Source: The Times-Picayune

On November 21, 2002 The Times-Picayune reported that "although the Baha'i faith forbids proselytizing, the world's youngest major spiritual movement has been recognized as one of its fastest-growing religions. Today the Baha'i faith is the second most geographically widespread religion after Christianity, with adherents from more than 2,000 ethnic, racial and tribal groups. There are an estimated 620,000 Baha'is in the United States. The North American temple is in Wilmette, Ill., outside Chicago. There are no rituals in the Baha'i religion, nor are there sermons, clergy or distinctive forms of dress. Anyone is free to speak during the services."