It is interesting that religions, or worldviews, are always popping up. Most of the time they are nothing new; they are likely attempts to syncretize a bunch of beliefs that already exist. In Christianity, new denominations are being established to address trivial points of disagreement.

Islam has its offshoots as well. Baha’i Faith comes out of Babism, which in turn comes out of Shi’a Islam. The Baha’i Faith was established by Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri (1817–92), also known as Baha’u’llah. It is a truly syncretistic religion, looking to find unity among the different worldviews of the time. Baha’u’llah believed he was a prophet in a long line of prophets, including Abraham and Jesus. The Baha’i Faith expanded to the United States in 1894, and the religious diversity there provided the right environment for it to break away from Shi’a Islam. They declared that the Baha’i Faith was the successor to and culmination of all world religions. The Baha’i Faith is committed to global evangelism and teaches and affirms inclusive values, including the oneness of humanity, universal education, the harmony of religion and science, monogamy, and the equality of the sexes. There is no clergy class—no pastors or priests. There seems to be some administrative structure, and they also hold the writings of Baha’u’llah as divine teaching. Baha’is gather together to pray, have sacred readings, share food, and participate in other community-building activities organized by elected assemblies.

The Baha’i Faith seems to want to minimize the differences between Christians, Muslims, and others. They promote themselves as a global faith with religious unity, world peace, and equality at its core.

When I was speaking with an adherent of the Baha’i Faith at a local event, a man interrupted us, telling the Baha’i man that Christians believed Christianity is the only true religion. The interrupter told him not to believe a word I said. After he had left, I told the Baha’i man that the interrupter was right: Christians do believe we are exclusive. Jesus says about Himself in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

No matter how attractive the Baha’i Faith seems, or how nice the idea of all religions just blending together may sound, Christianity will never fit into that arrangement. There is only one God, the God of the Bible, and He will not share His glory with any other (Exodus 34:14).

Some of the information in this article is taken from 30-Second Religion.