Jalál, 14 Qudrat (Power), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quotes for Reflection:
That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
BE generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility. — Bahá’u’lláh 2
Bahá’u’lláh has declared that religion must be in accord with science and reason. If it does not correspond with scientific principles and the processes of reason, it is superstition. For God has endowed us with faculties by which we may comprehend the realities of things, contemplate reality itself. If religion is opposed to reason and science, faith is impossible; and when faith and confidence in the divine religion are not manifest in the heart, there can be no spiritual attainment. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
Question for Consideration
How would you respond to a fellow high school friend who asks privately, “Can you tell me more about the Bahá’í Faith?” Reference brief quotes from Bahá’u’lláh or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to underscore your points. 4
ChatGPT Response:
If a friend asked privately about the Bahá’í Faith, here’s how you could respond in a relatable and meaningful way:
”Of course! The Bahá’í Faith is a world religion founded by Bahá’u’lláh, who Bahá’ís believe is the latest in a line of great teachers like Moses, Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad. Bahá’u’lláh taught that humanity is one family and that it’s time for us to live in unity and peace. He said, ’The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.’ So the Faith focuses on unity—like bringing people together across cultural, race, and background differences.
The Bahá’í teachings also emphasize the harmony of science and religion, which means we’re encouraged to think deeply, use reason, and have faith. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh’s son, put it this way: ’Religion must be in accord with science and reason.’ That really resonated with me because it means we’re always learning, investigating truth, and keeping an open mind.
Another cool thing is that Bahá’ís are really focused on service. We believe that each of us has a purpose to make the world a better place in our own way. Bahá’u’lláh wrote, ’Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich…’ So we try to live by these principles to bring out the best in ourselves and others.
There’s so much more, but if you’re interested, I’d love to share more, or you could even join a study group with me sometime!”
This way, you’re giving a personal and friendly introduction while sharing key ideas and values from the Bahá’í teachings.
Perplexity Response:
To respond to your friend’s inquiry about the Bahá’í Faith, you can provide a brief overview of its core principles, emphasizing themes of unity, love, and justice as articulated by its founder, Bahá’u’lláh, and his son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
The Bahá’í Faith is a relatively modern religion that emerged in the 19th century, founded by Bahá’u’lláh in Persia (modern-day Iran). It emphasizes the oneness of humanity and the unity of all religions. The central tenets include:
Oneness of Humanity
Bahá’ís believe that all people are created equal and part of one human family. Bahá’u’lláh states, “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch”[2][5]. This highlights the importance of unity among diverse peoples and cultures.
Unity of Religion
The faith teaches that all major religions come from the same divine source and are part of a single unfolding revelation. Bahá’u’lláh noted, “The divers communions of the earth… have proceeded from one Source, and are rays of one Light”[5]. This perspective fosters respect for all faiths.
Justice and Equality
Justice is a fundamental principle in Bahá’í teachings. Bahá’u’lláh emphasized that “The light of men is Justice”[5]. He called for fairness and equity in all human interactions.
Service to Humanity
Bahá’ís are encouraged to contribute positively to society. Bahá’u’lláh advised, “Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness”[5]. This reflects the call to provide guidance and support for others.
Spiritual Development
The faith encourages personal growth through knowledge and moral development. Bahá’u’lláh stated, “Knowledge is as wings to man’s life”[5], indicating that education is essential for individual and collective progress.
In summary, the Bahá’í Faith advocates for a world where humanity lives harmoniously, recognizing our shared origins and responsibilities. It calls for justice, unity, and service to others as pathways to peace. If your friend is interested in learning more, they might explore local Bahá’í communities or resources for deeper insights into these teachings.
Citations
[1] https://www.bahaiquotes.com
[2] https://www.radiobahai.us/on-air/bahai-quotes/
[3] https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2926126.Bah_u_ll_h
[4] https://www.upliftingwords.org/post/bahai-quotes-on-unity
[5] https://www.bahai.org/bahaullah/quotations
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/bahai/comments/17waqmn/bahaullah_quotes_on_oneness_of_religion/
[7] https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/god-his-creation/nature/quotations
[8] https://www.bahaiquotes.com/subject/bahaullah
- Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 167. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/5#403173768. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#174232426. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 298-299. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/21#981649643. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 83-84. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.
Frameworks for Understanding the World 