Editing Baháʼí Faith (section)

== Beliefs ==
{{Main|Baháʼí teachings}}
[[File:Bahaitemplesydney.JPG|thumb|upright|alt=A white domed building|Baháʼí House of Worship in [[Ingleside, New South Wales|Ingleside]], [[Sydney]], Australia]]

The teachings of Baháʼu'lláh form the foundation of Baháʼí beliefs. Three principles are central to these teachings: the [[God in the Baháʼí Faith|unity of God]], the [[Baháʼí Faith and the unity of religion|unity of religion]], and the [[Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity|unity of humanity]].{{sfn|Hutter|2005|pp=737–740}} Bahá'ís believe that God periodically reveals his will through divine messengers, whose purpose is to transform the character of humankind and to develop, within those who respond, moral and spiritual qualities. Religion is thus seen as orderly, unified, and progressive from age to age.{{sfn|Smith|2008|pp=108–109}}

=== God ===
{{Main|God in the Baháʼí Faith}}
[[File:Greatest Name.svg|thumb|The Greatest Name is a [[Baháʼí symbols|Baháʼí symbol]] for God. It is the [[calligraphic]] rendering of the [[Arabic language|Arabic text]]: يا بهاء الأبهى, translated as "''O Thou Glory of Glories''".]]
Baháʼí writings describe a single, personal, inaccessible, omniscient, omnipresent, imperishable, and almighty God who is the creator of all things in the universe.{{sfn|Smith|2008|p=106}} The [[existence of God]] and the [[universe]] are thought to be eternal, with no beginning or end.{{sfn|Daume|Watson|1992}} Even though God is not directly accessible, he is seen as being conscious of creation, with a will and a purpose which is expressed through messengers who are called [[Manifestation of God (Baháʼí Faith)|Manifestations of God]].{{sfn|Smith|2008|pp=106–107, 111–112}} The Baháʼí conception of [[God]] is of an "unknowable essence" who is the source of all existence and known through the perception of human virtues.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} In another sense, Baháʼí teachings on God are also [[Panentheism|panentheistic]], seeing signs of God in all things, but the reality of God being exalted and above the physical world.{{sfn|Stockman|2013|p=33}}

Baháʼí teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, and based on them, humans cannot create a complete and accurate image of God by themselves. Therefore, human understanding of God is achieved through the recognition of the person of the Manifestation and through the understanding of his revelations via his Manifestations.{{sfn|Hatcher|2005}}{{sfn|Cole|1982}}{{better source needed|date=July 2022}} In the Baháʼí Faith, God is often referred to by titles and attributes (for example, the All-Powerful, or the All-Loving), and there is a substantial emphasis on [[monotheism]]. Baháʼí teachings state that these attributes do not apply to God directly but are used to translate Godliness into human terms and to help people concentrate on their own attributes in worshipping God to develop their potential on their spiritual path.{{sfn|Hatcher|2005}}{{sfn|Cole|1982}}{{better source needed|date=July 2022}} According to the Baháʼí teachings the human purpose is to learn to know and love God through such methods as [[Prayer in the Baháʼí Faith|prayer]], [[Introspection|reflection]], and being of service to others.{{sfn|Hatcher|2005}}{{better source needed|date=July 2022}}

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Baháʼí Faith and the unity of religion}}
{{See also|Progressive revelation (Baháʼí)}}
[[File:Wilmette how side.jpg|upright|alt=A white column with ornate designs carved into it, including a Star of David|left|thumb |Symbols of many religions on a pillar of the [[Baháʼí House of Worship (Wilmette, Illinois)|Baháʼí House of Worship]] in Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.]]

Baháʼí notions of progressive religious revelation result in their accepting the validity of the well known religions of the world, whose founders and central figures are seen as Manifestations of God.{{sfn|Hartz|2009|p=14}} Religious history is interpreted as a series of [[dispensationalism|dispensations]], where each ''manifestation'' brings a somewhat broader and more advanced [[revelation]] that is rendered as a text of scripture and passed on through history with greater or lesser reliability but at least true in substance,{{sfn|Stockman|2013|pp=40–42}} suited for the time and place in which it was expressed.{{sfn|Daume|Watson|1992}} Specific religious social teachings (for example, the direction of prayer, or dietary restrictions) may be revoked by a subsequent manifestation so that a more appropriate requirement for the time and place may be established. Conversely, certain general principles (for example, neighbourliness, or charity) are seen to be universal and consistent. In Baháʼí belief, this process of progressive revelation will not end; it is, however, believed to be cyclical. Baháʼís do not expect a new manifestation of God to appear within 1000 years of Baháʼu'lláh's revelation.{{sfn|McMullen|2000|p=7}}

Baháʼís assert that their religion is a distinct tradition with its own [[Baháʼí literature|scriptures]] and [[Baháʼí laws|laws]], and not a sect of another religion.{{sfn|Hartz|2009|p=24}} Most religious specialists now see it as an independent religion, with its religious background in [[Shiʻa Islam]] being seen as analogous to the Jewish context in which Christianity was established.{{sfn|Van der Vyer|1996|p=449}} Baháʼís describe their faith as an independent world religion, differing from the other traditions in its relative age and modern context.{{sfn|Lundberg|2005}}{{better source needed|date=July 2022}}

=== Human beings ===
{{See also|Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity|Baháʼí Faith on life after death}}
[[File:Ringstone.svg|alt=A stylized Arabic figure which has intersecting lines that lock around rings and five-pointed stars to either side|thumb|right|The [[Baháʼí symbols#Ringstone symbol|ringstone symbol]], representing humanity's connection to God]]
The Baháʼí writings state that human beings have a "rational soul", and that this provides the species with a unique capacity to recognize God's status and humanity's relationship with its creator. Every human is seen to have a duty to recognize God through his [[Manifestation of God (Baháʼí Faith)|Messengers]], and to conform to their teachings.{{sfn|McMullen|2000|pp=57–58}} Through recognition and obedience, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice, the Baháʼí writings state that the soul becomes closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Baháʼí belief. According to Baháʼí belief, when a human dies, the soul is permanently separated from the body and carries on in the next world where it is judged based on the person's actions in the physical world. Heaven and Hell are taught to be spiritual states of nearness or distance from God that describe relationships in this world and the next, and not physical places of reward and punishment achieved after death.{{sfn|Stockman|2013|p=45}}

The Baháʼí writings emphasize the essential equality of human beings, and the abolition of prejudice. Humanity is seen as essentially one, though highly varied; its diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance. Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class, and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to unity.{{sfn|Hutter|2005|pp=737–740}} The Baháʼí teachings state that the unification of humanity is the paramount issue in the religious and political conditions of the present world.{{sfn|Daume|Watson|1992}}

=== Social principles ===
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 14823 Bahai Gardens.jpg|thumb|The [[Terraces (Baháʼí)|Baháʼí gardens]] in [[Haifa|Haifa, Israel]]]]
When [[ʻAbdu'l-Bahá]] first traveled to Europe and America in 1911–1912, he gave public talks that articulated the basic principles of the Baháʼí Faith.{{sfn|Smith|2008|pp=52–53}} These included preaching on the equality of men and women, race unity, the need for world peace, and other progressive ideas for the early 20th century. Published summaries of the Baháʼí teachings often include a list of these principles, and lists vary in wording and what is included.{{sfn|Iranica-The Faith|1988}}

The concept of the [[Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity|unity of humankind]], seen by Baháʼís as an ancient truth, is the starting point for many of the ideas. The equality of races and the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, for example, are implications of that unity.{{sfn|Stockman|2013|p=9}} Another outgrowth of the concept is the need for a united world federation, and some practical recommendations to encourage its realization involve the establishment of a universal language, a standard economy and system of measurement, universal compulsory education, and an international court of arbitration to settle disputes between nations.{{sfn|Hartz|2009|p=21}} Nationalism, according to this viewpoint, should be abandoned in favor of allegiance to the whole of humankind. With regard to the pursuit of world peace, Baháʼu'lláh prescribed a world-embracing [[collective security]] arrangement.{{sfn|Smith|2000|pp=266–267}}

Other Baháʼí social principles revolve around spiritual unity. Religion is viewed as progressive from age to age, but to recognize a newer revelation one has to abandon tradition and independently investigate. Baháʼís are taught to view religion as a source of unity, and religious prejudice as destructive. Science is also viewed in harmony with true religion.{{sfn|Iranica-The Faith|1988}} Though Baháʼu'lláh and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá called for a united world that is free of war, they also anticipate that over the long term, the establishment of a lasting peace (The Most Great Peace) and the purging of the "overwhelming Corruptions" requires that the people of the world unite under a universal faith with spiritual virtues and ethics to complement material civilization.{{sfn|Smith|2000|pp=266–267}}

[[Shoghi Effendi]], the head of the religion from 1921 to 1957, wrote the following summary of what he considered to be the distinguishing principles of Baháʼu'lláh's teachings, which, he said, together with the laws and ordinances of the ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'' constitute the bedrock of the Baháʼí Faith:

{{Blockquote|The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; the oneness of the entire human race, the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of human kind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a [[Baháʼí Faith and auxiliary language|universal auxiliary language]]; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of worship; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind—these stand out as the essential elements [which Baháʼu'lláh proclaimed].{{sfn|Effendi|1944|pp=281–282}}{{sfn|Adamson|2009|pp=383–384}}}}

=== Covenant ===
{{Main|Covenant of Baháʼu'lláh}}
Baháʼís highly value unity, and Baháʼu'lláh clearly established rules for holding the community together and resolving disagreements. Within this framework, no individual follower may propose 'inspired' or 'authoritative' interpretations of scripture, and individuals agree to support the line of authority established in Baháʼí scriptures.{{sfn|Hartz|2009|p=20}} This practice has left the Baháʼí community unified and free of any serious fracturing.{{sfn|Smith|2000|p=114}} The [[Universal House of Justice]] is the final authority to resolve any disagreements among Baháʼís, and the few [[Attempted schisms in the Baháʼí Faith|attempts at schism]]{{sfn|Stockman|2020|pp=36–37}} have all either become extinct or remained extremely small, numbering a few hundred adherents collectively.{{sfn|Iranica-Bahai and Babi Schisms|1988|p=448}}{{sfn|Gallagher|Ashcraft|2006|p=201}} The followers of such divisions are regarded as [[Covenant-breaker]]s and shunned.{{sfn|Smith|2008|p=173}}