Bahá’í Answers/Text

Bahá’í' Answers

BAHM PUBLISHING TRUST WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091

First revised edition

Printed in U.S.A.

Wbat does the word “Babe ’I'’’ mean ?

ANSWER: The word “Bahá’í”’ is derived from the name of the Founder of the Faith, “Bahá’u’lláh,” an Arabic title which means “Glory of God.”A Bahá’í' is a follower of the Faith.

Where did the Faitb begin?

ANSWER: In S_111'réz, Persia, on May 23, -1844, a young man

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[Page 4]Shrine of the Bdb, in Haifa, Israel

known as the Báb, or Gate, announced that He came as the fulfillment of prophecy and was to prepare the way for the appearance of a great world Teacher

' and Revealer of the Word of God, Who would usher in an Age of peace for all mankind. Thirteen years after the martyrdom of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh—while an exile in Baghdad in 1863—announced His own Revelation, and thus is known as the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith.

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Wbat is the essential Message of 2:196 Baba ’z' Faith?

ANSWER: The oneness of mankind—the coming together of all peoples, races, nations, classes, and religions in a spirit of under 6

[Page 5]standing and unity of purpose under the guidance of the one God in Whom all believe.

0 Is the Baha' '2' Faith essentially an oriental religion ?

ANSWER: The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion. It has members in over 333 sovereign states, territories, and islands, and its literature has been translated into some 501 languages. Its adherents are people of all the older faiths and of most races and nationalities.

What is the Baha' ’z' attitude toward other religions?

ANSWER: Bahá’í’s deeply revere Christ, Moses, and the Founders of all the world's revealed religions, such as Christianity, Ju 7

[Page 6]Religious symbols in architecture,

l3aIm"z'

House of Worslaip,

Wilmette,

Illinois

daism, and Islam, as part of God’s plan of progressive revelation down through the ages, and believe them to be the in’ ’ spiration and cause of world civilizations that have followed in their wake. Bahá’ís do not believe in the multitude of sects and divisions existing in the religions that were founded by these Messengers of God. They do notjoin other religions because they believe that the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the latest of the divinely revealed religions and that it fulfills their age—old promises of the spiritual unity of all mankind.

What new Teachings are found in the Babel’ ’z' Fair/J ?

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[Page 7]ANSWER: The Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revitalize the essential verities revealed by each former Prophet but, in addition, reveal new truths conforming to the needs of this age. Some of these principles are:

—Each man must investigate truth for himself without depending upon the interpretations of others.

—Religion must be the cause of unity and harmony.

—Education for youth of both sexes is compulsory and includes training for a useful art, trade, or profession.

—National, racial, and religious prejudices are specifically forbidden. Mankind is proclaimed to be one family.

—Peace in this age willbe attained in two stages—first, through a world federation; and, second, through the unity of religion.

—The solution of the economic

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[Page 8]problem is spiritual in nature. Since complete equality is impossible, the voluntary sharing of wealth is deemed highly meritorious. The Bahá’í Teachings assert that only a world economy can be effective in

this age. —The equality of men and wo‘Abdu’{- men is proclaimed for the first

Slgjlbgf time in religious. scriptures. Baba"u’tIa’b —The Bahá’í Faith rests on a Covenant written by its Founder, Bahá’u’lláh, linking this new Revelation with the Gospel and other Holy Books; provides for the interpretation of Bahá’í' Scriptures; and insures the Faith against schisms. The principles of the Administrative Order - are set forth in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh Him10

[Page 9]self. They were further developed by His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, (known as the Exemplar of the Teachings), Whose Will and Testament appointed His grandson, the late Shoghi Effendi, as Guardian of the Faith in 1921. Under his thirty-six years of guidance, the administrative framework of the Faith was laid throughout the world.

What ethical principles guide the Bahd ’z' in his daily life?

ANSWER: Religion has always been the only power capable of inspiring moral living. The Bahá’í Faith likewise embodies standards of individual conduct and practices which manifest the human virtues and perfections implicit in its Teachings. They include such principles as love of God, love of humanity, justice,

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[Page 10]trustworthiness, honesty, humility, and courtesy. Habits that are Babfls unclean,degrading, and detrimengathered tal to a pure and healthy life are f‘"“ forbidden as are also os i recent ’ g Sp’ convention backbiting, and prejudice. All are — * enjoined to engage in a useful art, trade, or profession. Daily work performed in the spirit of service is regarded as an act of worship. Bahá’í V . ethical principles extend the areas of loyalty and cooperation from nation, race, and sect to all mankind.

What position does the

Bahá’í Faith uphold on current racial and international problems?

ANSWER: In its individual and collective relationships, the community is obedient to civil

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[Page 11]governments, emphasizes the strong need for world order, associates in friendly spirit with people of all faiths, and teaches the principle of interracial amity and equality of opportunity for all. Bahá’í's are forbidden to participate in any subversive movement.

i{”\“,‘ Do the Baha"z' Teachings

1. fl contain references to

prophecies in the Old and New Testaments?

_<“s_E".l3'*/'l.I'i{27é: The Bahá’í'Teachings contain many references to prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments, with lucid interpretations of the symbolism in which the prophecies are given. This Age is proclaimed to be the “latter day” of the Old Testament and the beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth as envisioned by Jesus and His disciples.

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[Page 12]Do Babd ’zs believe in

life after death? In reincarnation? In God as a Being, or as a spiritual idea?

ANSWER: Bahá’ís believe in

life after death—that the soul of

man retains identity and is im mortal. Bahá’ís do not believe in

reincarnation. Man lives his life

span here and then progresses to

A 1 other spiritual worlds, always in

ga axy . . . ,

in the the direction of l'1lS Creator. They

believe that God, the Creator and

space Sustainer of the universe, is un ‘ knowable and that

only through His Di vine Prophets Who,

like perfect mirrors,

reflect His attributes

. , and His will, is it

possible to have any knowledge of God and to worship Him.

How do Bahá’í's reconcile science with religion?

14 [Page 13];\.,;x3:j;\{1,M{;~;, As truth is one, science and religion cannot be in disagreement. Science helps discover the secrets of the material world; religion, as revealed through the divine Prophets, teaches the spiritual truth. Bahá’í Teachings are not in conflict with science. The study of science was praised by Bahá’u’lláh as providing a firmer basis for religious understanding.

\] W/oat is the Ba/ad ’z' KM,’ attitude toward marriage and divorce?

“i_.r'\_/.ii:':: The Bahá’í Teachings, desi ned for peoples of both

East and West, require monogamy and make marriage conditional on the consent of both parties and their parents. Divorce is deplored; but if, after a year of trial separation, differences cannot be resolved, a divorce is permissible.

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[Page 14]Professional celibacy is not permitted.

Do Balm’ ’z's conduct

religious services after the manner of C]9Zl1’C/76$, synagogues, and mosques?

ANSWER: Bahá’ís conduct no formalized services; and devotions include no ritual, sermon, or collection, but consist simply of the reading of prayers and selected passages from the Holy Books. Daily prayer is obligatory for Bahá’í's.

Is there a Ba/ya’ ’z’ priesthood or clergy?

ANSWER: There is no priesthood in the Bahá’í Faith. Bahá’u’lláh has placed the responsibility upon each individual for his own spiritual progress. The spiritual and administrative affairs of the

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[Page 15]Bahá’í Faith are handled by local, national, and international bodies of nine members each, elected at regular intervals. Local Spiritual Assemblies are elected annually by all adult Bahá’í's resident within each city. Among the functions of a Local Spiritual Assembly are performing marriages, providing religious instruction for both children and adults, coordinating teaching efforts, managing the financial affairs of the community, consulting with individuals about any problems they may have, and planning appropriate observances for Bahá’í' Holy Days. The national administrative body in this country is the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, with headquarters in Wilmette, Illinois. Each National Assembly is elected by delegates at an annual convention. The administrative and spiritual World Centre of the Bahá’í Faith is 10 17

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[Page 16]cated in Haifa, Israel. This is the seat of The Universal House of Justice, the supreme administrative body of the Bahá’í Faith. The Universal House of Justice is elected by the National Spiritual Assemblies of the world. All Bahá’í' elections are democratic in form, though campaigning and nominating are not permitted.

Bahá’í Ho use of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois iv \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

What is the purpose of the Babd’z' Temple in Wilmette, Illinois?

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[Page 17]ANSWER:The Bahá’í Temple is exclusively for the purpose of worship. The weekly public gathering for worship is open to all without discrimination. Lay readers present passages from the extant Holy Books, accompanied by a musical program rendered by an a cappella choir. This Temple has been visited by almost three million people from many lands and has become world famous for its architecture as well as for its spiritual significance. It symbolizes the unity of God, the unity of His Prophets, and the unity of mankind.

How many Ba/9a"z’ Temples are there?

ANSWER: At present there are five Bahá’í Temples located in or near the following cities: Frankfurt, Germany; Sydney, Aus 19

[Page 18]tralia; Kampala, Uganda, Africa; Wilmette, Illinois; and Panama City, Panama. Land for over 80 additional Temples has been purchased in countries around the world.

Bahá’í' Houses of Worship in Africa (I) and

A ustralia

D0 Bahá’í's bave a calendar of their own, as do Jews, Christians, and Muslims?

ANSWER: The Bahá’í calendar, based on the solar year, consists of nineteen months of nineteen days each, with four (five in Leap Year) intercalary days preceding the last Bahá’í' month. The Bahá’í' year begins on the ver 20

[Page 19]nal equinox (March 21), and the Bahá’í' day begins and ends at sunset. The months and days are named after attributes of Godi.e., Splendor, Mercy, Perfection.

How are funds raised for the Ba/ad ’z' Fair/9 ?

ANSWER: Only members are privileged to contribute, and all donations are voluntary in character.

How do Ba/9é’zs interest others in their religion ?

ANSWER: The Bahá’í community uses many types of media for interesting others in the Bahá’í Faith. In their public meetings and through publicity, radio, and television programs, important Bahá’í' events are emphasized and the Bahá’í Teachings explained.

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[Page 20]Bahá’ís participate actively in United Nations and Human Rights programs. World Religion Day, Race Unity Day, and World Peace Day were all instituted by the American Bahá’ís. Free literature is widely distributed. Each Bahá’í' is enjoined to offer the Bahá’í' message to his friends and acquaintances. However, proselytizing is forbidden, as one of the basic principles of the Bahá’í' Faith is independent investigation of truth.

How does one become a member of the Ba/942' '2' Fair/9?

ANSWER: When a seeker is convinced that Bahá’u’lláh is a true Revealer of God’s Will, is willing to abide by His laws in his personal life and in the Bahá’í' community, and knows the essential Teachings of the Faith and the

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[Page 21]nature of its Administrative Order—he informs the Local Assembly of his desire to become a

e Bahá’í'. When convinced that he

is sincere and informed, the Assembly welcomes him into the worldwide Bahá’í community. Youths may also enroll. At the age of twenty-one, membership includes voting rights.

Where can one get more
" information about

the Balm’ ’z' Fait/9 ?

/é\_l‘»lSlflIE.7%: Information about the Bahá’í Faith may be secured through local Bahá’í' centers, through Bahá’í’ literature in public libraries, or by writing to the National Bahá’í' Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Dept. C, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.