Thursday, February 09, 2006

Baha'i Basics

I thought that since I will be working it the Baha'i community here it might be a good idea to post a few basic things about what Baha'is believe for the benefit of my non-Baha'i friends. Here is a very brief list.

Baha'is believe in...

*The independent investigation of truth. (In other words, not forcing your beliefs on others and not believing things just because everyone else does.)
*The oneness of God. (Baha'is are monotheistic.)
*The oneness of religion. (This means that the basic teachings of all the major religions are in harmony with each other. We also believe that these religions all come from the same God.)
*The oneness of humanity.
*Equality of men and women. (The first major religion to specifically state this.)
*Science and religion must go hand in hand.
*Universal education.
*Elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty.
*The need for a universal auxiliary language. (To be learned in addition to local languages. It's easier to get along with people if you can talk to them.)
*Abolition of prejudice.
*Work, performed in a spirit of service, is considered a form of worship.

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