✦ Why I’d Probably Be Bahá’í — If I Weren’t So Deeply Catholic

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✦ Why I’d Probably Be Bahá’í — If I Weren’t So Deeply Catholic

If I didn’t believe so ardently in the Trinity, in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and in the Catholic Church as the one true faith and the only sure way to God and salvation, I’d probably be a Bahá’í.

Why? Because some of the Bahá’í teachings just make a lot of sense to me, at least on the surface. Among them:

• The emphasis on the unity of humanity

• The call for global peace and universal justice

• The belief in the value of all major religions

• The rejection of racism, nationalism, and division

• The vision of a world united in shared values, beyond borders and bloodlines

At one point in my life, I was genuinely drawn to the idea of a one-world religion and even a one-world government — as long as those things were used for good. The ideal of humanity finally setting aside its differences and cooperating in peace still strikes a chord with me.

But I’ve also come to realize something essential: we’re fallen.
Human beings, on our own, will always mess it up. We’re flawed.
So while a united world sounds noble, in practice, it risks collapsing into tyranny — especially when power is centralized and human nature isn’t restrained by divine grace.

That’s not the only issue that holds me back.
I’m also uncomfortable with calling any human being a “prophet” after Christ — especially if that person’s teachings claim to update, correct, or replace the Gospel.
I already have a Church, a Deposit of Faith, and a relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. I don’t need a new messenger. I need to be faithful to the One I already have.

As for some of the Bahá’í rules and structures, they aren’t entirely foreign to me — and in some cases, Catholicism already fulfills them:

• Daily prayer? Catholics have the Liturgy of the Hours and personal devotion.

• Fasting? Catholics fast during Lent and abstain from meat on Fridays.

• Living morally, serving others, seeking peace? All foundational Catholic values.

So while I admire much of the beauty and logic of Bahá’í ideals, I’ve come to the conclusion that they are ultimately not true. Christ is not one of many prophets — He is God Himself, and the Church He founded is not one option among many — it is the means He gave us for salvation.

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✦ The Catholic View on the Bahá’í Faith: Respectful Acknowledgment, Clear Doctrinal Divide

The Catholic Church approaches the Bahá’í Faith with respect for its adherents and their sincere commitment to peace, unity, and moral values. However, the Church does not recognize the Bahá’í Faith as compatible with Christian revelation, nor does it consider it a valid continuation or fulfillment of the Gospel.

1. What Is the Bahá’í Faith?

The Bahá’í Faith was founded in the 19th century by Bahá'u'lláh in Persia (modern Iran). Its central beliefs include:

• All major religions come from the same divine source.

• Religious revelation is ongoing and progressive.

• Bahá'u'lláh is considered the latest in a line of prophets or “Manifestations of God,” including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Krishna, and Buddha.

2. Core Differences with Catholicism

a. Revelation and the Finality of Christ

Bahá’í teaching: Revelation continues. Bahá'u'lláh brings a new message.
Catholic teaching: Christ is the full and final revelation of God.

“In giving us his Son, his only Word, he has said everything to us at once in this sole Word.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church, §65
“There will be no further Revelation.” — CCC §66

b. The Trinity and Divinity of Christ

Bahá’ís reject the Trinity and see Jesus as a prophet, not God.
Catholics affirm Jesus is fully God and fully man — the eternal Son of the Father.

c. Salvation

Bahá’í teaching emphasizes moral development and spiritual enlightenment.
Catholicism teaches salvation is through grace, faith, and the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12

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3. Catholic Teaching on Other Religions

The Church has always held that truth can be found in other religions — but not the fullness of truth.

“The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions.” — Nostra Aetate, §2
“The Church has the duty to proclaim the Gospel to all men.” — Ad Gentes, §7

So yes, Catholics can admire the moral and spiritual ideals of the Bahá’í Faith.
But no, we cannot accept it as equal to or compatible with the truth revealed in Christ.

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4. Dialogue, Not Relativism

The Church encourages dialogue with Bahá’ís and others.
We can work together on shared concerns — human dignity, justice, peace — while still witnessing to the truth of the Gospel.

“Interreligious dialogue is part of the Church’s evangelizing mission.” — Redemptoris Missio, §55

Evangelization is not about dominance — it's about offering Christ, clearly and lovingly, because He is the answer to every human longing.

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✦ Final Thought

Some of the Bahá’í teachings appealed to me, and I still believe there’s a lot of beauty in their vision.
But beauty without truth is not enough.
Jesus didn’t claim to be one of many ways — He said:

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” — John 14:6

The Church He founded isn’t just one path among many — it’s the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. And no new prophet or revelation can override what God has already spoken through His Son.

That’s what I believe.
And that’s why I’m Catholic.

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