The Baha'i Faith offers a variety goals, values, requirements, and prohibitions that influence and direct the behavior of followers. Baha'u'llah himself, a Manifestation of God whose word is considered infallible, dictated prohibitions against the following things:
Priesthood
The Baha'i have no established priesthood. In addition, there are a variety of priestly trappings that Baha'is are prohibited from adopting.Read more: Baha'i Prohibitions Against a Priesthood
Homosexuality, Adultery and Polygamy
While marriage is optional for Baha'i, there are specific injunctions against a variety of sexually-based activities.Read more: Baha'i Rules Conserning Marriage and Sexuality
Poor Treatment of Others
Baha'u'llah forbid a variety of behaviors dealing with people's treatment of others. This includes doctrines of impurity, slavery, backbiting, calumny, gossip, begging and the waging of holy war.Read more: Baha'i Prohibitions Concerning the Treatment of Others
Murder, Arson and Theft
These prohibitions need little explanation. All involve taking or destroying things to which one has no right.
Cruelty to Animals
Animals have no ability to protest mistreatment, so they are arguably even more vulnerable to exploitation than humans. While Baha'i have no rules against the use or slaughter of animals, they do view that superiority comes with responsibility. Animals should not be treated cruelly, nor should they be overburdened with tasks they are not equipped to handle. Hunting is permitted in moderation: animals are a resource that should not be squandered.
Burning of Books
Education and independent investigation are important precepts to the Baha'i. The destruction of knowledge is therefore forbidden.
Ingestion of Intoxicating Substances
Substances that induce sluggishness or otherwise harm the "human temple" are forbidden. This includes alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco. There is no such prohibition against medication properly administered by a doctor for legitimate medical care.
Gambling
Gambling is forbidden, although nowhere in the scriptures does it specify exactly what does and does not constitute gambling. Currently, each believer is expected to make the best determination for himself.
