Comments on: Politics

By: sholeh

sholeh — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:18:44 +0000

Steve, it isn’t something that comes easily to lifelong Baha’is, even. We’re still figuring it out. Here is some recommended reading, if you haven’t read them already:

Will & Testament of Abdu’l-Baha:
http://www.bahaibookstore.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=5156

Secret of Divine Civilization
http://www.bahaibookstore.com/productdetails.cfm?sku=SDCT

If you want more detail as to the physical properties of Baha’i election and administration, you can try “Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities”…this is a REALLY long compilation with a lot of detail, basically a handbook for Local Spiritual Assemblies. I like using Ocean and typing in “election” and going to the above mentioned compilation, as well as “Principles of Baha’i Administration”.

I hope this helps you, at least start the process of understanding it all…but let me know if you need more information/have questions. We’re all learning!

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:28:37 +0000

Thanks, Sholeh for your perspective. As a new Baha’i, I’m still trying to get my sense of this issue. I have been politically active in the past, though, mysteriously, never showed interest in volunteering for anyone’s campaign or getting involved in party politics. Right now, the negative campaigning really is getting to me. I haven’t experienced a Baha’i election yet, so I don’t know to what extent the Faith really does provide an alternative. I’m always struggling between speaking out for justice on one hand, and not being divisive and judgmental on the other hand. I can see how religion and politics has often been an ugly mixture, and yet there’s times when I feel I can’t be silent…

By: Barmak Kusha

Barmak Kusha — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:18:22 +0000

Thank you, Sholeh ! Among other things, I will pray during this Baha’i Fasting season that we American Baha’is will come to gain an even greater understanding of this important teaching of the Baha’i faith; that our fellow-Americans will see the futility and destructiveness of partisan politics; and that we can continue to serve our fellow human beings, and usher in the unity of humankind, by demonstrating the living organic laboratory of the Baha’i community life. big hugs from across the ocean, b