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FAQ's
Here are the answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
- What is the Bahá'í' Faith?
- Who do you believe in?
- What do the terms 'Bahá'í' and 'Bahá'u'llah' mean?
- How long has the Bahá'í Faith been around?
- How widespread is it?
- What is your Holy Book?
- Approximately how many Bahá'í's are there in Trinidad and Tobago?
- Where do Bahá'í's meet?
- Can I come and see what it's like?
- What does the Bahá'í Faith offer that is different to other religions?
- How do you all worship?
- Where do you all worship?
- What are some of the social teachings that were revealed by Bahá'u'llah?
- Are there any laws that would affect my personal lifestyle?
- What about funding?
- What do you mean by the term 'Cluster'?
- What is a 'Study Circle'?
- What is a 'Junior Youth'?
Answers
1. What is the Bahá'í' Faith?
The Bahá'í Faith is the religion for the modern day world. It began in Iran in 1844, at the time and place prophesied by all the other religions, with the declaration of Báb, who was the fore runner to Bahá'u'lláh. The Báb declared that he was sent by God to prepare the world for the coming of Bahá'u'lláh who was the promised one of all ages.
2. Who do you believe in?
We believe that the messenger of God, for this day, is Bahá'u'llah and that he is the one foretold by Christ and all of the other messengers from God. We believe he is the return of Christ and the other messengers of God.
"The door of the knowledge of the Ancient Being hath ever been, and will continue for ever to be, closed in the face of men. No man's understanding shall ever gain access unto His holy court. As a token of His mercy, however, and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He hath manifested unto men the Day Stars of His divine guidance, the symbols of His divine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge of His own Self. Whoso recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath hearkened to the voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself. Whoso turneth away from them, hath turned away from God, and whoso disbelieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. Everyone of them is the Way of God that connecteth this world with the realms above, and the Standard of His Truth unto every one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. They are the Manifestations of God amidst men, the evidences of His Truth, the signs of His glory."
3. What do the words 'Bahá'í' and 'Bahá'u'llah' mean?
The name 'Bahá'u'llah' means 'The Glory of God' and the word 'Bahá'í' means "follower of the Glory'.
4. How long has the Bahá'í Faith been in existence?
It began in 1844 in Iran (then known as Persia)
5. How widespread is it?
There are Bahá'í's in just about every country of the world. In Trinidad and Tobago there has been a National Spiritual Assembly since 1970 (see the History and About Us)
6. What is your Holy Book?
There are over one hundred holy books revealed by Bahá'u'llah and The Báb (his predecessor whose duty it was to prepare the world for the coming of Bahá'u'llah), and the writings of Abdu'l-Bahá (the son of Bahá'u'llah) are also considered holy. They may all be used in devotional programmes and provide spiritual and social guidance for the advancement of civilization. There is one holy book that we revere above all others though. It is the Kitáb-í-Aqdas, otherwise known as 'The Most Holy Book' or 'The Book of Laws'.
7. Approximately how many Bahá'í's are there in Trinidad and Tobago?
Currently we have over 10,000 individuals registered as members of the local Bahá'í community residing throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
8. Where do Bahá'í's meet?
We have devotional meetings, talks and seminars, study circles, Junior Youth groups and children’s classes which are held at our Bahá'í Centre's or at other venues (including homes).
9. Can I come and see what it's like?
Of course! Everyone is welcome! You are invited to join us in any of our "core community activities": the devotional meetings, study circles, Junior Youth groups and children’s classes and talks or concerts.
10. What does the Bahá'í Faith offer that is different to other religions?
One of the main things that is different about the Bahá'í' Faith is it recognizes the unity of God: - that there is only one God (the source of all good); that as we are all part of His creation, there is only one race of men, the human race; and that since He loves his creation, he has continued to guide us through the ages via revealed religion; and so we recognize and respect all revealed religions. Each revealed religion builds our spiritual understanding and there are many similarities in their Teachings. Each revealed religion also brings guidance and social laws which are relevant to the social situations of that stage in the development of human society. In this aspect there are some differences between the Teachings of the different religions.
There are many social teachings of our faith that differ from those of other religions, for example our social teachings include guidance on consultation and social justice.
11. How do you all worship?
Like most other religions, we pray and study together from the Holy Writings and share perspectives. We do not have a clergy to tell us what we must believe or do. We believe in the independent investigation of truth, and also that everyone's understanding of the writings is different for a reason. Therefore no one's understanding is completely right or wrong. We believe that what people understand is based upon their present and past experiences in life and that each understanding holds a portion of the true meaning of the writings in question. Therefore, we believe that it is by consultation on what everyone understands from the writings that we all get a better understanding for the whole meaning of the Holy Writings.
12. Where do you worship?
Throughout the world we worship in three types of venues. In Bahá'í' Temples (in countries where they are readily available), in Bahá'í Centre’s (there are currently several in each country where the Bahá'í Faith is established, but not necessarily in each community), and at alternative venues (in communities where there are no Bahá'í Centre’s - please contact us if you wish to have further information).
13. What are some of the social teachings that were revealed by Bahá'u'llah?
Some of his key social teachings are:
- • That equal respect, opportunity and justice should be given to all, regardless of race, colour, nationality, creed or gender;
- That there should be education for all;
- That each of us should work towards justice, peace education, spiritual understanding and elimination of prejudice, in our families and our communities;
- That men and women should work as partners in their endeavours, & for such things as social advancement and protection of the environment;
- That all must investigate the truth of God for themselves and not simply rely on hearsay or traditions;
- That we are all created to be noble and caring and we therefore have the capacity to develop the qualities that will make personal relationships and interactions harmonious and happy;
- That religion and science must be in harmony, and that our economic problems will be solved through application of spiritual principles.
- • That peace is the pre-eminent need of our time and that, structures of governance should enable consultation with all peoples at various levels of society, and that an international parliament and court of law must be established to uphold universal peace.
- To assist in international communication, an international language should be adopted, as well as an international monetary system and international system of weights and measures.
- That reflection and consultation is the preferred method for problem solving and development.
14. Are there any laws that would affect my personal lifestyle?
Of course! Every religion has laws to guide mankind towards a higher state of consciousness and well-being. Bahá'í's are expected to follow the laws of daily prayer and reading from the Holy Writings and to be faithful to the covenant of Bahá'u'llah. All Bahá'í's between the ages of 15 and 75 are also required to fast (from all food and drink) annually from March 2nd to 20th (inclusive) during the hours of sunrise to sunset. Bahá’í’s are also asked to abstain from slander, conflict, pre-marital and extra-marital sex, alcohol and other non-medicinal drugs. Bahá'í's are expected to focus their energies on continuing to learn and advance themselves spiritually and academically, and provide what ever service to the community they can, for their personal development and also for the upliftment of society. There are also several Bahá'í meetings to attend.
15. What about funding?
The Administration of the Bahá'í Faith is funded by donations given by individual Bahá'í's and groups of Bahá'í's in the community. All members of the Bahá'í Faith are encouraged to donate regularly to the fund. Those who are not Bahá'í's are not encouraged to donate any money, unless that money is for community service projects.
16. What do you mean by the word 'Cluster'?
A cluster essentially is a group of villages and towns located close to each other, so organized as to facilitate a manageable support structure for the growth and development of the Bahá'í Faith in those communities.
According to the letter from the Universal House of Justice dated 26th Nov, 2001:
"Clusters are only a construct - albeit a highly useful one - that enables the friends to think about the Faith on a manageable scale and to design and implement plans close to the grassroots of the community."
17. What is a 'study circle'?
A study circle is where, a group of people come together to study courses offered by the Bahá'í Training Institute. They discuss the Bahá'í Writings as they pertain to particular subjects and gain skills in service to the community. These courses assist adults and youth over the age of fifteen (15) to gain insights, knowledge and skills to apply the learning into their every day life and into community service. We currently have several courses being offered. You can contact us for further details here.
18. What do you mean by the term 'Junior Youth'?
These are young people between the ages of 11 and 15 years of age.
Bahá'í Junior Youth Groups are intended to serve the needs of young people aged 11 to 15 years, whilst our children's classes are intended for children 10 years and under.