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Baha'i Faith
The Baha'i Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahaullah in nineteenth-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Baha'i around the world in more than 200 countries and territories.
205 Questions
There is no obligation to do so, so it is not a very common practice.
Male circumcision is a requirement of Jewish law, and has become a universal Islamic practice. Many Bahá´ís of Jewish or Muslim background continue the practice, but it is neither encouraged nor forbidden in Bahá´í law.
- A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá´í Faith
by Peter Smith (Oneworld, Oxford, 2000)
There are no priests in the Baha'i Faith. Such a position is forbidden in Baha'i Sacred Scripture. The Baha'i community is guided by councils of consultation elected by secret ballot at the local, national and international levels.
There are some individuals, appointed to five year terms, who have the role of advising, encouraging and protecting the Baha'i community, but they have no priestly authority or role.
What are some branches of the bahai faith?
their are only one major branch which is called the Baha'i world faith
Are piercings allowed in bahai faith?
Yes of course, it''s your body, the only thing you're not supposed to do is do things that would ridicule yourselves, but even then, no one will come and force you to change. You can dress and have as many piercings as you like, as long as you're a good person and you follow the teachings of the faith it doesn't matter how many piercings you have.
ANSWER 2:
Baha'u'llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha'i Faith, said, "The choice of clothing and the cut of the beard and its dressing are left to the discretion of men. But beware, O people, lest ye make yourselves the playthings of the ignorant."
How do you get to heaven in the Bahai faith?
There is a text by Baha'u'llah called 'The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys'. It describes the journey of the soul. Some research into that maybe? It can be read online at http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/SVFV/
Where did the faith originate?
The Bahai Faith originated in Iran in the 19th century. Its founder, Baha'u'llah, was exiled to Baghdad, then to Istanbul, to Edirne (in Turkey) and finally to Akka in Israel. Akka was used by the Ottomans as a prison city, like Botany Bay in the early days of Australian
colonisation. Baha'u'llah died there in 1892. Because of this history, the Bahai faith has its holy places in Iran, in Iraq, in Turkey and in Israel
Sen McGlinn
What are the divisions of Baha'i?
There are no divisions in the Bahá'à Faith. Small groups have now and then tried to create such divisions, but without any real success. Most Bahá'Ãs abide by the central authority, which is currently the Universal House of Justice.
You call those who follow Judaism Jews what do you call the people who believe in the Baha'i Faith?
They are called Baha'is ("followers of the Glory" [of God]), who follow the teachings of Baha'u'llah ("the glory of God"). They believe Him to be God's Messenger for this Age, as foretold in the Sacred Texts of past religions.
Where would you find the Bahá'í Faith symbol?
The actual symbol of the Baha'i Faith is a 5 pointed star. Members of the Faith frequently use a 9-pointed star or the number 9, since in Persian the Name Baha and the number 9 are equal.
you can learn about what do Baha'is think about the use of symbols by checking their past conversations at doBahaisthink.com
Why are Baha'i scriptures translated into King James English?
That style of English was felt able to convey a greater level of respect for the Divine Creator than today's English. In many languages there pronouns of respect and pronouns for people who are equals. Current English has lost that distinction. The so-called King James English retains that distinction and so was used. This decision was made by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian (and Head) of the Baha'i Faith and authorized interpreter/translator of Baha'i scripture.
Are all Baha'i against homosexuality?
The Sacred Texts of the Baha'i Faith, as with the Scriptures of all monotheistic religions, say that the act of sodomy is wrong. There is nothing in the Baha'i writings saying that loving another person of the same sex is wrong. The capacity to love another being is a spiritual gift from God. Baha'is, therefore, are NOT "against" individuals based on their sexual orientation. In fact, Baha'i law forbids the personal judgment of others.
Baha'is believe that humanity has now reached its stage of maturity and should no longer debase itself by acting instinctually like those in the animal kingdom. Baha'i law requires the individual to maintain chastity outside of marriage - regardless of sexual orientation. Since there are no bedroom police in the Baha'i Faith, adherence to this law, and all other laws within the Faith, is between the individual and God - again, regardless of sexual orientation.
All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. ("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah," p. 215)
ANSWER 2:
The short answer is, "no". To try and fit it into the "pro" or "anti" camps misses the point. On the one hand, sexual expression is clearly restricted, in Baha'i teachings, to marriage between a man and woman. On the other, a kind of social intolerance that is often associated with anti-homosexuality is also contrary to the teachings.
Sexual relations are an expression of the carnal or animalistic nature of mankind, one of many things that we as humans must overcome and control, not be controlled by. An incredible overemphasis and over-exaggeration of sex in contemporary society has begun to rot away the institution of marriage and the family. Baha'u'llah has said that for a father to create a child and then fail to provide for it is an unforgivable sin. It leaves the child with a permanent handicap. On the other side of the coin, having a successful marriage and rearing up children is a highly commendable goal, that Baha'u'llah says we should obey as an assistance to ourselves.
The teachings on sexuality would also restrict any heterosexual couple from living/sleeping together before marriage. The application of these and other laws of morality in a Baha'i community is up to the individuals, and an institution would only get involved if a person's actions were somehow publicly harming the image of the Baha'i Faith, in a kind of scandal.
What is the definition of Baha'i burial rings?
A Bahai burial ring has the inscription, in Arabic, "I came forth from God, and return unto Him, detached from all save Him, holding fast to His Name, the Merciful, the Compassionate." Local Bahai communities usually have some cheap and simple examples in stock. Those I have seen had no stone, they were made of a soft metal, perhaps pewter with a high level of tin, with the Arabic calligraphy marked in enamel.
Where does bahia's faith originate from?
That's "Bahá'à Faith". It originated in Iran, in the 19th. century.
When did the bahai faith begin?
The Baha'i Faith had its inception in 1844 (1260 AH) in Persia with the appearance of the first of two divine Messengers called the Bab ('the Gate'). He proclaimed His mission to be that of preparing the way for the appearance of "One greater than myself" who would usher in an age of enlightenment. From Baghdad in 1863 Baha'u'llah ('the glory of God') declared that He was the Promised One of the Age, having fulfilled all 'latter day' prophecies of the world's Sacred Texts. http://info.bahai.org/
The Shrine of the Bab is on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, and the Shrine of Baha'u'llah is at Akka, Israel, both facing each other across the Plain of Sharon.
What does bahai mean in English?
In English the word "Baha'i" means "follower of the Glory [of God]". Baha is the Arabic word for glory; the 'iindicates follower.
Who killed baha'ullah the lider of bahai faith?
Nobody. He basically died, at a ripe old age - over 70 years old - from a disease.
The Baha'i Faith was spread largely by pioneers (muhajirum), who were similar to missionaries, but unpaid. Using their own resources, they would travel to areas which had no Baha'is and attempt to establish communities there.
That is the religion founded in the 19th. Century in Iran, by Mirza Hussayn Ali, better known as Bahá'u'lláh. You can find more information in the Wikipedia article "Bahai".
ANSWER 2:
"Baha'i" is a Persian word meaning "follower of the Glory." The name of the prophet and founder of the Baha'i Faith was Baha'u'llah, meaning "Glory of God." His mission as the Word of God for this Day was to unite the religions and the peoples of the world into a cohesive family - unity in diversity.
There is no specific way of dressing for members of the Baha'i Faith.
In the Kitab-I-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book) The law of Baha'ullah states the following
159 "...The Lord hath relieved you, as a bounty on His part, of the restrictions that formerly applied to clothing and to the trim of the beard. He, verily, is the Ordainer, the Omniscient. Let there be naught in your demeanour of which sound and upright minds would disapprove, and make not yourselves the playthings of the ignorant. Well is it with him who hath adorned himself with the vesture of seemly conduct and a praiseworthy character. He is assuredly reckoned with those who aid their Lord through distinctive and outstanding deeds.
In the Notes (175) explaining this Law this is the explanation
Many rules about dress had their origins in the laws and traditional practices of the world's religions. For example, the Shí'ih clergy adopted for themselves a distinctive headdress and robes and, at one time, forbade the people to adopt European attire. Muslim practice, in its desire to emulate the custom of the Prophet, also introduced a number of restrictions with regard to the trim of the mustache and the length of the beard
Bahá'u'lláh removed such limitations on one's apparel and beard. He leaves such matters to the "discretion" of the individual, and at the same time calls upon the believers not to transgress the bounds of propriety and to exercise moderation in all that pertains to dress.
The Bahá'í Faith was founded by Mirza Hussayn Ali in Iran, who became known as Bahá'u'lláh (ie., "Glory of God") after receiving a vision.
Does Baha'i celebrate Christmas?
The Baha'i Faith is a religion which exists independently of all other religions. As such it has its own calendar and its own holy days. The majority of believers therefore do not necessarily feel that they need to celebrate the holy days of other religions. However, the Baha'i Faith also believes that all religions extend from the same source (eg, God) and that its primary goal is to foster unity amongst all religions. The Founder of the Faith, Baha'u'llah (Arabic: Glory of God), taught that followers should consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. It is therefore not only permitted but encouraged that believers can take part in the festivals of other religions. The only restriction would be taking part in sacraments which declare one's religion, such as communion. Thus, a Baha'i can attend a Christmas Mass, sing carols, close one's eye in prayer, experience the radiance, but would not take communion.
