2,000 Greater & Lesser Mysteries/2,000 Greater and Lesser Mysteries.iso/bahi/mys00164.txt

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The Baha'i Faith
and its World Community

Introduction
The Baha'i Faith is an independent world religion with adherents
in virtually every country.  The Baha'i world community includes
almost all nationalities, classes, trades and professions.  Its
membership of over 4.5 million is comprised of people living in
more than 118,000 localities in over 200 countries and
territories - 166 of these independent nations - and unites men
and women of various religious and ethnic origins.  More than
2,000 ethnic groups and tribes are represented.

Baha'i Writings
The writings that guide the life of the Baha'i community include
numerous works by Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i
Faith, and interpretations by His son, Abdu'l-Baha, and
Baha'u'llah's great-grandson, Shoghi Effendi.  Baha'i literature
can be read today in over 800 languages and dialects.

Baha'i Principles
The central principles of the Baha'i Faith are the oneness of
God, the oneness of religion, and the oneness of mankind.
Baha'u'llah taught that divine Revelation is a continuous and
progressive process and that the missions of the messengers of
God represent successive stages in the spiritual evolution of
human society.  Baha'is believe that humanity is one family
created by God.   The Baha'i community promotes the unity of
mankind and the establishment of peace in the world.  The
teachings of the Baha'i Faith provide solutions to problems which
have been barriers to the achievement of unity and peace.

Characteristics of the Baha'i Community
There is no clergy in the Baha'i Faith.  Local meetings are
planned by the local Baha'i communities.  Baha'i meetings include
devotional services, study classes, discussions, social events,
and the observation of holy days.

Baha'i religious and community activities are planned according
to the Baha'i calendar.  The Baha'i Faith began in 1844 and each
new calendar year begins on the vernal equinox.  The Baha'i year
includes nine holy days and a period of fasting near the end of
the year.  The purpose of human life for Baha'is is to know and
to worship God, and to carry forward an ever-advancing
civilization.  Baha'is have, for over one hundred years, striven
to bring about the unity of mankind, world peace, and world
order.   To achieve these goals the Baha'i teachings encourage:
1. The fostering of good character and the development of
   spiritual qualities, such as honesty, trustworthiness,
   compassion, and justice.  Prayer, meditation, and work
   done in the spirit of service to humanity are
   expressions of the worship of God.
2. The eradication of prejudices of race, creed, class,
   nationality, and sex.  Racism retards the unfoldment of
   the boundless potentialities of its victims, corrupts its
   perpetrators, and blights human progress.  Recognition of
   the oneness of mankind, implemented by appropriate legal
   measures, must be universally upheld if this problem is
   to be overcome.
3. The achievement of a dynamic coherence between the
   spiritual and practical requirements of life on earth.
   There are spiritual principles or values by which
   solutions can be found for every social problem.  The
   essential merit of a spiritual principle is that it not
   only presents a perspective which harmonizes with that
   which is immanent in human nature, it also induces an
   attitude, a dynamic, a will, an aspiration, which
   facilitate the discovery and implementation of practical
   measures.
4. The development of the unique talents and abilities of
   each individual.  Through the pursuit of knowledge, the
   acquisition of skills for the practice of a trade
   or profession and participation in community life both
   the individual and society as a whole are enriched.
5. The equality of women and men.  The denial of such
   equality perpetrates an injustice against one half of the
   world's population and promotes in men harmful attitudes
   and habits that are carried from the family to the
   workplace, to political life, and ultimately to
   international relations.
6. The cause of universal education.  Ignorance is
   indisputably the principal reason for the decline and
   fall of peoples and the perpetuation of prejudice.  No
   nation can achieve success unless education is accorded
   all its citizens.

Baha'i Laws
Besides spiritual laws requiring daily prayer and an annual
period of fasting, the Baha'i Faith has social laws.  It
prescribes monogamy and upholds the importance of chastity.
Marriage is conditional upon the consent of both parties and
their parents.  Divorce is discouraged in the Baha'i community
and Baha'i law requires a year of trial separation, after which,
if differences cannot be resolved, divorce is permissible.
Baha'i law also prohibits the use of alcoholic drinks and
narcotics.


Non-Partisan Character
The Baha'i Faith is not aligned with any government or political
party.  While they may accept non-partisan government posts and
appointments, Baha'is may not be  members of any political
faction or ideology.  Baha'is, both individually and
collectively, are enjoined to obey the laws of their respective
states and the authority of the legally constituted governments
under which they live.  Without regard for political affiliation,
Baha'is may vote in general elections and participate in the
ordinary civic life of their community.  The institutions and
programs of the Baha'i Faith are supported exclusively by
voluntary contributions from its own members.

Baha'i Administrative Order
Free from any form of ecclesiasticism, having neither priesthood
nor manmade ritual, and forbidding asceticism, monasticism, and
mendicancy, the Baha'i Faith relies on a pattern of local,
national, and international administration, created by
Baha'u'llah, elaborated by Abdu'l-Baha, and implemented by Shoghi
Effendi.  There are currently approximately 20,000 local
assemblies and over 145 National Assemblies throughout the world.


The affairs of the local Baha'i community are administered by a
nine-member local Spiritual Assembly elected annually.
Nationally, a nine-member body is elected each year by delegates
who have in turn been elected by Baha'is at the local level.  The
international governing body, the Universal House of Justice, is
elected once every five years in Haifa, Israel at an
international convention attended by members of the national
assemblies.  All Baha'i elections are by secret ballot, with no
nominations or electioneering.

In administering the affairs of the community, the institutions
of the Baha'i Faith practice a form of consultation that involves
full and frank discussion of issues under consideration.  Matters
are discussed with a desire to ascertain the facts and to come to
a decision that is based on spiritual principles and is
unencumbered by personal attachment to points of view.  The
Baha'i writings state: "The shining spark of truth comes forth
only after the clash of differing opinions."  While the goal of
consultation is unanimous agreement upon a course of action, when
unanimity cannot be reached, a vote is taken, and the decision of
the majority prevails.


Houses of Worship
The central position of prayer and meditation in Baha'i
individual and community life places emphasis on houses of
worship in villages, towns, and cities.  At present, Houses of
Worship exist in Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.; Frankfurt-am-Main,
West Germany; Kampala, Uganda; Sidney, Australia; Panama City,
Panama; New Delhi, India; and Apia, Western Samoa.  Services of
worship consist of the recitation of Baha'i scriptures and
scriptures of the other divinely revealed religions and "a
capella" music is also allowed.  Eventually, each locality will
have its own house of worship, which will serve as the point
around which the scientific, educational, humanitarian, and
administrative institutions of the Baha'i community revolve.
Many local Baha'i communities currently own properties used for
activities.

Social and Economic Development Projects
Baha'i communities throughout the world are involved in social
and economic development activities that serve the needs of local
populations.

National Spiritual Assemblies currently manage over 900
development projects.  The majority of the projects are the
result of grassroots efforts operating with little or no outside
support.

Activities in health and social services, communications,
agriculture and forestry, and community development encourage
work in the spirit of service to mankind.  The emphasis in
Baha'i teachings on the necessity of universal education has
inspired the establishment of learning centers which include
tutorial schools in fifteen African countries and more than 300
training schools and centers in Asia.

Social and economic development projects world-wide also include
medical centers, programs for women, cooperative savings
programs, building renovation, arts and theater groups, communal
farms and cooperative fishing projects, homes for refugees and
for the aged, and computer education to assist low income
families.

Seven educational radio stations currently operate in Liberia,
Panama, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and the United States, to
serve the local populations.  Programs in native languages offer
advice on health care, crop management, animal husbandry, and
child development.


Relationship to the United Nations
The Baha'i International Community has accredited consultative
status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) and with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
It is also affiliated with the United Nations Environment Program
(UNEP) and, since 1948, with the UN Office of Public Information.
It has representatives with the United Nations in New York,
Geneva, and Nairobi.  Local Baha'i communities are encouraged to
support the UN's various humanitarian projects.  The Baha'i
International Community participates in meetings of UN agencies
concerned with human rights, social development, the status of
women, the environment, human settlement, food, science and
technology, population, the law of the sea, crime prevention,
substance abuse, youth, children, the family, disarmament, and
the United Nations University.

Baha'i History
The Baha'i Faith was founded in Persia (Iran) by Mirza Husayn-Ali
(1817-1892), known as Baha'u'llah, the "Glory of God".  The word
"Baha'i" derives from baha ("glory" or "splendor") and means a
follower of Baha'u'llah.  The Baha'i Faith is linked with the
Babi Faith, founded in 1844 by Mirza Ali-Muhammad (1819-1850),
known as the Bab or "Gate".  The Bab announced that He was not
only the founder of an independent religion, but the herald of a
new and far greater prophet or messenger of God, Who would usher
in an age of peace for all mankind.  The Bab was executed by
Persian authorities in 1850 in an attempt to crush His religion.
In 1863, Baha'u'llah declared that He was the one prophesied by
the Bab.

Baha'u'llah was exiled from Iran to various places within the
Ottoman Empire, and in 1868 was sent as a prisoner to the
fortress city of Akka in Palestine.  He passed away in 1892.  In
His will, He appointed His eldest son, Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921),
to lead the Baha'i community and to  interpret the Baha'i
Writings.  Abdu'l-Baha in turn appointed His eldest grandson,
Shoghi Effendi (1896-1957), as His successor, the Guardian of the
Cause, and the authorized interpreter of the Baha'i teachings.
Today the affairs of the world-wide Baha'i community are
administered by the Universal House of Justice.

Baha'i World Center
The Baha'i World Center is in the Holy Land.  From the time of
Baha'u'llah's exile to Akka, the spiritual and administrative
center of the Faith has been established in the two cities of
Akka and Haifa.  The Baha'i Holy Places in Israel consist of the
Shrines of Baha'u'llah and The Bab and historic sites associated
with Them.  Baha'u'llah instructed that the World Center of His
Faith should be in the vicinity of these Shrines.  The Seat of
the Universal House of Justice is located on Mt. Carmel in Haifa.

U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Information July 1988

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United
States is the administrative body for the Baha'is of the U.S.

The Assembly has nine members.  They are chosen by 171 delegates
representing all the adult Baha'is of the continental U.S.  There
are approximately 1,700 local Spiritual Assemblies in the 48
contiguous states.  Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico have their own
National Spiritual Assembies.

The Assembly directs, coordinates and stimulates the activities
of individuals and local Spiritual Assemblies.  It participates
with other National Spiritual Assemblies in the election of the
international governing body of the Faith, the Universal House of
Justice, which is held in Haifa, Israel, every five years.

The headquarters of the National Assembly is in the vicinity of
the Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, where the
Assembly maintains an administrative staff, supervises a
publishing trust, and publishes several periodicals including a
quarterly magazine, World Order, and a quarterly newsletter, US
Baha'i Report.

The Assembly supports the proclamation of the Baha'i Faith
throughout the world.  Baha'i communities have been established
in more than 200 countries, territories and islands; Baha'is now
live in over 100,000 localities around the world.  The Baha'is of
the United States were among the first to carry the Faith to many
lands.

The Assembly has an official representative accredited with the
United Nations Department of Public Information and is a member
of the Baha'i International Community which has consultative
status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) and the United Nations International Children's Fund
(UNICEF).  In addition, it has submitted comprehensive position
papers to the U.N. on such topics as human rights, the
environment, and the equality of men and women.

The Assembly directs the operations of three permanent schools in
California, Maine and Michigan and supervises Baha'i studies at
the Native American Baha'i Institute in Arizona and at 36 other
locations across the nation.  The first Baha'i school in the
United States was founded in 1900.

The Assembly also operates the Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute
in South Carolina, which provides training for teachers and
administrators of the Faith, primarily from the southern states.
WLGI, an educationally licensed 50,000-watt Baha'i radio station,
broadcasts from the same site.

The Assembly, in all of its deliberations, endeavors to reach
decisions through "loving and frank consultation."  In all of its
efforts it strives to remain free from outside pressure and
influence.  Clear directives for its actions are contained in the
sacred writings of the Baha'i Faith.



PRINCIPAL TENETS OF THE BAHA'I FAITH

The central teachings of the Baha'i Faith are based on the belief
that religion is revealed by a succession of prophets inspired by
one God.  The pivotal social principle of the Faith is the
oneness of mankind, implying:

     o establishment of universal peace upheld by a world federal
       system;
     o elimination of prejudice of all kinds;
     o recognition of the equality of men and women;
     o adoption of a universal auxiliary language;
     o acceptance of the essential harmony of science and
       religion;
     o implementation of universal compulsory education;
     o application of spiritual solutions to the world's
       problems.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
Wilmette, Illinois 60091  -  708/869-9039



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