The Baha'i Faith: a short introduction

Prophecies of The Ages @

"We spend our lives trying to unlock the mystery of the universe, but there was a Turkish prisoner, Baha'u'llah, in Akka, Palestine Who had the Key." Count Leo Tolstoy

The Bahá'í Faith is a worldwide community representing virtually every race, nation, and tribe on earth. We are united by our belief, there is one God, one human race, and one evolving religion. The Bahá'í Faith is a new revelation from God whose goal it is to establish world unity.

This Web site has been designed to give you a basic introduction to the Bahá'í Faith.

A New Name

Founded in the mid-nineteenth century, the Bahá'í Faith has spread to some 232 nations and territories and is now accepted by more than five million people.

The Word Bahá'í means "follower of Bahá'u'lláh." Bahá'u'lláh was the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. His name in Arabic means "The Glory of God." His followers believe that Bahá'u'lláh's writings are an expression of the Holy Spirit and are the Word of God.

Accelerated Growth

Like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other great religions, the Bahá'í Faith began in the East. But the Bahá'í teachings are not Eastern or Western; they are universal, revealed for all the people of the planet. The Bahá'í Faith has spread throughout the world, gaining adherents from every nation, race, culture and class. More than 2,100 tribes, races and ethnic groups are represented in the Bahá'í world community. Bahá'u'lláh's writings are translated into 800 languages.

Idealistic and Practical

A growing number of people are becoming interested in the Bahá'í Faith, not only because it contains profound spiritual teachings, but also because it shows how spiritual principle can be put into action in effective ways. Bahá'u'lláh's message offers intelligent and reasonable solutions to the myriad issues faced by humanity in the modern age.

We desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations.... That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled...

Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the "Most Great Peace" shall come.... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family.... Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind....

(words spoken by Bahaullah to Prof. E.G. Browne of Cambridge University in 1890)

Some Principles of the Baha'i Faith: Oneness of God Oneness of Humankind Spiritual foundation of all religions is one Individual, independent search for truth Elimination of prejudice of all kinds Universal auxiliary language Equality of men and women Universal education for all Harmony of science and religion Elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty Universal peace upheld by a world government Protection of cultural diversity	Shrine of The Bab
Social Teachings a. Freedom from Prejudice b. The Advancement of Women c. Science, Technology, and the Environment d. Liberty and Human Rights e.Agriculture f. Prohibition of membership in party politics and secret societies. g. Teachings on Government and Social Policy h. Teachings on Economics
Theological Teachings a. The Nature of the Highest Reality (God) b. The Divine Educator, the Manifestation of God c. True Religion d. The Goal of Human Life (Salvation) e. The Cause and Purpose of Suffering f. Life after death
The Bahá'í Community a. Organization and structure (includes the Bahá'í Calendar and the House of Worship) b. Principles of Bahá'í Administration (includes the Covenant, consultation, the rights of minorities and Bahá'í elections)
Bahá'í Laws a. Prayer, reading of scripture, and meditation b. Fasting c. Marriage and divorce d. Death and Burial e. Cruelty to animals f. Abolitions and Prohibitions
Global concerns (includes social and economic development)

You may also want try calling the USA National Baha'i '800' phone number.

The Bahá'í Writings are translated into over 800 languages. To check whether a certain book is in another language, please contact Bahá'í Distribution Service in USA (BDS) at 1-800-999-9019.

If you have good bandwidth welcome to enjoy these video presentations but do not forget to come back to the site

Video Presentations:

Siyal-Chal
On-Line | Downloadable

Naw Ruz
On-Line

Ridvan
On-Line | Downloadable

Declaration of the Bab
On-Line | Downloadable

Ascension of Baha'u'llah
On-Line | Downloadable

July 9
A meditation on the Martyrdom of the Bab

Site address < http://www.christreturn.net >

Some Principles of the Baha'i Faith:

Social Teachings

Theological Teachings

The Bahá'í Community

Bahá'í Laws

Global concerns