Yes, the Bahá’í teaching that “all the religions are one” is a challenging claim. Religions say different things, contradictory things, often in opposition to each other. In fact, in a single religious tradition — such as Christianity — various denominations often say diametrically opposing things on certain issues, such as who was Jesus, how do we attain salvation and should Christians be drinking alcohol.

To invite us to this relationship with Him, God has raised up messengers from among all peoples around the globe throughout history who have called us to worship our one Creator with sincerity and love and cultivate relationships with others characterized by kindness, compassion and honesty.

In the compilation of an individual Bahá’í’s notes on talks ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave while he was visiting Paris, France in 1911, called Paris Talks,‘ Abdu’l-Bahá seems to discuss rituals in relationship to two primary concerns.

Can a Baha’i from Hindu background place fruits and a flower garden near ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s picture as in the Hindu way?

That there has been more than one human emissary, sent by God, to announce His saving, empowering, unifying, uplifting Truth is readily understood among people of many religious traditions.

When we learn with equity and care of the teachings of other religions, we discover much good and truth in faith traditions other than one’s own.