National Bible Week in the United States is a time when many people think more deeply than usual about the Christian Bible and all that it has given to the Western world in particular. What is often overlooked, however, is that other faiths also have sacred Scriptures, some of which are being read by people who are not members of those faiths but who are on a search for spiritual enlightenment. In the spirit of building understanding between our religious neighbors of all backgrounds, the Journal offers this very brief description of sacred Scriptures in Christianity and a number of other faiths.
Unity is a central concept in the Bahá'í faith—the unity of God, of His prophets (from Biblical figures like Moses and Christ to the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, Bahá'u'lláh), and of the entire human race. Followers believe that God makes Himself known to humanity through messengers that have come at various stages of history. The "Baha'i Principles," established by Bahá'u'lláh, who founded the faith in Iran, include the independent investigation of truth, universal education, world peace through a united global commonwealth, the equality of men and women, and the elimination of all forms of prejudice.
Writings by the religion's three main figures form the canon of sacred texts. Writings of the Báb, the forerunner of the faith, foretell the establishment of the religion. Bahá'u'lláh's texts reveal the laws and main concepts of the faith. And the writings of Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of Bahá'u'lláh, provide further interpretations of the Bahá'í teachings.
