One God · One Human Family · One Unfolding Religion
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.
"The peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God."
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.
"Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship."
This core belief in oneness calls us to actively root out our prejudices and the systemic inequalities that divide people of different ethnic backgrounds, genders, nationalities, and economic classes.
Humanity's spiritual, intellectual and moral capacities have been cultivated through the successive teachings of the Founders of the world's religions. Bahá'u'lláh is the most recent of these Divine Educators.
"This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future."
Each Bahá'í takes time every day to pray, read from scripture, meditate, and reflect on how to translate Bahá'í teachings into action. There is no clergy in the Bahá'í Faith.
Bahá'u'lláh revealed over a hundred volumes of sacred texts. The Hidden Words are perhaps the most accessible, explaining the essence of faith in short and beautiful passages.
Each year, the Bahá'í community elects local and national councils, known as Spiritual Assemblies. All Bahá'ís 21 and older are eligible to both vote and serve.