WHAT BAHA'IS BELIEVE
Throughout history, God has sent to humanity, according to the needs of the time, a series of Divine Educators, known as Manifestations of God. These Divine Educators include Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Their distinct social and spiritual teachings have guided humanity’s efforts to advance civilisation.
Bahá’u’lláh, the most recent of these Divine Educators, teaches that humanity is on a path to maturity, much like an individual who progresses through various stages of development. The current turmoil in the world can be viewed as humanity experiencing the turbulence of adolescence.
The writings of Bahá'u'lláh provide a wealth of spiritual teachings that assist us in progressing on this path towards maturity, and in building a peaceful and unified world.
Oneness of Religion
Service is integral to both individual and collective life. We are each called upon to be an active participant of social progress. Through our actions and deeds, and in our work and service to our communities, we strive to contribute to the betterment of society and to develop our intellectual and spiritual capacities.
Service in the Bahá’í community finds expression in the mutual support that we provide one another, as well as in the accompaniment provided by the community and institutional bodies to each individual.
In the United Kingdom, and throughout the world, Bahá’ís, together with their friends and neighbours, are engaging in acts of service that seek to contribute to the transformation of society. Together they work to improve their neighborhoods, their cities and their country through programmes aimed at developing the capacities and capabilities of children, young people and adults.
Many in the Devon community are involved with the NGO Baha'i Agency for Social & Economic Development (BASED-UK) which supports projects across the world aimed at bringing about social justice.
Social Justice
The Bahá'í belief in the inherent nobility of each human being is intimately connected with the conviction that education, both material and spiritual, has the power to manifest the potential nobility within each person and, most importantly, benefit society.
Over the past few decades, the worldwide Bahá'í community has developed an educational programme that seeks to cultivate the vast and powerful potentialities inherent in every human being. Guided by the principle and goal of universal participation, this educational programme combines personal reflection and group study with acts of service in the community.
Those who participate in this educational programme encompass diverse ages, faiths, worldviews and backgrounds. It is through collaboration with people of all perspectives that greater insights into the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh emerge, furthering the realisation of the oneness of humanity. All are warmly invited to contribute to this process.
Education