“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”
— Bahá’u’lláh
In thousands upon thousands of locations around the world, the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith inspire individuals and communities as they work to improve their own lives and contribute to the advancement of civilization. Bahá’í beliefs address such essential themes as the:
oneness of God and religion
freedom from all forms of prejudice
inherent nobility of every human being
progressive revelation of religious truth
imperative to develop spiritual qualities
integration of worship and service
fundamental equality of the sexes
harmony between religion and science
centrality of justice to all human endeavors
importance of moral and intellectual education
A pivotal concept in the Bahá’í teachings is that the refinement of one’s inner character and service to humanity are inseparable facets of life. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, in a letter written on his behalf, states:
We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.
In light of this, Bahá’ís have come to appreciate the operation of a two-fold purpose that is fundamental to their lives: to attend to their own spiritual and intellectual growth and to contribute to the transformation of society.
The Bahá’í world is still in the early stages of the process of community building, and there is a great deal to be done before the process reaches fruition. In light of the challenges facing humanity, the task before us may seem daunting indeed, but we are committed to this process over the long term and are inspired to make constant efforts to better understand the relevant principles and to reflect this understanding in our approaches.
Oneness
All of the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith revolve around one central principle: that all of humanity was created as a single unit, like a family. Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, infused this principle into all of the spiritual concepts and social activities of the faith.
Spiritual Implications of Oneness
Every human being was created in the spirit of God’s utmost love.
God gave each person a soul, which has no gender, race, ethnicity, or social class.
When it comes to the diversity of the human race, we can “discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork” and see the beauty in one another.
Divisions, hierarchies, and inequities based on ethnicity, gender, or social class are entirely man-made.
It is up to all of us to remold our relationships, conscious of our oneness.
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” —Bahá’u’lláh
Social Implications of Oneness
The world of humanity is a single unit—a family.
The development of new attitudes that must replace those of prejudice, superiority, and paternalism, which are contrary to our oneness.
The building of new relational dynamics to replace those of systemic exploitation—like racism, sexism, and classism—which are contrary to oneness.
The development of a deep-seated consciousness of the oneness of humanity is the only hope for remedying the vast problems of a fractured world.
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Humanity, the Bahá’í writings explain, has passed through the stage of childhood and now stands at the threshold of its collective maturity. The revolutionary and far-reaching changes occurring today are characteristic of this period of transition—a time which can be likened to adolescence. In this period, thoughts, attitudes, and habits from humanity’s earlier stages of development are being swept away and new patterns of thought and action which reflect its approaching maturity are gradually taking root. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, explains: “That which was applicable to human needs during the early history of the race can neither meet nor satisfy the demands of this day, this period of newness and consummation.” He continues: “Man must now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moral standards, new capacities…The gifts and blessings of the period of youth, although timely and sufficient during the adolescence of mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity.”
The hallmark of this approaching age of maturity is the unification of the human race. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause, writes that, while unity “of family, of tribe, of city-state, and nation have been successively attempted and fully established” world-encompassing unity is “the goal towards which a harassed humanity is striving.” In another passage, he refers to “the inauguration of a world civilization such as no mortal eye hath ever beheld or human mind conceived.” He asks: “Who is it that can imagine the lofty standard which such a civilization, as it unfolds itself, is destined to attain? Who can measure the heights to which human intelligence, liberated from its shackles, will soar? Who can visualize the realms which the human spirit, vitalized by the outpouring light of Bahá’u’lláh, shining in the plenitude of its glory, will discover?”
The emergence of a global civilization prosperous in both its material and spiritual dimensions implies that the spiritual and practical aspects of life are to advance together. Through faith and reason, it becomes possible to discover the powers and capacities latent in individuals and in humanity as a whole, and to work for the realization of these potentialities.
A celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh in October 2017 in the town of Tuchín, Colombia, reflects the rich artistic culture of the Córdoba region.
A group in Mwinilunga, Zambia, sings a welcoming song in preparation of the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh in September 2017.
A Native American Bahá’í performed traditional music and hoop dances at an event in Illinois, United States, honoring the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh as well as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October 2017.
In celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh in October 2017, a group performs a traditional dance in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, at the site where the Bahá’í House of Worship will be built.
A celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in October 2017 included musical performances, prayers, and a screening of the film Light to the World.
Young people in New York, United States, channel the joy and spirit of the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh through the arts in neighborhood picnic in October 2017.
At the Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Vancouver, Canada, more than 200 participants gathered to commemorate the bicentenary with traditional indigenous dance and music.
Children participate a group activity in preparation for celebrations of the bicentenary of Bahá’u’lláh in the Kiriri community in Banzae, Brazil, in October 2017.
A group performs during a celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Norte del Cauca, Colombia, in October 2017.