The Bahá’í Faith is the most recent of the world’s major religions. Bahá’ís are the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, the Promised One of all ages. His primary message is unity—the unity of God, the unity of the Prophets of God, and the unity of all humanity.
Bahá’u’lláh wrote, “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.” And “Let not a man glory in that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind.”
We live in turbulent times of war and rapid changes, of dark currents in the social order and the breakdown of morality. Therefore many people are searching for a higher purpose in life than competition and materialism. Bahá’ís do not despair at the challenges of our times but recognize them as part of a momentous and divinely guided process—the dawning of the Day of God that was promised by all the world’s great religions. Bahá’ís believe that their purpose in life is to know and worship God and to contribute to the advancement of a civilization based on spiritual principles. Some of the spiritual principles of the Bahá’í Faith are:
1 the foundation of all religions is one,
2 humanity is one,
3 religion must be the cause of unity,
4 the independent search for truth,
5 the harmony of science and religion,
6 the equality of men and women,
7 the elimination of all prejudices,
8 the establishment of universal peace,
9 the limitation of all armaments to the level needed only for internal security within a country,
10 universal education,
11 the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, and
12 the application of spiritual principles to economic problems.
Religion has been renewed for our times!
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.
Bahá’u’lláh