ELIMINATING PREJUDICE
Prejudice of all kinds, whether pertaining to gender, race, religion or class, needs to be eliminated if society is to truly progress. The very notion that one group of human beings is superior to another because of ethnic or social differences is a poison that afflicts the life of our communities, dividing us and denying our true identity as noble beings.
MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL CIVILISATION
The advancement of true civilisation, and the coming of age of humanity, as foretold by Bahá’u’lláh, require that both the spiritual and material aspects of life advance together. Material progress is essential; yet, without spiritual progress―which speaks to the very core of human experience and motivation, and directs material advancement towards the betterment of the world―lasting peace and prosperity will be impossible.
ONENESS OF HUMANITY
The principle of the oneness of humanity lies at the heart of the Bahá’í Teachings; a belief that regards the diverse peoples of the world as members of one human family. Ignorance and neglect of this principle are the root cause of the conflict we see in the world. We are however, beginning to see hopeful signs of a growing acceptance of this undeniable truth.
GOD
The Bahá’í teachings explain that God, the Creator of the universe, is beyond the comprehension of the human mind. However, His attributes are reflected in the world around us, and His teachings and guidance are given to humanity through the Divine Educators, or Manifestations of God, who usher in new religious eras and unfold new horizons of human potential.
THE JOURNEY OF THE SOUL
The Bahá’í writings teach us that our reality is spiritual. Every human being has a soul, which is on an eternal journey towards God. The soul begins its journey in this physical world, developing qualities that will assist it on its journey in the spiritual worlds beyond. After death, the soul continues to progress towards God. Heaven and hell are not physical places, but are symbolic representations of the soul’s nearness or remoteness to God.
Baha'i Beliefs
Throughout history, God has sent to humanity, according to the needs of the time, a series of Divine Educators, known as Manifestations of God. These Divine Educators include Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Their distinct social and spiritual teachings have guided humanity’s efforts to advance civilisation.
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated.
Bahá’u’lláh, the most recent of these Divine Educators, teaches that humanity is on a path to maturity, much like an individual who progresses through various stages of development. The current turmoil in the world can be viewed as humanity experiencing the turbulence of adolescence.
The writings of Bahá'u'lláh provide a wealth of spiritual teachings that assist us in progressing on this path towards maturity, and in building a peaceful and unified world.
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God's holy Will is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and strife.