Six Questions
What does the Baha'i Faith offer?
The Bahá’í Faith began with the mission entrusted by God to two Divine Messengers—the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Today, the distinctive unity of the Faith They founded stems from explicit instructions given by Bahá’u’lláh that have assured the continuity of guidance following His passing. The Baha'i writings tell us that we have two obligations: to serve God and to serve humanity. The Baha'i Faith offers the path to fulfill those obligations.
Who is the Baha'i Faith for?
Baha'i's believe that God sends Messengers such as Buddah, Moses, Christ and Muhammad to help humanity. They were sent at a time and place in need of God's assistance. The prophet and founder of the Baha'i Faith, Bahá’u’lláh, came to Iran in the mid 1800s to deliver a message of unity and peace to humanity. There are millions of Baha'is world-wide working tirelessly to bring that message to humanity.
Why do you and the rest of humanity need the Baha'i Faith?
Bahá’u’lláh tells us, "Man has the power both to do good and to do evil; if his power for good predominates and his inclinations to do wrong are conquered, then man in truth may be called a saint. But if, on the contrary, he rejects the things of God and allows his evil passions to conquer him, then he is no better than a mere animal." The Baha'i Faith helps on our spiritual journey.
What is our story?
On May 22, 1844, the mission of the Báb (meaning the "Gate" in English) begins in Shiriz, Iran, when he begins His job as Messenger announcing the coming of a new Prophet of God who will be known as Bahá’u’lláh, ("The Glory of God" in English). Many thousands of Persians become followers of the Báb and a great many are martyred by the Islamic and Persian regimes. Following the execution of the Báb in July, 1850, Bahá’u’lláh is imprisoned in Tihran in August, 1852. In addition to Bahá’u’lláh 80 Babi (folllowers of the Báb) are also imprisoned in the Siyah-Chal, an infamous prison. In January 1853, Bahá’u’lláh and His family are exiled to Baghdad in the Ottoman Empire. That summer Bahá’u’lláh reveals His station as a Messenger of God for the first time but not publically. Bahá’u’lláh withdraws to Kurdistan for two years. Following Bahá’u’lláh's public declaration of His mission in April 1863, He and His family are moved to Constantinople, then to Andrianople (December, 1863) and finally, in August 1868, they are sent to the prison city of 'Akka.; he pass on to the Kngdom of God in May 1892. His will and testament becomes a Covenant between God and His followers establishing a permanent direction for humanity.
Bahá’u’lláh's son 'Abdu'l-Baha is designated as leader of the Faith.; he makes trips to Europe and America to spread the Faith. Upon his death in 1921 Bahá’u’lláh's grandson Shoghi Effendi becomes leader of the Faith. He spreads the Faith worldwide and creates the Baha'i Administrative Order to establish leadership in countries around the world. On his passing in 1957 the nine members of the Universal House of Justice is elected for the first time in 1963.
From Bahá’u’lláh's declaration; up to today the Baha'i Faith has been about: (1) service to God and (2) service to humanity.
Why should the Baha'i Faith be trusted?
Because you will determine through your own spiritual investigation whether or not Bahá’u’lláh is who He says He is and if the Baha'i Faith lives up to its claims. The Baha'i Faith is about: (1) service to God and (2) service to humanity. One of the principles of the Faith is the independent investigation of truth. Since there are no clergy in the Faith each Baha'i is responsible his or her own spiritual path and giving assistance to others who are on their own spiritual path. We use the writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice to guide us. You may launch your own investigation.