1. What are the values inherent in this faith tradition?

2. What is the source of these values, morality, ethical behaviour?

3. What is considered right and wrong?

4. What behaviour is expected within the faith community from the individual? Community?

5. What moral code is expected?

6. How have moral codes informed the lives of the people of faith?

7. What religious response are there to contemporary moral and ethical issues such as euthanasia, sex and abortion, crime and punishment and war?

For Bahá'ís ethical standards derive primarily from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, written by Bahá'u'lláh.

Some examples of basic laws and religious observances include:

- Bahá'ís over the age of 15 should recite an obligatory prayer each day.

- Gossip is forbidden

- Adult Bahá'ís in good health should observe a nineteen-day sunrise-to-sunset fast each year from March 2 through March 20.

- Bahá'ís are forbidden to drink alcohol or to take drugs, unless prescribed by doctors.

- Sexual relationships are permitted only between a husband and wife, and thus premarital or homosexual sex activity is forbidden.

- Gambling is forbidden.

These ethical standards are binding on every Bahá'í, when not in direct conflict with the civil laws of the country of residence, but the observance of personal laws, such as prayer or fasting, is the sole responsibility of the individual.

Websites

http://info.bahai.org/ - Bahá'í Topics, an information resource including a brief introduction to the Bahá'í Faith, its teachings, history, and community activities, in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Persian, and Arabic.

http://library.bahai.org/ - the official Web site of the International Bahá'í Library in Haifa. The site contains information about the Library's catalogue and collections, policies and services.

http://news.bahai.org/ - the Bahá'í World News Service, reporting on news, activities, and developments around the world.

http://reference.bahai.org - the Bahá'í Reference Library, containing downloadable versions of all the authoritative texts of the Bahá'í Faith in English, Persian and Arabic.

http://statements.bahai.org/ - a collection of statements offering the Bahá'í perspective on contemporary issues and themes, submitted by the Bahá'í International Community to United Nations agencies and conferences.

http://terraces.bahai.org/ - the history and purpose of, and useful visitor information about the garden terraces at the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa.

http://www.bahai.org/ - the official Web site of the Bahá'í International Community, offering information about the Bahá'í Faith and its worldwide community to the general public, as well as to journalists, academics, and researchers.

http://www.onecountry.org/ - One Country is the online newsletter of the Bahá'í International Community. The site contains numerous in-depth feature stories on the United Nations, noteworthy social and economic development projects, environmental efforts, and educational programmes.

Bibliography

‘Abdu'l-Bahá, 1972. Paris Talks: Addresses given by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris, 1911-1912. London: UK Bahá'í Publishing Trust

Esslemont, J.E., 2006. Baha'u'llah and the New Era. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá'í Publishing.

Garst, H., 1996. From Mountain to Mountain: Stories about Bahá'u'lláh. Oxford: George Ronald.

Hatcher, W.S. & Douglas Martin, J., 1990. Bahá'í Faith: the Emerging Global Religion. s.l.: Bahá'í Publishing.

Matthews, G.L., 1999. The Challenge of Bahá'u'lláh. Oxford: George Ronald.

Momen, M., 2007. Bahá'u'lláh: a short biography. s.l.: Bookwise International.

Momen, M., 2008. The Bahá'í Faith: A Beginner's Guide. Oxford: Oneworld.

Randall, C., (ill.), 2008. The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh. Bristol: Intellect Books

Vickers, P., 1992. The Bahá'í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld.

A set of photocopiable R.E. worksheets on the "The Bahá'í Faith", and priced £5 per set, plus 66p postage available from www.warwickbahaibookshop.co.uk

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