What is the Bahá’í Faith?

The Bahá’í Faith, founded by Bahá'u'lláh, represents essentially the renewal of religion with teachings relevant to contemporary needs and the requirements of humanity’s collective future. It rests on a broad base of sacred scriptures that both nourish the soul and provide laws and principles of social interaction.

The Bahá'í Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahá'ís as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.

The central theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society. God, Bahá'u'lláh said, has set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization. The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.

One of the purposes of the Bahá'í Faith is to help make this possible. A worldwide community of some five million Bahá'ís, representative of most of the nations, races and cultures on earth, is working to give Bahá'u'lláh's teachings practical effect. Their experience will be a source of encouragement to all who share their vision of humanity as one global family and the earth as one homeland.
Tom - What is the Baha'i faith?

Susan - It's a religion I belong to, do you want to know more?

Tom - Cool, yeah...
by Shin September 3, 2005
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About 6 million people claim affiliation with Baha'i and its predecessor, Babism.
Baha'i believe in the unity of all humankind, and therefore the unity of all religions. This means that Baha'i adherents believe that all religions teach the same truth. They therefore reject all prejudice--racial, political, or otherwise--and stress ethical teachings such as world peace, education, and sexual equality. Although they believe that God is completely unknowable, they hold that God's presence and works are evident in the creation of the world and the existence of the prophets, among other things. Important Baha'i prophets include Adam, the Jewish prophets, Jesus, and Muhammed, all of whom have been succeeded by Baha'ullah, the founder of Baha'i.
Baha'i was founded in Iran in the mid-nineteenth century by Mirza Husayn Ali (1817-1892). Better known as Baha'ullah, he believed that he was the prophet foretold by the Bab, a religious leader who was a direct descendent of the prophet Muhammad. Baha'ullah was persecuted and banished several times during his life, and he died as a prisoner in Palestine. After his death, one of his two sons set out on missionary journeys to Egypt, Europe, and America, establishing branches of the community.
Among his many writings, Baha'ullah's Kitab al-Aqdas ("The Most Holy Book"), which contains detailed instructions for Baha'i life, is perhaps the closest to scriptures for Baha'is. However, there is no formal public ritual or priesthood. Local congregations hold informal devotional sessions.
Baha'i is an outgrowth of a religious movement known as Babism. Babism stemmed from the Twelver Shi'a sect of Islam, which holds that the twelfth of a series of great imams vanished from sight but is still alive and will return to institute an era of justice and peace.

Currently located in Haifa, Israel, near the graves of Baha'ullah and his predecessor, the Bab.
(BTNH) yo ctonn what is a baha'i (CTONN) i dont know ask that guy (BTNH) what guy (CTONN) that guy he said he was a Baha'i (BTNH) well there is no one there (CTONN) Mirza Husayn Ali that was his (BTNH) that guy dies long time ago (Ctonn) Freaky
by BTNH February 4, 2005
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A monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Baha'u'llah during the 19th century in Persia which emphasizes the spiritual unity of mankind. Baha'u'llah means "The Glory of God," in Arabic. A follower of this religion is known as a Baha'i. Baha'i means "Follower of Glory" or "Follower of the Light." Baha'is have been persecuted in Iran because it is not an official religion in that country. Which is why their headquarters is in Israel. The official religions of Iran are Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Zoroastrianism. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once stated that "When we speak of religion, we refer to 'divine' religion. In our country, we follow that law. A law that is based on the majority vote of the people."
While the Baha'i Faith promotes the unity of mankind, it condemns homosexuality. This "may" not be the case for all Baha'is however. Just like how some Christians do not oppose homosexuality. Along with believing in one God, Baha'is believe that all prejudice is destructive and must be overcome and they believe that science and religion are one. They also believe that all major religions come from God and both men and women are viewed as equals. Their holy books are primarily the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Kitab-i-Iqan.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 5, 2011
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Baha'i Jacking occurs when engaged in normal conversation, somewhere the other person brings up the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah, or something about world unity.

They will do this in everyday conversation with strangers in hopes of teaching them about their obscure, dying religion. Baha'is are taught to lay traps in conversations which give them an excuse to bring up what they really want to talk about. This may range from anything.

To protect yourself from Baha'i Jacking, just ignore them unless actually interested. If interested, make sure you actually research it.
Bob: Yesterday, I was just simply having a conversation with my neighbor and he mentioned the Baha'i Faith.

Sally: What happened?

Bob: I told him to stop Baha'i Jacking and that it was really proselytizing... something Baha'is aren't supposed to do. I was offended.
by Duke Webelos January 25, 2011
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adjective.

Describes someone who has an interest in the Baha'i religion or who is open to religious experimentation.

Also describes someone who is flippant about made-up religions, such as Baha'i.
Person A: What is that necklace you're wearing of a million-point star?

Person B: Well, I'm thinking of expanding my horizons. Right now, I'm baha'i curious.

***

Person A: (flippantly) I'm totally cheating on Xenu with Bahallah.

Person B: (suspiciously) I thought you were only baha'i *curious.*

Person A: (with a smirk) I ain't curious no more!
by Alexandra123 April 29, 2010
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Based off the original term of "Circle Jerk", where a group of people stroke each others' egos by agreeing with one another.. a Baha'i Circle Jerk is similar.

Baha'is believe that they should only practice "consultation" to avoid disunity caused by arguing. Thus, they sit around agreeing with each other and never actually discussing any of the real issues concerning their faith.

Any sort of constructive criticism towards the Baha'i Circle Jerk is ignored and proclaimed as "not favoring unity".
Bob: I read this silly blog a couple of days ago.

Sally: What was it about?

Bob: Oh, it was just a huge Baha'i Circle Jerk. I tried to argue with one of them but they all ignored what I had to say.
by Duke Webelos January 25, 2011
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