Baha’is are very active in the social and economic development of the world and believe that the coming of Baha’u’llah marks a new stage in the evolution and development of humanity. Baha’u’llah exhorted Baha’is to be aware of what is happening around them when He wrote, “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.” (GWB, p. 213). Baha’is are constantly striving to keep themselves informed of what is happening in every corner of the globe. But Baha’is do not look at events around and see a hopeless mess of random events. Baha’is see a process at work in history.
Baha’is believe that humanity is collectively evolving as a species. They believe that humanity is growing up, from childhood to maturity. For thousands of years humanity has struggled with itself to become independent and to find its way. Like a child trying to find its identity, humanity has bungled through history trying to achieve maturity. Baha’is believe that God has been teaching and educating them throughout this process. They believe that the great Educators of the world, the great Teachers, the great Messengers of God; were the Founders of the great world’s religions such as Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and Baha’u’llah.
Baha’is see the world suffering from a global spiritual disease. This is a spiritual disease that affects all aspects of our societies. It upsets the balance of our civilizations. Baha’is believe that they can and are helping the world by abiding by the teachings brought by Baha’u’llah. Baha’u’llah teaches that all men are created equal in the sight of God; that all religions come from the same Source and are fulfilled by the same Faith; and that justice, education and hope must be available to all of humanity. As Abdu’l-Bahá said, once we have read what Baha’u’llah has prescribed for the spiritual healing of all humanity, “Then wilt thou see that today these heavenly Teachings are the remedy for a sick and suffering world, and a healing balm for the sores on the body of mankind. They are the spirit of life, the ark of salvation, the magnet to draw down eternal glory, the dynamic power to motivate the inner self of man.” (SWA, p. 60).