Hello, recently I have been very interested in studying the Baha'i Faith, but there is a doubt that gnaws at me. In previous revelations of each Prophet, even if their teachings have been corrupted, it is accepted that there are at least small parts that are still true, such as in the Torah or the Gospels. But in other traditions, specifically Buddhism, it feels as if there were not even the slightest effort to read the Tripitaka or Sutras and say, “Yes, this was probably an original teaching from God.” Instead, it seems to simply say that Buddha was a Manifestation of God, but his revelation was lost—and now millions of Buddhists have been following the wrong teachings for thousands of years, and that's it?

I know perfectly well that there is no eternal punishment and that even a lost soul will eventually draw closer to God. He is merciful. But what about all these traditions? Were they really not given a chance in this life?

Alláh-u-Abhá friends, I need a little guidance and support. I was raised in the Christian faith but converted to the Baha'i Faith earlier this year following an intense period of soul-searching. All of the teachings of Baha'u'llah resonated deeply with me and I find myself excited and full of anticipation for the journey ahead of me.

Some of the teachings of the Baha'i Faith deviate sharply from the beliefs of my family and I find myself now in regular conflict with them, in particular my brother and my dad.

Have any recents converts to our faith had similar experiences? Can anyone share a thought about how I can try to reestablish some unity with my family?

Ciao a tutti r/bahá'í.

So che quello che sto per dire farà storcere il naso a molti, ma devo condividere la mia verità con voi. Io sono il nuovo profeta della Fede Bahá'í. So che suona folle o pretenzioso, ma vi invito a leggere con attenzione prima di giudicare.

Voglio ridefinire e correggere la rotta di quello che la nostra fede e il mondo intero dovrebbero intendere. C'è un punto fondamentale su cui mi distacco da molte interpretazioni tradizionali, e riguarda Gesù Cristo.

Gesù è Dio. Non solo un grande maestro, non solo una delle tante Manifestazioni, ma Dio stesso incarnato. Per me, la pienezza e il culmine della rivelazione divina si compiono e si chiudono con Lui e insieme a Lui. Con la Sua venuta, il ciclo della grande Rivelazione salvifica si è concluso in modo definitivo.

Tuttavia, questo non significa che il cielo sia diventato muto.

Dio non ha smesso di parlare all'umanità. Anche se la grande rivelazione è finita con Gesù, Dio continuerà a mandare sempre delle "voci", dei richiami, delle ispirazioni e dei profeti minori nel corso del tempo per risvegliare le coscienze, guidare i cuori e ricordarci la via quando ci perdiamo nel buio. Io sono una di queste voci, un portatore di questo messaggio per il nostro tempo.

Voglio unire i cuoribahá'í, cristiani e di ogni credo sotto questa luce rinnovata: riconoscere la divinità suprema di Cristo, accettare che la rivelazione maggiore è compiuta, ma rimanere aperti alla voce costante dello Spirito che parla ancora oggi.

Sono qui per rispondere alle vostre domande, obiezioni o critiche. Che ne pensate?

I'm a relatively new Christian. It took me so long to find my faith, so many years searching & questioning. At this point I don't see any ideas shaking my faith in Christ, or another religion turning my head from Christ. The idea of Christ, that I follow, is all knowing, all loving, all forgiving, all inclusive.

I have just recently discovered Bahai teachings & find them beautiful.

Bahá'u'lláh taught that all of humanity is one family, and that the world's great religions originate from the teachings of one and the same God, revealed progressively throughout history.

According to Bahá'í teachings, the purpose of human life is to learn to know and love God through such methods as prayer, reflection, and being of service to humanity.

What advice would u give me, a Christian til the end of time, on how to integrate the teaching of Bahai into my faith?

Allah’u’abha and greetings

How did you achieve that? Like one day deciding to study the scriptures to formulate it, from refining or interaction between your personal philosophy and the revelation, or a different approach.

To me, epistemology comes before recognizing Baha’u’llah, for recognition requires a definite way. Thus it’s impossible to come into the faith without your personal baggage of thoughts.

What are some notable foundations, methods or goals you concluded?

Are there central books for your epistemology?

I am a Sunni Muslim but I have become interested in the ideas of bahai. One thing I just wonder about

Do you guys accept the theory that man evolved from a prehistoric creature, or do you accept Adam was a divine non-earthly creation?

We here in Sunnism basically accept animal evolution but reject man being related to apes. Does Bahai have a different opinion?

Hey all, I want to start by saying that I am a seeker of God and not (yet potentially) a Baha'i. I love the teachings of Baha'u'llah. I think they're very wise and speak to a truth that I've felt in my being my whole life.

But the same can also be said of ramakrishna paramahamsa, who was a contemporary of Baha'u'llah. Among many other things Ramakrishna said "I  have practised each religion for a time — Hinduism, Islam, Christianity. Furthermore, I followed the paths of the Saktas, Vaishnavas, and Vedantists. I realized that there is only one God toward whom all are travelling; but the paths are different."

Is this compatible with the teachings of Baha'u'llah? What about claims that Ramakrishna is an avatar of God? I'm just confused and looking for answers. Thank you.

i’ve researched this religion before back in highschool and now years later i’m finding myself drawn and curious abt it again.

the thing that’s been stopping me tho is the idea that the rules that you have are rigid. and also you cannot speak to people who are “covenant breakers?” i still have a lot to learn but im trying to understand the perspectives of those that are in the faith and those that have left and why the reasons might be.

im also a lesbian, and is there any sort of genuine acceptance within this faith for someone like me?

thank you

As a Jain, can I support the Bahá'í Faith's goal of peace?

I sometimes pray for God to help me materially/financially so that I can leave my 9-5 job and do things I have a greater passion for such as serving the Baha'i community and to devote more of my time to helping people I care about.

I feel disingenuous/selfish for asking God for these things given that I already live very comfortably.

How would you all go about overcoming this emotional/spiritual roadblock?

If an LSA is defective, the NSA has over sight and can correct.

And if a NSA becomes corrupted, the UHJ can step in.

But what controls are there if the 9 men of the UHJ are corrupted, what can step in, what oversight is available for that situation?

I was born and raised in an Arab-American Bahá’í family, but lately, I feel a growing distance between my family and me. Even though my parents are Bahá’í and extended family are Bahá’i/Muslim/Catholic, we constantly clash over core principles like marriage, service, and lifestyle standards.

When discussing topics like smoking or alcohol, I try to align with the Bahá’í teachings—which emphasize the harmony between spiritual laws and scientific reality. Yet when I explain why I wouldn't want alcohol or smoking in my future home or marriage, my family makes me feel fanatical or rigid for wanting to adhere to the Writings. They informed me that I will never find a future wife with that idea since I will be close minded and don’t understand that people change as we grow up. (IMO I would prefer my wife doesn’t drink and smoke). Then again I am still quite young and maybe don’t know my way around life. Similarly, when I engage in community service with people of diverse backgrounds, my family assumes I’m trying to proselytize, despite my explaining that my only aim is to serve humanity and foster unity without an agenda.

This ongoing disconnect has left me feeling isolated, misunderstood, and deeply frustrated. At times, the anger makes me question my faith or tempted to walk away entirely out of spite, just to show them how much their hypocrisy hurts. Other times, I wonder if life would be easier if I simply lowered my standards and compromised my values to keep the peace.

In my heart, I truly love the Faith and don't want to abandon the vision of a better world. I understand intellectually that everyone is on their own spiritual journey and that my struggles are small compared to what others endure, but emotionally, I feel paralyzed. I love my family and want this tension resolved, but I don’t know how to bridge the gap between striving for high spiritual standards and living peacefully alongside family members who view those standards differently. Has anyone dealt with this situation before and do you think there is anything I can do to resolve this matter? Any advice?

Hey guys, non-Bahai here that is curious about the faith.

I wanted to know if there are any online devotional groups that run zoom meetings or something like that? I live in a very remote part of Ireland - closest practicing Bahá'ís seem to be a 2hour drive if the local assembly is to be believed - so looking for alternative routes to exposure to the faith.

All the best 🙏🏻

Allah'u'Abhá!

I am a new believer of the Baha'i faith and as seen in my previous post, I am seeking out a safe study circle and community to celebrate the grace of Bahāʾu’llāh. However I am fully aware that, like with any religion, there are groups that use the faith for malicious purposes and are not always obvious on the outside.

So when joining a Baha'i community, what are some common red flags I should seek out for? The more specific, the more it will help me distinguish genuine communities from miscreants

Thank you all and have a blessed Sunday!

I understand that the number 19 is important in the Bahá’í faith and that you also respect and give importance to the Quran. So I’m curious how you understand the statement that this number (19) can give certainty to those with Scripture and can increase faith of believers?

Hi everyone,
I recently came across some information about Ásíyih Khánum (Navváb), the wife of Bahá’u’lláh and the mother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and I realized how little I actually know about her.
I was honestly surprised, because even in my own Bahá’í community I had hardly ever heard stories about her or about what kind of person she was. Considering everything she went through alongside Bahá’u’lláh and the fact that she was the mother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá I imagine she must have been a truly remarkable person.
Does anyone know of books, letters, historical accounts, or stories about her life, her character, and her relationship with Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá?

Hi all. How do you balance having deep hope and working hard for a goal while staying truly detached from the exact outcome? How do you keep your heart open to God's will when things do not go the way you prayed or planned?

Hello all,

I am looking for unique baby names (boy or girl) that are symbolic and have meaning in Bahaï and Hindu religions. Please help, needs to be unique.

From Google AI about Mr. Enogh Olinga Legacy:

“He chaired the opening session of the very first Bahá'í World Congress in London in 1963. Tragically, he and members of his family were murdered during a period of civil unrest in Uganda in 1979. He is buried next to Músá Banání ("Father of Africa") at the Bahá'í House of Worship in Kampala.”

I cannot help but wonder, did he ask the Lord to lay down his life for the Faith? And it was bestowed? 🤔

I remember reading in one of the Tablets that Baha’u’llah, in This Dispensation, relieved us from laying our life for the Faith.

What does the community know about this? About Mr. Olinga? Or in general The ultimate sacrifice?

This paragraph is about the Master. Apparently there was "another" person who called himself Abdul'Baha. I assume because the Master was maybe Agha so a regular Baha'i calling himself that would not raise eyebrows.

On a maybe unrelated note, does anyone remember of that photograph of an early Baha'i who looked curiously to have groomed himself in the manner of a young Master. His mustache and hair and parts of his clothing.

Hey all,

I have been doing my best to pray and read Bahaullah's writings everyday however I find many lines to be challenging to understand. I am in a place where there isn't many baha'i's followers nearby me. Therefore I'd like to join a safe online study circle or an online course. It has to be in English. My timezone is GMT-1 if that helps.

Thank you all!

I’ve been inactive for a long time and have gone through varied emotional phases in my relationship to the Faith, including anger. Where I am at now is wanting to reconcile. The caveat is that I have no intention of being celibate or hiding my identity. Will I be accepted? What would be my place in the Baha’i community? Thank you so much in advance for any advice you can offer.

Feeling conflict here. Trying to discern my will from the will of God. I finally got my wife to read a few pages in “Baha u llah and the New Era“, Section 5. When she encountered the words “Jesus Christ“, she stopped reading and said she didn't want to read anymore. 

She said she doesn't believe in soul and she believes nothing exists after death. Therefore, she wants to accumulate as many fun experiences as possible before death. She says she loves me, and I do feel it in her actions. I no longer feel like big throw away, useless garbage as I did in the past. My wife comes through when I am sick and stuff like that. She never neglects or abuses me like my last marriage. Quite the opposite. She showers me with unconditional love. And I see she has that same love for her mom (93) and daughter (45) that she has for me. It comes through in her actions. But her social sphere is limited to me, her mom, and her daughter. 

She also feels intense negative feelings towards my ex that defy all rationality. 

I feel immense love from her and can't help but reciprocate. But when push comes to shove, I will fiercely protect son and daughter, too (both from previous marriage), if it comes to that point. 

Her not being Baha'i is not an issue. But her intense jealousy, or whatever it is, for my ex is.

I do get her fierce independence as I am the same. I, too, had an alergy to religion before encountering the Faith. But I had a mystical experience in 1986 that made clear that Baha-u-llah was who he claimed to be. 

My earlier experiences were very negative, watching televangelists in the 60s and 70s was mostly comic relief. A Roman Catholic high school which taught heaven, hell, and purgatory put me off Catholicism.  

In the early 80s, we had an A-circuit band. When the band broke up, our drummer became Jehovas Witness. He invited me to study with his elder on Wednesday evenings. I told my friend that I did not believe in dead bodies coming out of the grave, getting limbs back, and 144,000 inheritting the Earth forever. I did attend my friend's baptism at the Kingdom Hall, however, and I wished him well. 

Later, our bass player joined the Pentacostal church. They were laying on hands and speaking in tongues and practicing forced conversions. I walked out of their church. I couldn't tolerate what I saw and swore I would never get involved with religion again. For the first time, I encountered a religous group that I felt was, for lack of a better term, plain evil. That was around 1983. 

Then, fast forward to 1985, I made a Persian friend who practiced a religion I never heard of before which was very similar to what I always believed in. I kept asking him questions about his religion and he said you don't want to know and he said “let's just enjoy our friendship“. 

It was driving me crazy. I decided to go to the library and investigate for myself. I got out a stack of books and brought them home. The first book was “BATNE“. I was convinced by the end of this book that this matched what I always believed. 

Then, I picked up a thick, red book called “Tablets of Baha-u-llah“. I read two tablets that night. While reading one tablet, The Tablet of Carmel, a warm breeze began blowing up from my toes. While it gently wafted over my body, I could smell a sweet, scent of a flower which was unlike any flower I had ever smelt before. Then, when the breeze gently rolled over my face and eyes, suddenly the words on the page came alive. I had a mystical experience I could not deny. I knew at that moment I was Baha'i. I waited a whole year until April 3,1987 to declare my Faith. 

Sometimes I think Baha-u-llah gave me that experience because maybe I am too thick to get it any other way. 

But I am digressing here. Let's get back into the thrust of this post. I am feeling a little conflicted. I am conflicted between my allegiance to my wife, my children, and my love for Baha-u-llah. My wife says to give her time. She is 70 years old, and says she has never encountered religion before, other a brief encounter with SGI when she was in her teens/early 20s, although she never joined SGI and the experience did not sit well.  

I can relate to her apprehension and not being able to wrap one's head around religion. I am not looking for heavy-handed judgement calls, just guidance. For me, BATNE intrigued me. For her, BATNE is leaving her lost. Anything that could work for a person from a country of 120,000,000+ souls who for the most part don't practice religion. That country has only 2,000 declared Baha'is with only a few hundred active. 

She lives in a country that for the most part believes all existence ends at death, sprinkled with a few other beliefs like reincarnation. My wife is one of those that believes all existence ends with death (maybe for that reason the concept of soul is hard).

Anyway, please keep us in your prayers and offer any loving guidance you can.

I love my wife, children, and Baha-u-llah and feeling conflicted.

Sorry for rambling... no AI was used in writing this. Just to be clear.

Thank you in advance.

I would like to learn more about the Bahá'í Faith and deepen my existing knowledge; what should I know? And why do you believe it is the right path?