At a time of change and uncertainty, humankind’s crucial need is to find a unifying vision of society and human nature. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the 19th century prophetic figure who claimed to be a Manifestation of God, the latest Messenger of God for the age of human maturity. The Bahá’í Faith is founded on His teachings. Religion, Bahá’u’lláh teaches, is the most powerful force for the transformation of human conduct, human relationships, and the structure of society.
Inspired by the vision set out in Bahá’u’lláh’s writings, Bahá’ís throughout Scottsdale invite everyone who cares deeply to contribute, with no regard for class, religious background, ethnicity or race, gender or social status, to the advancement of civilization.
Let your vision be world embracing
That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.
Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess…If the learned and worldly-wise men of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure.
The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.
— BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
Main Concepts:
- The Oneness of God, Oneness of Religion & Oneness of Humankind.
- A Loving & Merciful Creator, Who is Unknowable in Essence.
- That there is a Covenant between God & Humankind.
- Bahá’u’lláh is the latest in a series of Divine Messengers.
- The Dual Importance of Service & Worship.
- Unity in Diversity leads to both Material & Spiritual Prosperity.
- The Soul Progresses towards God through infinite Spiritual Worlds.
Main Social Principles:
- Universal peace upheld by a world commonwealth.
- Independent investigation of truth.
- The common foundation of all religions.
- The essential harmony of science and religion.
- Equality of women and men.
- Elimination of prejudice of all kinds.
- Universal compulsory education.
- Spiritual solutions to economic problems.
- A universal auxiliary language.
Click To View and Download Bahá’í Basics Infographic
Other Special Characteristics of the Bahá’í Faith:
- it does not exclude people of any religion, race or persuasion.
- there is no compartmentalization of knowledge, truth is available to all rather than reserved for a select few
- it does not accept the notion that people are consigned to Hell, the human soul advances and evolves through many stages on its journey to be reunited with the Creator
- there are no rituals or traditions, avoiding imitation, we prevent falling into the creation of habits if they aren’t based on the Sacred Texts
- we have the original scriptures and Holy Texts revealed to us by the Founders, the three Central Figures (The Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and `Abdu’l-Bahá)
- there are no priests, clergy or ecclesiastic orders; no one may infringe on your personal investigation of the truth, no one may tell you what to do or what to believe
- since no one-person is “in charge” everything is done through a democratic process of elections and consultation; the Spiritual Assembly is elected by all local believers once every year; the 19-Day Feast provides an opportunity for direct-democracy and direct involvement in solving the challenges identified by the community
- all contributions are voluntary, no collections are passed around and no fees are required for membership; only a Bahá’í member in good standing may contribute to the Funds of the Faith, this is an ethical standard of the Faith