Baha'i and Unitarian Universalism

religions of "oneness and manyness"
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Baha'i and Unitarian Universalism are among the seventeen living traditions that inhabit the American Religious landscape.  The others are Afro-Caribbean, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Jainism, Judaism, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Native Religions, Paganism, Sikhism, Shintoism, and Zoroastrianism.  In texts on the world's religions they are sometimes presented as two primary examples of relatively new religious movements that emphasize universal human values in a culturally diverse world.


Introductory Essays on Baha'i
​from the Pluralism Project at Harvard

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Introductory Videos

Core Principles of Baha'i Faith


• The oneness of mankind.
• Universal peace upheld by a world government.
• Independent investigation of truth.
• The common foundation of all religions.
• The essential harmony of science and religion.
• Equality of men and women.
• Elimination of prejudice of all kinds.
• Universal compulsory education.
• A spiritual solution to the economic problem.
• A universal auxiliary language.
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Nashville, TN Baha'i Community

Introductory ​Essays on Unitarian Universalism from the Pluralism Project at Harvard

Introductory Videos

Seven Principles and Six Sources of
Unitarian Universalism

​Seven Principles
  • The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
  • Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
  • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
  • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Six Sources
  • Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
  • Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
  • Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
  • Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
  • Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
  • Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

What Unitarians and Bahai's have in Common: From a Baha'i Perspective

by Dave Langness, Bahaiteachings.org (12/1-2018)

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  • Both Unitarians and Baha’is believe in an independent search for truth:
    • We believe in the never-ending search for truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations that appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting. – What Do Unitarian Universalists Believe, by David O. Rankin, p. 2.
    • No man should follow blindly his ancestors and forefathers. Nay, each must see with his own eyes, hear with his own ears and investigate independently in order that he may find the truth. The religion of forefathers and ancestors is based upon blind imitation. Man should investigate reality. – Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 25.
  • Both Unitarians and Baha’is believe in the freedom of expression:
    • We believe in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals should be encouraged… to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal. – Rankin, p. 2.
    • Let us also remember that at the very root of the Cause lies the principle of the undoubted right of the individual to self-expression, his freedom to declare his conscience and set forth his views. – Shoghi Effendi, Baha’i Administration, pp. 63-64.
  • Both Unitarians and Baha’is believe in love:
    • We believe in the motive force of love. The governing principle in human relationships is the principle of love, which always seeks the welfare of others and never seeks to hurt or destroy. – Rankin, p. 4.
    • Reality is love, ever working for the welfare of humanity. Reality is the bond which conjoins hearts. This ever uplifts man toward higher stages of progress and attainment. – Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 375.
  • Both Unitarians and Baha’is believe in the essential goodness and harmony of all Faiths:
    • We believe in the toleration of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening. – Rankin, p. 2.
    • From the days of Adam until today, the religions of God have been made manifest, one following the other, and each one of them fulfilled its due function, revived mankind, and provided education and enlightenment … The religion of God is one religion, but it must ever be renewed. – Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, pp. 51-52.
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