An investigation of the compatibility of Baha’i views with religious diversity

Abstract

The Baha’i faith is a relatively new religion that has quickly gained popularity over the past century. Its main theological concepts include progressive revelation and religious unity, and perhaps its most important goal is unity among all humans, which takes the form of a single religion and eventually leads to a single peaceful society. Such a destination would first require interreligious dialogue and the acceptance of truth in many world religions at present, according to Baha’i teachings. Ideas of religious diversity have already spread among some Theocentric theologians, which leads us to question if such views are compatible with Baha’i doctrine on religious unity. This study investigates how the Baha’i faith promotes concepts of religious diversity in order to achieve its eventual goal of religious and societal unity, and whether Baha’i teachings are truly compatible with pluralism. The conclusions of this study reveal that while Baha’is promote the concept of religious diversity today, their eventual goal is not compatible with pluralism. Because pluralism implies the existence of multiple religions that share truth, its outcome is different from a single, worldwide religion. Theocentric ideas encourage diversity, but do not specify a formal outcome, which means that interreligious dialogue and acceptance of truth in many faiths could lead to pluralism or unity. Therefore, Theocentric theology does not necessarily disagree with Baha’i goals or the concept of pluralism due to a lack of specificity. This study is significant as our societies become more globalized, such that the coexistence of religions is becoming more critical. The Baha’i faith’s strong focus on religious unity sets it apart from religions that are traditionally exclusive. An analysis of such a religion that emphasizes interreligious dialogue and encourages cultural fusion is therefore essential for our understanding of interactions between religions in a multicultural society.