Supposedly, those of the Bahá’í share the following systemic beliefs, which form the core beliefs that are generally agreed upon. They include the following:
The Bahá’í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded in the mid-19th century by Bahá’u’lláh, who is regarded as the latest in a line of prophets or messengers that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and others. The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes the unity of all religions, the equality of all people, and the essential harmony of science and religion. Here are some central principles of the Bahá’í Faith:
1. Oneness of God
Bahá’ís believe in one God who is the source of all creation and the ultimate reality. God is seen as unknowable and beyond human comprehension, but is described by attributes such as love, justice, mercy, and wisdom.
2. Unity of Religion
Bahá’ís believe that all major religions have a common spiritual foundation and that the founders of these religions, including Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Bahá’u’lláh, were all messengers from the same God. Each religion is seen as a progressive revelation of divine truth suited to the needs of its time and place.
3. Unity of Humanity
Bahá’ís believe that all human beings are inherently noble and equal, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or nationality. They advocate for the elimination of prejudice and the promotion of unity, justice, and cooperation among all people.
4. Elimination of Prejudice
Bahá’ís are called to actively work towards the elimination of all forms of prejudice, including those based on race, nationality, religion, gender, or social class. This principle is seen as essential for the establishment of peace and justice in the world.
5. Independent Investigation of Truth
Bahá’ís are encouraged to seek truth through independent investigation of reality and to avoid blind imitation of tradition or authority. This principle emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, education, and the pursuit of knowledge.
6. Harmony of Science and Religion
Bahá’ís believe that science and religion are complementary paths to truth and should be in harmony with each other. They reject the idea of conflict between science and religion and advocate for the integration of scientific knowledge with spiritual insights.
7. Equality of Men and Women
Bahá’ís believe in the equality of men and women and advocate for the full participation of women in all aspects of society. They reject discrimination based on gender and work towards the establishment of gender equality in all areas of life.
8. Universal Education
Bahá’ís believe in the importance of education for all people, regardless of background or social status. They advocate for universal access to quality education as a fundamental human right and as a means for individual and social progress.
9. World Peace
Bahá’ís are committed to the establishment of world peace and advocate for the abolition of war, the promotion of justice, and the resolution of conflicts through peaceful means. They believe that lasting peace can only be achieved through the unity of all nations and peoples.
10. Universal Language and World Government
Bahá’ís believe in the eventual establishment of a universal auxiliary language and a world government, which they see as necessary steps towards the unification of humanity and the establishment of lasting peace on Earth.
These principles guide the beliefs, practices, and actions of Bahá’ís around the world, who work towards the advancement of unity, justice, and peace in their communities and in the world at large. Your mileage may vary.
