The religion is organized unlike any other mainstream religion, with democratically elected councils who don't resemble what many would perceive as spiritual leaders. They have no formal rabbi, priest, or imam, yet recognize every major religion and prophet as important contributers to their belief system. Their codes on non-violence go as far as avoiding argument on the topic of faith, yet have persevered through oppression similar to every major religion's past, some more distant than others. For the Bahá'í's, this oppression is still felt strongly in Iran, where since their predecessor religion, Bábism was born out of millennial fervor, the followers have been branded heretics, and face arbitrary arrest, solely because of their faith. Bahá'í holy sites, similar to mecca, the western wall, etc. have been destroyed in fruitless attempts to stifle the growing religion.
Part of Iran's hostility comes from Bahá'í's difference in core beliefs, such as non-violence, equality of men and women, and equality of everyone human in the world, including global citizenship, global government, and a recent hotspot, support of Israel. It is hard to believe that this faith stems directly from Shi'a Islam.
The story of how the Bahá'í religion came to be is one of meiosis. During the late 1700's in Iran, like every new century approaching, their is historically a case of millennialism that sweeps the religions caught in that time period. This was no exception. Many Christians were speaking of the return of Christ, but more so Muslims were adamant about the coming of the Mahdi, or the "Guided one", especially the Shi'a. When the millennium approached, a man named Siyyid Ali Muhammad declared himself the "Báb," or "gate." Quickly he amassed thousands of followers, whom many were met with death for their decision. the Báb spoke of the coming of a prophet, in the judeo-christian tradition to end war and inequality in the world. In 1844, a young Iranian noble, and follower of the Báb, declared himself the fulfiller of the Báb, and claimed the title Bahá'u'llah.
Bahá'u'llah spent the rest of his life in exile in Haifa, Israel, writing over 100 volumes of his beliefs, teachings and creeds. He wrote letters addressed to Pope Pious IX, Napolean III, Presidents of the US, South America, and the far East. After his death in 1892, his son, Abdul Bahá, became the sole interpreter of his works, and is credited for the spread of the Bahá'í faith throughout the rest of the world. He never returned to Iran, his home country, while the Bahá'í's of there suffered greatly for their ideals. Bahá'í's vastness is credited to Shoghi Effendi, the last interpreter of the Bahá'í faith, grandson of Abdul Bahá. During 1953-1963 Shoghi Effendi declared a time of "Bahá'í Crusade" and urged Bahá'í's of the world to go out into the world and be the first Bahá'í in the area, and represent the faith well. They didn't proselytize as many would infer from the word "Crusade" but rather clarify their beliefs if they were asked, and if the one who asked wanted more, they would give the information to them. Because of this practice, their is no "typical" Bahá'í, and even the Bahá'í's of Iran do not share ethnic background, and come from all socio-economic classes.
With this background and following, sharing all the same ingredients for a major world religion, one can denounce that Bahá'í is a "cult", or "of the moment". For those that believe this, visit the closest Bahá'í temple and speak with members of the faith. You will soon realize, the Bahá'í's are here to stay.
-IZ Brosilow,
