TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction                                                                                                      xv 

PART ONE: ON RELIGION
Chapter One: Towards an Integrative Understanding of Religion                   23
Chapter Two: The Nature and Purpose of Religion                                        41
Chapter Three: The Bahá’í Faith, Religion Renewed                                      69 

PART TWO: ON LIFE
Chapter Four: The Nature and Purpose of Human Life                                   93
Chapter Five: Marriage, A Fortress for Well-Being                                        141
Chapter Six: Family, The Workshop of Civilization                                        179
Chapter Seven: Education, The Most Consequential Responsibility             225 

PART THREE: ON SOCIETY
Chapter Eight: We are One, Emerging Consciousness of the                      289
              Oneness of Humanity
Chapter Nine: Unity-Based Decision-Making and Conflict Resolution           317
Chapter Ten: The Bahá’í Community, Creating a Civilization of Peace         353

Afterword                                                                                                         391

APPENDICES
Appendix I: The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, A World Religion                                   395
Appendix II: A Summary of the Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith                        403
Appendix III: Bahá’í Consultation                                                                     405
Appendix IV: Recommended Bahá’í Reading List                                          409

Endnotes                                                                                                         419

Bibliography                                                                                                     441

Index                                                                                                                449