Q: Hi! Some non-theological questions for you:

1) If I attended an average Baha'i service (on a Wednesday?), what would I see and why? Who would be "leading" it?

2) Who is the head of your church? What are your holiest sites?

And some kinda theological ones...

3) Do you believe in intercession and/or mediation (by holy figures)?

4) Is there any iconography / are there any symbols that are particularly important to Baha'i? Anything that makes a Baha'i temple instantly recognizable?

5) /u/finnerpeace mentioned saints. Can you tell me a little about what saints are to you, what spiritual significance and/or powers they possess, and what is the appropriate way to treat them? (i.e., veneration/worship, discipleship, etc)

Thanks! I've always wanted to know more about the Baha'i. I'm studying comparative religion so if you can mention any central texts and/or academic resources (authors, etc.) that I should read I'd really appreciate it.

edit: part of my second question was already answered (do you have clerical orders or a spiritual hierarchy?)

A: Hey there!

1. It depends. If you go to a Devotional gathering, then you'd be in a room with people sharing prayers. If you were at a Holy Day celebration, there would be a program of some sort, and music. There's almost always some music at Baha'i events. No one really "leads" these Baha'i events in any formal way. There could be an MC or something, but that's about it.

2. There is no clergy in the Baha'i Faith. It is the responsibility of every individual to study the Faith and come to their conclusions. However, we have the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, Israel, who administer the global affairs of the community, and can be appealed to for guidance on the application and context of the Revelation. They do not "interpret", but they can refer us to a great wealth of authorized interpretations by Abdu'l Baha (The son of Baha'u'llah) and Shoghi Effendi (the Guardian of the Faith).

3. We can appeal for intercession. Baha'u'llah states that this is soley at God's discretion, to allow those souls that have been pure to intercede on behalf of someone in the material world. Likewise, we can pray on behalf of someone who has passed on.

4. The Baha'i Houses of worship all have 9 sides and 9 entrances, as the number 9 is a number of spiritual significance, representing perfection or completion (also, the numerical value of "Baha"). The 5 pointed pentagram is actually the official symbol of the Baha'i Faith, not the 9 pointed star. But the 9 pointed star is more easily recognizable and identifiable as being "Baha'i-related". Also, no icons in the Houses of Worship. Baha'is may hang a picture of Abdu'l Baha in their homes or in Baha'i Centres, and you will frequently see Arabic calligraphy of the "Greatest Name" of God (Ya Baha'ul Abha") everywhere-- even in the Houses of Worship.

5. Saints are described as people who have totally turned their thoughts to God, and are detached from the material world. We don't worship saints, but we treat them with respect. That's about as far as that goes, as worship is for God, alone.

I also study comparative religion, if you ever want to chat! Also, if you're looking for some great academic papers on a number of topics, visit www.bahai-library.com !