Page 5 - Perceptions papers

spread out into more countries than any other religion except Christianity, in some 100,000

localities, representing 2,100 ethnic, racial and tribal groups. Its local institutions have been

established in 10,000 communities, its literature translated into 800 languages, and its social and

economic development projects operate in more than 100 countries. Stunning temples, where

people of all faiths are welcomed to worship, grace every continent. The religion originated in

Iran, where it has faced ongoing persecutions since its inception. This year, Baha’is around the

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world are celebrating the 200 anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah.

Bahá'í teachings describe a relationship and commonality with other monotheistic faiths: God

is considered single and all-powerful. Bahá'u'lláh taught that religion is orderly and progressively

revealed by one God through Manifestations of God who are the founders of major world

religions throughout history; Zoroaster, Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and

Muhammad, being among those recorded before the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, twin Manifestations of

the Baha’i Faith. Bahá'ís regard the major religions as fundamentally unified in purpose, though

varied in social practices and interpretations. There is a similar emphasis on the unity of all

people, openly rejecting notions of racism and nationalism. At the heart of Bahá'í teachings is the

goal of a unified world order that ensures the prosperity of all nations, races, creeds, and classes.

Letters written by Bahá'u'lláh to some heads of state have been collected and canonized into a

body of Bahá'í scripture that includes works by his son `Abdu'l-Bahá, and also the Báb, who is

regarded as Bahá'u'lláh's forerunner. Prominent among Bahá'í literature are the Kitáb-i-Aqdas,

Kitáb-i-Íqán, Some Answered Questions, and The Dawn-Breakers.

Beliefs Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the unity of

God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humanity. Some social principles: *equality between

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