Hi everyone,

Bahá'u'lláh's emphasis on transparency and justice particularly stands out - like when He writes in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas that trustees should be "responsible for every penny" and in the Tablet of Ishráqát about how "Trustworthiness is the greatest portal leading unto the tranquility and security of the people."

This got me thinking about how these principles are implemented across different levels of Bahá'í administration. At local and national levels, there's clear implementation - Assemblies typically share financial reports and consult with community members about projects, following 'Abdu'l-Bahá's guidance that consultation should be "fully and frankly" carried out.

However, I've noticed something interesting: while the Universal House of Justice manages significant global resources and projects (like construction at the World Center, global teaching campaigns, etc.), it doesn't seem to provide detailed financial reporting or project breakdowns to the worldwide community. This appears to differ from both:

-The practice of lower administrative levels -The strong emphasis on trustworthiness and accountability in Bahá'í writings -Modern organizational best practices that align with Bahá'í principles

I understand there's divine guidance involved, but the Writings also emphasize the importance of concrete accountability - Shoghi Effendi even wrote about the necessity of "careful and full discussion of facts and situations."

So I'm genuinely curious: How do Bahá'ís reconcile these elements? Simply saying "we trust the institution" seems to sidestep the deeper question of how these foundational principles apply consistently across all levels of administration.

I'm asking because I want to understand how these powerful principles of transparency and accountability, so clearly stated in the Writings, are understood to operate differently at different levels. What's the wisdom behind this structural difference?

Thanks in advance for any thoughtful perspectives on this.

Edit: Looking for responses that go beyond just "trust" to explore how these principles are understood to work in practice.

Hey there, im sure this has been asked many times before but always like to get new peoples perspectives on this.

What do the Bahais say about the contradictions between religions if they are all from the same source? Like the Buddha and Hindus talk about reincarnation, certain ways of seeing the divine, and other differences? Would love to hear your thoughts, thank you!

I know the birthday of Baha’u’llah was changed from November 12 to November 2 to agree with the Badi Calendar and the Bab’s is now November 1. However I’m wondering when the real birthdays are. Were they really one day apart? Will they ever be changed again?

I'm wondering what the status is for the Pilgrimage? Is it closed down for the duration of this "war"? 🤔

I have noticed that when people recite the Hidden Words in the original Persian, it is always preceded by به نام گوینده توانا ("bah nam guyandeh tavana"), which is in the preamble, translated to English as "In the Name of the Lord of Utterance, the Mighty."

My logic says that this is done to reinforce the fact that it is indeed God who is speaking to us, making it clear that it is not us speaking to God, as is the case with prayer.

Is this standard practice in Persian? Was it intended to be recited that way? Did the central figures or certain prominent Bahá'ís use this practice?

For those who are Arabic speakers, is there a similar practice when reciting in Arabic?

Is there a specific reason that it isn't done or encouraged when reciting the translated versions?

Hello,
I am looking for quotes from the Central Figures to help me understand something.

It appears as though dispensations aren't necessarily globally effective or binding as it were (Zoroastrianism and Judaism was both going at the same time) but in different locations.

Is there quotes to be found that help understand the nuance of this?
Judaism taught the One God, but did not require all peoples to become Jews.
Jesus teaches that Christians are to go into all the world and convince everyone they can to His truth.
Islam makes allowance for Christians (in some parts of the Quran, less so in others) but also has societal pressures to end them in Muslim areas (Pact of Umar as an example).

So, which dispensations ended when?
Which ones were binding on the world, or just their local area?

Thanks in advance to all you wonderful people for any help you can give me in this!

I'm so glad to have the opportunity to have a weekly online study circle and I've really enjoyed reflecting on the sacred writings in Ruhi Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit.

I'm curious if anyone had any great moments of clarity or understanding while interacting with this book.

For me it was about how our acts of service done in the memory of a loved one who's passed on can help them in the next world.

Because of that I'm working on starting a service organization where we do community projects starting with prayers for our dearly departed. Please pray for the success of this project.

Please share your Ruhi insights and how the institute process has inspired you.

Thanks in advance!

Allah'u'Abha! 🙏

My 14 year old is struggling with school. Meaning she gets anxious. She's not being bullied. I believe it's just the setting. It's been going on for a while. Many missed school days. We've had meetings with the school and they were gracious with their help and suggestions. We are currently looking for a therapist. I am considering removing her from school and educating her at home as I feel she doesn't need that kind of struggle just to learn. There are alternatives. I understand the importance of education and I know as a Bahai that spiritual education is very important as well. I am wondering if I should focus more on spiritual rather than academic. Work on life skills over History etc. Are there any Bahai homeschoolers who could offer guidance?

Would Bahá’í’s around the world visit Iran if it became secular and safe for Bahá’í’s?

My other thought was what about Baha'is accepting a seer? It is perhaps not a Sychic ability but a spiritual ability. What proof would be needed to be taken serously. I am not a Baha'i but raised as one. I have questions because I had an NDE and it changed and altered everything. My faith, my knowledge and my belief of what is real and what is not and about all the possibilities in existence.

For example although I know that the Bahai Faith believes in gender equality there are some caveats mostly in benefit of the women who are often in a disadvantage on society, for example (correct me if I’m wrong) if a family can only afford the education of a child this should go to the daughter. This of course when a family has let say two sons and one daughter. But this make me wonder.

What if any of the children is gender fluid or does not identify as cisgender. What if the daughter is non-binary, or what if is transgender and switches to man, then should not get the education as is technically not the daughter anymore?

And if the opposite happens, what if a family has lets say three sons, and one of them is transgender a switches to female, and the family can only afford education for one, should it go to the transgender kid?

Dear lovely Reddit readers! Hope this finds you well! I have been tasked with researching the above in order to cement the understanding within our own community. I have been somewhat lax over the years in this area , many reasons , so am asking if anyone cares to point me in the right direction , key documents etc. Many thanks in advance for any help xxx

Hi, im a bahai Who do combat sports in chile, and idk anyone Who do that and is a bahai, any friend out there?

I guess this is an interesting post. I have never met another Bengali bahai, I am born and raised in Toronto too, so I know a lot of Bahais in general. I visit NYC fairly often which is the second largest diaspora of Bengalis, but dont feel like I met any. I know there's some in Bangladesh and Bengal India it self since there are national assemblies but yeah

Alla’u’abha!

So of course, I want to honor Baháʼu'lláh’s word, and I want to participate in the Fast. I’ve had great Fasts before and could really feel myself connecting to the Divine during them. I also know all Fasts aren’t supposed to be same. Some of my Fasts have been middling. But the last one was really, really bad. I’ve never had one like this one.

For some reason I had this absolute aversion to wanting to do it this year in the first place but I did it anyway because it felt like it was my duty as a Baha’i. I don’t want to let Baháʼu'lláh down. But the further that Fast went one the worse I felt. None of the writings of Baháʼu'lláh or ʻAbdu'l-Bahá felt meaningful or filled me like they used to, prayer felt useless, and I kept getting darker and darker thoughts. The more I fought against this, the more I tried to pray and read the writings, the more it felt like I was spiritually shut out. Like I was talking to a brick wall, and that my prayers were being pushed back rather than received, if that makes sense. I want to say it was some kind of test, maybe.

I know the next Fast isn’t exactly close yet, but I am dreading it. I don’t want to go through that depressing experience again, as it felt like God and the Blessed Beauty had left me, though I know they didn’t. But I don’t want to stop being a Baha’i and not honor what He asks of me. I don’t want to give up.

I feel there has to be some third option. Have any of you also experienced a Fast similar to mine? If so, how can I ease myself into next year’s Fast without feeling like it’s a burden or punishment I have to put myself through? Fasts haven’t felt that way to me in the past, but this last one really made an impact on me, and scared me.

Forgive me if this has an obvious answer that I’m oblivious to, but I wanted to consult with other Baha’is to be sure.

Wishing you well in all your pursuits and dreams, and hope you’re taking care!

This is from Additional Tablets and Extracts on bahai.org

Is He making a cryptic reference to believers or is He using Arabic letters to signify spiritual truths?

Remember us to all those in thy land who have believed in God and in His signs, as well as those who journeyed towards God and gained admission into the precincts of the court of Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Bountiful. Among them is the letter Káf, who is the recipient of His unsurpassed mercy. Thus do We make mention of him in this Tablet with the sweet melodies of the pure in heart. Another is the letter Qáf, who journeyed unto the court of God in His days and is reckoned among the righteous. Likewise the letter Há’, who embarked on this journey, hath returned home by Our leave, and is now immersed in the ocean of divine love. The letter Rá’ is yet another one who hearkened to the wondrous melodies of the Nightingale and entered beneath the sheltering shadow of God, the Gracious, the All Knowing. And among them are such as have left their homes and since returned. We have not mentioned their names, but all have attained a station of grace that is beyond the comprehension of all created things. Erelong will God reveal unto them the fruits of their noble deeds, as they soar into the blessed heaven of holiness on wings of ruby. There are still others who have made this journey in their hearts and whose names were inscribed with the Pen of power upon the spirits of transcendent glory. Soon will God open before their faces the portals of Paradise and they will enter therein in a state of peace and mercy from Our presence and abide there forever in bliss.

—Bahá’u’lláh

I recall an update to the rules on Baha'is and any non-Baha'i family members of theirs being allowed on pilgrimage. Would someone point me in the right direction?

In a book by ‘Abdu’l-Baha (I am not sure if it is Some Answered Question), ‘Abdu’l-Baha states that Catholic churches are now violating the second commandment of the Ten Commandments by displaying images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary or the Saints.

But to this day, the Catholic Church has denied that displaying images is against the Ten Commandments, citing the story of God asking Moses to design the Ark of the Covenant with two Cherubim angels on the lid, as well as pointing out that the design of the Tabernacle in the Tanakh also calls for carvings or drawings of birds or angels (i.e. Catholics believe that material products that represent God and not another god are not against the second commandment).

In addition, Catholics believe that Jesus Christ, whom Baha'i considers the Manifestation of God, is God incarnate in physical form, so we can depict Him through physical images, and the Virgin Mary is considered by Catholics to be the embodiment of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tanakh (because she also carried Jesus, who is considered the Word and Spirit of God, just as the Ark of the Covenant is the place where God's teachings are kept). Not to mention, some Catholics believe that accusing Catholics of violating the second commandment just because they display images of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints is an insult to their beliefs. So based on the Baha'i teachings and the teachings of Baha'ullah, Abdu'l-Baha, how should I respond to Catholics displaying images or praying to images of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints? I hope everyone will have a civilized debate on this issue.

Allah’u’Abha

To those of you that have been to ISGP: give it to me straight. One good thing and one bad thing (or more). What’s the content about exactly? In your experience, is it worth going (please be honest)?

How many people usually attend? If it was your thing, tell me why. If it wasn’t your thing, tell me why. Thank you!

And the Bahai community isn’t going to be a welcoming place for them while everyone is pretending to be perfect. Bahais have to be real and authentic before they try to be “good Bahais”. If you’re not aware of your own shadow you’re, you’re not a human being, just an avatar (ie, a fake icon). Rant over. Thanks for listening…

Any bahai books on judaism and it's connection to the faith?

Saw this post.

As someone from a Roman Catholic background, pretty much all my spellwork is based on intercession of the Saints and calling upon the Archangels for help with very specific prayers along with used of blessed items using symbolism of angels and saints that have been blessed by priests such as a medal of Saint Archangel Michael or wearing the brown robes worn by Franciscan clergy during rituals or fasting before a ritual to emulate Saint Margaret of Cortona's life before calling for her aid in intercession.

So how does Intercession and calling upon the Archangels for help work in Islam? I know the Shia sect believes Saints can intercede directly through prayers asking for their help and Sufi culture has a rich tradition of occultic Islam where you call upon angels and converted Jinn for help.

Additionally how does Intercession and calling upon the Saints and Archangels for help work in Judaism? I seen the concept of asking the Tzadik for help while praying esp at the graves in some sources and some Jewish prayers involving calling out the Archangels such as the Shema prayer (in this specific example you call the angels to be beside you at a certain direction).

So does this concept exist in the Rastafari religion? If so, what are Saints called in Rastafarianism? Does the religion call upon Archangels for magical acts like protection from demons and miraculous healing of diseases and so on? Bonus question, how is Mary seen? In Catholicism she is considered the strongest Saints, so powerful that she is ranked Queen of Heaven in addition to being the Theotokos or Mother of God. How high do Rastafaris revere her?

So I am curious the Bahai Faith has intercessory prayers and Sainthood petitions like some Christians do? In addition at least the Catholic Church believes it possible even for non-Saints who manage to reach heaven after death like say your grandma can do intercession themselves and pray for you in the afterlife. Enough that not only will God help you as a result but sometimes the souls of your relatives will be allowed by God to appear on Earth and be given some power by God to directly intervene in some way like warn you that your friend will betray your or wake you up while you're asleep just is burning your kitchen so you can escape. If intercessory prayers do exist in Bahai faith, can a dead average Joe layman be involved in it to help the living?

Hey, I’m a seminary student and I’ve been interested in Bahai for a while. Is there some sort of pamphlet that outlines the basic beliefs? I’ve gone to the website, but it’s kind of overwhelming.

I’m looking for something like an intro to Bahai or a “for dummies” type book.

Hi, I'm curious how people feel about hosting an unmarried, non-bahai couple whether they are friends or your own adult children (and their S/O), who want to share the same bed. Is this just a personal preference thing, to permit that or not? Or does anyone know any laws forbidding it?

Allah’u’abha friends please pray for me i have a job interview coming up next week, i haven’t had a job in almost 8 months 🥲

Hello,

I will not say which tribe exactly but I am an enrolled member of a Indigenous tribe in California. I lived briefly in Arizona and attended the Bahai Faith Center in Scottsdale where I shortly declared. Upon returning home to my reservation and learning my language, I "dropped" my Bahai Faith as I discovered my own traditional beliefs through learning and loving my language. I feel like this isn't an uncommon thing from communities like mine who faced centuries of religious oppression and then some. My love for learning and research though constantly brings me back into a "faith spiral" which is where I am at right now. My soul yearns for more and as a member of a nation with a growing lack of elders due to colonization, boarding school and more, I yearn for more spirituality then what is offered in my community who has been nearly stripped of MANY cultural practices. I am also in the process of moving myself and my family back to Arizona so the faith has once against, crept back upon me knowing I will have some form of community.

With all that being said, we as native people are taught that we have been here since "time immemorial" and this is understood and believed as true through our history (or what non-natives call stories/mythology). I was recently listening to various podcasts with Kevin Locke who was a pretty infamous Native American Baha'i; to note, Kevin's traditions and traditional beliefs/prophecies are VERY different from us here in California. I also know Kevin has since passed on and was able to meet him at the Scottsdale Baha'i Center in the past.

It's a podcast from a channel on YouTube called Green Acre titled "A Baha'i-inspired Perspective on Indigenous Messengers of God, Part 1". Kevin Locke and scholar Christopher Buck present in the video. I will call Christopher as "Chris" for typing sake. The first quote they uncover is from Abdu'l-baha and can be found under Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks in the Baha'i Reference Library. The quote is as followed:

Extract from a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá

In ancient times the people of America were, through their northern regions, close to Asia, that is, separated from Asia by a strait. For this reason, it hath been said that crossing had occurred. There are other signs which indicate communication.

As to places whose people were not informed of the appearance of Prophets, such people are excused. In the Qur’án it hath been revealed: “We will not chastise them if they had not been sent a Messenger.”^(1)

Undoubtedly in those regions the Call of God must have been raised in ancient times, but it hath been forgotten now.

—‘Abdu’l‑Bahá

• 1Qur’án 17:15

My issue is the first part of this quote. Science has continually proven that Native people have been here in the Americas for a lot longer then what has been taught in centuries and decades past. I think of ancient people being (unfortunately) uncovered and analyzed like the Kennewick Man. From the Kennewick Man Wikipedia:

Kennewick Man or Ancient One was a Native American man who lived during the early Holocene, whose skeletal remains were found washed out on a bank of the Columbia River in Kennewick, Washington, on July 28, 1996. Radiocarbon tests show the man lived about 8,400 to 8,690 years Before Present, making his skeleton one of the most complete ever found this old in the Americas,^([1]) and thus of high scientific interest for understanding the peopling of the Americas.

According to the Wikipedia from a DNA analyses done in 2015:

"Advances in genetic research made it possible to analyze ancient DNA (aDNA) more accurately than earlier attempts when the skeleton was found. In June 2015, a study was published which analysed his sequenced nuclear genome, which concluded that his genome was nested within the diversity of contemporary Native Americans. The study concluded Kennewick Man belonged to a population closely related to contemporary Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, including Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Of the five tribes that originally claimed Kennewick Man as an ancestor, their members were the only ones to donate DNA samples for evaluation. The low sequencing depth (approximately 1x) of the Kennewick Man's genome, along lack of genomes from North American aboriginal populations have made it impossible to ascertain Kennewick Man's nearest living relatives among regional Native American tribes. His Y-DNA haplogroup is Q-M3 and his mitochondrial DNA is X2a, both uniparental genetic markers found almost exclusively in Native Americans."

There is also the very recent discovering of the footprints in New Mexico called the White Sands Fossil Footprints. Again, according to it's Wikipedia:

The White Sands fossil footprints are a set of fossilized human footprints discovered in 2009 in the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. In 2021 they were radiocarbon dated, based on seeds found in the sediment layers, to between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago.^([1]) That date range is currently the subject of scientific debate, but if it is correct, the footprints would be one of, if not the oldest record of humans in the Americas. The earlier theory held that human settlement of the Americas began at the end of the last Ice Age, about 13,000-16,000 years ago.

These are just two examples that come to me but there has been other ancient ancestors found within these extensive time frames. Please feel free to conduct some research yourself.

So did Abdu'l-baha get it wrong believing we came through on the bering strait/land bridge idea? The Baha'i Faith is about progressive revelation. Those revelations through time are all written by men. We did not know these men yet we are entrusting their knowledge or commune with and of God to then know and understand God and have a growing spiritual relationship with our Creator. But again, he is still a man.

Could the words be from his own education (or even lack thereof) of the Americas be seeping into the context? Or am I misunderstanding his words? I am not sure what to make of the line "There are other signs of communication". I know Indigenous people from all over believe we had other means of travel by being guided by the stars and some of an even supernatural force. Alas, every tribe is different so travel would depend on the demographic of where they are from and where they are going. My people did not cross oceans. We left our point of creation to dwell in the desert.

I do realize he says "...it hath been said that crossing had occurred" , but said from who?

I would love to have some dialogue or shared understanding/opinion about this with someone or would appreciate more context and writings to help me better understand.

Before an assumption takes place, I do believe our ancient peoples used and utilized the land bridge. What I don't believe is we came from that side and used it to get into and settle in the Americas. My opinion is not only driven by traditional knowledge but the science coming out the last decade or so like the two sources I wrote about above.

I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and/or answer and appreciate any resources supplied.

Thank you.