Understanding the Baha'i Faith

by Momen, Wendi; Momen, Moojan

• ISBN13: 9781903765500
• ISBN10: 1903765501
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-11-24
• Publisher: Dunedin Academic Press

Summary

The Baha'i Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions and the second most widespread after Christianity. Dating from its Iranian origins in 1844, it has rapidly spread to every country of the world and counts more than five million adherents. The central teaching of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith, is that it is imperative for humanity to recognize that is a single race so that it can act in unity as one global community to meet the challenges of the present day. The Baha'i scriptures provide a wide-ranging social programme designed for people living today coupled with spiritual principles that echo those found in the great faith traditions of the past. Understanding the Baha'i Faith focuses on the impact that the religion has, looking at what it has to say about personal life, the home, the community, social issues, global concerns, as well as the spiritual life. The book provides a factual and straightforward account of the history, organisation, development and sacred texts of the religion, as well as a time-line of important events and a glossary. It is suitable for general audiences, students of comparative religion and teachers.

Author Biography

Dr Wendi Momen is a former Director of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom and like her husband, Dr Moojan Momen is a life-long adherent.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
1 The Spiritual Life	1	(17)
2 Personal Life	18	(17)
3 Home and Family	35	(10)
4 Living in the Community	45	(16)
5 Social Issues	61	(25)
6 The Baha'i Vision of a United World	86	(17)
7 Baha'i Community Life	103	(35)
8 History	138	(9)
Notes	147	(2)
Timeline of Important Events	149	(2)
Bibliography	151	(4)
Index	155