There is no elastic band approach in the Baha'i Faith. The Baha'i community is dead centre in bringing all people from all cultures and beliefs to recognise that they have been created in the image of God, no matter what religion you practice or how you worship God.
Agreed Kam, and you'll find that this has been taught and recognised from the very begining of Christinity and its a central doctrine of Catholicism, nothing new under the sun that a new prophet is needed to teach us or tell us that
In Genesis 1:26-27, it is stated that God created mankind in His own image, male and female He created them.
Saint Augustine affirmed that man is the most perfect of all creatures because he is created in the image of God (De Trinitate, XIII, 10, 17).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in paragraph 1701 that the dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God. ..... 1701 "Christ, . . . in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father
and of his love, makes man fully manifest to himself and brings to light his exalted vocation."2 It is in Christ, "the image of the invisible God,"3 that man has been created "in the image and likeness" of the Creator. It is in Christ, Redeemer and Savior, that the divine image,disfigured in man by the first sin, has been restored to its original beauty and ennobled by the grace of God.
The Catechism of the Council of Trent was published in 1566 affirms that man was created in the image and likeness of God, referring to Genesis 1:26-27. This teaching emphasizes the dignity of the human person and the call to reflect God's qualities in our lives.
Pope St. John Paul II, in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, reiterated the sacredness and inviolability of human life as being created in the image and likeness of God.
In Early History and Church Tradition
Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD) In his *First Apology*, Justin affirms the dignity of human beings as created in God's image:
"God made man after His own image and likeness." (First Apology, Chapter 21)
Justin emphasizes that humans reflect God's rationality and moral nature.
Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–200 AD) In “Against Heresies”, Irenaeus discusses the divine image in humans:
"The glory of God is man fully alive; and the life of man consists in the vision of God."* (Against Heresies, Book IV, Chapter 20)
He highlights that humans bear God's image and are called to reflect His glory.
Tertullian (c. 155–240 AD) In his “Apology”, Tertullian highlights the divine origin of humans:
"We are created in the image and likeness of God." (Apology, Chapter 9)
Again highlighting the intrinsic dignity of human beings as made in God's image.
Origen (c. 184–253 AD) While more allegorical in interpretation, Origen also affirms the divine image:
"God created man to be his image and likeness... and He gave him rational soul and moral capacity." (Homilies on Genesis)
Origen emphasizes the rational and moral aspects of the divine image.
