Hi!
Since you're from a Roman Catholic background, you might enjoy seeing the pamphlet on the Baha'i Faith that was published by the Roman Catholic Church.
I have it online, and will post it below.
Regards,
Bruce
- - - - -
Getting to Know People of Other Faiths No. 8
W H A T I S T H E B A H A ' I F A I T H ?
_Introduction_
In the Vatican II 'Declaration on the relationship of the Church
with Non-Christians' we find that the Church speaks with warmth
and openness and greets People of Faith as partners in a single
great enterprise. These religions contain much that is good and
holy and provide ways of salvation for millions of people all
over the world. Throughout the documents of Vatican II we find
encouragement to respect, accept and meet as friends, those who
profess faiths different from our own. The Baha'i Faith will be
introduced here in this spirit.
_Who are the Baha'is?_
The Baha'i founders sprang from Islamic roots, but are seen by
the Baha'is as founding a religion that fulfills all previous
religions. Today Baha'is are people who formerly had different
religious backgrounds. They have been Christians, Jews, Muslims,
Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians or else they had no
religion at all. They give equal homage to all the past
prophets, but believe that religion progressively evolves, and
the Baha'u'llah is God's spokesman for this age. Although
Baha'is are from different religious, racial, national, economic
and social classes, the Baha'i teachings gave given them a higher
loyalty--the loyalty to humanity.
To a Baha'i there is no demarcation between religion and everyday
life. The most important prayer, Baha'is say, is a person's
daily life. Religion, in other words, is an attitude towards God
reflected in life.
Today there are between 5 and 6 million Baha'is in the world,
extending over more than three hundred and forty countries,
territories and island groups. In England there are 6,000
registered Baha'is (1989) with 180 local Assemblies, resident in
over 400 localities. At least 9 people are needed to form a
local assembly. The Scriptures of the Baha'i Faith consist of
the writings of the founders and are translated into over six
hundred languages. The rapid growth they have experienced puts
them in the category of a world religion, the youngest in the
line of the prophetic tradition.
_Origins of the Baha'i Faith_
The Forerunner of the Baha'i Faith was a young Persian merchant
known as the Bab (the Gate), who in 1844 proclaimed Himself to be
a Messenger of God and a herald of One greater than Himself--One
who would inaugurate a new era in religion and civilization.
LIke earlier Messengers of God, the Bab was opposed and
denounced. After six years of persecution He was publicly
martyred at the age of 30 in Tabriz.
Its founder was Baha'u'llah (the Glory of God), a Persian
nobleman who in 1863 declared Himself to be the One whose coming
the Bab and all the previous Prophets had foretold. Like His
predecessor, He was bitterly opposed and persecuted. During
nearly forty years of exile and imprisonment He committed to
writing the teachings of His revelation, some of them in letters
to the most important kings and leaders of religion, as well and
teaching and training His followers. His fourth and last place
of banishment, reached in 1865, was the prison city of 'Akka
(Acre), Palestine, where He passed away in 1892 at the age of
seventy-four.
Its authorised interpreter and exemplar was 'Abdu'l-Baha (the
servant of the Glory), eldest son of Baha'u'llah, who was
appointed by his father as the Centre of His Covenant and the one
to whom all must turn for instruction and guidance. 'Abdu'l-Baha
was the close companion and constant helper of his father, whose
sufferings he shared. He remained a prisoner until 1908, when
the old regime in Turkey was overthrown and all religious and
political prisoners were liberated. Afterwards he travelled
widely in Egypt, Europe and America, explaining the principles of
the Faith and inspiring and directing the activities of its
followers throughout the world. He passed away in Haifa in 1921,
mourned by people of all faiths. His life was and continues to
be a shining example to all. In his will and testament,
'Abdu'l-Baha appointed his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to be the
Guardian of the Faith, and the interpreter of its scripture.
Under his guiding hand, the faith spread rapidly. He passed away
in London in 1957. Since 1963, the Faith has been under the
guidance of the Universal House of Justice.
_The Baha'i Faith_
Proclaims: The Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religion and of
Mankind, and the equality of men and women. It encourages the
elimination of prejudice of all kinds, universal education,
elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, the protection of
cultural diversity. It also advocates individual search after
truth, the harmony of science and religion, use of an auxiliary
universal language and world government.
_The Baha'i House of Worship_
A Baha'i house of worship is open to people of all nations,
races, classes and creeds. It is a place of prayer and
meditation for all, a gift from the Baha'is and a demonstration
of their faith in the oneness of God, the oneness of His Prophets
and the oneness of mankind.
There is one major Baha'i House of Worship in each continent.
For local regular gatherings the Baha'is hold meetings in their
homes or in hired halls. The community has neither a priesthood
nor rituals. The Baha'is see their teachings as a ringing call
to action. They see them as offering hope, courage and vision,
in a world beset with universal problems.
_Baha'i Administration_
Consultation is the keynote of all Baha'i administration.
There is no clergy and no ritual.
The Scripture is in written form, preserved and authentic.
Administrative bodies are called Spiritual Assemblies; they are
local, national, and international. All Assemblies meet in a
spirit of prayer.
These spiritual Assemblies are elected by the people, but their
responsibility is trust from God to whom alone they are
answerable.
There is no seeking for votes, no candidates, no platform
promises, no parties.
The Nineteen Day Feast is a community occasion, for the reading
of prayers, discussions of affairs with the Local Spiritual
Assembly, and material refreshment together.
The Universal House of Justice--an elected International body
constituted by Baha'u'llah as the supreme legislative and
governing body of the Faith--carries out its duties at the Baha'i
World Centre in Haifa Israel.
Only members of the Baha'i Faith may contribute to the Baha'i
Fund.
_Questions for discussion_
1. Baha'is clearly place great emphasis on social teaching and
the community of humankind. How do we as Christians respond
to the social teaching of the Church?
2. In what areas would cooperation with people of [the] Baha'i
Faith be most fruitful and possible?
_Suggested further reading_
'The Baha'i Faith' Leaflet published by the Baha'i publishing
Trust, 2 South Street, Oakham, Leicestershire.
'The Baha'i Faith' Booklet Ibid.
'Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah" by Baha'u'llah.
'Paris Talks' by 'Abdu'l-Baha.
'Guidelines for Today and Tomorrow' by Shoghi Effendi.
'Baha'u'llah and the New Era' by Dr. J. E. Esslemont. A complete
catalogue of Baha'i literature can be obtained by writing to :
The Baha'i Publishing Trust, 2 South Street, Oakham,
Leicerstershire LE15 6HY. [In the US, call the Baha'i
Distribution Service toll-free at 1-800-999-9019 for a free
catalog.]
- * -
This is part of the series of leaflets prepared for the Catholic
community by the Committee for Other Faiths. Understanding and
friendly relations with those who believe in God and live their
lives with religious principles and purpose contribute to the
harmony of society and the happiness of all. The series offers
useful information to those who wnat to overcome the obstacles of
ignorance and promote through dialogue, prayer and action the
Catholic Church's teaching of respect and love for all peoples.
The Committee is grateful to its member Sr. Elizabeth West rscj
for this contribution.
+Charles Henderson
Chairman
_Also available_:
"Neighbours and Neighbourhood--a Catholic introduction to living
with neighbours of other Faiths" "What is Islam?" "What is
Buddhism?" "Who was the Buddha?" "What is Hinduism?" "The
Mosque--the Muslim House of Prayer" "Our Sikh Neighbours."
Orders for this leaflet may be obtained from: C.F.O.F., 6a
Cresswell Park, London SE3 9RD. We regret because of inflation
and increased postage that for orders up to 25 leaflets charges
must be 10p per leaflet plus 50p post and packing. Orders in
bundles of 50 of the same leaflet 3.00 [pounds] post free. Please
make cheques payable to: N.C.F. (Other Faiths).
Further information and copies of these leaflets can be obtained
from: The Multi-Faith Centre, Harborne Hall, Old Church road,
Harborne, Birmingham B170BE and The Westminster Interfaith
Programme, 2 Church Avenue, Southall, Middlesex UB24DH.
-- Committee for Other Faiths --
Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
