Basic Teachings

• The Oneness of God:
  • There is only one God, the Creator of all things.
• The Oneness of Religion:
  • The Religion of God is one, since His revelation comes to humanity progressively. Baha'u'llah taught that all the Prophets come from one God. Traditionaly, the chosen ones of God, like Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddah, Christ and Muhammad have been regarded as the Founders of separate religions. But Baha'is regard Them all one in purpose and in spirit. Down through the ages, God has sent the Prophets to educate and guide humanity spiritually as well as socially. They teach the Word of God to create a greater capacity in the world of humanity. They reveal teachings to help us gain a higher awareness of our purpose. They reveal commandments to help us grow individually as well as collectively, and to create a just society. They all embody the Holy Spirit and manifest the light and the love of God to humanity. Thus, Baha'is call Them Manifestations of God. We must recognize that the purpose of the Religion of God is the education of humanity and the unity and fellowship of mankind.
• The Oneness of Humanity:
  • The human race is one, with many colors like the flowers of one garden. Baha'u'llah said: "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." He taught that world peace is unattainable, unless and until its unity has been firmly established.
• Work is Worship:
  • Baha'is believe that work done in the spirit of service to humanity is equal to worship. Baha'u'llah said: "Ye are the trees of My garden ; ye must give forth goodly and wondrous fruits, that ye yourselves and others may profit therefrom..." "The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God..." Baha'is believe that the highest station we can attain is the station of servitude to God, through service to humanity.
• Independent Investigation of Truth:
  • Traditionaly people profess the Faith they are taught by their parents, depending mostly on the clergy for spiritualy guidance. This was necessary in the past, since a large number of people were illiterate. But now that literacy is on the rise, every individual is empowered to seek the Truth and not follow with blind imitation. Baha'u'llah said: "...every man hath been, and will continue to be, able of himself to appreciate the Beauty of God, the Glorified. Had he not been endowed with such a capacity, how could he be called to account for his failure?"