HOW THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH IS ORGANISED

The administration is one of the most exciting aspects of the Bahá'í Faith. There is no priesthood or clergy in the Bahá'í Faith, instead its affairs are looked after by elected committees or councils at local, national and international levels.

For the first time in history the Founder of a world religion has outlined an administrative structure and the principles that guide its purpose and decision- making.

Bahá'ís use a method of non-adversarial decision making known as consultation. Consultation builds consensus in a manner that unites different perspectives. It encourages different opinions and at the same time avoids the struggle for power that is so common in traditional decision making. This process values the decision making of the group and the contribution of the individual. Very specific guidelines for consulting are outlined in the Bahá'í Writings.

Baha'i administration is organized around councils elected from people from all walks of life. These councils operating at the local, national and international levels provide co-ordination, authority and guidance that make unity possible on a global scale. These councils are known as Local Spiritual Assemblies and National Spiritual Assemblies. The international governing council is known as the Universal House of Justice. Each council is made up of nine elected members. In the election process there are no nominations and electioneering and campaigning are forbidden.

Bahá'í community life centres on special gatherings once a month. The community meets for devotions, socialising and to consult with the Local Spiritual Assembly.

The Bahá'í Writings state very clearly that the Bahá'í administration is not "an end in itself. It is merely the instrument of the spirit of the Faith. It is designed to benefit (and) re-form the community life of mankind, as well as ... to regenerate the individual".

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