World religions - World_Religions_Bahai
 
Introduction

Bahai people have accepted the message of Baha'u'llah. It is one of the youngest world's independent religions and is an offshoot of Shi'te Islam. Bahai is built on the concept of one global society and that all religions are pointing to the same God. It further states that the religious leaders such as Jesus, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, and Muhammad point to the same God.
History
  • Origin: 1844
  • Founder: Baha'u'llah
  • Holy book: writings of Ban, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abd ol-baha (3 founders)
  • Grew big in 1960
  • Growing at a rate of 5.5% a year worldwide while Christianity is expanding at a rate of 2.3% worldwide
Faith
Baha'i embraces three principles
  1. God is one
  2. All religions point to the same God
  3. Humans should live in one global society with universal civilization
  4. Humanity has a common destiny
Practices
Bahai advocates these practices. Women do not need to covey their hair while praying.
  1. Pray daily
  2. Abstain totally from narcotics, alcohol, or any drug affecting the mind
  3. Practice monogamy
  4. Obtain the consent of parents to marriage
  5. Support the organizations such as the United Nations in unification of the planet
12 principles of Bahai
  1. Oneness of God
    1. There is only one God. All religions are manifestations of the same God
  2. Basic unity of all religions
    1. All religions teach the same truth
    2. All religions should unite
  3. Religious dialogue
    1. Interfaith dialogue is recommended
    2. All faith comes from God. Hence, dialogue is good
  4. Man has come of age
    1. All men should join to form a global society
  5. Oneness of human race
    1. All are created from the same dust
    2. No one should exalt himself over the other
  6. Elimination of Prejudice
    1. There should be no racial prejudice
  7. Equality for women
    1. Full equality of opportunity should be given to women
  8. Economic justice
    1. Eliminate the gap between rich and the poor
  9. Universal education
    1. Every human being deserves the right to learn to read and write
  10. Universal language
    1. All people should learn a common language apart from a cultural language
  11. World Government/ Federal System
    1. There should be one governing body for the entire planet
  12. Harmony of Science and Religion
    1. Bahai's believe that there should be harmony between science and religion
Worship
  1. Bahai uses no rituals
  2. Bahai has no ministers or priests
  3. Each Baha'i is responsible for his or her own spiritual growth
  4. Baha'is should pray daily
  5. Fast 19 days a year. From March 2 to March 20
  6. Gather together every 19 days for spiritual devotion and fellowship
  7. Keep nine holy days. (Holidays)
Comparison with Christianity
Bahai Christianity
Believes in one God Believes in one God in three persons, all having equally the being of God.John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Jesus is a religious leader like Krishna or Buddhs Jesus is the son of God and the Lord.John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
Jesus was not born to virgin mother Luke 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Jesus did not rise from the dead 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Jesus death is not an atonement for our sins 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Salvation is not by faith. Live good life. Pray John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Bible is one of the religious books. It is not the final authority 2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Their is no second coming of Christ Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Reflection
  1. Is there a God before Jehovah, the God of the bible? Is there one after Jehovah?
  2. Can unity among all religions be a solution to world's problems?
  3. Can good teachings and good prayers taken a man to God without a sacrifice for sins ?
  4. If Jesus is the only way, is Bahai a cult?
Prayer
May the lord lead us to eternal truth. Jesus is the truth.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.