people angrier then when they realize the other side is right, and they are wrong. This has led religious leaders to persecute visionaries and great scientists throughout history. Fanaticism has allowed corrupted men to lead their followers into holy wars of genocide and destruction, and has even bred the horrible terrorism that we have seen in our lifetimes from the Middle East, to Northern Ireland, to the KKK in the American South. As Abdu’l-Baha wrote, our Faith “proclaims that religion must be in harmony with science and reason. If it does not conform to science and reconcile with reason it is superstition.” (BWF, p. 247).

Therefore, Baha’is know that the books of God must be balanced by each other. Baha’is believe both books are needed to truly make sense (and make use) of reality. And so Baha’is study both. When they seem opposed to each other, they see it as a challenge to their intellect. Baha’is believe resolving the apparent contradictions between the material world and the Word of God can lead us to a greater purity in our knowledge and to a closer relationship with our Creator.

The Founder of the Baha’i Faith loved the countryside. He wrote, “The country is the world of the soul, the city is the world of the bodies.” (Baha’u’llah, BSN). Baha’is believe that God created everything in heaven and on earth for our education and development. Therefore, nature is a gift to humanity that should be cherished and appreciated. The protection of humanity from environmental degradation is a critical goal of the Baha’i Faith. The fostering of respect and appreciation for God’s Creation, and the showing of reverence for the natural world are all inherent parts of Baha’i life.

Clearly, Baha’is teach the interconnectedness of all things so that humanity may be encouraged to think about the consequence of its actions. As Baha’u’llah wrote, “Be ye as the fingers of one hand, the members of one body. (GWB, p. 140). Baha’is then learn to see all of humanity as brothers and sisters that we should look out for. And they teach the purpose of life as being primarily for spiritual development and growth, so that humanity preserves the natural resources of our planet for future generations to have their chance at a spiritual life.

As an important Baha’i institution wrote, “Indeed, if the whole of humanity is one interconnected body, then an injury to any member is an injury to the body as a whole.” (Baha’i International Community, 1993 Dec 03, Right and Responsibility to Promote Human Rights).

Clearly, for such systemic problems, solutions cannot come from the top down. That is why Baha'is work at the grassroots levels to address problems holistically. As the same institution wrote, “In the field of environmental protection, Bahá’í projects generally take a community-based approach. An example is a program being offered in the Talamanca and Caribbean regions of Costa Rica among the Bribri and Cabecar indigenous peoples. ‘Community learning groups’ study modules on environmental and moral leadership with the aid of a local tutor and initiate projects such as school and family gardens, fish farms, and poultry raising. Through their participation in the program, over 200 individuals, many associated with local organizations engaged in the conservation of natural resources, have been able to enhance their ability to contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.

“Besides such community-based initiatives, the International Environmental Forum operating in Europe links environmental professionals and activists worldwide. The Forum, whose membership is drawn from 50 countries, hosts an annual conference, promotes networking, publishes monographs, sponsors online courses on sustainable development, and provides mentoring to students and young professionals.”(The Bahá’í International Community, For the Betterment of the World).

Baha’is believe that the woman and her physician should make the decision about whether to have an abortion. However, Baha’is also believe that the soul comes into existence at the time of conception. This means that a human life exists from the point of fertilization and to abort a fetus is to end a human life.

Therefore, this is not a choice that should be taken lightly. While there may be cases where a woman’s life is in danger and the choice is left to the woman and her physician; abortion for the purposes of birth control is forbidden. Baha’is believe that a fertilized egg is a child, and therefore all children should be given a chance at life, whether or not it is convenient for the parents. Universal House of Justice has explained, “Abortion merely to prevent the birth of an unwanted child is strictly forbidden in the Cause. There may, however, be instances in which an abortion would be justified by medical reasons, and legislation on this matter has been left to the Universal House of Justice. At the present time, however, the House of Justice does not intend to legislate on this very delicate issue, and therefore it is left to the consciences of those concerned who must carefully weigh the medical advice in the light of the general guidance given in the teachings."(UHJ, LG p. 344).

The Baha’i Writings state that homosexual acts are forbidden. This is based on where Baha’u’llah wrote, “Ye are forbidden to commit adultery, sodomy and lechery. Avoid them, O concourse of the faithful.” (CC, p. 57). Shoghi Effendi (the only authorized interpreter of Baha'u'llah's wriitngs), has clarified this when he wrote "No matter how devoted and fine the love may be between people of the same sex, to let it find expression in sexual acts is wrong." (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, SCKA, p. 64)

Baha’is can make a distinction between those who feel a homosexual orientation and the actual acts of sexual relations between members of the same gender. The Baha’i Faith does not condone sexual relations between people of the same sex. To be clear, Baha'is do not believe that breaking a Baha'i Law means a person is going to a literal hell of fire and eternal damnation. For us, to break a Baha’i Laws is to be hindered from receving your full portion of Divine Bounty available to you. It also can mean an increase in self-inflicted pain and suffering in your own life. This is true for anyone who breaks any of the Baha’i Laws.

Of course, many people in today’s age feel that since homosexual relations are between consenting adults, no one is getting hurt. We have friends who identify as homosexuals who can be the kindest and most sensitive people we know. So while Baha’is do not have to accept all the ways people live, Baha’is should still strive to show unconditional love to everyone.

Baha’is believe that the only proper use of the sex instinct is between a husband and wife. Any use of the sexual instinct outside of that institution, we believe, will often lead to added challenges in our lives. As the Universal House of Justice has written, this is not something that can be changed.

Some might wonder about the logic. And while we have yet much to learn about psychology, physiology, and sociology that might, in the future, better explain the wisdom of our laws, we can each look at our world for traces of understandings. For example, many Baha’is look to world nature, where male and female come together to reproduce in all multi-cellular species of the world, in a perfectly balanced manner. Baha’is believe God intended man to be with women in order to balance each other in more ways than just the sexual way, of course. But the sexual balance is important and provides a powerful tool to forge this most important institution of our society together with a unique intimacy and a sacred power to procreate. The reality is that people may have many instincts in life that must be controlled for the sake of our nobility and spiritual development. For example, married people must learn to not act on their lusts in order to be faithful to their spouses (before and during marriage). In a similar vein, people who lust after those of the same gender would need to learn to understand, reconcile, and potentially control their desires if they too want to align with the Baha'i laws. Whether these desires are caused by experience or by genetics, whether they are something a person is born with or caused by childhood or youth trauma, or whether they are just something they did not realize was unhealthy to learn to express deeplove and affection with others; Baha’is still see acting on homosexual desires as tests to be overcome in order to be faithful to their Lord in this day. As the Baha’i Holy Writings state, “Whether deficiencies are inborn or are acquired, our purpose in this life is to overcome them and to train ourselves in accordance with the pattern that is revealed to us in the divine Teachings.” (UHJ Letter 11/23/95).

Those who want to be part of the Baha’i Faith but cannot resolve their same sex attractions will often chose a life of celibacy, just as Baha’is who never marry are expected to do.

Baha’is believe the role of women in the world is of the utmost importance. The Baha’i Writings say women will be more important than men in bringing about true world peace—as women will not allow their sons to go off to die in war anymore. As Abdu’l-Baha wrote, “Therefore, strive to show in the human world that women are most capable and efficient, that their hearts are more tender and susceptible than the hearts of men, that they are more philanthropic and responsive toward the needy and suffering, that they are inflexibly opposed to war and are lovers of peace. Strive that the ideal of international peace may become realized through the efforts of womankind, for man is more inclined to war than woman, and a real evidence of woman's superiority will be her service and efficiency in the establishment of universal peace.” (PUP p. 284). Clearly, the station of women in the Baha’i Faith is very great.

For people who care so much about changing the world, many wonder if Baha’is get involved with politics? When considering the way Baha’is interact with the world’s current political environment, it is important to understand the way leadership is chosen inside Baha’i communities. For Baha’is, elected leadership is a noble and important responsibility. Inside the Baha’i Faith, there are no political parties or factions. Leaders do not ‘stand’ or ‘run’ for office as they do in countries or organizations. There are no speeches or nominations. Individuals, who are of voting age (21), after careful prayer and meditation, simply must write down the names of nine members of the community who they feel would be best suited to take on this responsibility.

While Baha’is are encouraged to vote in the countries in which they reside, they do not take part in partisan politics. Some individuals find this to be a test because they see some political interests coinciding with Baha’i interests, such as protecting the environment or encouraging social justice. As is written in our Writings, “Although each believer realizes that he is a member of one great spiritual family, a member of the New World Order of Baha’u’llah, he does not often carry this thought through to its logical conclusion; which is that if the Baha’is all over the world each belong to some different kind of society or church or political party, the unity of the Faith will be destroyed; because inevitably they will become involved in doctrines and policies that are in some way against our Teachings, and often against another group of people in another part of the world, or another race, or another religious block.” (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi LG, p. 421).

But Baha’is are also not supposed to be cut off from the world around them. They are supposed to “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.” (Baha’u’llah, GWB, p. 213). And thus Baha’is often keep up with news and current events. Baha’is should vote in elections. But they should only vote with their conscience, not any party affiliation. Baha’is can individually contribute to causes that they care about, such as protecting the environment, curing diseases, and solving social problems.

There is much controversy in the world today about a country’s right to make war on another. Despite the fact that it is a novel idea that mankind would even begin to question this reality, some might assume that Baha’is are pacifists under every circumstance. This is not true. Baha’is walk a balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of civilization to maintain order and to enforce justice. As the Universal House of Justice has written, “Extreme pacifists are thus very close to the anarchists, in the sense that both of these groups lay an undue emphasis on the rights and merits of the individual. The Baha’i conception of social life is essentially based on the subordination of the individual will to that of society. It neither suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the point of making him an anti-social creature, a menace to society. As in everything, it follows the 'golden mean'. The only way that society can function is for the minority to follow the will of the majority.” (UHJ, LG, p. 407)

The reality is that Baha’is do not believe that world peace means that there will be no more war. Baha’is know that humanity will always be in danger of falling into war. The kind of world that Baha’is work for is one where the vast majority of the countries of the world will unite under one global federal system. In this system, the countries of the world will all contribute to their collective security, and will be willing and capable of working together to protect that security. Baha’is believe that we are all global citizens, and that we all have a responsibility to ensure the peace and security of everyone. Therefore, Baha’is do believe in the concept of a ‘just war.’ This means that countries—acting together as a collective world body—are obligated to defend each other and to protect others from oppression. As Baha’u’llah wrote, “Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him.” (PB, p. 114)

Baha’u’llah wrote, “The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System -- the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.” (GWB, p. 136) Some people hear Baha’is talk about a ‘World Order of Baha’u’llah,’ and they are reminded of Hitler’s speeches of a ‘New World Order;’ conspiracy theories of secret societies trying to dominate the world; and evangelical end-of-the-world scenarios that have associated the phrase, ‘World Order,’ with fantastical prophesies.

When Baha’is speak of Baha’u’llah’s World Order, this does not need to sound frightening. As Shoghi Effendi wrote, “Leaders of religion, exponents of political theories, governors of human institutions, who at present are witnessing with perplexity and dismay the bankruptcy of their ideas, and the disintegration of their handiwork, would do well to turn their gaze to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah, and to meditate upon the World Order which, lying enshrined in His teachings, is slowly and imperceptibly rising amid the welter and chaos of present-day civilization. They need have no doubt or anxiety regarding the nature, the origin or validity of the institutions which the adherents of the Faith are building up throughout the world. For these lie embedded in the teachings themselves, unadulterated and unobscured by unwarrantable inferences, or unauthorized interpretations of His Word.” (WOB, p. 23)

There are prophesies in the Baha’i Faith that an eventual world super-state will come into being. This world super-state, Baha’is believe, will be the ultimate fulfillment of humanity’s collective development as a species. It will be a world where war is outlawed and where everyone considers themselves world citizens. Baha’is believe that this will happen gradually as the world awakens to the Message of Baha’u’llah and as humanity begins to realize the wonderful and glorious future that awaits us all. Shoghi Effendi wrote, “And as the Baha’i Faith permeates the masses of the peoples of East and West, and its truth is embraced by the majority of the peoples of a number of the Sovereign States of the world, will the Universal House of Justice attain the plenitude of its power, and exercise, as the supreme organ of the Baha’i Commonwealth, all the rights, the duties, and responsibilities incumbent upon the world's future super-state.” (Shoghi Effendi, WOB, p. 6).

Baha’is do not see this as a plan for dominating the world, but rather as the glorious fulfillment of prophesies that promised a wonderful age of peace, prosperity, justice, and hope for all mankind. They see the Order brought by Baha’u’llah as the foundation of God’s promised New Jerusalem that was to be sent down from heaven. As the Bible states, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:2-7). Baha’is have a spiritual interpretation for these prophesies that explain their unfoldment. For example, the world without death can mean a world where all the people are full of a spiritual awareness that lasts beyond the death of our physical bodies. This coincides with other Bible prophesies where Jesus tells His followers to let the dead bury the dead. (Luke 9:60), where Jesus refers to true life being

Furthermore, Baha’is believe that the prophesies of where the Law of God will come from is Mt. Carmel, where the Baha’i Universal House of Justice is situated, have been fulfilled. As is stated, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isa 2:2-4)

Baha’i prophesies clearly state that the new world system will not take authority by force.  Baha’is believe that the New Jerusalem must be built in the hearts of men first. As the Bible states, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21-22). Therefore, Baha’is believe that their sacrifices and services for the work of building the Baha’i Administrative Order is part of this process of creating a heaven on Earth and fulfilling the prophesies that “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). Therefore, to be a Baha’i is to be part of this great endeavor.

Baha’is cannot do anything to undermine governments. In fact, Baha’is are actually obliged to follow the laws and ordinances of their local governments. As the Baha’i Writings state, “…Thou hast made it incumbent upon us to obey the rulers and kings.” (Abdu'l-Baha, SWA, p. 217). Baha’is are told to pray for our leaders and be obedient to our governments—as long as they are not asked to deny their personal faith or do anything that contradicts their fundamental beliefs in the worth and dignity of all human life. Baha’i prophesies for the future are not a secret. It is all out in the open and can be read by anyone who is curious. As the Baha’i Universal House of Justice put it, “In the same way that Baha’u’llah assured the monarchs of His day that "It is not Our wish to lay hands on your kingdoms", so the Baha’i community has no political agenda, abstains from all involvement in partisan activity, and accepts unreservedly the authority of civil government in public affairs.” (UHJ, Century of Light, p. 94)

Additionally, Baha’is can never make war on the world. As Baha’u’llah wrote, “Know thou that We have annulled the rule of the sword, as an aid to Our Cause, and substituted for it the power born of the utterance of men.” (GWB, p. 303). And in another place He wrote, “We have decreed that war shall be waged in the path of God with the armies of wisdom and utterance, and of a goodly character and praiseworthy deeds.” (ESW, p. 24). Also, Baha’u’llah commanded Baha’is to “shed not the blood of anyone.” (ESW p 54). And lastly, Baha’u’llah wrote, “…ye have been forbidden to engage in contention and conflict.” (ESW p. 24). Clearly then, no one should fear the Baha’is doing anything but trying to make the world a more peaceful and happy place. Therefore, we might ask ourselves when investigating the Baha’i Faith, is this dangerous to the world? Are the fruits of this tree good, or bad?

Baha’is are very active in the social and economic development of the world and believe that the coming of Baha’u’llah marks a new stage in the evolution and development of humanity. Baha’u’llah exhorted Baha’is to be aware of what is happening around them when He wrote, “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.” (GWB, p. 213). Baha’is are constantly striving to keep themselves informed of what is happening in every corner of the globe. But Baha’is do not look at events around and see a hopeless mess of random events. Baha’is see a process at work in history.

Baha’is believe that humanity is collectively evolving as a species. They believe that humanity is growing up, from childhood to maturity. For thousands of years humanity has struggled with itself to become independent and to find its way. Like a child trying to find its identity, humanity has bungled through history trying to achieve maturity. Baha’is believe that God has been teaching and educating them throughout this process. They believe that the great Educators of the world, the great Teachers, the great Messengers of God; were the Founders of the great world’s religions such as Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and Baha’u’llah.

Baha’is see the world suffering from a global spiritual disease. This is a spiritual disease that affects all aspects of our societies. It upsets the balance of our civilizations. Baha'is believe that they can and are helping the world by abiding by the teachings brought by Baha’u’llah. Baha’u’llah teaches that all men are created equal in the sight of God; that all religions come from the same Source and are fulfilled by the same Faith; and that justice, education and hope must be available to all of humanity. As Abdu’l-Bahá said, once we have read what Baha’u’llah has prescribed for the spiritual healing of all humanity, “Then wilt thou see that today these heavenly Teachings are the remedy for a sick and suffering world, and a healing balm for the sores on the body of mankind. They are the spirit of life, the ark of salvation, the magnet to draw down eternal glory, the dynamic power to motivate the inner self of man.” (SWA, p. 60).

Baha’is spread their faith by what they call, ‘teaching.’ Baha’is can only teach in two ways. One is through their words; the other is through their actions. Those who are interested in learning about the Baha’i faith are called ‘seekers.’ Baha’is teach through words by answering questions. Baha’is teach only those who are interested in the Faith. They do not teach through arguing or criticizing. They are forbidden from aggressively proselytizing or from trying to convince those who do not want to hear about it.  Baha’is are told to share their faith with others in a way that is honest and open.

Baha’is teach through their actions by constantly struggling to bring their lives into accordance with the teachings. As Baha’u’llah has exhorted His Baha’is, “Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.” (HW). As the Writings state, “It is essential that the deeds of the teacher should attest the truth of his words.” (Abdu’l-Bahá, SWA, p. 175). This religion is like a workshop. We are not expected to be perfect, only God is perfect. But we are expected to endeavor every day to become better people.

"In truth, religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of the world,..." ~ Baha'u'llah

The danger from sectarianism is that it would divide the one ‘system’ that Baha’u’llah brought for the world. This system is the Administrative Order of the Baha’i Faith, which is headed by the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, Israel. The Universal House of Justice is an elected body. This system is the New Jerusalem that was sent down from heaven to gather all the world’s peoples together in a single human family. This is an important gift of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation that must be preserved. Therefore, protecting the integrity of the ‘organized religion’ of the Administrative Order is a critical aspect of our Faith. As Baha’u’llah wrote, “In truth, religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of the world, for the fear of God impelleth man to hold fast to that which is good, and shun all evil. Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness and justice, of tranquillity and peace cease to shine. Unto this will bear witness every man of true understanding.” (TB, p. 125)

But Baha’is also realize that the religion of God is an eternal spirit that has taken on the clothes of the Baha’i Faith for a certain period of time.  They believe that there will be a time when another religion will be required that will replace this Baha’i Faith with a new religion. As the Baha’i Texts state, “This Holy Spirit is the mediator between God and His creatures…Every time it appears, the world is renewed, and a new cycle is founded. The body of the world of humanity puts on a new garment. It can be compared to the spring; whenever it comes, the world passes from one condition to another.” (Abdu'l-Baha, SAQ, p. 145)

"...religion is the teachings of the Lord God, teachings which constitute the very life of humankind,.." ~ Abdu'l-Baha

Baha’is believe that religion has the potential to be a transforming, enduring, and unifying force. Indeed, no other force has been able to bring together people in the way religion has, as the Baha’i Holy Texts state, “It is clear and evident that this greatest power in the human world is the love of God. It brings the different peoples under the shadow of the tent of affection; it gives to the antagonistic and hostile nations and families the greatest love and union.” (Abdu'l-Baha, SAQ, p. 301). When you look at history, you see great civilizations being sustained and inspired by the world’s great religions. People of vastly different backgrounds overcoming thousands of years of prejudice, suspicion, and hatreds join the ranks of the new Faiths when they appear. The tribes of Israel united under Moses. The Jews and the Gentiles united under Christ. The Arabs, Persians, and the Africans united under Muhammad. And today you see people from every corner of the globe accepting the Baha’i Faith. No political cause, no philosophical teaching, no manmade invention has been capable of such sustained, enduring, and empowering a force as religion. Therefore, Baha’is see religion as the greatest force for improving society.

Baha’is see the whole of humanity’s history with religion as one continuous story. For Baha’is, religion is more than just a social curiosity, as the Baha’i Holy Texts state, “Religion, moreover, is not a series of beliefs, a set of customs; religion is the teachings of the Lord God, teachings which constitute the very life of humankind, which urge high thoughts upon the mind, refine the character, and lay the groundwork for man's everlasting honour.” (Abdu’l-Bahá, SWA, p. 52).