The popularity of Baha’i can largely be attributed to its attempts to unify all faiths, prophets, and the entire human race.   It embraces the humanist philosophy that all religions should be treated equally, as they are not contradictory but merely successive updates of the same basic religious beliefs.  They teach that all religions are the result of the same God and the differences stem only from the age in which they were revealed.

What is The Baha’i faith

The Baha’i faith has become a popular religion in an environment of ecumenism, inclusiveness, and political correctness.  Eagerly embraced by the United Nations and other interfaith organizations, Baha’i is a growing humanist influence in our world.  There are currently 17,148 Local Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha’i faith in the world and 4,515 in the United States alone.  Members claim a presence in 235 countries, and their literature is translated into 700 languages with a total world membership estimated at 5,000,000.  The following introduction is meant to be a brief overview of Baha’i history, and is by no means an exhaustive history of Baha’i.

History of Baha’i Faith Origins of Oneness (Completness and Unity)

*Note from Amos37: I have to say that the mention of Oneness, and the idea that all Mystic Traditions (like the Whirling Dervish in the opening of this video below reminded me of Ray Yungen discussion on the advent of The Mystic Revolution. Mysticism is a bridge for all religions to coexist.

The popularity of Baha’i can largely be attributed to its attempts to unify all faiths, prophets, and the entire human race.   (Sounds kinda New Age) It embraces the humanist philosophy that all religions should be treated equally, as they are not contradictory and are merely successive updates of the same basic religious beliefs.  They teach that all religions are the result of the same God and the differences stem only from the age in which they were revealed. 

They promote gender, racial, and economic equality; universal education; harmony between science and religion; balance between nature and technology; and the development of a world Federal system.  Those who believe in absolute truths, such as those found in the Bible, are dismissed as intolerant and an obstacle to world peace. (Sounds like New Age doctrine of seperation via the Selection Process)

Baha’i grew out of Islam, and is in fact a stepchild of the Islamic faith, albeit a despised one.  Rather than naming Muhammad as the greatest of the prophets as the Muslims do, Baha’is hold Baha’u’llah to be the greatest of the prophets.

Baha’i was started in 1844 when Mirza Ali Muhammad (“the Bab” or gate) proclaimed he was the greatest manifestation of God yet to appear.  The Bab is purported to be a direct descendant of Muhammad, and he claimed to be the fulfillment of the scriptures of all of the world’s religions.  During his brief 6-year ministry, he taught of another manifestation that would follow (similar to the role of John the Baptist).  This manifestation would be even greater than he, and in 1863 Mirza Husayn Ali proclaimed that he was the Great Prophet the Bab had spoken of.

Mirza Husayn Ali took the title of “Baha’u’llah” (the Glory of God) and his followers were thereafter called Baha’is.  In addition to claiming most favored prophet status, Baha’u’llah also claimed to be the second coming of Christ and the spirit of truth recorded in [John 14:16].

He viewed himself as the fulfillment of the coming of Maitreya, the Buddha from the Buddhist scripture, the Krishna for the Hindus, and a fulfillment of “the Day of God” from the Muslim Qur’an.  In fact the Baha’is believe all of the world’s religions have pointed to the coming of Baha’u’llah, and that during his era, a promised reign of peace will be established.

The Báb spent two years in Chihríq, except for His brief visit to Tabriz for His trial. The works He produced there were more esoteric or mystical and less thematically organized. ^[6

The UN Agenda – ONE world Religion

Thirty years after proclaiming himself the fulfillment of all religions, Baha’u’llah died, and leadership passed to his son Abbas Effendi (also known as Abdul-Bahá and “the Master”), who served as an interpreter for his father’s many writings.  He is responsible for bringing the Baha’i faith to the U.S.

Abbas Effendi was succeeded by his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, who became the “Guardian of the Cause,” and during his lifetime, Baha’is agreed there would perpetually be such a guardian.  However, Effendi died before appointing a successor.  Consequently, six years after he died, the first Baha’i Universal House of Justice was elected to serve as the Guardian.  It has since been the governing body of the Baha’i faith.  The Universal House of Justice is a nine-person board that applies the laws of Baha’u’llah and is made up of elected representatives. 

The first UHJ was comprised of Baha’is who represented Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and came from 4 continents and several ethnic backgrounds.  The Baha’i temple in Wilmette, Illinois, is a nine-sided building representing the world’s nine living religions and combining features of a synagogue, mosque, and cathedral, symbolizing the unity of all religions. (All Mystical Traditons I’m sure)

Mystical teachings of the Bahai Faith

Although it concentrates on social and ethical issues, some of the Bahá’í Faith’s foundational texts have been described as mystical.^[5] Shoghi Effendi has called the Seven Valleys Bahá’u’lláh’s “greatest mystical composition.” It was written to a follower of Sufism, a mystic and esoterical tradition of Islam.^[28] It was first translated into English in 1906, becoming one of the earliest available books of Bahá’u’lláh to the West. The Hidden Words is another book written by Bahá’u’lláh during the same period, containing 153 short passages in which Bahá’u’lláh claims to have taken the basic essence of certain spiritual truths and written them in brief form.^[3]

The goal of the Baha’i faith and its leadership is for the world to become a single super-state with Baha’i as its religion.  It’s no wonder Baha’i is vigorously promoted by the U.N. and plays a major role in all United Nations spiritual events.

Baha’i literature proclaims the following:

“National rivalries, hatreds, and intrigues will cease, and racial animosity and prejudice will be replaced by racial amity, understanding and cooperation.  The causes of religious strife will be permanently removed, economic barriers and restrictions will be completely abolished, and the inordinate distinction between classes will be obliterated.  Destitution on the one hand, and gross accumulation of ownership on the other, will disappear.”1

1.  The Challenge of the Cults, Ron Rhodes, page 217

2.  The Challenge of the Cults, Ron Rhodes, page 223

http://www.contenderministries.org/bahai.php

From the site that promotes Bahai is the ecumenical mantra of those who are ignorant of what the various faiths actually teach.  Compromise is the shifting sand they seek to build upon a one-world religion.  Note: The image off their web page.  Nice, I admit, but it is not true, and bible prophecy has much to say about the formation of a one-world religion.  Will this play a part?  

Don’t know, but it is a UN tool to combine religions.  Admirable, but destined for failure because it is not rooted in the revealed truth.  Bahá’u’lláh has a tomb; Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, and Muhammad have tombs, yet only Jesus’ tomb is empty!  I rest my case.  Jesus said He was God, and proved it.  The bible says there is only One God and One Savior.

Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.  [saiah 45:22]

What Is The New Age/”New Story”/”New Narrative”?

New Age leaders are teaching that we need a “new narrative”—a “new story” to replace what is perceived to be the tired “old story” of biblical Christianity. As mentioned, the “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles teaches the alleged “new story” of the necessity of humanity being “awakened” from its “fearful” ungodly dream of “separation” by “God’s Dream” of “Oneness.” The “new story”—“God’s Dream”—teaches that as humanity awakens to the truth of Oneness, world peace becomes a real possibility.

But the new story warns that those who are under the “illusion of separation”—those who do not believe that God is “in” everyone and everything—hinder and prevent world peace through their disbelief. Thus, the new story of “God’s Dream” for the world and the church isolates those who do not hold to the New Age Doctrine of Oneness—like Christians—and will ultimately lead to their persecution.

Biblical believers are disparagingly referred to as those who believe the “old story” of separation. But the Bible’s story is not old in that pejorative sense. It is as true today as when it was originally written and recorded. Humanity is not God, and humanity is not one with God. God and His creation are separate. “God’s Dream” is not a new story. Rather it is a cunningly devised fable that is just another one of Satan’s clever devices. –Warren B Smith author & lector

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [2 Peter 1:16]

“Let your vision be world embracing…” – Bahá’u’lláh

Throughout history, God has revealed Himself to humanity through a series of divine Messengers, whose teachings guide and educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society. These Messengers have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Their religions come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God.

Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, brought new spiritual and social teachings for our time. His essential message is of unity. He taught the oneness of God, the oneness of the human family, and the oneness of religion.

Bahá’u’lláh said, “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens,” and that, as foretold in all the sacred scriptures of the past, now is the time for humanity to live in unity.

Founded more than a century and a half ago, the Bahá’í Faith has spread around the globe. Members of the Bahá’í Faith live in more than 100,000 localities and come from nearly every nation, ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic background.

Bahá’ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and of the future of society. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

Recall that the coming antichrist will come on a platform of peace.  Be a discerning Christian.