Baha’i members find unity through worship

Marie Griffin

Unity is the foundation of the Bahá’í religion.

All manifestations through time have been sent from God to bring something different to humanity.

Barbara Lachmar, who has been a Bahá’í for 28 years, said Moses came to teach “an eye for an eye.” Jesus Christ went further by teaching, “love thy neighbor” and “turn the other cheek.” Then Muhammad taught unification of nations.

Bahá’u’lláh, who was born in Persia in 1817, was the most recent and greatest manifestation of God. He brought the concept of world peace and unity of humankind, she said.

Bahá’ís look to Bahá’u’lláh for direction. They believe in the elimination of anything that causes disunity. There should be equality of politics, religion, gender, race and social class. This kind of unity will happen gradually as people realize their connectedness, Lachmar said.

“We are all part of one human family,” she said.

Being a Bahá’í requires daily prayer and meditation, as well as study of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings. Members are told to abstain from alcohol, drugs and sexual interaction outside of marriage. Furthermore, they fast (no food or drink) from sunrise until sundown every March 2 through 20. Those who are ill, pregnant or traveling are exempt, for example, Lachmar said.

When a person reaches the age of 15, he or she can decide whether to become a Bahá’í. If yes, he or she signs a declaration card. There are no rituals, she said.

“We have to search out and investigate the truth for ourselves,” she said. “Ultimately we are individually responsible to God.”

Tom Lachmar, also a Logan Bahá’í, said members have the option of donating money to the administration.

“We don’t accept funds from anyone who is not a registered member,” he said.

The faith’s elected administration is composed of three entities with nine members each.

A Local Spiritual Assembly is established in every locality where at least nine adult members live. These leaders teach, promote unity and help those in need. They are elected yearly.

A National Spiritual Assembly exercises authority over the local assemblies in its province and supervises Bahá’í affairs in general within its area of jurisdiction. Delegates elect members to this assembly yearly.

The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing body for the Bahá’ís. Its nine members promote unity, preserve sacred text and proclaim the principles of Bahá’u’lláh. They occupy the Bahá’í World Center on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.

According to a booklet prepared by the United States National Spiritual Assembly, “Every believer in good standing who is 21 or older has the right and the duty to participate in Bahá’í elections.”

According to the booklet, Bahá’ís may vote in civil elections only if they can do so without claiming a political party.