Penn Badgley's Religion Explained: Everything to Know About His Beliefs, Family, and Values
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
The Bahá'í Faith is one of the world's youngest independent global religions, founded in Iran in 1844. It operates without a clergy, relying instead on democratically elected local, national, and international administrative councils. At its philosophical core lies three interlocking unities: the oneness of God, the oneness of religion (which views figures like Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad as successive divine teachers), and the oneness of humanity.
For Badgley, this worldview provided an intellectual bridge between individual morality and systemic social justice. Bahá'í teachings demand the eradication of all forms of racial, economic, and gender prejudice. They also mandate independent investigation of truth, urging followers to reject blind tradition and superstition. In 2015, Badgley formally registered with the Bahá'í community, committing to its spiritual disciplines, which include daily obligatory prayer, an annual 19-day fast, and total abstinence from alcohol and recreational drugs.
| Timeframe | Career Milestone | Spiritual & Philosophical Shift |
|---|---|---|
| 2007, 2012 | Gossip Girl (Dan Humphrey) | Disillusionment with celebrity; participation in Occupy Wall Street; study of world religions. |
| 2013, 2015 | Indie projects & touring with indie band MOTHXR | Discovery of Bahá'í texts; formal declaration and community enrollment in 2015. |
| 2017, 2020 | Marriage; Netflix premiere and breakout of You | Establishment of interfaith household; birth of his son; exploration of non-attachment to ego. |
| 2021, 2026 | Launch of Podcrushed; You final season | Setting public boundaries against filmed intimacy; focus on youth development and racial justice. |
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
