Commonly Asked Questions

Does the Baha’i Faith have a leader or Prophet?

Yes, Bahá’u’lláh—His name translates to the “Glory of God.” Throughout history, God has revealed Himself to humanity through a series of Divine Educators—each of whom has founded a great religion. Also known as “Manifestations” of God, their teachings have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization.
These Prophets have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, has explained that the religions of the world come from the same Source and are, in essence, successive chapters of one religion from God.

How Did the Baha’i Faith get started?

In the middle of the 19th century, God summoned Bahá’u’lláh to deliver a new Message to humanity. This event is comparable to those other great moments of the ancient past, when God revealed Himself to His earlier Messengers such as:

• Moses standing before the Burning Bush;
• The Buddha receiving enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree;
• The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descending upon Jesus; and
• Archangel Gabriel appearing to Muhammad.
  
  

Do Baha’is have a special Book, like the Bible, Quran, or the Bhagavad Gita?

Yes, and more! In four decades, thousands of prayers, letters and books flowed from Bahá’u’lláh’s pen. In His Writings, He outlined a framework for the development of a global civilization.

Does the Baha’i Faith have clergy?

The Baha’i Faith has no priests, deacons, vicars, bishops, clerics, mullahs, monks, nuns, rabbis, gurus, pastors, preachers, reverends, or ministers. Instead, there are nine-member elected governing councils at the local, national and international levels.

Do Baha’is believe in heaven and hell? Life after death?

Baha’is believe in heaven and hell, not as actual physical places, but more as a reflection of the condition of the soul. Heaven is nearness to God. Hell is being far from God. Think of it as spiritual progress or decline. Concerning the question regarding the soul of man and its survival after death, Bahá’u’lláh states: “Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God . . .”

How many Baha’is are there? How many live in Highland Park?

There are more than eight million followers in 236 countries and territories. Baha’is come from nearly every national, ethnic, and religious background—making the Baha’i Faith the second most widespread religion after Christianity and the youngest of the world’s independent monotheistic religions. Highland Park Baha’is are about 30 members. Neighboring suburbs such as Deerfield, Northbrook, Lake Forest, and Highwood each have their own Baha’i community.

Do Highland Park Baha’is go to the House of Worship in Wilmette for services?

There is no congregation that belongs to the Temple. Baha’is in Highland Park and throughout the Chicago area regularly go the the Baha’i Temple in Wilmette. All Baha’i Houses of Worship are built as gifts from the worldwide Baha’i community. Members often gather at the House of Worship for Baha’i Holy Days and special events, but community worship and events are also held in local homes or Baha’i centers.