The Bahá'í Faith was founded by Bahá'u'lláh. Its orgins can be
traced back through a series of leaders beginning in 1844. The
main theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message is the unity and oneness of
humankind. He taught that there is only one God, that all the world's
religions represent one changeless and eternal Faith of God, and that
all humanity is one race, destined to live in peace and harmony. The
Bahá'í Faith provides a structure through which universal peace can be
obtained and established in this age. Among the teachings of
Bahá'u'lláh is that this earth is but one country and mankind its
citizens.
Some Basic Teachings of the Bahá'í Faith:
1. The oneness of mankind
"It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but
rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country
and mankind its citizens." (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh,
p. 250)
2. The oneness of religion
"All these divisions we see on all sides, all these disputes and
opposition, are caused because men cling to ritual and outward
observances, and forget the simple, underlying truth. It is the outward
practices of religion that are so different, and it is they that cause
disputes and enmity--while the reality is always the same, and one. The
Reality is the Truth, and truth has no division. Truth is God's
guidance, it is the light of the world, it is love, it is mercy. These
attributes of truth are also human virtues inspired by the Holy
Spirit." `Abdúl-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 120-1.
3. Independent investigation of truth
"Furthermore, know ye that God has created in man the power of reason,
whereby man is enabled to investigate reality. God has not intended man
to imitate blindly his fathers and ancestors. He has endowed him with
mind, or the faculty of reasoning, by the exercise of which he is to
investigate and discover the truth, and that which he finds real and
true he must accept." `Abdúl-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace,
p. 291.
4. Religion as a source of unity
"He (Bahá'u'lláh) sets forth a new principle for this day in the
announcement that religion must be the cause of unity, harmony and
agreement among mankind. If it be the cause of discord and hostility,
if it leads to separation and creates conflict, the absence of religion
would be preferable in the world." `Abdúl-Bahá, Bahá'í World Faith, p.
247.
5. The evolutionary nature of religion
Bahá'í's view religion as a progressive, evolutionary process which
needs to be updated as humanity evolves mentally, socially, and
spiritually. Every so often a new Prophet is sent to humanity to update
religion to the current needs of mankind. These Prophets bring
essentially the same spiritual message to mankind; in a form that meets
the needs of the people of Their time. Bahá'í's believe that
Bahá'u'lláh has brought an updated message for mankind today. The other Prophets include Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Moses and Krishna. Religious study includes the study of the sacred writings of all of the Prophets including the Bible and other Holy books.
6. Harmony between religion, science and reason
"Religion and science are the two wings upon which man's intelligence
can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It
is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly
with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire
of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science
alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing
slough of materialism." `Abdúl-Bahá, Paris Talks, p.143.
7. Peaceful consultation as a means for resolving differences
In the Bahá'í Faith, difference of opinion is not squelched, in fact it
is encouraged. "The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the
clash of differing opinions." (Selections from the Writings of
'Abdúl-Bahá, p.87.) However, differences of opinion can be expressed in
a way that doesn't humiliate another human being. The Bahá'í principle
of consultation requires that an individual be detached from his or her
opinions and always be open to the truth, from whoever or wherever it
comes from.
8. An international auxiliary language
"It behoveth the sovereigns of the world may God assist them or the
ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the
existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools
throughout the world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth
will come to be regarded as one country." (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.
22.)
9. Universal education
"Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and
daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been
laid down in the Holy Tablet. He that putteth away that which is
commanded unto him, the Trustees of the House of Justice are then to
recover from him that which is required for their instruction, if he be
wealthy, and if not the matter devolveth upon the House of Justice.
Verily, have We made it a shelter for the poor and needy. He that
bringeth up his son or the son of another, it is as though he hath
brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My Glory, My Loving-Kindness,
My Mercy, that have compassed the world." (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh,
p.128).
10. The elimination of all forms of prejudice
"...again, as to religious, racial, national and political bias: all
these prejudices strike at the very root of human life; one and all
they beget bloodshed, and the ruination of the world. So long as these
prejudices survive, there will be continuous and fearsome wars."
(Selections from the Writings of `Abdúl-Bahá, p.249)
11. Equality of men and women
"To accept and observe a distinction which God has not intended in
creation is ignorance and superstition. The fact which is to be
considered, however, is that woman, having formerly been deprived, must
now be allowed equal opportunities with man for education and training.
There must be no difference in their education. Until the reality of
equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the
highest social development of mankind is not possible." `Abdúl-Bahá,
The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.76.
12. The abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty
"O Ye Rich Ones on Earth! The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye
My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease." (The Hidden Words
of Bahá'u'lláh, p.41.) "We see amongst us men who are overburdened with
riches on the one hand, and on the other those unfortunate ones who
starve with nothing; those who possess several stately palaces, and
those who have not where to lay their head. Some we find with numerous
courses of costly and dainty food; whilst others can scarce find
sufficient crusts to keep them alive. Whilst some are clothed in
velvets, furs and fine linen, others have insufficient, poor and thin
garments with which to protect them from the cold. This condition of
affairs is wrong and must be remedied. Now the remedy must be carefully
undertaken. It cannot be done by bringing to pass absolute equality
between men." `Abdúl-Bahá, Paris Talks, p.151.
13. Universal peace
"The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a
vast, an all- embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized.
The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and,
participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means
as will lay the foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men.
Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the
sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully
reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against
another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done,
the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except
for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of
maintaining internal order within their territories." (Gleanings from
the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 249)
[Note: The above introduction has been adapted by the NYC Baha'i
Community from the soc.religion.bahai newsgroup on Usenet, and was
originally prepared by Kamran Hakim and Mike Register.]
But I'm so glad you stopped by...grab a glass...and raise it up in salute of my 
Look, even Lance stopped by to help me celebrate!!!
