The Bahá'í faith : the full text of Anna's presentation for teacher training

annas -presentation-an-introduction-to-the-bahai-faith

1. 1. getting toknow theBahá’í Faith
2. 2. IntroductionThe Bahá’í Faith is a world religion whose purpose is to unite all the races andpeoples of the world in one universal Cause and one common Faith.Bahá’ís are the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, who they believe is the Promised One ofall Ages and the great spiritual Educator of this age. As you know, the traditionsof almost every people include the promise of a future when peace and harmonywill be established on earth and humankind will live in prosperity. We believe thatthe promised hour has come and that Bahá’u’lláh is the great Personage WhoseTeachings will enable humanity to build a new world. In one of His Writings,Bahá’u’lláh says:
3. 3. T hat which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith. — Bahá’u’lláh
4. 4. GodGod is unknowable in His essence. This means that no matter how intelligent orwise we are, we cannot understand the nature of God. For instance, a table cannotunderstand the nature of the carpenter who made it. In the same way, we humanswho are created by God cannot understand our creator.God is the creator of all things. He has made the heavens and earth, withits mountains and valleys, its deserts and seas, its rivers, its meadows and trees.God has created the animals and God has created the human being. The reasonbehind our creation, we are told by Bahá’u’lláh, is love. He says:
5. 5. O Son of Man! I loved thy creation hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life. — Bahá’u’lláh
6. 6. CovenantAlthough Gods’ existence is far beyond our understanding, His love touches ourlives and our beings ceaselessly. The way this love flows to us is through HisEternal Covenant. Covenant means a pact or promise between two ormore persons. According to the Eternal Covenant, God never leaves us aloneand without guidance. So whenever mankind moves away from God, forgets Histeachings and is in need of His help, He provides us with one of His Manifestations,Who makes His will and purpose known to us.
7. 7. God According to the Eternal Covenant, God never leaves us alone and without guidance. So whenever mankind moves away from God, forgets His teachings and is in need of HisManifestation help, He would provide us with of God one of His Manifestations, Who would make His will and purpose known to us.