The Baha’i faith is a new religion and is not a combination of other religions, though, so this objection is not really valid. I think the confusion stems from our acknowledgment of various prophets, so people mistakenly think that we are just a fusion of all of them. Like Bob Ducca said, we think Krishna and Zoroaster were righteous dudes, but that doesn’t mean we mishmashed our religion from theirs.
It was a group of Babis, not Baha’is. The assassination attempt was in retaliation for the execution of the Bab. The Bahai faith hadn’t developed at that point (and, in fact, it was when Bahá’u’lláh was imprisoned as part of the Persian government’s execution and imprisonment of Babis in response to the assassination attempt that he claimed he got the divine revelation saying he was the final Manifestation of God.)
Also, just as an observation, it’s interesting how Bahá’u’lláh really tried to do the same thing that Mohammed did. Both of them claimed that God had sent prophets to individual nations and that they were the ultimate Prophet, who came with God’s message for all of mankind.
I agree with many of the points above, but wanted to add:
The OP assumes the common idea that the more sensible and pragmatic a religion is, and the less it inconveniences the rest of your life, the more popular it should be. I disagree.
I think successful religions need at least some arbitrary rules. That’s so you feel like the religion is teaching you something practical you didn’t already know.
And they should require sacrifices – that way, you can get the warm feeling of doing something for a higher cause. Making donations is a form of sacrifice, but I think that alone doesn’t press enough psychological buttons.
So…I don’t know much about Baha’i. But if it close to the hypothetical religion of “just be good to each other” I can see why it’s not very popular.
Close, but I would say it’s closer to “everybody’s god is real and everybody’s religion is right, so let’s just behave.”
Part of religion is being a part of a community, and you can’t really get a sense of community if you have no concept of the “other.” Not enemies, just “not us.” I don’t really get the impression that Baha’i (or Universalists, for that matter) have that, so I think the growth of either is pretty limited. It’s like Communism: sounds great, but monkey brains have problems processing it en mass.
It’s not as simple as that. In fact (in my view) that’s not Bahai teachings at all. There are letters written by the Guardian’s secretary that say that homosexuality is an illness and can be cured. That was the science of the time. Such letters have to be read in the light of general principles about the weight of these letters:
“The infallibility of the Guardian is confined to matters which are related strictly to the Cause and interpretation of the teachings; **he is not an infallible authority on **other subjects, such as economics, science, etc. When he feels that a certain thing is essential for the protection of the Cause, even if it is something that affects a person personally, he must be obeyed, but when he gives advice, such as that he gave you in a previous letter about your future, it is not binding; you are free to follow it or not as you please.”
(Directives from the Guardian, p. 33)
So as a Bahai it is perfectly OK to say, science has shown that homosexual orientation is not an illness (although people suffer from it in a discriminating or prejudiced setting) and there is in any case no way of changing it that can be medically recommended. And it would have been perfectly OK at the time, for the individuals who got letters from Shoghi Effendi or his secretaries saying they should seek medical assistance to treat their homosexuality, to say, “that’s not going to work for me.”
The principle of the harmony of religion and science is preserved, simply by saying that the religious texts do not give us reliable scientific information.
However - what I have used above is official hermeneutics. The Bahai texts are created in various ways, from letters written by the Guardian’s secretaries in English to texts written by Baha’u’llah in his own hand, and there is a corresponding set of principles given in the texts, that tell us about the weight of each text, how it can be used and how it may not be used. It’s all too complicated for some Bahais, which is OK if they will let their hearts guide them. The problem really is with Bahais who don’t understand the framework of interpretation (hermeneutics) relating to various types of text, and don’t trust their own hearts, and instead throw every imaginable text into a kind of law-book, where you can pick out any subsection and paragraph, and it gives you a rule on how to live your life. And how to tell others they have to live their lives. As Jesus said, “I will not always be with you, but the simplistic literalists will bug all religions for all time.”
To get back to the OP, Bahai is doing fairly well historically. The model to look at would be Rodney Stark’s history of early Christianity, in which he shows that the “mass conversions” some historians have posited never happened and are not requried as an explanation for the size of the Christian community. A steady growth of a few percent per year, carried out consistently over 3 centuries, produces a world religion (in whatever ‘world’ exists at the time: the roman world in that case). He has done similar work on Mormon history. The growth of a few percent per year occurs through personal networks: they expand at a rate which has rough-and-ready laws, such as, the proportion of network connections which are outside the community declines, as the community grows. It is, in short, a dynamic that can be understood and worked with, to build sustainable attractive communities. I have some references and reflection on this on my blog at:
There is also a reference to his research in another entry, relevant to the idea of everyone becoming a Bahai (Not):
Sure, but it’s not just Shoghi Effendi who said it. The Universal House of Justice is condemning homosexuality today.
That’s from 2010. So it seems like that very much is Baha’i teaching today, and not just 50 years ago.
That’s an interesting perspective. Thanks.
The cynic in me has a big problem with some 19th century Persian declaring himself a divine messenger, while saying no one else should be able to do the same. Same bullshit as Jews saying the cut-off point was some time in whenever-BCE.
But the ideas I sensed of tolerance were quite appealing. Not sure where else I’ve seen the star of david, star and crescent, cross, hooked cross displayed so equally and prominently. And, as someone who finds the specific claims of religions laughable, I found appealing the vagueness and ambiguity I sensed. Shoulda known that behind the scenes there’d be someone declaring specifics such as homosexuality is bad, or no pot for you.
I really have a hard time understanding why so many ostensiby intelligent people accept various religions. (It is easy to see the appeal for ignorant and prejudiced folk, but clearly all religious folk are not that.) I vacillate between thinking something is lacking - or enabled, in them - or me. Just, from what little I saw and read on Sunday, the Baha’i Faith (thanks Revtim - now I can’t type that without hearing Jerry Lewis in my mind!) impressed this heathen as less obviously ridiculous and offensive than just about every other mainstream religion.
Oh well. I guess I’ll go paint myself blue and hoot up a tree. 
Also, it may be confusing to people that visit the temple in Wilmette to see that built into the external design of the architecture are a cross, a Star of David, the Star & Crescent, and symbols from other religions (I think a swastika for Hindu, maybe?). Here’s a photo of what I’m talking about.
By the way, regardless of your viewpoint of the Baha’i Faith as a religion, the story of the construction of that temple is pretty incredible. It took them almost 50 years from the time they purchased the property to the completion of the temple. I believe they bought the land and began holding prayer meetings there around 1907, construction began in earnest around 1920 and it was completed in '53.
In the Bahai context, that letter was a large step forward. Not a giant step maybe, but definitely significant, in two respects
(1) it reprimands certain national and local Bahai assemblies that had publicly opposed the legal recognition of same-sex marriages. Not everyone has got that memo, but now there is a policy document we can point to when an assembly does this sort of thing they can be called to account like this.
(2) There is no mention there of homosexuality as an affliction, a burden, a handicap, or of “therapeutic resources” “the advice and help of doctors.” When compared to previous messages on the topic, this silence is eloquent. Religious teachings do not prevail over science.
In my opinion, it’s a very good question why the Baha’i Faith is not more popular. I think there are a mix of factors: some trends in the world today diminish interest in religion in general and other issues specifically relate to features of the Baha’i Faith which challenge one group or the other. Here are ones which come to mind…
(1) For one thing, the Baha’i Faith is relatively “progressive socially” which turns off a lot of people. The idea of the oneness of the human race, the essential commonality of all religions, equality of the sexes, encouragement of inter-racial marriage, global justice and the evolution of global institutions which to some degree would supplant exclusive rights, are just some of the key teachings which many find it hard to agree with (2) On the other hand, the Baha’i Faith is inescapably religious through and through at the core. It deals at a very deep level with the nature of reality, the soul, Divinity, prayer and meditation, love, the development of virtue etc. which fewer and fewer people seem to appreciate. For example, in Canada where I am from, government statistics show quite a rapid increase in the number of those people saying they have no religion. Mind you, large numbers of these people report themselves as spiritual. (3) The mood of the age we live in is, in my opinion, broadly materialistic and individualistic. This absorbs a large amount of energy which would otherwise impell people to search for deeper truths. Witness the astounding interest worldwide in drinking, sports, celebrities etc. and the superficiality of thinking. Publishers’ Weekly reports that 42% of college graduates don’t read a single book after graduation. (4) Religion itself has acquired a bad name which would undermine the desire to change one’s religion. The tendency is more to drop religion. The reason being the amount of hypocrisy, corruption, narrow-mindedness, wealth etc. having been exposed. (5) one of the core teachings of the Baha’i Faith is extremely challenging - that it is the most recent Revelation. Although the Baha’i Writings offer a lot of examples of how it fulfills prophecies of many religions, how many people really want to explore this and to change their religion. The typical reaction is to become defensive. (6) The language employed in the Baha’i Faith is not at a grade six level and includes older English words such as Thee and Thou. As well as Arab and Persian names which some people find problematic. (7) People mistakenly think the Baha’i Faith is Islamic. It was born and originally grew in the Near and Middle East but, in fact, is very universal - having been successful in attracting converts from every background everywhere including people in China and other countries who do not necessarily start with a concept of God but gradually grow to understand it. Baha’i communities in North America include a large representation of Iranians which while bringing together the East and the West, does make the Baha’i ‘culture’ something different. (8) While the Baha’i Faith is basically about universal love and relies on mutual assistance, inspiration and encouragemen as its main approach, there are a few closely held standards which many people just find too onerous: it prohibits alcohol and mind-altering drugs, homosexuality and sex outside of marriage. (9) Undoubtably, a major factor reducing popularity has got to be the ability of the Baha’is themselves to transform themselves and show in their own lives a deep understanding of their own faith and an ability to align their lives along Baha’i principles. While I personally have been impressed with the behavior and level of consciousness of Baha’is and Baha’i communities, it is clear that the Baha’i Faith has attracted people of all types, in some cases across the broadest spectrum. Most people, I find, just want to be with people like themselves, whether from the same race, religion, education or economic background.
By the way, the Baha’i Faith is one of the most wide-spread religions in the world (ref: Encyclopedia Brittanica) and numbers some 5 million. So, it has grown significantly. Even growing 2% per year, which it is probably doing, would mean there would be 1.6 billion Baha’is in 300 years, doubling every 50 years. All countries have, at least in large part, over time converted from one religion to another. Indonesia, for example, has been Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim. However, the religion predicts that the masses will eventually enter in large numbers world wide following a chain of unforeseen and unpredictable events. To what degree this conversion is the result of global disasters, environmental or nuclear for example, or an inexorably deepening political, economic or moral crisis worldwide, or relates to the loss of reputation of other religions or the rise of inspiring individuals or nations which are predominantly Baha’i, is unknown. The Baha’i belief is also that the world will achieve more and more degrees of global unity, which we see every day in the form of borders becoming less relevant in trade, travel and in international cooperation and treaties. And that this will lead to humanity to seek the Baha’i Faith as a religion most aligned with the needs of a globalized world and the concept of unity in diversity. While the official numbers of Baha’is may not be large, I find that there is a large reserve of interest in this religion. Quite a few times, I hear people say “if I had to belong to or change religion, it would be the Baha’i Faith”. What we see around us is, in large part, something we could not have predicted even 50 years ago much less 500 years ago. We can conclude, therefore, that the future will look very different than we imagine. Toynbee, the renowned historian, believed that the Baha’i Faith would be the next great religion. Stranger things have happened.
It is not very close to “just be good to each other”. Sacrifice-wise, there is a 19 day period of fasting every year, and at all times giving up alcohol and drugs. It’s a lot more involved than donating money and being nice to people 
You should try attending some Baha’i events, because there is an extremely strong sense of community, we don’t meet at neutral ground in churches, we meet in each others’ homes. So in fact, pretty much the opposite of not having a sense of community.
I’d agree with you, if they didn’t also say:
Look, the Baha’i faith has a problem with homosexuality. It’s not unique in this. A lot of religions, especially coming out of the Abrahamic tradition, do. It’s not even the worst in that regard. And maybe it’s changing. But don’t pretend your religion is some bastion of pure reason and tolerance. It may strive for that, but it’s got its own prejudices.
I agree. It took about a generation for the American Bahais of the 1910s and 1920s to get used to the idea of mixed-race meetings.
The message from the Universal House of Justice that you quoted was from 1995, and is full of the idea that homosexuality is an affliction that can be cured. The 2010 message is silent on that score. I think this means that the science has now been accepted. The 1995 message also equates homosexuality with pederasty, sodomy and blatant immorality. Not sure whether the penny has dropped on that one, but with the spreading recognition of same-sex marriages, I am sure it will. When two people commit to supporting and sustaining one another materially and emotionally, that cannot be called immoral by any reasonable standard.
They might be guessing, and they might be wrong. Suffice it to say that I tried, very hard, for years, to believe in God, and failed. This doesn’t necessarily mean I’m incapable, but it does mean that I was unable to. It’s consistent with being incapable.
Since we never really know our capabilities, it’s usually subject to doubt when we say “I’m incapable of X.” So, when someone says that, we take it with a grain of salt, but we don’t dismiss it as a choice or a momentary happenstance. It definitely means more to the person uttering the sentence than “I don’t X,” and it’s demeaning and dismissive to retort back the equivalent of: “Sure you can, you’re just not trying hard enough.”
Yes, I was being dismissive and demeaning when I paraphrase your reply as I did just above, for rhetorical purposes only. I realize you weren’t intentionally so, but hope you get the point.
I attended meetings of those belonging to the Baha’i Faith in Nashville in the 1970s. I did not become a member of the faith because I just couldn’t accept that Bahá’u’lláh was a greater prophet than Jesus. I think I could have given up alcohol although I didn’t choose to at the time. And I hope that the Baha’i Faith becomes more accepting of those who are actively gay. Does the Baha’i Faith still discourage political discourse? I’m from a family where we discussed politics at every meal.
But I believe very strongly in the unity of all people and a “citizen of the world” way of thinking. I wish that I could be a Baha’i. The ones I have met have been the kindest and friendliest of any religious group that I have met. No one was pushy. And they seemed to make a point of being law-abiding – which I thought was interesting.
There was a very popular singing duo back then who would stay after their concerts to talk about the Baha’i Faith. I think it may have been Seals and Croft. There was one of them who said something about religion and science leading in the same direction. (That may be expressing what he said very poorly.) That struck a chord with me. So did their positive stance on gender equality.
I went to the local Bahai temple through a friend whom had been a member since she was a teenager. IMHO it’s one of the most progressive and practical religions out there. I appreciate the way they focus on personal and societal improvement. They stress the independent search for truth rather than dogma. That includes the concept that science and religion must agree. That education for all is a priority for the betterment of mankind. That no religion is THE ONE, but all are an imperfet part of God’s realationship with mankind. Respect for other cultures and all people while funding common principles of unity etc. During services which are orginized by individuals who volumteer because there is no clergy, they read from any source that deals with the principle. I have a Christian background and this appealed to me as being more in line with what Jesus taught than what some Christian churches teach.
Its my understanding that Bahai do not proslatyze. They will glady answer questions and all are welcome All the times I went nobody tried to convert me. After about a year I was asked if I would object to talking to some members about joining. I’m not a joiner although I enjoyed the spirit of their services. That may have something to do with their slow growth.
Yes, Seals and Crofts are Bahai, as well as Dan Seals.
A friend from the band Exile tells a funny story of his band being invited to a “party” hosted by Seals and Crofts and their subtance abuser of a manager was so mad that there was no alcihol or drugs availalble.
That points out one of the things the Bahai faith offers.
When seekers ask, “which religion is the true one” the Bahai teach that none are, and the search for truth is up to the individual. History demonstrates how the teachings of certain religous figures is distorted and changed over time.
Well, it seems to me that all these teachers were teaching the same principles about the unity of mankind etc. The reason I was attracted to the Bahai was that it’s teachings seemed to me to be a modern and truer version of the essence of what Jesus taught, a reficusing if you will on the important essentials without the distortions that man always inserts.
So, while The BAhai faith is not consciously borrowed from other religions , it certainly shares a lot in common with them. For me, that’s a positive.
There are all kinds of upstart religions with great ideas out there, but it seems to me that every major religion became “major” right about when they gained some kind of government support. Most people stick with the tradition they grew up in, and I think the only way to have a massive shift is to bring together religious and civic life.