Why Christians view the Baha'i Faith as a fraud or false religion?

The Baha'i Faith is considered a cult primarily due to its deviation from fundamental biblical doctrines regarding Christ, salvation, and its reliance on extra-biblical revelation and questionable historical actions.

Why Christians view the Baha'i Faith as a fraud or false religion?

Conflicts with the Deity and Uniqueness of Christ

• Denial of Essential Deity: Baha'is interpret allegorically the biblical doctrine of the Holy Trinity and the bodily Resurrection of Christ.
• Jesus as One of Many: Jesus is considered only one of nine Divine Manifestations of God and is in no manner superior to the other eight.
• False Claims of Baha'u'llah: Baha'u'llah claimed to be the return of Christ “in the glory of the Father” and the Comforter whom Jesus said would come, replacing Christ's unique role.
• Incomplete Revelation: Baha'is claim that the Christian revelation was for a previous age, while Baha'u'llah's religion is for today.
• No Bodily Return: The Christian belief is that Jesus rose "into the clouds" and will return in His body, not REINCARNATED into another person (such as Baha'u'llah).

Conflicts with the Christian Gospel (Salvation)

• Rejection of Atonement: Baha'is deny that man fell from his original state. Abdul Baha stated that there is no sin-atoning value in Christ's sacrificial death on the cross.
• Salvation by Works: Salvation is attained by keeping the commandments of God.
• Focus on Social vs. Personal Regeneration: Baha'is emphasize social regeneration and view the Christian focus on personal regeneration as irrelevant.
• Faulty Cure for Sin: They believe man's problems stem from the intellect, thinking that education is the ultimate answer. They consider sin to be characteristics of the lower nature, and they treat sin as an illusion, similar to Hinduism.
• Self-Seeking Savior: Baha'u'llah applied the title of "Savior and mediator between man and God" to himself, despite the Bible teaching that Jesus Christ is the ONE MEDIATOR.

Historical and Organizational Issues

• Violation of Predecessor's Injunctions: Baha'u'llah claimed to be a Manifestation, violating the Bab's appointment of Subh-i-Azal as his successor. Baha'u'llah also claimed prophethood despite the Bab indicating that the next manifestation would appear in a minimum of 1,511 years.
• Murder and Rewriting History: Baha'is murdered about twenty Babis, including relatives of the Bab, during conflicts with Subh-i-Azal's followers. The Baha'is also responded to resistance by rewriting many Babi writings and records.
• Family Conflicts and Lack of Love: Baha'u'llah and his descendants consistently showed an inability to love members of their own family when conflicts of ambition arose, suggesting a lack of credibility for their claims (e.g., Abdul Baha and Shoghi Effendi excommunicated large portions of their own families).
• Internal Contradictions in Succession: The history of Baha'i leadership is "filled with 'inspired' violations of 'inspired' injunctions" regarding succession, culminating when Shoghi Effendi died childless and without a will, leading to the end of the Guardianship.
• Seclusion of Baha'u'llah: Baha'u'llah lived largely in seclusion in Akka, and it was said among Baha'is in Iran that "whosoever went to Akka lost his faith," indicating a risk of disillusionment among followers.
  

Source : https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Bahai/bahai_exposed.htm

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Badiullah confirms that ʻAbdu'l-Bahá did not physically assault anyone further after that day.

Badiullah recounts that he was near the garden area when ʻAbdu'l-Bahá approached, laughing in a manner that was "contrary to custom," and delivered one slap to Badiullah. Badiullah felt this blow was a severe strike motivated by malice. Badiullah’s immediate response was to retaliate by striking ʻAbdu'l-Bahá "on the chest with a fist," after which ʻAbdu'l-Bahá quickly departed.

Baháʼu'lláh, having heard the disturbance, summoned Badiullah and asked why he was so agitated. After Badiullah described the incident, Baháʼu'lláh stated that ʻAbdu'l-Bahá had committed the action because he bore enmity toward all of them. Baháʼu'lláh placed His hand on the mark left by the slap, promised to chastise ʻAbdu'l-Bahá that very day, and assured Badiullah that ʻAbdu'l-Bahá would never raise a hand again. Badiullah confirms that ʻAbdu'l-Bahá did not physically assault anyone further after that day.

(The memoirs of Badi'u'llah, Baha'u'llah's youngest son)

https://bayanic.com/showPict.php?id=badi&ref=0&err=0&curr=0

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What is written about 'Abdu'l-Baha in the memoirs of Badi'u'llah?

The memoirs and letters written by Badi‘u’llah and others claim that ‘Abbás Effendi (‘Abdu’l-Bahá), known as the Greatest Branch (Ghúsn-i-A‘zam), committed the following actions:

1. Striving for Succession and Personal Rule:

   • His primary intention was to establish Guardianship and succession through his own progeny.
   • He sought to establish a position of ruling authority or presidency (Ra'is).
   • His future planning was entirely contrary to the other Branches.

2. Corrupt and Destructive Intentions:

   • He constantly strives for the downfall of the other Branches.
   • His objective was to corrupt the Cause and destroy its foundation.
   • He sought the humiliation, destruction, and abolition of the other Branches and the family of Baha'u'llah.

3. Use of Political Machinations and Deception:

   • His actions were completely contrary to the laws of God.
   • He used political trickery and machinations to attract others.
   • He continuously engaged in political displays.
   • He acted as a hypocrite, being outwardly luminous but inwardly oppressive.
   • He was associating with the "Young Turks," enemies of the Ottoman Sultan.

4. Causing Strife and Division:

   • He was the direct cause of conflict, division, and dispute.
   • He sowed seeds of hostility in pure hearts.
   • His behavior was compared to the conflict between the Umayyads and Hashimites.

5. Oppressive and Violent Actions:

   • He was responsible for extreme oppression.
   • He gave orders resulting in the severe beating of Baha'u'llah's secretary (Haji 'Abdu'l-Husayn) and others.
   • He encouraged the cursing and humiliation of the family and other Branches in meetings.
   • He used harsh and abusive language.

6. Violation of Spiritual and Ethical Laws:

   • He violated the sanctity of the Cause.
   • He encouraged and practiced slander, backbiting, and lying, despite the Holy Book forbidding it.
   • He is described as a "lying slanderer".

7. Disrespect Towards Family and the Cause:

   • His actions caused Baha'u'llah daily distress.
   • He had hidden enmity toward Baha'u'llah.
   • He and his family disrespected Baha'u'llah's name.
   • He and his family showed extreme disrespect by laughing and failing to attend the funeral/mourning rites of his deceased brother, Diyá'u'llah, or visit his sickbed.
   • He used theatrical and dramatic movements (like staged weeping and political journeys) to force his will upon the family.

8. Financial Misconduct and Fraud:

   • He attempted to submit fraudulent financial accounts to the government regarding the Mansion's expenses to gain advantage over his brothers.
   • He was responsible of embezzling the inheritance rights and government pensions due to his brothers for eight years.

9. Involvement in Scandalous Behavior:

   • Was involved in bringing the "Isfahani woman" into the household, causing severe division and grief. Also arranged for three prostitute women (fāḥishih zan) from the West to visit the Mansion for a night.

10. Other Criticisms:

• He used dangerous substances (drugs?) to attract followers and control their minds.

(The memoirs of Badi'u'llah, Baha'u'llah's youngest son)

https://bayanic.com/showPict.php?id=badi&ref=0&err=0&curr=0

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God does not favor the Bahá'ís.

Every successor appointed in the Bahá'í age broke the instructions given by his predecessor: 'Abdu'l-Bahá by naming his grandson his successor in place of his chosen brother; Shoghi Effendi by excommunicating all of his family and not establishing the Universal House of Justice, making it impossible for the will of his grandfather to be followed; the Universal House of Justice is operating without a Guardian which is supposed to be essential to its function, thus, violating the very scripture its existence is supposed to be based on.

In addition, all of Bahá'u'lláh's successors suppressed his writings in some way, and failed to implement local divine bodies of authority, the Houses of Justice, keeping all power for themselves. In short, the so-called World Order of Bahá'u'lláh was dismantled before it even could be implemented, proving that God does not favor the Bahá'ís.

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The global spread of the Bahá'í Faith

The global spread of the Bahá'í Faith has been reflected in the increase in the number of National Spiritual Assemblies. While there were 56 National Assemblies in the world that first elected the House of Justice in 1963, 173 took part in the 2018 election. The large number of indigenous peoples who made up the membership of National Assemblies particularly on the most recent occasion-was evidence of the further penetration of the Bahá'í Faith into countless diverse societies. Between 2006 and 2020, National Assemblies were reformed in Afghanistan, Burundi, the Caroline Islands, Egypt, Liberia, and Vietnam.

(Baha'i World, Volume XXXV (2006-2021) p. 47)

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Membership of women on institutions

The administrative order of the Bahá'í world community is composed of both elected and appointed arms. As of 20 April 2021, some 42 percent of those elected to serve on the 174 National Spiritual Assemblies around the world were women, rising from about 30 percent in 1994-95. The ratio of women serving as office-bearers rose to 35 percent, compared to 19 percent in 1983, and some 53 percent of those serving as the principal executive officer (titled "National Secretary") were women. Membership of women on Regional Bahá'í Councils was about 46 percent. When considered in the global context of women's representation in governing institutions, such a high percentage of membership is impressive. These figures are worldwide results, including numerous societies where equality may not yet be accepted even in principle. They indicate a growing embrace of the spiritual principle of gender equality by the men and women who elect their institutions through secret ballot as well as confidence in women's administrative capacities.

On the appointed institutions, the percentage of women members is even higher-an indication of the attention given to identifying women of capacity and enlisting them to serve. As of April 2020, of the nine members comprising the International Teaching Centre, 56 percent were women, rising from 29 percent in 1973, when it was established. Of the 90 members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, 47 percent were women (up from 19 percent in 1968 when the Continental Boards were created, and 52 percent of the 1,059 members of the Auxiliary Boards around the world were women.

(Baha'i World, Volume XXXV (2006-2021) p. 165-165)

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Increase in Bahá’í Activity (Recent Report)

The past quarter-century (pre-2022) saw a profound rise in capacity, culminating in significant increases during the preceding Five Year Plan:

• Overall Capacity Rise: The Bahá’í world underwent a transformation, acquiring an "undreamed-of capacity to learn, to grow, and to serve humanity".

• Core Activities Soared: The capacity for sustaining core activities rose from just over 100,000 (after 20 years of effort) to 300,000 being sustained simultaneously—a three-fold increase.

• Participation Skyrocketed: Participation in core activities rose above two million, also close to a threefold increase.

• Institute Success: The total number of institute courses completed by individuals reached two million—a rise of well over a third in five years.

• Growth Intensification: The number of Intensive Programmes of Growth (IPGs) more than doubled, reaching approximately 4,000.

• Advanced Clusters Quintupled: Clusters that passed the third milestone (learning how to welcome large numbers) rose from about 200 to an astonishing 1,000 in nearly 100 countries.

• Social Action Explosion: Compared to 1996, the number of formal social and economic development projects rose to 1,500 (from 250), and grassroots social action initiatives rose fifty-fold to over 70,000 annually.

(The Nine Year Plan 2022-2031 - Messages of the Universal House of Justice) 

https://bahai-library.com/pdf/uhj/uhj_nine-year_plan_2022.pdf

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The tasks of helping to watch over the security of the Cause, protecting it from its enemies

The tasks of helping to watch over the security of the Cause, protecting it from its enemies, internal and external, and ensuring the constant propagation of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh cover, in general, the functions of the Auxiliary Board members—functions they share with Local and National Spiritual Assemblies.

(The American Bahá’í - July, 1980)

https://bahai.works/The_American_Bahá’í/Volume_11/Issue_7/Text

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one is safe only when he is firm in the Covenant.

The new World Order, he said, has so upset the world’s equilibrium that one is safe only when he is firm in the Covenant.

(The American Bahá’í - July, 1980)

https://bahai.works/The_American_Bahá’í/Volume_11/Issue_7/Text

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caution in entering into financial dealings with LSA member

Pictured (left to right) are Assembly members Ken Zemke, Jeff Banks, Sharon Barnes, Ramiz Maher, Betty Ulius, Mary Zemke, John Barnes

(The American Bahá’í - June, 1979)

https://bahai.works/The_American_Bahá’í/Volume_10/Issue_6/Text

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to advise the friends that they should exercise caution in entering into financial dealings with Robert Jeff Banks, formerly of Calabasas-Topanga, California.

(The American Bahá’í - July, 1980)

https://bahai.works/The_American_Bahá’í/Volume_11/Issue_7/Text

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There is still time to participate in funding construction of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice

Question: Is there still time to contribute to the construction of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice?

Answer: As of April 1980, there has been no “cutoff date” announced for such contributions. At present, exterior construction of the building is complete, while work continues on the interior and on landscaping. There is still time to participate in funding construction of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, an opportunity that will never occur again.

(The American Bahá’í - July, 1980)

https://bahai.works/The_American_Bahá’í/Volume_11/Issue_7/Text

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existence of Tablets in the hands of non-Bahá’í descendants of early Bahá’ís.

However, the National Bahá’í Archives Committee is aware that a number of Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá or letters from the Guardian are still in the hands of individuals, and therefore appeals for the original or a photocopy to be sent to the National Bahá’í Archives.

The Archives Committee would also like to know if any of the friends are aware of the existence of Tablets in the hands of non-Bahá’í descendants of early Bahá’ís.

The Archives Committee is seeking in particular Tablets addressed to Lilliam James, Arthur P. Dodge, Arthur Agnew, Percy Woodcock or Mrs. A.M. Bryant.

Any Tablets or information about Tablets should be sent to the National Bahá’í Archives, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.


(The American Bahá’í - July, 1980)

https://bahai.works/The_American_Bahá’í/Volume_11/Issue_7/Text

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Source of The Dawn-Breakers

Mullá Muḥammad Shafí, Hussein Ahdieh, trans. Diary of Mullá Muhammad Shafi, The (2010). Translation of a diary so thorough that it became the prime source of information for many future historians (incl. Nicolas, Mazandarani, Avareh, Rouhani, Faizi, and Shaykh Bahá'í), much of which was used in Nabíl's The Dawn-Breakers.

https://bahai-library.com/shafi_ahdieh_diary

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Ruhiyyih Khanum did not become pregnant

When the news of the impending marriage became known, a lady called Mrs. Edma Balloura Belmont, who had met the Master in America and had become a Baha'i, and who, upon her return to the Middle East had become a good friend of the family, was in Beirut undergoing medical treatment. Upon hearing the news she told the ladies of the family that she had nursed Mary Maxwell and knew her medical history and that it was impossible for her to have children. Soon after Mrs Belmont died, but her words were proved to be true.

In short, many of those who knew Mary Maxwell well were unhappy about this marriage but did not dare to express their opinions. My mother, Touba Khanum and her sister, Rouha Khanum were in Beirut at the time and apparently far removed from the matter. They were not capable of doing anything and therefore remained silent. The responsibility rested completely with Zia Khanum. She, in turn could not verify Mrs. Edma Belmont's words and upon that basis, prove anything.

Time passed, and Ruhiyyih Khanum did not become pregnant.

Dr. Raf'at Bek, a Turkish, Baha'i gentleman, residing in Beirut, educated in Germany, and a gynecologist by profession - he had been head of that department in the Turkish Medical School, - wrote to Shoghi Effendi, offering his services. Ruhiyyih Khanum refused to be examined by him. Dr. Raf'at Bek wrote again, suggesting that the problem may be with Shoghi Effendi himself. He recommended that he should eat strengthening food, including ten fresh eggs a day. Shoghi Effendi did not answer his letter, but asked his mother to provide him with such a diet. She obeyed. Time passed, but without any results. This was a source of anxiety for Zia Khanum, for too many eggs could cause other medical problems. She therefore asked Shoghi Effendi to relieve her of this duty and to ask Ruhiyyih Khanum to do it for him. This she refused to do, accusing Zia Khanum of not wanting her to get pregnant. This was the basis of the disagreement between the two parties and raised Shoghi Effendi's suspicions.

Some years later, in Beirut, I heard from Rouhanguise Khanum, Shoghi Effendi's eldest sister, that Shoghi Effendi finally convinced Ruhiyyih Khanum to see a doctor. In fact, two doctors saw her: Dr. Costero of the Italian Hospital in Haifa and Dr. Zondek, the gynecologist of the Hebrew University and the Hadassa Hospital in Jerusalem. They both stated that because of a problem that existed she was unable to bear children.

Source : Ruhi Afnan’s 1970 letter to the Spiritual Assembly of Iran

https://abdulbahasfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ruhi-afnan-1970-letter.pdf

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Why some people like Ghodsi Effendi were expelled by Shoghi Effendi?

After the end of the 1st World War the Master had chosen Ghodsi Effendi to collect the mail by hand from the post office and to bring it to him. His remuneration for this service was a daily meeting with Abdul Baha. After the Master passed away, he continued to render this service to Shoghi Effendi. At one point a member of the family asked him to deliver his mail to him directly and not to take it to Shoghi Effendi first. This he found difficult to do, and consequently asked Shoghi Effendi to relieve him of this duty. Shoghi Effendi became very angry at the idea that his mail would not be brought to him daily and by hand. As a result he kicked out Ghodsi Effendi. But matters did not stop there. Agha Sayyed Mirza Yahya. Ghodsi's father, was also kicked out because he did not shun his son, and expressed the opinion that for such an unimportant matter his son did not deserve to be thrown out of the Cause. This reached the ears of Shoghi Effendi and made him still more angry. He considered it a protest against the prerogatives of his guardianship and as a result kicked out the father, mother, brother and sister of Ghodsi Effendi.

Source : Ruhi Afnan’s 1970 letter to the Spiritual Assembly of Iran

https://abdulbahasfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ruhi-afnan-1970-letter.pdf

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