Allow me to share with you for my own view of what the Baha’i faith is all about and include a couple videos that will explain more about them. I also want to share with you how I diverge from the Baha’i faith. I hope you can use this to make your own decision regarding what the Baha’i faith is all about and whether or not you should be one. There are other books and videos that you can read and view so that you can make up your own mind. If a Baha’i reads this and feels that I am not representing the religion correctly, I am more than happy to hear from and discuss with them.

The Baha’i faith revolves around a man named Baháʼu’lláh from the 19th century in Iran. He believed in the universality of all monotheistic religions. He believed that ultimately there is one god and one religion. From what I understand, you can be a Baha’i and also be Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or Muslim, etc… The Baha’i faith helps all of these people answer a great theological question: if there is only one true religion, what if I were raised in the wrong religion? From what I have gathered, it does not address anyone who has never encountered ANY religious training in ANY religion (like people living in some jungle someplace or those raised in atheistic societies). The specific teachings of Baháʼu’lláh may address this, I am not sure. I do not call myself a Baha’i scholar. Anyway, Baha’i’s believe that all people have a spark of the divine and Baha’i’s express this through many beautiful programs to help others. In my opinion, the Bahai faith is similar to the beliefs of Quakers or Unitarians. There are no priests or rabbis or professional laity.

Here are good introductions to the Bahai faith–Behind the Bahá’í faith, one of the fastest growing religions – Bing video and What is the Baha’i Faith? An Introduction by Rainn Wilson – YouTube

However, as I said, I disagree with Baha’i’s on a couple important points. These points I cannot get over and prevent me from calling myself a Baha’i. For starters, there is a teaching in the Baha’i faith that says that Jesus, Mohammed, Krishna, Buddha, etc… were not divine but just “Divine Physicians” or teachers appointed by God at a certain time to instruct and teach and lead. I asked a Baha’i teacher about this once about this since Jesus said that he was not a teacher but God Himself. It led me to ask the teacher how he responded to C.S. Lewis’ trilemma of who Jesus was: lunatic, liar, or lord (A Look at the Lewis Trilemma – YouTube). The Bahai teacher was not familiar with C.S. Lewis or comparative religions obviously. He told me that if I did not like what Jesus said, then not to worry about it and do what I want(!). Now, there are some quotes from the Bible which imply that he was NOT equal with God (John 10:34, Philippians 2:6) but there are many more where Jesus said He was.

Another point that I disagree with Baha’i’s about is that, having been to a several meetings, they rarely if ever mention God, praise God, or even pray to God…at least in these meetings. As I said, they are big on mention and discussing the divine spark in everyone and the need to be involved in compassionate works However, they do not talk about God, His nature, who He is to them. I believe that all of this world is about knowing Him better, praying, and involving Him in our lives to allow Him to make us like Him. I will never become more like God unless I hear about and spend time with God.

Now, I love many Baha’i people and I agree with them…to a point. I agree that we need to see the divine spark in EVERYONE. I would never want to be a part of a faith tradition that believes that it is okay to disrespect and/or poorly treat ANYONE based on them being a part of a different religion. Bahai people are very loving and very open-minded people. I have gone to pray at the Bahai temple here near Chicago in Wilmette IL. It is a beautiful and contemplative place. I will go there again. I will spend time with Baha’i people again.

You need to make your own decision regarding the Baha’i faith.

1 Thessolians 5:12 But test everything; hold fast what is good.

———————————————————————————-W.