“O Son of Being! Bring thyself to account each day…” ~ Baha’u’llah
Baha’is do not believe in ‘original sin,’ as it is traditionally taught in many Christian churches. Baha’is believe each of us is responsible for our own actions. We should take account for our own lives. Sin is when we do not follow the Law of God. When we do not follow the Law of God, we are cutting ourselves off from the divine forces of the universe. For Baha’is, there is no eternal damnation of fire and brimstone for those who make mistakes in life. Baha’is feel that those who fall short in upholding the Laws of God are cutting themselves off from the Grace of God. They are not following the path of righteousness. Even if their sin does not hurt any other person, they are hurting their own soul’s natural progression in the universe.
While Baha’is believe that God will show us justice, they also appeal to God’s mercy, so that His benevolence may encompass them and allow them to overcome their weaknesses. Baha’is do not confess their sins before any other mortal, however they do call themselves to account in private moments in prayer. As Baha’u’llah wrote, “O Son of Being! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.” (HW).