Dear Unconvinced
You raise many questons which would, if thoroughly answered, require a good book. I shall, however, be brief:
(i) what convinces anyone to believe in and join any religion, movement or philosophy is a complex set of factors which would require more space to deal with than this small box;
(ii) the Baha'i Faith has similarities with many religions, philosophies and systems, again, far too extensive a subject to deal with in this space; and
(iii) you might like to try one of the many websites to explore your questions. The official international Baha'i site is: bahai.org. Others includelanet Bahai, Bahai Academic Resource Library(bahai-library.org), bahaindex.com, et cetera, et cetera.
I will include a short piece here from the international site to give you a sample, a taste, of some of the Baha'i ideas/teachings:
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OVERVIEW
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We are Bahá'ís - members of the Bahá'í Faith, the second most widespread of the religions on earth.
An overview of the Bahá'í Faith, including its main figures and institutions, basic teachings, history and community activities.
In-depth articles on the Founders of the Bahá'í Faith, the source of its unity, and the succession of authority since the Faith's inception.
Theological subjects, including the concept of God, our spiritual nature, the role of religion, prayer, and life after death.
Selections from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, and `Abdu'l-Bahá, the works of Shoghi Effendi, and the statements of the Universal House of Justice.
An introduction to Bahá'ís around the world; their activities; the World Centre of the Baha'i Faith; Bahá'í initiatives at the United Nations.
Bahá'í statements and views on peace, global prosperity, governance at the international level, and the future of humanity as one people.
Bahá'í involvement around the globe in the areas of social and moral development, human rights, and the advancement of women .
Essays and statements on topics of current interest and profiles of segments of the Bahá'í community.
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For more than a century, Bahá'í communities around the globe have been working to break down barriers of prejudice between peoples and have collaborated with other like-minded groups to promote the model of a global society. At the heart of our belief is the conviction that humanity is a single people with a common destiny. In the words of Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of our Faith, "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."
Bahá'u'lláh taught that there is one God Who progressively reveals His will to humanity. Each of the great religions brought by the Messengers of God - Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad - represents a successive stage in the spiritual development of civilization. Bahá'u'lláh, the most recent Messenger in this line, has brought teachings that address the moral and spiritual challenges of the modern world.
We invite you to learn more about our Faith - its perspective of the past, its understanding of the present, and its vision of the future...... 8)
SO..THERE IS A START. Go to that site and you will find much more...Ron
Write again if you want to pursue any point and I am happy to respond.
-Ron Price, Tasmania.