Bahá’í Faith
“Let your vision be world-embracing…”
— Bahá’u’lláh
Who are the Bahá’ís of Port Coquitlam?
What is the Bahá’í faith
The Bahá’í Faith is the youngest of the world’s independent religions. Founded in 1844, it is the world’s second-most widespread religion after Christianity, spanning 236 countries and territories. Its purpose is to unite all the races and peoples of the world. Members of the Bahá’í Faith are called Bahá’ís which means “follower of Bahá’u’lláh”.
Baha’u’llah explained that the religions of the world come from the same source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God. Baha’is believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and the nature and purpose of life. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh.
What Bahá’ís Believe
The teachings of the Bahá’í Faith are inspired by Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. He states the spiritual principles on which individuals and communities can improve their own lives, contribute to the advancement of civilization, and establish lasting peace and harmony:
- The oneness of God and religion
- The oneness of humanity and freedom from all forms of prejudice
- Independent investigation of truth
- The nobility of each human being
- Equality of women and men
- Harmony between science and religion
- Universal education
- Spiritually guided solutions to economic inequality
- Justice and equity as foundations for world peace
What Bahá’ís Do
Today there are Bahá’ís living in every corner of the earth, all working towards finding ways for humanity to live in unity. One of the most distinctive aspects of the worldwide Bahá’í community is the way in which its members face the future. Bahá’ís have a hopeful yet practical approach to changing the world.
Baha’is carry out various grassroots efforts to further unity and social transformation, joining hands with all those who yearn to build a better world, as they strive to build communities that are spiritually and materially prosperous. Some of these grassroots community-building activities—sometimes called “core activities”—include moral and spiritual development classes for children, junior youth empowerment programs, study groups, and devotional gatherings.
Throughout history, God has sent to humanity a series of divine Educators—known as Manifestations of God—whose teachings have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization. These Manifestations have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, explained that the religions of the world come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God.*