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Overview
The Baha'i Faith is a monotheistic religion that began in 19th century Persia and teaches the unity of God, the unity of religions and the unity of humanity. Baha'is believe that God sends a succession of messengers, including Abraham, Moses, Krishna, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah, who bring teachings suited to their age. It matters as a modern universalist religion, with several million followers in nearly every country, and as a case of a new faith that has faced persecution in its homeland.
Context
The faith emerged from Shia Islam in Qajar Persia, where messianic expectation about the awaited Mahdi was strong. It began with the Bab in 1844, a year some Muslim groups connected with expected events. The movement was suppressed violently, and its later leaders lived in exile in the Ottoman Empire before the faith spread worldwide.
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Curator's notes
- Why it matters
- Unity of God, religions and humanity
- Use in training and coaching
- Modern universalism
- What to read
- Writings of Baha'u'llah
- Tradition
- Baha'i Faith
- Origin (approx.)
- 19th century, Persia
- Core ideas
- Unity of God, religions and humanity
- Key texts
- Writings of Baha'u'llah
- Influence and connections
- Modern universalism
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