Core beliefs
The central theme of Bahá'u'lláh’s message is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for humanity’s unification into one global society. Bahá'ís believe in:
One God - The Common Origin and Unity of Purpose of All World Religions
There is only one Creator – the Source of all light and life, the ultimate reality. Therefore there is only one religion, the religion of God. This one religion is continually evolving, and each particular religious system represents a stage in the evolution of the whole. All of the great religious Founders— Manifestations of God—have come from God, and that all of the religious systems established by Them are part of a single divine plan directed by God
The Oneness of Humanity
Baha’u’llah said “Ye are all fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch, the flowers of one garden.” He also said “Glory is not his who loves his own country, but glory is his who loves his kind.” Unity—unity of mankind and of all created beings in God—is the main theme of His teaching. (Esslemont. 1980. Baha’u’llah and the New Era. US Bahá’í Publishing Trust)
The Harmony of Science and Religion
Bahá’ís believe science and religion are two systems of knowledge. Each operating within its own sphere, they are fundamentally in harmony, mutually reinforcing, and are both necessary to advance civilization. The Faith teaches that religion without science soon degenerates into superstition and fanaticism, while science without religion becomes merely the instrument of crude materialism – and unchecked material progress will never lead to true prosperity.
Equality of Women and Men
“The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment. When the two wings or parts become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace. US Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982 edition).
Elimination of All Forms of Prejudice
Baha'u'llah taught that the world's peace, prosperity and well-being ultimately depend on the recognition of the oneness of humanity. Acceptance of the oneness of mankind requires the abandonment of prejudices of all kinds—race, class, color, creed, religion, nation, gender, anything that enables people to feel superior to others.
Spiritual Solution to Economic Problems
Until we recognize the unity of mankind, the current economic culture will be one that promotes the enrichment of few people at the expense of the welfare of the rest of humanity. This has created an out of balance situation in our society leading to extremes of wealth and poverty, environmental degradation, etc.
Establishment of a World Commonwealth of Nations
Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed that “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” His teachings provide us with an way to achieve permanent stability in international relations leading to universal peace.