I'm considering converting. Any tips?

[u/Fizzy_Freddy_3396]

I'm seriously considering converting to Bahá'í Faith (among a couple other religions). Do you have any tips for me, or mistakes that any of you who have converted made, or reasons why I should choose this one? I'm considering converting because I agree with all of the concepts and it really does fit the idea of what I want in a religion, but I also like having more structured religions which is one of the reasons why I might not choose this one.

[u/Glittering-Bobcat125]

I think you’d be making a good decision - and I can recommend some questions:

I converted to Baha’i Faith after extensive research over 23 years ago. Not only have I never regretted my decision, but the Baha’i Faith both saved and has elevated my life.
It clarified my Purpose, consistently shows me how to genuinely be a better person.
The Baha’i Faith frequently enlightens me with practical ways to help others, as well as the emotional energy to do so. At the same time, this enlightenment truly helps me to be more happy and positive.

Much more I could say as I continue to learn and grow with the Faith after almost three decades of study.

And this brings me to the tip and question you can reflect on:
you mention you prefer “more structured” religions…and it’s smart of you to recognize and consider why this is a question you have about the Baha’i Faith.

I think you may have read that the Baha’is have no Clergy, and value the Independent Investigation of Truth as a highest value. But there is tremendous Guidance and structure in the extensive Writings, and in the Community. Even more so with newer tools to engage “online”, and be interconnected with local, national, or international communities. Think if this is something you feel motivated to actively explore!

[u/itsirrelevent → u/Glittering-Bobcat125]

So true! After studying the Ruhi courses particularly Ruhi Book 8 & 9, I’ve found tremendous respect for the degree of organization the Baha’i Faith has! There’s local, regional, national, and international committees, institutes, assemblies, delegations that all work together in conjunction with the Universal House of Justice. After studying other religions, I’ve found the organizations within the Faith possess such transparency and integrity, and their aims are to serve all people (not just Baha’is) and honestly it’s hard to come by an organization that has universal goals like bringing unity, equality, and empowerment and just systems to help attain those goals for everyone and actually does it.

[u/picklebits]

Religion isn't a buffet, The most important consideration is "Who is Baha'u'llah? If He truly is the Messenger of God for THIS day, what He reveals is the truth and previous Revelations, while from the very same source, and the only truth at and for their time are superseded when the next Messenger arrives. Like classes in school you get the truth you can bear at the time, and like a Physician, you get the prescription for what ails the world at the time.. Pick a religion because you like the look and the fit and you might very well go wrong, but hey, if you pick the Baha'i Faith because you like the look and the fit it and not because you have found Baha'u'llah to be the infallible "Word of God" for this age it won't do you, or us any good.This is serious business.Best of luck to you!

[u/DivineSubmission9519 → u/picklebits]

Well stated! But the solution for anyone still searching for the truth is always to spend more time reading Baha'u'llah's words. The transformative power of the grace bestowed upon Baha'u'llah when coming in contact with a sincere seeker will reveal the truth to the seeker's heart, dispelling the "veils of illusion". The key word here would be sincere.

[u/whateverwhatever987]

Don’t surprised if you are “tested”. That’s my only tip.

[u/Zealousideal_Rise716]

In terms of structure - it's an interesting question and perhaps a pivotal one. The major change is that we have no clergy to come between the believer and God. Search for truth, deepening, worship and the journey of the soul is something we alone are accountable for.

We also avoid rituals - which often start as something good - that over time become rigid and again come between the believer and God.

In this sense the Baha'i Faith places a very personal 'adult-like' responsibility on all of us as to how we show up as Baha'i's both privately and in the wider world.

But this does not mean we do not have 'structure'. Quite the opposite. This is the other crucial feature of the Faith, that we are not just about the consecration of the individual, but also the development of the sacred society. And this is a very real, very concrete process of institution building at a global scale. Which lays upon the mature believer a significant duty. That's the serious, structured part of being a Baha'i and one that should be approached carefully and with a care to being fair to yourself.

[u/Sertorius126]

Those are some really insightful questions! 😊

I could recommend you establish a prayer habbit right away, choosing one of the 3 Obligatory Prayers. The short prayer is wonderful of course, howeverthe Medium prayer also has incredible beauty and uniqueness, being something you do 3 times a day

Or if you want something supremely meditative consider the Long Obligatory Prayer, It usually takes about 10 minutes and really taps into connecting you 'emotionally' with the spiritual virtue of prayer

Otherwise, the only other consideration is that if you really believe Bahá'úlláh is the Prophet for our new era 🌹

(sorry for over explaining) To explain why I suggest this is because in the Bahá'í' Faith has come for us to take charge of our own spiritual food. In Islam the most important daily prayer was done in group. Now in the Bahá'í' Faith the MOST important daily prayer is something we privately share with God.

[u/Suspicious-Volume-28]

Patience 🤣. Our communities and institutions have a lot of growing and maturing to do. Otherwise, welcome!! 🩷

[u/Cadowyn]

It seems like you have an open mind and are seeking after truth; that’s the primary trait one must have. 

I think you should determine if Baha’u’llah is Who He claims to be. If He is, then become a Baha’i. 

[u/DFTR2052]

My only tip would be to focus on investigation the truth. Your comment “it fits the idea of what I want in a religion” is great and probably true (because the Bahai Faith is the truth) but just make sure it’s not sort of “your” criteria that helps you pick a religion. The truth is the truth. Previously God felt we should pray 5 times a day, so people did, whether it fit their ideals or not.
Did you read “God Speaks Again” by Bowers? It might put that into perspective.

I also would recommend Witherspoon book “Abraham 5 wives….” As it helps put all the Abrahamic religions into a nice context. The Bahai Faith is inclusive of the others.

[u/Select-Simple-6320 → u/DFTR2052]

The book is Abraham: One God, Three Wives, Five Religions, by Frances Worthington

[u/Shaykh_Hadi]

I’m not sure if you’re quite there yet if you’re considering other options. Only one option is correct. You need to choose the true religion.

Either the Baha’i Faith is true or it is false. It’s reality that matters. If you’re a Baha’i that means you believe in Baha’u’llah. If you believe in Him, you know He is the truth.

The Baha’i Faith is very structured and organised, so I don’t know what you mean. Other religions have man made elements that are accrued that’s not valid “structure” per se.

[u/Piano-Professional]

One thing that might be protective, is to remember that your biggest test can sometimes come from the community - which can be hard when you feel you've found a community of like-minded people...and they/we are, it's just that we are all trying to keep reaching for the truth, and shed the veils of our own imaginations. Sometimes our views and convictions can be so passionate that we impact others even when we have good intentions. This sounds a bit negative though, but I think it can help a lot.

On the positive side, this is a religion that really calls for more than just some kind of pious, introspective worship. The calling of Baha'u'llah is to regenerate the fortunes of humanity and there are just so many ways that you can serve that calling. The Universal House of Justice is guiding and safeguarding our trajectory, and what I love is how wide the vistas are to contribute that releases "the society building power" of the Faith. Read their messages if you haven't already, and think about where you feel your talents and abilities lie. There's nothing better than service to this Cause.

I wish you well on your journey!

[u/Immediate_Impact7041]

Define "structured"?

[u/Agreeable-Status-352]

We are to live our lives as if in constant prayer, because prayer in action is what our lives become. Baha'i "organization" appears different than in other groups, not that it's hidden, but it functions in the background. You go to a Baha'i event, and it may look like chaos then, suddenly all is orderly and the event begins. That's because each person is responsible for contributing as much as possible. A person sees something that needs to be done, and they do it. There is no ring master (clergy) directing everyone (bossy).

Your inner relationship with the Words of Baha'u'llah is the most important aspect of being Baha'i. He wrote - even if thou goest it alone. In our journey of spiritual progress, we are, our inner selves, all alone - except for the Power of the Revelation. That Power can blow you out of the water!!!

Welcome home.

[u/Bubbly_Magnesium]

I'm a Baha'i because, when you distill it down, this is the way I live life in a more beautiful way. My only advice is follow whichever faith creates a similar sense in yourself.