The Evolution of Religion

Baha’í teachings view religion as a progressive, evolutionary process that needs to be updated as humanity evolves mentally, socially, and spiritually. Every so often, a new Divine Educator is sent by God to humanity to update religion to the current needs of mankind.

Independent Investigation of Truth

“Furthermore, know ye that God has created in man the power of reason, whereby man is enabled to investigate reality. God has not intended man to imitate blindly his fathers and ancestors. He has endowed him with mind,or faculty of reasoning, by the exercise of which he is to investigate and discover the truth…”—`Abdu’l-Baha

Harmony Between Religion and Science

“Religion and science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated. These are the two wings with which humanity must fly. One wing is not enough. Every religion which does not concern itself with science is mere tradition, and that is not essential. Therefore, science, education, and civilization are the most important necessities for the full religious life.”—`Abdu’l-Bahá

Fully Equality Between Women and Men

“Inequality and systematic oppression retards not only the advancement of women but the progress of civilization itself. Bahá’í Scripture emphatically states that women will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration.”—National Spiritual Assembly of the United States

Universal Peace

“Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories.”—Bahá’u’lláh

Extremes of Wealth and Poverty

Inordinate disparity between rich and poor, a source of acute suffering, keeps the world in a state of instability, virtually on the brink of war. Few societies have dealt effectively with this situation. The solution calls for the combined application of spiritual, moral, and practical approaches.

The Elimination of All Forms of Prejudice

“In particular, racism is one of the most baneful and persistent evils in society. Racial discrimination is baneful because it violates the dignity of human beings. Racism is poisonous because it cripples its victims, corrupts its perpetrators, and blights human progress.”—The Universal House of Justice