The search for a principle of unity able to bind together the peoples of the world in a valid and creative relationship is undeniably the essential matter confronting the present generation.
Nothing save world unity can release the vast productive energies at the disposal of the modern mind; nothing else can replace the racial idealisms which become causes of conflict rather than sources of agreement; nothing short of this ultimate will stay the trends toward anarchy eating at the heart of the body politic in every organized nation.
The swift, turbulent current of change runs too deep for any dam of compromise to restrain its power and effect some status of stability or repose behind which the human spirit may slumber beyond alarm. The very continuity of those myriad inter- relationships developed by competitive as well as cooperative forces depends upon the establishment of an organic unity corresponding to the inner not less than to the outer facts of life.
Horace Holley, 1927, from the introduction to the book
by 'Abdu'l-Bahá [1844-1921]
The Bahá'í Faith is an independent religion that sprang from
the roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It has grown to be
a world-wide faith since its inception in May, 1844.
After an interesting series of events,Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad
(1819-1850) assumed the title Báb (Bab) which means The
Gate, and in 1844 announced His mission to herald the
arrival of "One greater than Himself", Who would
fulfill the prophetic expectations of all the great religions.
His followers became known as Bábís (Babis) -- 20,000
were killed for their beliefs.
The religious ferment His movement caused led to His execution
in 1850 by order of the Shah's chief minister and at the
instigation of Muslim clerics, who saw His movement as a threat
to orthodox Islam. The execution by two separate firing squads of
750 soldiers, ended the life of The Báb in a final interesting
event witnessed and documented by European diplomats.
One of the Báb's followers, Mirza Husayn-'Ali-i-Nuri
(1817-1892) , a prominent follower of the Báb, Whom the Báb
had given several indications of His future station, publicly
announced himself to be the anticipated prophet in 1863. His
assumed title, Bahá'u'lláh (Baha'u'llah), by
which He is generally known, was the title the Báb used to refer
to Him.
The last forty years of Bahá'u'lláh's life were spent in
prison or in exile. After a series of exiles His last 22 years
were spent in or near Acre (Akka), Palestine, then a prison city
of the Ottoman Empire. The world centre of the Bahá'í Faith is
in the Holy Land today as a result.
Bahá'u'lláh's son 'Abdu'l-Bahá ('Abdu'l-Baha)
(1844-1921), was appointed by his father to be leader of the
movement after his father's death. The life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá set
the example and standard for all Baha'is, demonstrating the
possibilities of the teachings of his father.
The religion came to North America in 1893. There are over 6
million members in over 200 countries. There are more than
120,000 followers of the Bahá'í Faith in the U.S.
The Baha'is are looked upon by some Muslims as a breakaway
sect of Islam. They are persecuted in some nations because of
this.
Baha'is believe that God transcends all human knowledge.
However, He has sent, and will continue to send, great prophets
to mankind, each with a new revelation. These Messengers have
included: Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Mohammad,
Krishna, the Báb, and Bahá'u'lláh.
The Bahá'í belief in an essential unity of the various
religions, does not mean they believe the various religious
creeds and doctrines are the same. Rather, they believe there is
in essence only one religion and the great Messengers of the past
have progressively and more fully revealed its nature. Those
differences in doctrine and belief which can be attributed to
their Founders can be attributed to the circumstances and needs
of the time and place in which each religion started.
Unlike most religions which attempt to preserve the past, Bahá'í beliefs promoted major evolutionary change when originated in the 19th century: gender and race equality, world government, freedom of expression, world peace. Followers are heavily involved in promoting these concepts today.
The Universal
House of Justice, in Haifa, Israel, is the global
governing body -- its functions were set out by Bahá'u'lláh.
Its members are elected every five years by a gathering of
National Spiritual Assemblies.
National
Spiritual Assemblies supervise Baha'i affairs in each
country. National Spiritual Assembly members are elected annually
in each nation where numbers of Baha'is reside.
In each locality where there are more than nine adult
believers, affairs are administered by Local
Spiritual Assemblies elected annually by the local
general membership by secret ballot.
Each of these institutions has nine members. Their functions
have been defined by Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Bahá'í
scripture. There are no clergy, sacraments or rituals.
The only persons allowed to contribute money to the Bahá'í
Faith are its members. Contributions are voluntary according to
the means of the donor. There is a special fund named 'The Right
of God' administered by The Universal House of Justice.
Members:
Bahá'í scripture are the witnessed, certified writings of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, including the writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Among the better known writings of Bahá'u'lláh are, The Most Holy Book, The Book of Certitude, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words and The Seven Valleys.
There are many others.
Baha'is have a prayer book with prayers for virtually every circumstance, adding to personal, spontaneous prayer.
The Baha'is have a new calendar. Its year begins on March 21, the spring equinox. Other seasonal days of celebration or commemoration are:
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*from Paris Talks by Abdu'l-Baha pp. 127-168. United Kingdom Bahá'í Publishing Trust. London, 1972.
Báb is pronounced Bob
Bahá'u'lláh is pronounced Baha'o'lah
Bahá'í is pronounced Bah-high.
Baha means 'Glory', i means 'follower of (the)'.
A Bahá'í is a Follower of the Glory
u means 'of' 'llah or Allah is the Arabic word for God
Bahá'u'lláh means Glory of God
The Phoenix Baha'i Center
944 E. Mountain View Road
(Between 7th Street and Cave Creek Road)
(602) 861-1609 or (602) 943-3837 or (602) 439-3810
To find Baha'is in your part of Arizona, hear about activities, or find a place to ask questions dial