"To be a Baha'i simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood."

-Abdu'l-Baha

What is it to be a Baha'i? What is expected of me?

I begin with the realisation that this is a new chapter in God's eternal plan for mankind. In one chapter, Abraham taught me that there is only one God. In another, Moses taught me the ten commandments. Then Jesus taught me to love my neighbour, and Muhammad taught me submission to the Will of God. More recently the Bab has taught me to be detached from all else but God.

Baha'u'llah reminds us about all these lessons and now adds another: the oneness of mankind. By this I understand that Baha'u'llah has extended the "neighbour" that Jesus taught me to love to include the whole human race, and to appreciate and respect its great diversity.

I have no direct contact with God. I can only know Him through the revelations of His Divine Messengers. To know and to understand these revelations I am required to read the holy scriptures every morning and every evening, and meditate on them to try to get a clear understanding. I am also required to say one of three obligatory prayers daily. It is up to me how long I spend in these uplifting activities, but moderation is encouraged.

I can only show my love for God by loving and serving my neighbour and taking care of God's creation - the environment, the plants, "all creatures great and small". I avoid gossip and backbiting.

There are no restrictions on diet, but there is a prohibition on alcohol and drugs because they are harmful to the mind and the body.

Only Baha'is may contribute to the Baha'i funds. Donations are voluntary and I contribute what I feel I am able to afford. I am also free to decide to which fund my contribution should be allocated.

One of my most important duties as a Baha'i is to share the teachings of Baha'u'llah with anyone who is interested. I do this by talking about it with friends and family members, arranging "firesides" in my home, and giving out or lending books and other literature. I hope people like you will read these web pages and contact me or the Baha'is in your area.

I am not expected to be perfect. Two words that appear constantly in the Baha'i writings are "arise" and "strive". I can achieve nothing if I don't make an effort, and I understand that the journey is never-ending.

The big change has come with my inner life. I have experienced a new vitality and happiness, a new sense of purpose, and an enhanced ability to make sense of the world and to view the future with optimism. If you read the personal stories you will find that this is a very common experience.

Being part of the Baha'i community provides me with opportunities to meet and develop friendships with Baha'is from many different backgrounds. Our community life revolves around spiritual, social, educational, and artistic activities designed to promote unity, uplift the human spirit, reinforce our human relationships, and enhance our devotion to the sacred.

Many of us have become Baha'is as adults. Since the Baha'i Faith values family life, career and community service, many aspects of our outward lives are similar to what we were doing before we became Baha'is. We keep up with friends and family, and continue our sporting, social and cultural activities.

On the first day of each Baha'i month, we get together with other Baha'is in our local area for devotions, consultation and socialising at the Nineteen Day Feast. We also observe the Baha'i holy days and have the opportunity to attend programs such as study circles.

Since the Baha'i Faith has no clergy, some Baha'is are elected as members of the administrative institutions of the Baha'i community, or appointed to committees for special purposes.

There are no fixed rituals for births, weddings and funerals. A short vow is said at weddings and a specific prayer is included at funeral services.

The Baha'i Faith has been present in the United Kingdom since the early 1900's. We work to be a positive force in this country, based on our commitment to peace and the rule of law, the oneness of humanity and the unity of religions.

The democratic organisation of the Faith, its inspiring spirituality, and our belief in the equality of women and men make it well suited to the needs of the modern age.

Our core activities are open to all and we offer them as a service to the general public, whether they wish to become Baha'is or not. Due to our limited resources we are not able to offer these activities in all areas, but will do our utmost to meet any special requests.

We don’t push our views on anyone but we do encourage enquiries, welcome new members and offer a warm invitation to those wanting to attend our devotional meetings, study circles, and classes for junior youth and children.

Devotional meetings

These are normally held in private homes. There is no set pattern but usually include a program of music, readings from the holy writings of the Baha'i Faith and other religions, meditation, discussion on spiritual matters, refreshments and socialising.

Study Circles

The purpose of Baha’i study circles is to provide participants with the knowledge, spiritual insights and skills to enable them to “walk a path of service” for humanity. This is done through the study of a sequence of courses.

The first study course in the sequence of seven books is called Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. It examines spiritual matters such as prayer, meditation, and the development of the soul.

The role of the study circle facilitator is not to impart knowledge, but to assist discussion. Consultation, participatory learning and the use of the arts are all part of the learning process.

Children's Classes

Baha’i children’s classes provide children with moral and spiritual education, friendship, games, stories and art activities. The classes aim to awaken an understanding and love of the messengers of God who have brought universal spiritual principles and moral teachings that have served to uplift humanity throughout the ages.

They seek to inspire in children a love of humanity in all its diversity, and a love of knowledge, both material and spiritual.

We believe that the development of moral capacities in our children is fundamental to not only their happiness, but for authentic human cooperation and the advancement of our material and spiritual civilisation.

Junior Youth Programs

Baha'i junior youth programs aim to assist young people, as they move from childhood through adolescence, to develop their spiritual qualities, virtues, their intellectual capabilities, and their capacities for service to society. Designed for young people aged between 12 and 15, the programs adopt a participatory mode of learning where the facilitator and participants learn from each other.

Participants are engaged in activities such as artistic expression, discussion, drama, cooperative games, study of literature, story telling and acts of community service. They are encouraged to develop a strong sense of purpose, empowering their own transformation and leading them to contribute to the advancement of society.

Children's classes and Junior youth programs are based on the teachings of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. They are open to all, subject to parental approval.

All children’s class teachers and youth program facilitators are certified under the Baha’i Child Protection Policy, which includes a mandatory police check.

Music and the Arts

The Baha’i teachings place great emphasis on the role of arts and the artist in the community. Art is considered to be “a gift of the Holy Spirit” which has the capacity to awaken and uplift the human heart. Artists and crafts people are recognised as playing a major part in the advancement of humankind.

We strive to make the arts an integral part of our community life in all its aspects. While recognising the unique contribution of the professional artist, we believe art is for everyone, not just for artists.

Many Baha’i parents raise their children to become accomplished practitioners of the arts.

Top of page