THE BAHA'I GOD ; PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MONOTHEISM-PLURALISTIC CONCEPTION OF GOD

ABSTRACT The human person has since the beginning of time sought to understand himself and the nature of the world. In this quest for understanding the human person found out that there exists a divine being responsible for his existence and essence. In the attempt to understand this divine being, humans have brought forth several ideas and rationale regarding the nature of God and how man can transcend unto God. These ideas and methods of transcendence which were influenced by cultural and background differences have led to the formation of different religions around the world, each with a unique set of methods of approaching god. During a critical examination, this research found social and historical evidence that shows that these different religions with their teachings have created divisions among human beings. A division that surpasses national and cultural boundaries and has also led to great wars, violence, oppression, injustice, corruption and many other evils in the world. This research uses the philosophical method of analysis to evaluate the theological stance of major religions in the world, connect their similarities, and provide logical proofs for the unity of all religious beliefs. This research presents the idea of God in the Baha’I religion as the most logical reasoning of the divine being. A logical reasoning that posits that all religions are one and are all in the service of one divine being. This research recommends that all people of different religions see themselves as one and eliminate the division between them.