Basic Bahá’í Principles
[In most instances, each principle in the following list of basic Bahá’í principles is followed by one or more example quotations from Bahá’í scripture. Neither the principles listed or the supporting quotations are by any means exhaustive. The list derives from numerous writings and talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, in which he briefly outlined the features of his father’s Revelation. The list itself (and other lists similar to it) is not a matter of “doctrine,” rather it is a convenience for describing some chief features of the Bahá’í Faith. The order of the principles is, therefore, somewhat arbitrary.]
- The oneness of God
- God is the ultimate Reality, Creator of the universe, Whose nature is unknowable and inaccessible to humankind. Such designations as God, Allah, Yahweh, Brahma all refer to the One Divine Being. We learn about God through His Messengers, Who teach and guide humanity.
- The oneness of humanity
- “It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 250)
- The oneness of religion
- “All these divisions we see on all sides, all these disputes and opposition, are caused because men cling to ritual and outward observances, and forget the simple, underlying truth. It is the outward practices of religion that are so different, and it is they that cause disputes and enmity — while the reality is always the same, and one. The Reality is the Truth, and truth has no division. Truth is God’s guidance, it is the light of the world, it is love, it is mercy. These attributes of truth are also human virtues inspired by the Holy Spirit.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 120-1)
- Independent investigation of truth
- “Furthermore, know ye that God has created in man the power of reason, whereby man is enabled to investigate reality. God has not intended man to imitate blindly his fathers and ancestors. He has endowed him with mind, or the faculty of reasoning, by the exercise of which he is to investigate and discover the truth, and that which he finds real and true he must accept.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 291)
- Religion as a source of unity
- “He (Bahá’u’lláh) sets forth a new principle for this day in the announcement that religion must be the cause of unity, harmony and agreement among mankind. If it be the cause of discord and hostility, if it leads to separation and creates conflict, the absence of religion would be preferable in the world.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith, p. 247)
- The evolutionary nature of religion
- Bahá’í’s view religion as a progressive, evolutionary process which needs to be updated as humanity evolves mentally, socially, and spiritually. Every so often a new Prophet is sent to humanity to update religion to the current needs of mankind. These Prophets bring essentially the same spiritual message to mankind; in a form that meets the needs of the people of Their time. Bahá’í’s believe that Bahá’u’lláh has brought an updated message for mankind today.
- Harmony between religion, science and reason
- “Religion and science are the two wings upon which man’s intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough of materialism.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p.143)
- Peaceful consultation as a means for resolving differences
- In the Bahá’í Faith, difference of opinion is not squelched, in fact it is encouraged. “The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.” (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 87) However, differences of opinion can be expressed in a way that doesn’t humiliate another human being. The Bahá’í principle of consultation requires that an individual be detached from his or her opinions and always be open to the truth, from whoever or wherever it comes from.
- An international auxiliary language
- “It behoveth the sovereigns of the world may God assist them or the ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be regarded as one country.” (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 22)
- Universal education
- “Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy Tablet. He that putteth away that which is commanded unto him, the Trustees of the House of Justice are then to recover from him that which is required for their instruction, if he be wealthy, and if not the matter devolveth upon the House of Justice. Verily, have We made it a shelter for the poor and needy. He that bringeth up his son or the son of another, it is as though he hath brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My Glory, My Loving-Kindness, My Mercy, that have compassed the world.” (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 128)
- The elimination of all forms of prejudice
- “...again, as to religious, racial, national and political bias: all these prejudices strike at the very root of human life; one and all they beget bloodshed, and the ruination of the world. So long as these prejudices survive, there will be continuous and fearsome