Bahaïsme

The Religion bahá' íe marked baˈhaːʔiː , also known under the name of bahâ' ism or of faith baha' IE was founded by the Persan Mirzâ Husayn 'Ali (1817 - 1892) in 1863. This name is derived from the nickname given to its founder: Bahá' u' lláh (in Arab, “splendor of God”). The bahâ' is are the disciples of Baha' u' lake. They are organized around more 100 000 centers distributed in the whole world, and their writings are published in addition to 800 Language S. In 2007, it counts more 7 million believers belonging to more 2100 ethnicities, distributed in more than 193 country. Its goal is to link all the people of the world in a universal cause and a common faith. Its world center is located at Haïfa, in Israel.

History

Báb

Bahá' u' lláh

`Abdu' l-Bahá

After the death of Bahá' u' lláh, the direction of the community bahâ' IE is ensured by his/her son, 'Abbâs Effendi (1844 - 1921), born with Teheran and proclaimed “Abdul' l-Bahâ” (“servant of the splendor of God”).

It was called the “center of Alliance” and the “head of the Faith”, interprets authorized message brought by his father, who had indicated it as only interpreter of authority of his writings.

He knew with his father the exile and the prison, where he was locked up until in 1908, when he is released by the Young person-Turks.

Thereafter - having obtained others bahâ' is the designation of “center” or “guard” of alliance -, it establishes with Haïfa (carrying out in that the directives of his/her father) the principal seat of the movement baha' I. He travels much (Paris, London, the United States - New York, Chicago and Montreal, about 1911-1912). Under its influence, the faith Baha' IE records a considerable progression, in particular in India, with the the United States and in Europe.

Its successor with the head of the movement was his grandson Shoghi Effendi (1897 - 1957), called “guard of the cause of God”, which differentiated it from his/her grandfather “Abdu' l-Bahâ” (the mother of Shoghi Effendi was the oldest daughter of Abdul' l-Bahâ'). He founded the six new Councils Spirituel S Nation with, which were added to those which existed already in Iran and to the the United States. Since its death (November 4th, 1957), it is a directory made up of nine people, appointed for lives by Shoghi Effendi in 1963, known under the name of universal Maison of justice and sitting at Haïfa, which became the guard and official Exégète of the crowned Writing of the Foi bahâ' IE. They are called the hands of the cause of God . This Directoire chairs and constitutes the higher administration of the movement bahâ' I (see below). Its role is however only purely administrative and strictly does not have any capacity on the private life or public of Baha' is, and does not constitute either a clergy.

Administration Bahá' IE

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas of Bahá' u' lláh and the will and the will of `Abdu' l-Bahá are the documents founders of the administration baha' IE. Bahá' u' lláh established the Universal House of Justice, an elected body. “Abdu' l-Bahâ” established the principle of the hereditary Guard, as well as the relations between these two institutions. In its will, “Abdu' l-Bahâ” named the groin of its small sons, Shoghi Effendi, like the first “Guard of the faith” baha' IE.

During all its life, Shoghi Effendi represented the crowned writings of the faith baha' IE. It also developed plans for its expansion, developed the world center Baha' I and maintained a bulky correspondence with the communities and the individuals in the whole world. It also built the administrative structure of the faith, preparing the community for the election of the Universal House of Justice. He died in 1957 under conditions which did not enable him to designate its successor.

At the local, regional and national levels, Baha' is elect nine members of a spiritual assembly, who deal with the businesses of the religion. Each man Baha' I of more than 21 years is eligible at the Universal House of Justice; all the other stations are accessible to the men as with the women.

Situation of Bahaïs in the world

Demography

The number of the believers of the bahaïsme, widespread in 193 countries, rises with close with 7,5 million , which corresponds to approximately 0,1% of the world population. Among those, 50% live in Asia, mainly in India . Another group resides in Iran and counts approximately 350.000 believers. A important Percentage of the bahâ' is ( 27% approximately) lives in the African countries S. In Europe, they are especially present in Great Britain ( 20.000 believers) and in Germany ( 15.000 ). In France, one counts some 4.000 to 5.000 believers. In Israel, on the other hand, in spite of the presence of the center of Haïfa, only live 600 bahâ' is.

The faith develops much today in the Pacific Islands (the king of the Samoas islands is baha' I), the Latin America and the Black Africa, the number of believers in the world doubled in less than 20 years.

Persecutions in Iran

Since the advent of the Islamic Republic in 1979, some 300 000 baha' is of Iran, is regarded as “not protected infidels”, (...) of the not-people, has neither rights, nor protection”, indicates the International federation of the human rights (FIDH) in his ratio of 2003 on religious discriminations in Iran. They do not have the right to perceive of retirement, to register a name on the tomb of their late, to inherit, to meet to practice their worship… Their holy places and their cemeteries are destroyed. The many goods baha' is are confisqués.

Egypt

The baha' is, community of 10 000 people, obtained the right, by the county court of Alexandria, to register their confession on their indentity card. This right their was removed by the Administrative Supreme court Egyptian in December 2006, obliging them to choose between the three officially recognized religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) or to give up their indentity card, which deprives them of the majority of the rights citizens in Egypt.

In the countries of the Persian Gulf, Internet sites baha' is are from now on accessible.

Beliefs

God

Bahá' ís believe in a single God and eternal, creator of all things, of which creatures and forces of the universe. They think that God is timeless and neither beginning has, nor end. Although inaccessible directly, God nevertheless is regarded as conscious of his creation, with a goal and a will. Bahá' ís believe that God expresses his will in many manners, for example through a series of called divine messengers Manifestations of God or sometimes divine teachers . By expressing the intentions of God, these demonstrations are used to establish the religion in the world.

The lesson Bahá' í declares that God is well too tall so that the human ones can apprehend it, nor to create a complete and precise image of it. In the religion Bahá' íe, God is often designated by titles (e.g. the Almighty) and there is a substantial emphase on the Monothéisme.

Religion

The faith Baha' IE is sometimes summarized by the concept of the three " unités": unit of God, unit of the religion, unit of humanity.

The concepts Baha' ies of progressive religious revelations make them accept the validity of the majority of the religions of the world, whose founders or central figures are regarded as demonstrations of God. These demonstrations are, for example: Jesus, Mahomet, Brace, Krishna, Confucius, Lao-Tseu, Zoroastre and Buddha. Baha' is also think that the other religious characters, like Adam, Noah and Houd existed really and are prophets of God. The religious history is interpreted like '' dispensations '', in which each demonstration brings a broader and more advanced revelation, adapted to the time and at the time to which it is expressed

The beliefs Baha' ies are sometimes described like syncretic combinations of the former beliefs. Baha' is, however, affirm that their religion is a distinct tradition, with its own writings, lesson, laws and history. Through the recognition and obedience, the service with the other human beings, the prayer and the regular spiritual practice, Baha' is believe that the heart becomes closer to God, the spiritual ideal in the belief baha' IE. When a man dies, the heart passes in another world, where the spiritual development of this one in the physical world becomes a base for the judgment and the place in the spiritual world. The paradise and the hell are described like spiritual states of proximity or distance to God which describe the relations in this world and the other, and not of the places of reward or punishment after death. It was translated for the first time into English in 1906, being one of the first texts of Bahá' u' lláh available in occident. the hidden Words is another book written by Bahá' u' lláh for the same period, containing 153 short passages described by `Abdu' l-Bahá like “a treasure of divine mysteries”

Alliance

Baha' is consider that there exist two types of alliances between the human ones and God. It there with the “Major Alliance”, that they in kind regard as universal, and which was created and recreated by all the “divine demonstrations of God”. They also believe in the existence of the “minor Alliance”, which is regarded as an agreement between a messenger of God and his disciples, which is single with each revelation, and which includes social practices and the continuity of the authority in religion. At that time, Baha' is consider that their engagement towards the revelation of Bahá' u' lláh is one of most important for any disciple. In the writings baha' is, it is written that to be firm in its engagement towards Alliance is regarded as one of the principal religious virtues which can be assured by a person. The importance of the personal effort and the service to humanity in the spiritual life of the men is stressed in the writings of Bahá' u' lláh, where he explains why each work made in a spirit of service to humanity has a row equal to the prayer and the worship with the eyes of God. In 1953, it launched the decennial world crusade, with extremely ambitious goals for the expansion of the community and the institutions, the translation of the literature baha' IE in new languages, and pioneer sending baha' is in countries which had not been reached until there. He announced by letters during the decennial crusade that this one would be followed other plans, under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, which was elected in 1963 with the apogee of the crusade. The house of Justice then launched a plan in 1964, and a series of plans of duration and with the variable objectives followed, making it possible to guide the community Baha' IE.

Current international plan

Since the end of the year 1990, the House of Justice prepared the communities with an expansion with large scales, organizing the localities in “beams”, creating new institutions like the district councils and reinforcing the multiple “training institutes”. The recent five-year plan (2001-2006) concentrated on the institutions under development and the creation of the means making it possible “to support an expansion with large scales and the consolidation” (Riḍ ván 158). Since 2001, Baha' is in the whole world were encouraged to concentrate on the classes for children, the gatherings of devotion, and a systematic study of the religion, known under the name of “circle of study”.

The second five-year plan (2006-2011) was launched by the universal House of justice in April 2006. It calls its wishes the establishment of advanced models of growth and development of the community in more than 1500 “beams” in the world. The laws, when they are not in direct conflict with the civil laws of the home country, apply to all the baha' is. The respect of the personal laws, like the prayer or the celebration, although being a universal obligation, is spring of each individual. The universal House of Justice must also make respect certain laws.

Here an example of some laws and religious precepts drawn from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas . They were codified by Shoghi Effendi, the named interpreter of the writings baha' is:

to recite an obligatory prayer each day after having reached the age of the spiritual maturity, which is fixed at 15 years. There are three prayers which one can choose for one day.
to request and meditate in a daily way.
the scandalmongering and the fact of spreading rumors is prohibited.
abolition of the adult prejudices
the baha' is in good health must fast during 19 days each year from March 2nd to 20th.
it is interdict with the baha' is of drinking alcohol or taking drugs of entertaining use, except if it is prescribed by a doctor.
the sexual relationships are allowed only between husband and woman; the Homosexualité is thus not allowed.
the Game of chance is strictly prohibited.
it is interdict to shave the head, the men must keep their hair behind the ears

Places of worship

The majority of the meetings baha' ies take place in houses, local centers baha' is or installations rented for the occasion. There are currently in the whole world seven houses of worship, at least one by continent, and eighth is in construction with the Chile.

The temples set up by the community are called " House of Adoration" or Maskrit Al-Adkân (" place where at dawn the mention of the name of Dieu" rises;). They must be built according to particular criteria, dependant on the number 9 which must seem a " obvious symbol for tous". Also, all the temples bahâ' is must have nine entries. The rules relating to the construction of the temples were fixed by 'Abdu' l-Bahâ itself: " The temple mother must have nine sides and doors as well as fountains, alleys, doors, columns and gardens, then a court, balconies and a Coupole, and the whole must be majestueux." The central sanctuary, which is with Haïfa, as well as the other temples have a cupola indeed. The House of worship of Wilmette close to Chicago (1931) to the the United States, the House of worship of New Delhi (India, 1986), one of the most known monuments and most visited world , the House of worship of Sydney Australia (1961) offer other examples of this type of Temple. In Europe, one knows the principal temple of Germany to Langenhaim (1964) close to Frankfort; this construction with 28 height meters cupola can accommodate nearly 500 faithful.

The writings Baha' is also refer at an institution called Mashriqu' l-Adhkár (the East of the invocations), which is intended to form a center of complex institutions, of which a hospital, a university, etc Seulement the first and single Mashriqu' l-Adhkár with Ashgabat with the Turkménistan was conceived thus.

Liturgy

From the liturgical point of view, the meditation in the temples is accompanied by readings chosen in the crowned texts of the other religions. These texts - for example the Jewish Pentateuque of the S, the New Testament of the Christian , the Moslem Coran of the S, the Bayân of the babists, etc… - announced successively, by stages of increasing perfection, the ceaseless divine revelation or message of God. In this direction, the crowned book binding all the texts on the revelation which precede it is logically the last in the chronological order, namely the Kitâb-i-Aqdas (" Holiest livre"). It was written in 1863 by Bahâ' u' llâh which wrote it in two days and two nights; for the bahâ' is, it is the text of reference although it is not more important than the others, nor the book more read by Baha' is themselves on the faith. All the works published on the faith and even all the books of the world have their importance. As one considers the equality and the unit of the human race, God and the religions, it is advisable to establish a similar design for all the books existing on planet. However, the Kitab-i-Aqdas has a paramount place because it is the first work in the history of humanity to draw up a bond between all the religions and all the people of humanity.

Sexuality

Concerning sexuality, the faith bahá' IE recommends a pure life. Before the marriage, the life must be absolutely pure and after the marriage, absolutely faithful to the selected companion.

“What Bahá' u' lláh wants to say by chastity does not certainly include the embraces which are done in the modern society. They are harmful with manners of the young people, and often lead them to go too much far, or they cause appetites which they risk, at this time, not to be able to satisfy legitimately by the marriage, and whose suppression constitutes for them a severely tested. The moral ideal bahá' í is very high, more particularly when one compares it with the completely corrupted morality of the current world. But this ideal which is ours will produce healthier, happier, nobler people and will bring more stable marriages”.

In what milked with the question of the physical contacts between people of opposed sexes, 'Abdu' l-Baha would have said, according to a note of pilgrim: " A woman and a man do not owe étreindre unless being married or about to marry. They should not embrace If they wish to be greeted or be comforted mutually, each one can take the hand of the other. " (Extracts of written letters on behalf of the Universal House of Justice published in Baha' I Canada, Sharaf EB 156)

About the Pederasty, Bahá' u' lláh declares in its Holy Book, Kitáb-i-Aqdas:

“By pure shame, we refuse to cover subject of the boys. Fear Miséricordieux, O people of the world! Do not make what is to you interdict in our Holy Shelf and are not those which wander madly in the desert of their desires.”

Shoghi Effendi interpreted this reference like a prohibition of all homosexual relations. Elsewhere, he adds: “Whatever the enthusiasm and the quality of a love between people of the same sex, it is an error which to enable him to be expressed in the sex act. To say that this love is ideal is not an excuse. Bahá' u' lláh prohibits absolutely immorality in all its forms and, apart from the fact that they are against nature , he considers the homosexual relations in the same way. In being afflicted a heavy burden for a conscientious heart constitutes. But, by the councils and the assistance of doctors, at the price of a serious and determined effort, and by the prayer, a heart can surmount this handicap . Bahá' u' lláh stipulates that it will belong to the Universal House of Justice to fix the sorrows relating to adultery and sodomy , according to the degree of offense. ”.

Although under consideration by the sentence quoted above (“… a love between people of the same sex”), female homosexuality is not expressly quoted in the interdicts.

Marriage

The marriage Baha' I is the union of a man and a woman. Its goal is mainly spiritual and is intended to spread the harmony, friendship and the unit between the two partners. The lesson Baha' is on the marriage calls it the “fortress for the wellbeing and safety” and regards the marriage and the family as the foundation of the human society. Bahá' u' lláh held the marriage in great regard. Presenting like a command eternal of God, it discouraged also the divorce and preached chastity apart from the marriage. Bahá' u' lláh taught that a husband and a woman were to improve their spiritual life mutually. Although the parents should not choose partners for their children, once two individuals decided to marry, they must receive the assent of the parents who are alive, even if one of the partners is not Baha' I.

The ceremony of marriage is simple; the only obligatory part is the reading of the wishes prescribed by Bahá' u' lláh which are read by the grooms in the presence of two witnesses. The wishes are:

“We all will remain, and completely, subjected to the will of God”

The dowry: (1) The marriage is subordinated to the payment of a dowry. (2) The dowry is fixed at nineteen pure gold mithqáls for the townsmen, and to nineteen money mithqáls for the villagers, the quality of townsman or villager depends on the permanent residence of the husband and not of that of the woman. (3) It is interdict to pour more ninety-five mithqáls. (4) It is preferable that a man is satisfied with the payment of 19 money mithqáls. (5) If the dowry cannot be versed in once, it is allowed to establish a written promise. K) If, after having recited the verse specifically revealed and paid the dowry, one of the parts conceived an antipathy for the other before the consumption of the marriage, the period of waiting is not necessary before a divorce. However, it is not allowed to take again the dowry. Synopsis of Kitàb-i-Aqdas (8.12) IV-C. Laws concerning the personal status (marriage, divorce, heritage) . However, all this is not applicable universally at present.

Religious symbols

The official symbol of the faith Baha' IE is a star with five branches, but a star with nine branches is more frequently used. The symbol of the stone and the penmanship of the great name are also frequently met. The latter consists of two stars superimposed with Bahá' stylized (rear RTL بهاء " splendeur" or " gloire") whose form supposed is pointed out the three units. The great name is Yá Bahá' u' L 'Abhá (rear RTL يابهاءالأبهى “O Glory of most glorious! ”)

Calendar

The bahâ' is, the babists, regard on March 21st 1844 as the starting point of their annual calendar. This last is articulated in 19 19 days month between which intercalate themselves 4 days. The year begins on March 21st, after the vernal equinox. From March 2nd to 21st, a Jeûne is observed. The prayer, always short and in theory individual, can be done morning, midday and evening. The faith bahâ' IE proclaims nine crowned days (the Chiffre 9 has a value very particular symbolic system in reference to the 9 known religions of the world of Baha' u' lake). The first day of Ridwân (" large solennité") is in particular devoted at rest. It is celebrated from April 21st to May 3rd in memory of the period during which the founder, in 1863, traversed the garden of Ridwân, close to Baghdad, by revealing with his disciples his high mission, it is especially the day of April 21st which is important.

The religion Bahâ' IE

The idea of " Holy war " , conveyed by certain religions (Christianity at the time of the crusades or Reconquista Spanish, Islam with the jihad inter alia minor, said sword), is thus removed. It will be noted that Bab did not completely cancel it in the event of persecutions, and of Babi' S curiously tried to assassinate the Shah of Persia in 1852. But Baha' Ullah was much further prohibiting it completely purely and simply. In the place, the bahâ' is aim to bring to all the people universal peace and complete justice. Any conflict must be avoided whatever the circumstances; even in the event of self-defense. The equality of the sexes is very asserted because of the fact that the man and the woman represent the " two ailes" of humanity, " and it is only if both Aile S strong and are driven by a common force that the Oiseau can fly towards the Ciel ".

For the bahâ' is, a life right supposes to make any evil with nobody strictly, to support the injustices, oppressions and the calamities without revolting, to like reciprocally, to wish only the good, to like the life for what it is, to remain always humble, to work for the wellbeing of the world and the human beings, and to deal obligingly of the patients, weak and of oppressed. The baha' is must consequently be interested in all the countries, all the people, all the cultures, all the religions, speak several languages if possible, be completely non-violent and even not-resistant (it is not exactly the same thing as the Indian concept of the " ahimsa" , which does not evoke really not-resistance). This last element largely proved reliable in a world where violence is omnipresent at present, and was often taken again since (Tolstoi, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Romain Roland, Aang Saan Suu Kyi, Steve Biko, etc…). For example, in Iran, for each killed Baha' I, the faith gained 100 members. When one carries out a life based on a certain ethics, one cannot that to improve the fate of the world, and it is logically that success tightens the arms where rebounds on other people who are inspired some, the history of humanity shows it.

Baha' is must thus show constantly of sympathy, respect, tolerance, generosity, uprightness, honesty, bravery, honor, honesty, dignity, opening of the heart and of the spirit, of a very great critical direction (including towards Baha' U' lake, Baha' I said one day that best Baha' I is always that which is most critical towards Baha' Ullah and any thing), of love, altruism, perseverance, kindness, simplicity, sincerity, moderation, of calm, of probity, recognition, forgiveness, of chastity, of wisdom, control and responsibility.

Moreover, they have to abstain from completely anger, revenge, the unkindness, insolence, the claim, the presumption, the sarcastic remark, the lack of reflection, non-observance, the jealousy, extreme standpoint without weighing for and against, of interference in the businesses of others, the arrogance, the coarseness, insolence, the scandalmongering (Baha' Ullah declared that the scandalmongering was the worst defect which is) and of calumny. It is necessary to consider only qualities of people and the good side of the things. Contrary, Baha' is must discover their own faults and never glorifier of their own virtues. Almost all these aspects are found already in Islam (That ran like Hadith). as specified above, they must never blindly not also follow all that one teaches them and all that occurs around them, this thus condemns irremediably the concept of " faith aveugle" , regarded per much Baha' is as one of the main issues of humanity.

Baha' is must thus testify to a behavior completely human, clean, noble, social, ethical, smiling, opened, brave, to serve the humanity which must result in pragmatic acts, also modest are. Work is regarded as a moral fiber, major and spiritual to succeed. The goal being in the long term to obtain a great world peace by right, peaceful, relevant, wise and equitable methods. The term of triumph of the kingdom of God on the ground is also employed as well as the expression " to live true the vie" , to see below the quotation of Abdu' l-Baha on this point.

Baha' is wish to link all the people of the world from the point of view of world civilization, they estimate that all to be human are for them citizens of the whole world, with of their difference and their ethnic specificity, cultural, linguistic and religious. Whole humanity must be regarded as a single family. They wish a democratic regime, constitutional, liberal, laic and advisory but that in same time the people obey the government decisions.

Major prohibition: any form of proselytism is formally prohibited, including towards his/her own children. Nobody can be Baha' I owing to the fact that his/her parents are it. One is Baha' I only if it is wished, if one is of agreement with the basic principles of the faith and if one wishes to follow them. Nobody can force anyone to become it some is the means. Thus it is important that Baha' is pay great attention to the education of their children, by taking care not to direct them whole towards the faith, in order to be certain not to make any proselytism, because will be with them to decide according to their ideals and their critical and personal interpretation. Baha' U' lake always insisted that Baha' is as well as possible use their capacity of critical reflection of manner. It is pointed out because it is important, the concept of " faith aveugle" is prohibited.

The Culte comprises neither Rite, neither clergy, nor Sacrement, because all this is regarded as misfit at the time to which one lives. The faith Baha' IE is before a a whole religion very modern and adapted to the needs for the current world. It is a way of being a citizen of the world and of being member of all the religions of planet, while transposing their message to the needs for the contemporary world. Baha' I said one day that the best way of being Baha' I is of reading all the books of the world, aspect also already present in Islam. One has the impression clearly that Baha' Ullah had some share for objective to raise certain ambiguities of ran, which can appear necessary to certain people owing to the fact that It was revealed it is true before 12 centuries.

The Islamic origin of the faith Baha' IE is in any case made clearly feel, although number of Baha' is Western are perhaps surprised because of their ignorance of Islam. It is there that it is important for Baha' is as much as possible to know some about all the other religions of planet. It is often said that to study Christianity, the Judaism should initially be studied, to study Islam, it is initially necessary to study the Judaism and Christianity; to study Buddhism and Jainisme, it is initially necessary to study Hindouisme. In the same way, a similar reasoning is completely valid for Baha' is which is members of all the religions of the world.

However, these celebrations, just like the Young person, are not what there is of more important for Baha' I. The great majority of Baha' is consider that the essential component of the existence is above all to like the life, to like everyone and to work for universal peace, the agreement, the unit and the love. Thus one can really be in phase with the message of Baha' U' lake, the principles of the faith and adopt the lifestyle Baha' IE.

Thus, some thought that one should leave unbelievers or agnostics to convert officially (one says to declare oneself) as long as they adopt the model of life Baha' I, but it is not the case, Baha' is regarding the existence of God as some, they make a point of following this model enraciné in the faith as a God. Again, one notes the bond with Islam (God tender). Muhammad said that it is necessary to make the good for the love of god. One can note a small difference with Eastern philosophies or the faith as a God is not inevitably essential. Some as thought as the homosexual ones should be accepted officially but it is not either the case, because of the tradition of the marriage between a man and a woman with an aim of renewing the generations (the free union is also strongly rejected). Nevertheless, Baha' is call with the greatest tolerance, recognition and sympathy towards the homosexual ones, which appears completely logical nowadays, at least in occident.

Baha' is also abstain from the perturbing products the conscience, drugs, of alcohol, their religious practice having to be done in a permanent way in the form of an adapted lifestyle. Some also think that the tobacco should be prohibited for Baha' I, taking into account the hecatomb caused by this plague. It is noted that their existence is based on simplicity and moderation and not the deprivation or asceticism. On the contrary, Baha' U' lake always exhorted the men and the women to profit fully from the life but by showing of control and responsibility.

Famous quotations:

- Baha' Ullah:

" It does not belong has that which likes its country to be ennorguellir but rather has that which likes the whole world, the ground is one country and all humanity its citoyens".

"The better is worth to die than to kill, the better wounded being than blesser" is worth;.

"The purpose of the religion of God is to create the love and the unit. Of made not a cause of discordance and ennemité".

"The worst defect of humanity is the scandalmongering, it extinguishes the flame of the heart and chokes the life of the ame".

- Abdu' l-Baha:

" To live the true life, it is:

Not to cause sorrow have anybody, being pleasant towards all people and to like them with a pure spirit. If it to us is done opposition or to support damage, it, to be as pleasant as we can be it, and over all to like humanity. If the calamity exists with the largest degree, to be delighted, because they are gifts and favors of God.

To conceal the faults of others, to request for them, and to help them with kindness to correct their faults. To always look at the good and not the evil. If somebody has 10 defects and 1 quality, to consider only quality and to forget the 10 defects. If somebody with 10 qualities and 1 defect, to consider only qualities and to forget the defect. Never to allow us to say a desobligeant word on same somebody if this somebody is our enemy.

To achieve all our acts in the kindness. To be humble. To be servants from/to each other, and to know that we are less than whoever.

To act with prudence and wisdom. To be sincere. To be hospital. To be respectful.

To be a heart in several bodies, because the more we will like the ones the others, the more we will be close to God; but to know that our love, our unit, our obedience should not exist in words, but to be translated in our actions.

To be the cause of cure for the patient, a comfort for that which has sorrow, a pleasant water for the assoiffe, a celestial table for starves, a star for the horizon, a light for the lamp, a messenger for that which aspires to the kingdom of Dieu".

"To be Baha' I simply means to like everyone, like humanity and to endeavor to serve it; to work for peace and fraternity universelles".

"I that is Baha' which is endowed with all the human perfections and which puts them in action. No matter who perhaps same Baha' I if it forever heard of Baha' U' lake. The man who lives in accordance with the lesson of Baha' U' lake is already Baha' I. On the other hand, a man can praise himself to be Baha' I during 50 years, if it does not carry out the true life, it is not Baha' i".

Reception in the world

The religion bahâ' IE received a very favorable reception in the contemporary world and this in all planet, because of its will to synthesize and integrate the major elements coming from all the religions and all the people of the world, like because of the big role of the women, the total concept of not-resistance and research independent of the truth, the faith Baha' IE in oneself is thus inoffensive.

The Russian writer Leon Tolstoï (1828 - 1910), great figure of anarchism, spirituality and the non-violence whose message will be taken again initially by the Mahâtmâ Gandhî (1869-1948) then by Pasteur Martin Luther King (1929-1968), took as a starting point Baha' U' lake much by defining the faith bahâ' IE like highest and the purest form of religion.

The French writer Romain Roland (1866-1944), large admiror of the East and in particular of India, and non-violent convinced, evoked Baha' U' lake in his work: Clérambault .

The large English historian Arnold J. Toynbee (1889 - 1975) greeted it in 1947 like the " world religion of the futur" before specifying towards 1970 that the faith Baha' IE " could only be the world religion of the avenir" (to be noted the voluntary use of conditional) provided that it functions with in an individual capacity and not in the form of an organization, in accordance with one of the major and fundamental principles of the faith: research independent, personal and individual of the truth. Each individual must make the decisions to promote peace and not an association like the ASL, the ASN or the MUJ if not there is a risk for each Baha' I to become the instrument of a group. Of Baha' is think however that there is no evil to have an administration as long as its role does not go more before and that one should not fall either into an extreme individualistic position.

However, thus there exists of Baha' is which prefers not to be declared well that they believe in Baha' Ullah in order to be certain to work for universal peace and the agreement in an individual way and not by taking the risk simply to follow what one says to them to do, concept of policy of the puppet. They thus remain sympathizers. Perhaps of dimensioned, the declaration does not appear for some as what there is of more important in the faith. What counts especially before all is to respect the principles of the faith and to adopt the lifestyle Baha' IE enraciné in the faith (see above the declaration of Abdu' l-Baha on this subject).

The historian John Charles Taylor, inspired by Arnold Toynbee, also held of the similar remarks by warning Baha' is against an operation in the form of an organization or an association and not with in an individual capacity (" each individual has to place the plaques"). It in one way or another seems that the administrations Baha' is (MUJ, ASN, ASL) must pay attention not to exceed their simple administrative role, with the risk to exert a control, a pressure and a power on the intrigues of the declared members and to interfere into their business. These two elements are formally prohibited by Baha' U' lake. If necessary, some fear that the faith Baha' IE falls into designation from sect by absence from prudence.

In fact, much of intellectuals think that the future of the faith Baha' IE lies in its capacity to function so that each individual has a precise role, determinant, independent, personal and individual. For them, it is only in this condition that the message of Baha' U' lake will be respected and that Baha' is will be able to really build a new world order of peace. Already, of many people well-read women established comparisons between the faith Baha' IE and Freemasonry and think that persecutions against Baha' is are likely to last still very very a long time in the Moslem countries. In these nations, the Islamic law condemns without call the faith Baha' IE, because the Moslems regard Muhammad as the last of the Prophets and Baha' U' lake cannot thus in no case to be a messenger of God, being posterior in Muhammad. Many Moslems indicate Baha' U' lake like a criminal. And yet, in all objectivity, it is carrying a remarkable message of universal love, but this element is not enough for them at all, not more the fact that they await the return of Jesus and also for some that of Mahdi. For them, these returns will be done in other circumstances.

- Baha' is known:

the Marie Queen of Romania (Marie d' Edimbourgh)
the King of Samoas Malietoa Tanumafili II
Cathy Freeman
Dizzy Gillespie (the centers Baha' is étasuniens very often pass from the Jazz music played by this immense trumpet player).
Lydia Zamenhof (girl of the founder of Esperanto, Louis Zamenhof, itself large admiror of the faith Baha' IE), one can note an interesting bond between the faith Baha' IE and Esperanto, Tolstoi itself had learned Esperanto.

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