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For those unfamiliar with the Bahá'í Faith, it is the second
most widespread of the world's independent
religions, established in 235 countries and territories throughout the
world. Bahá'ís come from over 2,100 ethnic, racial, and tribal groups and
number some 6 million worldwide.
The Founder of our Faith, Bahá'u'lláh, taught that there is one God Who
progressively reveals His
will to humanity. Each of the great religions brought by the Messengers
of God represents a successive stage in the spiritual development of
civilization. Bahá'u'lláh, the most recent Messenger in this line, has
brought teachings that address the moral and spiritual challenges of the
modern world. In practicing these teachings we trust the Spirit of God
to allow us to know Him, worship Him, and recognize His handiwork in all
men.
The Bahá'í principles include:
the oneness of the world of humanity
a free and unfettered search after truth
the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit
the foundation of all religion is one
religion must be the cause of unity
religion must accord with science and reason
equality between men and women
Prayer
Prayer, and meditation on the Sacred Writings, are important aspects of our daily
lives. As Bahá'u'lláh wrote regarding prayer, "Intone, O My servant, the verses
of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh
unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract
the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses
revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the
fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of
every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its
effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or
later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the
Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the
Source of power and wisdom."
and regarding the study of the Writings:
"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that
ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid
in its depths. Take heed that ye do not vacillate in your determination to
embrace the truth of this Cause -- a Cause through which the potentialities of
the might of God have been revealed, and His sovereignty established. With faces
beaming with joy, hasten ye unto Him. This is the changeless Faith of God,
eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Let him that seeketh, attain it..."
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