core baha’i beliefs
One God
Called by different names throughout the ages, the eternal God, the one Creator of the universe. God is limitless, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-merciful. God is one. While the reality of God is beyond human understanding, we may find expressions of God’s attributes in every created thing. All the best human qualities are reflections of God’s divine attributes.
One Humanity
Beyond all differences of race, culture, class or ethnicity, regardless of differences in customs, opinions, or temperaments, every individual is a member of one human family. Each unique individual has a role to play in carrying forward an ever-advancing material and spiritual civilization.
One Unfolding Religion
Humanity’s spiritual, intellectual and moral capacities have been cultivated through the successive teachings of the Founders of the world’s religions—the Manifestations of God. Each religion originates with God and is suited to the age and place in which it is revealed. In essence, the religion of God is one and whose progressive revelation is unfolding.
Basic Teachings
The oneness of humanity
Independent investigation of truth
Elimination of prejudice
Racial and social justice
The nobility of each human being
Equality of men and women
Harmony of science and religion
Universal education
Spiritual solutions to economic equality
Justice and equity for world peace
Daily Practices
Each Baha’i takes time every day to pray, read from scripture, meditate, and reflect on how to translate Baha’i teachings into action. There is no clergy or priesthood in the Baha’i Faith. Each person is responsible for his or her own relationship with God and spiritual development.
Organisation
Each year, the Baha’i community elects local and national councils, known as Spiritual Assemblies. Diverse membership, non-partisan elections, and collective decision-making are basic features of the Baha’i model of leadership. In place of clergy or priesthood, these local assemblies look after the health and vibrancy of their community.
An international council, known as the Universal House of Justice, is elected once every five years.