OPINION: Tshwane Bahá’ís celebrate the 175th anniversary of the beginning of their Faith
The Bahá’í Faith – the youngest of the world’s independent religions – has its own sacred scriptures, laws, calendar, and holy days.
Bahá’ís of Tshwane will be joining communities around the world to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the beginning of their faith on 24 May.
The Bahá’í Faith – the youngest of the world’s independent religions – has its own sacred scriptures, laws, calendar and holy days. Its name is derived from the name of its founder, Bahá’u’lláh, which means “Glory of God”.
Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), is regarded by the Bahá’ís as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God.
Bahá’u’lláh delivered a new Revelation from God to humanity.
In His Writings, He outlined a framework for the development of a global civilisation which takes into account both the spiritual and material dimensions of human life. His writings offer spiritual guidance as well as directives for personal and social conduct.
They are designed to reshape the divisive society of the present world and usher in an era of justice and peace.
The Bahá’í Writings confirm that there is only one God. Although people may pray to God in different languages and call Him by different names, nevertheless they have in mind the same Almighty Creator.
Throughout history, God has revealed Himself to humanity through a series of Divine Messengers, known as Manifestations of God. Each of these Manifestations of God has founded a great religion and their teachings guide and educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society.
The Bahá’í Faith recognises the divine origin of all the major world religions, and honours and reveres their founders.
The conviction that we all belong to one human family is at the heart of the Bahá’í Faith. The principle of the oneness of humankind is “the pivot round which the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve.”
The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh also address such essential themes as the inherent nobility of the human beings, the progressive revelation of religious truth, the development of spiritual qualities, the integration of worship and service, the equality of men and women, the harmony between religion and science, the centrality of justice to all human endeavours, the importance of education, and the dynamics of the relationships that are to bind together individuals, communities, and institutions as humanity advances towards its collective maturity.
Bahá’ís are urged to have a high sense of moral rectitude in their activities, purity, chastity and integrity in their individual lives, and complete freedom from prejudice in their dealings with people of every race, nationality, class or religion.
The Bahá’í faith does not have a priesthood or professional clergy. Bahá’í communities are administered and guided by elected institutions which operate at local, national and international levels.
With followers in at least 233 countries and dependent territories, the Bahá’í Faith has become the second-most widespread faith in its geographic reach and is among the fastest growing world religions.
For more information, please visit www.bahai.org or www.bahai.org.za. You can also send an email to tshwane@bahai.org.za or call 083-794-0819.
ALSO READ: OPINION: Tshwane celebrations to mark Bahá’í New Year
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