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This lens was created to help people find useful information about the Baha'i Faith. It is not intended to be a primary reference source but rather a tool for finding what you seek from other web sites.
The Baha'i Faith is a world religion which calls for a renewal of the common spiritual teachings found in all religions and sets forth a dynamic body of social teachings specifically designed to lead humanity into a new world civilization and an era of peace based upon unity and justice.
The word "Baha'i" is taken from the title given to a man known as Baha'u'llah (which means the Glory of God). Baha'u'llah, whose ministry lasted from 1853 to 1892, was a Manifestation of God - a messenger to humanity with a new revelation from God for this day.
The Baha'i Faith, which originated in Persia, was relatively unknown in the West until the early part of the 20th century. Since then it has spread around the world as people have embraced its strong spiritual ethic, progressive social teachings, enlightening answers to age-old religious questions, and its vision of a world united in peace.
General Baha'i Information
- Overview of Baha'i Faith
- This webpage provides an excellent, succinct introduction to the basic tenets of the Faith, as well as a brief description of one Baha'i community's understanding of the Faith's spiritual leadership as embodied in the institution of the Guardianship.
- Bahá'í Faith - Wikipedia
- Bahá'í Faith From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: This informational article refers to the generally-recognized global Bahá'í community. See disambiguation for others.
- BAHA'I FAITH
- Introductory information on website maintained by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.
- The Baha'i Faith
- This webpage is part of the New Religious Movements Homepage; it includes a profile of the Baha'i Faith, comprehensive links with abstracts, and a print bibliography.
- Baha'i Topics
- An overview of the Baha'i Faith, including its main figures and institutions, basic teachings, history and community activities.
introductory Baha'i books
Baha'u'llah and the New Era: An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith
The "New Era" is an easy to digest overview of the Bahá'í Faith that includes a thorough yet concise outline of the history and teachings of this youngest of the worlds major religions.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008) 
The Baha'i Faith: The Emerging Global Religion
This book is an excellent book to use in comparative religions courses as an introduction to the Baha'i Faith.
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/02/2008)
Baha'i Faith: A Short Introduction (Oneworld Short Guides)
A clear, readable, and informative introduction to all aspects of this 150-year-old tradition. From personal spirituality to social and theological teachings.
Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 12/02/2008)
One believer's story of discovery...
I have been interested in religion all my life. I was raised a Christian, growing up in three Protestant churches: Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist. Even as a preteen I tried to make sense of what I was being taught and asked questions--too many to the liking of some youth group adult leaders in the church.In my high school years in Memphis, TN during the mid '60s, racism was prevalent throughout the "Mid-South", including in my Methodist Church. Getting into more than a few arguments about squaring that mindset with the teachings of Jesus taught me to appreciate the difference between the teachings of the Prophet and those of the man-made institutions created by His followers in subsequent decades and centuries.
That set me on a quest for spiritual--as distinguished from religious--truth. In college some friends dragged me into a comparative religions course offered off campus by a church related student organization. To my amazement, instead of focusing on religious differences, the speakers emphasized the similarities among the world's great religions. What unfolded before me in that course was the concept of progressive revelation, that all religions are chapters of the same book of God. The last (and most recent) religion discussed was the Baha'i Faith, one I'd never heard of before. I was caught up by the sweep of history and how appropriately that faith addressed the needs of today.
They say Baha'is are found, not made. I have never stopped asking questions even after accepting the Baha'i Faith. The Faith encourages independent investigation of truth, and I continue to look into other religions and spiritual paths for wisdom and my own growth as a spiritual being. May you find the exploration as exciting and fulfilling as I have.
Baha'i World News Service
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byReference Sources
- Baha'i Library Online
- Baha'i writings, related articles, and documents. This website is not endorsed by any Baha'i institution.
- Baha'i Reference Library
- The Bahá'í Reference Library is an agency of the Bahá'í International Community. This site provides electronic access to selected writings of the Bahá'í Faith in English, Persian and Arabic.
- Bahai Studies
- Links to academic scholarship on the Bahai faith and related translations, Talisman debates, search engines, documents, and discussion groups.
- Sacred Texts: Baha'i texts
- This site is a freely available archive of electronic texts about religion, mythology, legends and folklore, and occult and esoteric topics, including Baha'i scriptures.
- Directory of Baha'i Websites
- Selected readings from Baha'i Writings, and an index of links to most other Baha'i Faith sites on the internet!
- Baha'i Faith Index
- Baha'i search engine and directory with photo gallery, discussion, Bahai news, e-cards, Baha'i calendar, and more.
Baha'i scriptures
Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah
In the words of the Faith's Founder, this volume lays out Baha'i teachings about the core of truth in all religions, the ongoing nature of spiritual prophecy, and the ineffable mystery of God.
Amazon Price: $9.60 (as of 12/02/2008)
The Hidden Words of Baha'U'LLah
The Hidden Words consists of about 153 short paragraphs cast in the form of short revelations to Bahaullah that distill teachings that are universal to spiritual life.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Some Answered Questions
A compilation of the talks of Abdu'l-Baha answering questions about many religious issues, including a number of perplexing Christian subjects such as the meaning of the "return" or second coming of Christ, the Resurrection, and the miracles of Christ.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Worship around the world
138/365 Atheist
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Baha'i organizations
- Tarbiyat Baha'i Community
- A community of Baha'is who accept the teachings of Baha'u'llah and uphold the validity of the continuing Guardianship, the institution established to provide spiritual guidance to the Baha'i World.
- Baha'i World
- The official website of the Baha'i International Community headquartered in Haifa, Israel.
- Orthodox Baha'i Faith
- Community of Baha'is in America who believe in the continuing Guardianship and follow Joel Marangella as the third Guardian of the Faith.
- H-Bahai Discussion Network
- Group encourages scholarly discussion of the culture and history of millenarian and/or esoteric religious traditions originating in modern Iran, such as Shaykhism, Babism and the Baha'i faith, and makes available diverse bibliographical, research, and teaching aids.
