You can count the major world religions \u2013 those that extended their lifespan and geography and influence long past the passing of their founders \u2013 on two hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a short list: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course there are more Faiths than these<\/a> \u2014 many more \u2014 but this group represents those religions that succeeded globally, transcended their cultural and geographic origins, spread among many cultures, and generated huge numbers of followers after the passing of their prophets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each one of these Faiths has survived the test of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have all spread beyond their point of origin. They have all developed institutions. They each have a rich written history. All of them have attracted millions of followers in diverse places and from varying backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: Reading the Great Spiritual Teachings \u2013 of Every Faith<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, they count almost 80 per cent of the world\u2019s population as supporters, adherents, and believers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When their founders passed into the next world<\/a>, often as a result of the violent opposition their radical teachings first generated among the prevailing cultures they appeared in, the Faiths they created typically struggled to stay alive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Persecuted, misunderstood, exiled, tortured, and imprisoned, the early Jews and Buddhists and Christians and Muslims and Baha\u2019is suffered tremendously and died in large numbers for their beliefs. Entire governments and clerical orders tried to exterminate them. Cast out of their societies, they wondered, in their weakest moments, if their new Faiths would survive the onslaught of persecution and hatred they faced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That same dynamic applied when the founder of the Baha\u2019i Faith<\/a>, Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a>, passed away in 1892.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a>, repeatedly persecuted, exiled, jailed, and tortured for his progressive teachings; forced out of Persia by its government and clergy and successively banished to Baghdad in 1852; then from Baghdad to Constantinople in 1863; then to Edirne (now Istanbul) in 1867; and finally to the prison-city of Akka in Palestine (now Israel) later in 1867; ultimately spent forty years as a prisoner of conscience. He committed no crime, but suffered tremendously for teaching a new Faith with new, progressive principles: the independent investigation of truth, the unity of all religions, the oneness of God and humanity, the equality of men and women, the agreement of science and religion, the establishment of a universal auxiliary language, and a global system of democratic governance that would establish and enforce a worldwide peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those challenging ideas caused the Persian and Ottoman authorities to subject Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a> to four decades of cruel and unusual punishment. Baha\u2019u\u2019llah\u2019s new Faith boldly challenged the orthodoxies and the power structures and the endemic corruption of the existing governmental, social, and religious orders across the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Baha\u2019i teachings tell us that Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a> underwent this terrible treatment, like all the prophets and messengers of God have undergone persecution, as a sacrifice for all humanity. In an address he gave in New York City in 1912, Abdu\u2019l-Baha<\/a> explained<\/a> that Baha\u2019u\u2019llah:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 bore all these ordeals and calamities in order that our hearts might become enkindled and radiant, our spirits be glorified, our faults become virtues, our ignorance be transformed into knowledge; in order that we might attain the real fruits of humanity and acquire heavenly graces; in order that, although pilgrims upon earth, we should travel the road of the heavenly Kingdom, and, although needy and poor, we might receive the treasures of eternal life. For this has He borne these difficulties and sorrows.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Baha\u2019is in some parts of the world still suffer from religious persecution \u2013 but that kind of pressure can never deter strong inner spiritual convictions. Despite continuing government-sponsored campaigns aimed at Baha\u2019is, and despite the passing of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a>, the Baha\u2019i Faith<\/a> continues to grow, develop, and prosper across the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: What Do the Prophets Know, and How Do They Know It?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Baha\u2019u\u2019llah\u2019s teachings emphasize peace, unity and harmony among all people. They have inspired millions around the world, and the Faith that Baha\u2019u\u2019llah revealed so long ago has joined the pantheon of the world\u2019s major Faiths as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tonight at 3:00 a.m. Baha\u2019is around the world will observe and commemorate the anniversary of the passing of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah. In those solemn and prayerful occasions, filled with meditative contemplation, Baha\u2019is everywhere will reflect on the powerful teachings of this relatively new global Faith and remember the extreme sacrifices it required to bring its message of unity to humanity. Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a> said<\/a> \u201cThe best-beloved of all things in my sight is justice<\/strong> \u2026\u201d Baha\u2019is and their friends will remember that powerful injunction when they gather to commemorate Baha\u2019u\u2019llah\u2019s passing. In memory of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah, and to honor his revelation\u2019s new teachings, Baha\u2019is urge all humanity to advocate for all those who suffer injustice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You can count the major world religions \u2013 those that extended their lifespan and geography and influence long past the passing of their founders \u2013 on two hands. 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