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What we believe...

When Bahá'ís say that all religions are one, we mean that God is one and that all the Messengers sent by God reveal truths that unfold themselves in a single Divine plan -- "the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future."

Bahá'ís believe in

  • one God
  • the oneness of religion
  • the oneness of humanity
  • the equality of women and men
  • the independent investigation of truth
  • the elimination of all forms of prejudice
  • universal education
  • the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty
  • religious tolerance
  • the harmony of science and religion
  • universal peace
  • a universal auxiliary language

Bahá'ís believe that throughout history, God has sent messengers to teach mankind and to spiritually direct them to a higher path. These messengers include: Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, The Báb, and Bahá'u'lláh.

The founder of the Bahá'í Faith was Bahá'u'lláh, born November 12, 1817 in Teheran (Persia), the son of a wealthy government minister. Raised in wealth and privilege, he declined a lucrative governmental appointment, choosing instead to devote His energies towards various philanthopies which caused many to refer to Him as "Father of the Poor."

In 1844, He became a follower of The Báb (pronounced Bob). The mission of The Báb was to prepare the way for "Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest." Tens of thousands embraced this new Faith which soon spread like wildfire across Persia. The Faith was vigorously opposed by the clergy of Persia and thousands of followers were executed. Bahá'u'lláh was imprisoned in a dreadful dungeon and suffered terribly at the hands of his oppressors. While imprisoned, Bahá'u'lláh's mission was revealed to him:

He said: "I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been." Later He revealed, "This thing is not from Me, but from One Who is Almighty and All-Knowing. And He bade Me lift up My voice between earth and heaven..."

Upon His release from prison, Bahá'u'lláh was exiled to Baghdad, Constantinople, Adrianople, and finally Acre. During his lifetime, he taught and wrote hundreds of letters on a myriad of topics, such as life after death, the spiritual way, economics, justice, and the elimination of prejudice. Some of these were specifically addressed to political leaders of His day, admonishing them to be fair and just to their subjects.

After His death, His son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá continued to advance the cause of God. He, also, was a prolific writer and traveled to Europe and the United States, attracting people of all walks of life with the message of Bahá'u'lláh.