University of Virginia Library

On Religion

New Faith Seeks Unity

By Dick Hickman

As a response to the conflict and
disunity that have characterized our
times, a new and independent
universal religion is gaining
followers in this area, across the
country, and around the world. The
goal of the Baha'i World Faith is
"To revitalize mankind spiritually,
to break down the barriers between
peoples and lay the foundation for
a unified world society based upon
principles of justice and love."

Recognizing that the major
challenge confronting mankind in
the twentieth century is to resolve
the basic conflicts between nations,
ideologies, races, and religions, one
of the central tenets of the Faith is
that "The earth is but one country,
and mankind its citizens." Deeply
ingrained conflicts between men
have prevented them from directing
their expanding technology towards
the elimination of ignorance, disease,
and hunger. It is becoming
increasingly clear that these conflicts
must be resolved on the
international level, otherwise there
is little hope for lasting world
peace.

Members of the Baha'i Faith are
aware that the gaps between major
religions must be closed for mankind
to experience a spiritual
reunification. According to the
faith, each of the major religions of
the world, founded by such prophets
as Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster,
Moses, Jesus Christ, and
Muhammad, are all true religions.
In various times and areas of the
world, God has made His Word
known through these Chosen Messengers.
The teachings of these
prophets, relevant at their particular
times, have often been chosen as
an established religion evolved.
Although each religion had similar
origins and teachings from one
Divine Being, at the present time
they are often far apart in doctrine,
dogma, and tradition.

Spiritual Revitalization

If, indeed, our times demand a
new, international spiritual revitalization,
then the evidence of history
suggests that it will come through a
major new prophet. The Baha'i
Faith accepts Baha'u'llah as the
Chosen Messenger of God for this
day.

The coming of a new prophet
was first proclaimed on May 23,
1844 by a young Persian who
became known as Bab (Gate). His
poetic teachings have been widely
accepted throughout Persia. The
fanatical Moslems, believing that
Muhammad was the last great
prophet, executed over 20,000
babies in an attempt to eliminate
this threatening new religion.

Mirza Husayn 'Ali, the son of a
government official, showed great
interest in the new faith, as well as
an excellent grasp of the more
profound teachings of Bab. While a
religious prisoner in 1953, he
received the revelation that he was
the Great Prophet foretold by Bab.
In 1963 he took the title of
Baha'u'llah (Glory of God) and
became the leading teacher of the
new religion. Most of the previous
followers of Bab accepted the claim
of the new leader, and became
Baha'is (Followers of the Glory).
Before his death in 1892, Baha'u'
llah was kept in prison for many
more years, where he established a
basis for the few faith with inspired
writings, letters, and talks with
visitors.

Reaffirms The Covenant

Like Christianity, the Baha'i
Faith reaffirms the Covenant between
God and Man, but requires a
high standard of conduct. The ten
major principles of the faith summarize
the teachings of Baha'u'llah:

1. The independent search for
truth, unfettered by superstition or
tradition.

2. The oneness of the entire
human race, the pivotal principle
and fundamental doctrine of the
Faith.

3. The basic unity of all
religions.

4. The condemnation of all
forms of prejudice, whether religious,
racial, class or national.

5. The harmony which must
exist between religion and science.

6. The equality of men and
women, the two wings on which
the bird of humankind is able to
soar.

7. The introduction of compulsory
education.

8. The adoption of a universal
auxiliary language.

9. The abolition of the extremes
of wealth and poverty.

10. The institution of a world
tribunal for the adjudication of
disputes between nations.

11. The exaltation of work,
performed in the spirit of service,
to the rank of worship.

12. The glorification of justice
as the ruling principle in human
society, and of religion as a bulwark
for the protection of all peoples
and nations.

13. The establishment of a
permanent and universal peace as
the supreme goal of all mankind.

High Ethical Standards

The standards of the Baha'i
Faith in the area of ethical conduct
are high, and some of the more
difficult precepts include obligatory
obedience and loyalty to government,
a strict prohibition against
alcohol and narcotics, as well as a
prohibition against cremation.

Apparently, the new Baha'i
Faith is an extremely idealistic
revitalization of major religious
beliefs applied to the international
community of mankind in the
modern day. One wonders if its
strict calls to practice the faith will
not one day be replaced by another
traditional and dogmatic religion.