The comprehensive spiritual and social teachings brought by Baha'u'llah are for the purpose of organizing the affairs of the individual and society in alignment with the Will of the Creator, in ways that not only address the well-being of each person, but allow for the establishment of a just world society of caring human beings.

The spiritual teachings nurture the individual and prepare her or him for the eternal spiritual journey ahead. Baha'u'llah has brought new insights into the concept of God, the nature of the soul, life after death, prayer, fasting, and the acquisition of virtues through the tests and difficulties of life. The social teachings deal with groups of individuals in society. They bring justice and order to promote the harmony that is essential for the functioning of the human family.

The two sets of teachings are, in actuality, inseparable. For example, the spiritual impetus for service to others is expressed in the practical arena of daily life. Therefore, work done in the spirit of service to humanity is elevated to a spiritual station, that of worship for the Creator.

Without the individual living according to the promptings of the spiritual teachings, society will lack the motive force for implementing the social order. And in the absence of adherence to the social teachings, the individual is severely hampered in her or his development.

Universal Education

Basic education is obligatory in the Baha'i Faith. All children must be afforded the opportunity for an education, to be able to guide their own spiritual lives through reading the Writings of the Messengers of God and to be trained for a profession or trade to provide a livelihood for themselves and their future families, as well as to implement the teaching mentioned above, "Work in the spirit of service is worship."

Baha'u'llah wrote:

"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education alone can cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." --Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, p. 260

Independent Investigation of Truth

Baha'is believe that this is the time of the maturation of the human race. Now, the individual must seek out truth, sometimes in spite of longstanding contrary customs, prejudices and traditions. This teaching has scientific as well as religious ramifications, for the study of both requires an open mind.

"Furthermore, know ye that God has created in man the power of reason, whereby man is enabled to investigate reality. God has not intended man to imitate blindly his fathers and ancestors. He has endowed him with mind, or the faculty of reasoning, by the exercise of which he is to investigate and discover the truth, and that which he finds real and true he must accept." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 291

Religion as a Source of Unity

The word "religion" is from the Latin "religio," meaning to bind together, to unify.

"...[Baha'u'llah] sets forth a new principle for this day in the announcement that religion must be the cause of unity, harmony and agreement among mankind. If it be the cause of discord and hostility, if it leads to separation and creates conflict, the absence of religion would be preferable in the world." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 247

Evolutionary Nature of Religion

Baha'is view religion as a progressive, evolutionary process which needs to be updated as humanity evolves mentally, socially and spiritually. Every so often a new Messenger is sent to expand and update religious teachings. These Messengers bring essentially the same spiritual teachings to mankind, in a form that meets the needs of the people of Their time. Baha'is believe that Baha'u'llah has brought an updated message for mankind today. He has written:

"The essence of all the Prophets of God is one and the same. Their unity is absolute. God, the Creator, saith: There is no distinction whatsoever among the Bearers of My Message. They all have but one purpose; their secret is the same secret. To prefer one in honor to another, to exalt certain ones above the rest, is in no wise to be permitted. Every true Prophet hath regarded His Message as fundamentally the same as the Revelation of every other Prophet gone before Him... ".

"The measure of the revelation of the Prophets of God in this world, however, must differ. Each and every one of them hath been the Bearer of a distinct Message, and hath been commissioned to reveal Himself through specific acts. It is for this reason that they appear to vary in their greatness... It is clear and evident, therefore, that any apparent variation in the intensity of their light is not inherent in the light itself, but should rather be attributed to the varying receptivity of an ever-changing world. Every Prophet Whom the Almighty and Peerless Creator hath purposed to send to the peoples of the earth hath been entrusted with a Message, and charged to act in a manner that would best meet the requirements of the age in which He appeared." --Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, pp.78-9

Harmony of Religion and Science

Truth transcends all boundaries. Scientific and religious truth emanates from the same universal source; they are like the two sides of the same coin. Speaking in Paris, `Abdu'l-Baha said:

"Religion and science are the two wings upon which man's intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough of materialism." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p.147

Practice of Consultation

The Baha'i consultation is a method of group decision-making that is an optimal means for the discovery of truth, planning, settling disputes and solving problems. When a decision-making body is consulting together, the equally-empowered participants define the issue, explore the facts of the situation, set forth their individual ideas, examine the ideas and opinions dispassionately, and strive to reach the best possible decision consistent with ethical and spiritual principles. Baha'i consultation is a unique process in which differences of opinion are not suppressed, but encouraged, in order to fully explore all facets of the matter under consideration. In Baha'i consultation, the participant's views may differ, but that is only necessary to arrive at the truth.

The Baha'i principle of consultation requires that an individual be detached from his or her opinions and always welcome the views of others. `Abdu'l-Baha tells us:

"The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions."

"They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express their views. They must in every manner search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden..." -- `Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, pp. 87-88

The tool of consultation works well in any situation where decisions must be made by two or more people, such as within the family home and at the workplace. Baha'is are advised to consult on all matters, large and small, to take advantage of the pooling of intelligence, knowledge, and judgment.

An International Auxiliary Language

The nations of the world must choose an international language to be taught in school to every child, in addition to his or her mother tongue. This is an essential instrument of unity. It enhances communication and reduces the barriers among the members of the human family.

Baha'u'llah wrote:

"It behooveth the sovereigns of the world -- may God assist them -- or the ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be regarded as one country." --Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 22

This counsel of Baha'u'llah, given to humanity over a century ago, is now being heeded more and more. The European Community, composed of many nations with diverse languages, has found it essential to adopt an auxiliary common language to facilitate communication among its member nations. It has selected English as its official language.

Eradication of All Forms of Prejudice

Prejudice of any type is alien to the Baha'i Faith and severely undermines its pivotal principle of the oneness of humanity.

"...again, as to religious, racial, national and political bias: all these prejudices strike at the very root of human life; one and all they beget bloodshed, and the ruination of the world. So long as these prejudices survive, there will be continuous and fearsome wars." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, p.249

Racial prejudice is considered by the Baha'is to be the most vital and challenging issue facing the American people. Around the country, members of the Faith have been in the forefront of addressing this tragic problem and will continue to promote the concept of the oneness of humanity, the pivotal principle of Baha'u'llah's message for our time. Until all the branches of the human family recognize their essential unity, racial prejudice will not be eradicated. Baha'u'llah wrote:

"Close your eyes to racial differences, and welcome all with the light of oneness." and, addressing all of humanity, "O well-beloved ones! The tabernacle of unity has been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch." --Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, p. 218

Equality of Women and Men

Baha'u'llah was the first Founder of a world religion to teach explicitly that women and men must have equal opportunities, rights and privileges. He wrote:

"Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God." --Baha'u'llah, The Baha'is, p. 28

To emphasize the importance of this principle, girls are to be given priority in receiving an education, if a family cannot afford to educate all its children, for an educated woman can greatly benefit her children and thereby benefit society as a whole. When women attain their rightful place in society, men will benefit as well. As intelligence tests amply show, one half of the world's most intelligent people are women. `Abdu'l-Baha spoke of gender inequality:

"To accept and observe a distinction which God has not intended in creation is ignorance and superstition. The fact which is to be considered, however, is that woman, having formerly been deprived, must now be allowed equal opportunities with man for education and training. There must be no difference in their education. Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible." --`Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 76

Spiritual Solution of the Economic Problem

The disparities of extreme wealth on the one hand and severe poverty on the other must end. The rich must realize that the poor have legitimate claims to the resources of the common planet home and that no one should accept for himself excessive luxury while fellow human beings suffer from poverty.

"O Ye Rich Ones on Earth!

The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease." --Baha'u'llah, Hidden Words, Persian, No.54

"We see amongst us men who are overburdened with riches on the one hand, and on the other those unfortunate ones who starve with nothing; those who possess several stately palaces, and those who have not where to lay their head. Some we find with numerous courses of costly and dainty food; whilst others can scarce find sufficient crusts to keep them alive. Whilst some are clothed in velvets, furs and fine linen, others have insufficient, poor and thin garments with which to protect them from the cold. This condition of affairs is wrong and must be remedied. Now the remedy must be carefully undertaken." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p.156-7

Through one's spiritual awakening and the subsequent development of such spiritual qualities as compassion and mercy, a natural expression is the individual's love for all of humanity and a de-emphasis of materialism. The sharing of wealth is, for the most part, to be done voluntarily and not begrudgingly, but with joy.

Avoidance of Partisan Politics

Baha'u'llah has foreclosed the age of parochialism, limited loyalties and divisiveness and inaugurated the era of inclusiveness, globalism and unity. Partisan politics, by its very nature, is divisive. It pits one group against another, polarizes and divides the human family along limited and shortsighted selfish objectives.

Baha'u'llah directs humanity to become completely united in every facet of life, to serve others rather than to be self-serving. When humanity's energy and resources are directed toward the best interests of mankind, the outcome is social justice and the creation of a world that nurtures one and all.

Universal Peace

The permanent elimination of war is a prerequisite to the unity of humanity. Rather than squandering the world's precious natural resources and bearing heavy taxation for the sake of war and territorial conquest, the nations of the world must work toward a just allocation of its human, material and spiritual resources for the betterment of all. Baha'u'llah, writing in the 19^th century, clearly foresaw the calamitous wars of the 20^th century.

He sent letters to the kings and rulers of the world admonishing them to look after the welfare of their people and to take steps toward establishing permanent world peace. Had they listened to Him then, humanity could have avoided the suffering of many wars. Today His words have an arresting immediacy:

"The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men. "Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquility of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories." -- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, p. 249

The Baha'is believe that world peace is not far off; the nations of the world are even now beginning to work together. These present efforts are only the initial phases of an accelerating process which eventually will result in permanent world peace.

The Family as a "Fortress for Well-being"

Fundamental to the well-being of the individual and the society is the institution of marriage and the family. "And when He desired to manifest grace and beneficence to men, and to set the world in order, He revealed observances and created laws; among them He established the law of marriage, made it as a fortress for well-being and salvation..." --Baha'u'llah, Baha'i Prayers, p.105

Within the nurturing environment of loving families, future generations can receive the spiritual education prerequisite to the unfolding of a regenerated humanity. Also, it is in the context of marriage and family life that one is personally challenged, on a daily basis, to acquire and practice virtues.

Harnessing the Lower Nature

Baha'u'llah reaffirms the moral code of the other religions, condemning acts such as murder, theft, immorality, lying, covetousness, and disrespect for parents. He further forbids backbiting, slander, gambling, arson, assault and trespass. He also stipulates sanctions against the use of alcoholic beverages and drugs for non-medical reasons. Baha'u'llah condemns the above as inherently alien to the noble essence of the human soul. The emphasis in His teachings is on the exaltation of the station of humanity, so that the individual Baha'i strives to strengthen his or her higher, more spiritual nature to become self-disciplined, self-regulating in morals and conduct, and concerned with the welfare of others.

Baha'is do not pretend to be exemplary human beings solely by embracing the Baha'i precepts. To a Baha'i, salvation is not merely through a declaration of faith. Deeds are what matter -- how one's faith is put into action. Baha'is pledge to struggle every day of their lives to become better human beings. They are committed to transform themselves spiritually and, by so doing, eventually to influence the spiritual transformation of the wider community.

The Individual's Spiritual Responsibilities

Baha'u'llah inaugurated a new dispensation marked by humanity's coming of age. This coming of age is accompanied by new responsibilities and privileges. Among them is the abolition of clergy and priesthood. In this Faith each individual is in charge of her or his own spiritual development.

Community functions, such as marriage ceremonies, funerals, and the religious instruction of children, traditionally performed by the clergy, have now been transferred to democratically-elected local Baha'i institutions. The religious authority invested in the clergy, so prominent a feature of past religions, has been replaced by these institutions. When elected or appointed, the individual Baha'i has a sacred responsibility to serve on these bodies and their agencies which guide and administer the affairs of the community through the group decision-making process of consultation.

Daily Prayer

The Baha'is believe that, since we are, in essence, spiritual beings presently in a physical realm, we must not neglect the needs of the soul. The daily obligatory prayer is nurturance for the soul. More importantly, it is an indispensable means of reaffirming love between the created and the Creator. Baha'u'llah has commanded His followers to recite daily one of three obligatory prayers to be chosen by the individual. To be said between noon and sunset every day, the shortest of these prayers is just three sentences long.

"I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting." --Baha'u'llah, Baha'i Prayers, p. 4

In this brief prayer, the individual daily reaffirms his or her covenant with God. "To know and to worship God," to a Baha'i, is the purpose for life. We know God through His Messengers and Their Writings. We worship God through obedience to His teachings for this day and through service to His creation.

There are many prayers that Baha'is use in addition to the daily obligatory prayer, such as prayers for assistance with difficulties, healing, spiritual growth, praise and gratitude to God, on behalf of children, and for the deceased.

Prayer gives us a glimpse into the happiness of the spiritual realm and lifts us out of the limitations of the material world. `Abdu'l-Baha tells us:

"...all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter--the spiritual world bestows only the joy!"

"...the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are calm and serene."

"...You see all around you proofs of the inadequacy of material things--how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world....If material anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud, spiritual radiance lightens your path....Thus, spirituality is the greatest of God's gifts." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 110-112

Daily Readings and Meditation

In addition to the obligatory prayers, Baha'is read passages from their Sacred Scriptures on a daily basis. This practice is indispensable for spiritual well-being and to maintain one's feeling of closeness to the Creator. Baha'is are also encouraged to practice meditation in order to discover the deep meanings of the Writings. Baha'is are free to meditate in any way they wish.

Acquisition and Practice of Virtues

As essential as praying is, it is not sufficient by itself. Baha'is are required to live a life of prayer through the acquisition and practice of virtues such as trustworthiness, truthfulness, honesty, kindness, generosity, chastity, purity of motive, and service to others. Virtues are only evident when they have virtuous actions to indicate their presence.

"Let deeds, not words, be your adorning."

--Baha'u'llah, Hidden Words, Persian No. 5

To Baha'is, belief in God and His Messenger is essential, but not enough--observance of His laws is equally important.

"These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other." -- Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 19

Observance of the Fast

Virtually all of the world's religions practice some form of fasting as a means of spiritual growth. Baha'u'llah called on Baha'is to refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for nineteen consecutive days each year from March 2^nd to March 20^th. This period is a time for deep reflection on one's own spiritual progress.

Efforts are made to detach oneself from material desires. Baha'is rise before dawn to eat breakfast and to pray. Those who are ill are exempt from fasting, as are pregnant and nursing women, people under 15 and over 70 years old, travelers, and those engaged in arduous physical labor. Baha'is often speak of the spiritual and physical energy released both during and after the nineteen days. The period of Fast ends at sunset on March 20^th when the New Year is celebrated.

The Nineteen Day Feast

As an independent world religion, the Baha'i Faith has a new calendar with nineteen months of nineteen days each. Months and days are named for the attributes of God, such as Splendor, Loftiness, Honor.

The Nineteen Day Feast is usually held in each Baha'i community on the first day of every Baha'i month. It is a unique blend of worship, fellowship and grassroots democracy. Highly adaptable to a wide variety of cultural and social needs, everywhere in the world the Feast is composed of three parts: the spiritual, the consultative and the social. The word "feast" is in reference to the exalted function it serves -- bringing the local Baha'is together to worship God and to build their community life.

The spiritual part of the Feast is the devotional program, when selections from the Baha'i writings, and frequently selections from other religions, are read or put to music. A general consultation on the affairs of the local, national and international Baha'i community follows the spiritual segment. In this phase, a true "town hall" democracy is practiced. Views are shared openly, yet with loving courtesy.

The Feast ends with a period of socializing and sharing food. During the Nineteen Day Feast, the community forms strong ties of fellowship. The children grow up feeling the love of their extended Baha'i family.

The Nature of the Soul

Baha'is believe that the purpose of being here in the physical realm is to know and to love the Creator, as well as acquiring and practicing virtues. This is done through personal effort arising from free choice. These virtues are the faculties of the soul that are essential provisions for its journey in the infinite worlds of God. Baha'u'llah explains:

"Thou hast asked Me concerning the nature of the soul. Know, verily, that the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. If it be faithful to God, it will reflect His light, and will, eventually, return unto Him. If it fail, however, in its allegiance to its Creator, it will become a victim to self and passion, and will, in the end, sink in their depths." --Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, p. 158-159

"The reason for God's having made Himself manifest, and for this shining forth of infinite lights from the realm of the invisible, is none other than the training of all men's souls and the refining of the characters of all on earth -- so that blessed individuals, who have freed themselves from the murk of the animal world, shall rise up with those qualities which are adorning of the reality of man." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, p. 10

Life After Death

The Baha'i concept of life after death is inseparable from the reality of the soul and the purpose of earthly life. Baha'u'llah confirms the existence of a separate, everlasting soul for every human. Although non-material, the soul is intimately associated with the physical body. One's soul can be expressed through the individual's attributes or spiritual qualities. The soul is the motive force for love, compassion, courage, faith and other humane qualities.

The soul does not die. Since it is not composed of material elements, it will not decompose when the human body dies. The soul is then freed from its tie with the body and begins its progress through the spiritual world. Baha'is understand the spiritual world to be a timeless and placeless extension of God's creation.

Ascending into the world of spirit can be potentially a great joy as the soul leaves behind the limitations of physical reality. Baha'u'llah likened death to birth. He explains that the spiritual realm beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the Baby while still in the womb of its mother.

The analogy to the womb summarizes the Baha'i view of earthly existence. Just as the womb is an important context for a person's initial physical development, so is the physical world a place for the spiritual development and the progressive advancement of the soul. Baha'is view this earthly life as a form of school, as a workshop for the acquisition and practice of the qualities that are needed in the spiritual realm. Baha'u'llah wrote:

"Know thou, of a truth, that if the soul of man hath walked in the ways of God, it will, assuredly return and be gathered to the glory of the Beloved ... By the righteousness of God! It shall attain a station such as no pen can depict, or tongue can describe." --Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, p. 161

In the Baha'i view, heaven is seen as a state of nearness to God, while hell is a state of remoteness from God. The joys and sorrows of nearness and remoteness to God are present here on earth as well. Each state follows as a consequence of individual efforts, or the lack thereof, to develop spiritually. The key for spiritual development is to learn and practice the lessons of the Messengers from God in this school of life.