| Baha'i
History/Founder/important persons/saints:
Founded
in the nineteenth century by the Muslim mystic Baha'u'llah, Baha'i is
an offshoot of Islam that bears little resemblance to its parent religion,
much in the same way that Islam is independent from its Judeo-Christian
origin.
Current
leader/governing body: Baha'i groups are divided into National and local Spiritual Assemblies.
Leaders of both bodies are elected, and both fall under the jurisdiction
of the Universal House of Justice in Israel.
Number
of Adherents: Baha'i is one of the most widespread religions on the planet, with
between
five and six million members in dozens of countries..
Clergy:
None.
Baha'is believe the office of priesthood to encourage corruption.
Requirements
to join: Anyone can become a Baha'i.
Church/temple: Baha'i
religious observances are individual; however, many beautiful temples
exist worldwide.
Scripture: The
writings of the Bab, 'Abdu'l-Baha, and of Baha'u'llah.
Required
observances, dietary restrictions: A
short prayer must be repeated once daily. Fasting is observed for nineteen
days every spring for purposes of spiritual cleansing. Divorce is strongly
discouraged, and homosexuality and extramarital sex are forbidden. Baha'is
avoid drugs and alcohol, and are enjoined from gambling.
Code
of Conduct: Baha'is
must strive to maintain friendly relations with all other faiths, and
avoid 'worldly' behavior such as gossip, idle thinking, and materialism.
Basic
teachings and Beliefs of Baha'i:
Baha'is
are monotheists who believe that all religions come from God, that all
human beings are equal, and that any form of predjudice is immoral and
destructive. They stress the importance of education, a world government,
and the reconciliation of religion and science. Baha'is believe God is
good and that all are destined for an afterlife, and that all human suffering
is caused by our own actions. Baha'is believe there have been numerous
manifestations (not incarnations) of God on earth, including Krishna,
Buddha, Christ, Mohammed, and of course, Baha'u'llah.
Holidays
and observances: Baha'is
observe the birthdays and dates of death of The Bab and of Baha'u'llah,
and the dates both are believed to have declared their mission on earth.
Symbols
of Baha'i: Among
several well known symbols are the nine-pointed star, and a glyph known
as the" ringstone":
 
Would
you like to learn more? Baha'i
Symbols
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