The Baha'i Faith and demonstrations

[Booko]

Since the topic came up in another thread, I thought I would post some of the materials here that Baha'is look to when they're considering taking part in demonstrations of any sort.

Please add any cites that you find also. Thanks!

1805. The Bahá'ís Must Scrupulously Avoid Involvement In Political Issues Therefore Cannot Participate in Anti-Apartheid Demonstrations

"In reply to your letter of 15 July seeking further clarification on the issue of apartheid, the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to point out that as the policy of apartheid from racial discrimination, it cannot be accepted by Bahá'ís wherever, and in whatever form, it may be practised.

"While the friends should, of course, support the principles of the Faith, including those advocating the oneness of mankind, and may associate with groups and engage in activities which promote these principles, they must scrupulously take care not to become involved in political issues. As stated in the letter to you dated 16 April 1985, participation in anti- apartheid demonstrations and protest activities could be construed as involvement in politics, and therefore should be avoided.

"...The world us in seething with unrest caused by conflicting interests of Governments, peoples, races and individuals. Each of these contending parties has some good and some evil on its side, and, whereas we will unhesitatingly uphold Bahá'í principles, we will never become embroiled in these internecine conflicts by identifying ourselves with one or other of the parties, however much in our hearts we may sympathize with its aims.

"The positive attitude to the question of racial prejudice is radiant and whole-hearted exemplification of the principle of the oneness of mankind, first among the members of your National Spiritual Assembly and then throughout the Bahá'í community..."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, August 18, 1985)

[Booko]

1427. Nuclear Disarmament

"At the present time, the subject of nuclear disarmament has become very much a political issue, with the demonstrations taking place not only in the United States but also in England and some western European countries, To single out nuclear disarmament falls short of Bahá'í position and would involve the Faith in the current disputes between nations. It is clear that Bahá'ís believe disarmament, not only of nuclear weapons but of biological, chemical and all other forms, is essential"

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, January 12, 1983: Ibid)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 435)

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[Booko]

1804. Campus Protest Against Racial Prejudice

"In connection with the subject matter of Mr. Blackwell's letter and your reference to it, the Guardian feels that, as he said in his letter to Mr. Blackwell, there was no objection at all to students taking part in something so obviously akin to the spirit of our teachings as a campus demonstration against race prejudice. The Bahá'ís did not inaugurate this protest, they merely were proud to have a voice as Bahá'ís in such a protest, took part, and he thinks they did quite right and violated no administrative principle."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, November 18, 1948)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 530)

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[Booko]

The Universal House of Justice

Department of the Secretariat

27 March 2003

Dear Bahá'í Friend,

Your email message of 4 March 2003 has been received at the Bahá'í World Centre, and we can reply as follows. You state that there are large-scale demonstrations arising in your community and in communities around the world, and you inquire about the appropriateness of Bahá'ís participating in demonstrations for peace. It is important to keep in mind that while these activities are generally carried out in the name of peace, such occasions are motivated by highly political and controversial sentiments at a time of turmoil and confusion in the world. Not only would it be contrary to the Bahá'í principle of non-involvement in politics for individual believers, or Bahá'í institutions, to become associated with such activities, it could also be harmful to the interests of the Faith internationally. The point to bear in mind here is that current demonstrations are not intended to promote peace in principle but are focused on a specific dispute among governments. As you can no doubt understand, Bahá'í participation in public demonstrations involving controversial issues would undermine the Faith's essential purpose of promoting unity in all aspects of human affairs, and your desire to remain focused on the essential work of the Faith is deeply appreciated.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat

c.c. National Assembly of the United States

(The Universal House of Justice, 2003 Mar 27, Participation in Anti-War Demonstrations)



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[Booko]

Since this excerpt is longer, I emphasized one part with bold print, but I think the first paragraph is also very related to the discussion from another thread that spawned this one.

III


In order for the standard of human rights now in the process of formulation by the community of nations to be promoted and established as prevailing international norms, a fundamental redefinition of human relationships is called for. Present-day conceptions of what is natural and appropriate in relationships -- among human beings themselves, between human beings and nature, between the individual and society, and between the members of society and its institutions -- reflect levels of understanding arrived at by the human race during earlier and less mature stages in its development. If humanity is indeed coming of age, if all the inhabitants of the planet constitute a single people, if justice is to be the ruling principle of social organization -- then existing conceptions that were born out of ignorance of these emerging realities have to be recast.

Movement in this direction has barely begun. It will lead, as it unfolds, to a new understanding of the nature of the family and of the rights and responsibilities of each of its members. It will entirely transform the role of women at every level of society. Its effect in reordering people's relation to the work they do and their understanding of the place of economic activity in their lives will be sweeping. It will bring about far-reaching changes in the governance of human affairs and in the institutions created to carry it out. Through its influence, the work of society's rapidly proliferating non-governmental organizations will be increasingly rationalized. It will ensure the creation of binding legislation that will protect both the environment and the development needs of all peoples. Ultimately, the restructuring or transformation of the United Nations system that this movement is already bringing about will no doubt lead to the establishment of a world federation of nations with its own legislative, judicial, and executive bodies.

Central to the task of reconceptualizing the system of human relationships is the process that Bahá'u'lláh refers to as consultation. "In all things it is necessary to consult," is His advice. "The maturity of the gift of understanding is made manifest through consultation."

The standard of truth seeking this process demands is far beyond the patterns of negotiation and compromise that tend to characterize the present-day discussion of human affairs. It cannot be achieved -- indeed, its attainment is severely handicapped -- by the culture of protest that is another widely prevailing feature of contemporary society. Debate, propaganda, the adversarial method, the entire apparatus of partisanship that have long been such familiar features of collective action are all fundamentally harmful to its purpose: that is, arriving at a consensus about the truth of a given situation and the wisest choice of action among the options open at any given moment.

What Bahá'u'lláh is calling for is a consultative process in which the individual participants strive to transcend their respective points of view, in order to function as members of a body with its own interests and goals. In such an atmosphere, characterized by both candor and courtesy, ideas belong not to the individual to whom they occur during the discussion but to the group as a whole, to take up, discard, or revise as seems to best serve the goal pursued. Consultation succeeds to the extent that all participants support the decisions arrived at, regardless of the individual opinions with which they entered the discussion. Under such circumstances an earlier decision can be readily reconsidered if experience exposes any shortcomings.

Viewed in such a light, consultation is the operating expression of justice in human affairs. So vital is it to the success of collective endeavor that it must constitute a basic feature of a viable strategy of social and economic development. Indeed, the participation of the people on whose commitment and efforts the success of such a strategy depends becomes effective only as consultation is made the organizing principle of every project. "No man can attain his true station," is Bahá'u'lláh's counsel, "except through his justice. No power can exist except through unity. No welfare and no well-being can be attained except through consultation."

(Baha'i International Community, 1995 Mar 03, The Prosperity of Humankind)

[Booko]

Again, this quote is longer and I've bolded a few things.

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT
Applying the Principle of Non-Involvement in Politics

The House of Justice will determine, as particular circumstances warrant, how the Bahá'ís and their national and local institutions will relate to their respective governments.

The general policy already enunciated by Shoghi Effendi in The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pages 63-67, should be scrupulously upheld by the friends. However, as the Faith emerges from obscurity, the application of certain aspects of this policy will require the clarification of the House of Justice. With the passage of time, practices in the political realm will definitely undergo the profound changes anticipated in the Bahá'í writings. As a consequence, what we understand now of the policy of non-involvement in politics will also undergo a change; but as Shoghi Effendi has written, this instruction, "at the present stage of the evolution of our Faith, should be increasingly emphasized, irrespective of its application to the East or to the West."

In view of the necessity of the Bahá'í community to relate to governments, whether for reasons of defending its persecuted members or of responding to opportunities to be of service, a correct

12.6 External Affairs

understanding of what is legitimate Bahá'í action in the face of the policy of non-interference with government affairs is bound to be difficult to achieve on the part of individual friends. The force of circumstances, operating internally and externally, is pressing the Bahá'í community into certain relationships with governments. Hence, it is important that decisions as to the conduct of such relationships be made by authorized institutions of the Faith and not by individuals. In matters of this kind, given the utter complexity of human affairs with which the Bahá'í community must increasingly cope spiritually and practically, individual judgment is not sufficient.

. . . There may be . . . situations in which significant questions being considered by a government are so intimately related to fundamental principles of our Faith, and the conditions are such, that the maintenance of strict neutrality on the part of the Bahá'í community would not be in the best interests of either the Faith or society. Awareness of this probability should, however, not cause the friends to go at a tangent and take such sensitive matters into their own hands. In any such situation the National Spiritual Assembly must weigh carefully the consequences, pro and con, of any contemplated action and carry out its decision, preferably with the foreknowledge and consent of the House of Justice. The friends must learn to appreciate this new situation, to acquiesce to the prerogative of their elected institutions to decide on questions involving or affecting relations with their governments, and evince confidence in the incontrovertible promise of Bahá'u'lláh to protect His community.

Considering the unusual challenges facing National Spiritual Assemblies, particularly resulting from the persecutions in Iran and the issuance of the Peace Statement, the Universal House of Justice will surely continue to guide these institutions to relate to their governments in ways which will preserve the essentials of the policy of noninvolvement in politics.

Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated June 23, 1987, to an individual believer

(Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)

[Booko]

The principle of non-involvement in politics implies that Bahá'ís do not allow themselves to be drawn into the struggles and conflicting interests which divide the many factions and groups of their fellowmen.

From Letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated March 31, 1982, to a National Spiritual Assembly

(Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)

[Booko]

Vex, I think these quotes would apply directly to the story from Uganda you brought up in the other thread. I would suggest that any association that is advocating murder of anyone is totally contradictory to Baha'i laws and principles and we have no business with any further association with such groups. I'd be asking myself as well if it is "free from...political controversies."

The reason for us being careful about such things becomes obvious in the 2nd quote, where I bolded the applicable part. Obviously this story from Uganda has done exactly what we are warned about...now in your mind and others' our involvement in this event implies that we are somehow for jailing and murdering people just because they are GLBT.

Criteria for Deciding on Association
/// The following questions must be asked: Are the aims of the organization compatible with Bahá'í laws and principles? Is membership open to persons of all racial and religious backgrounds? Is it free from partisan politics and political controversies? Does it refrain from civil disobedience and violence? To answer these questions it would be necessary to review carefully an organization's activities and charter.

/// Association of Bahá'í institutions with other organizations requires close scrutiny because the activities of Bahá'í Assemblies and committees imply automatic representation of the Faith. Local institutions should satisfy themselves that the aims and methods of the organization in question approximate the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh

(Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)

[Booko]

Relationship of Bahá'ís to Politics.

It is often through our misguided feeling that we can somehow aid our fellows better by some activity outside the Faith, that Bahá'ís are led to indulge in politics. This is a dangerous delusion. As Shoghi Effendi's secretary wrote on his behalf: "What we Bahá'ís must face is the fact that society is disintegrating so rapidly that moral issues which were clear a half century ago are now hopelessly confused and, what is more, thoroughly mixed up with battling political interests. That is why Bahá'ís must turn all their forces into the channel of building up the Bahá'í Cause and its administration. They can neither change nor help the world in any other way at present. If they become involved in the issues the governments of the world are 32 struggling over, they will be lost. But if they build up the Bahá'í pattern they can offer it as a remedy when all else has failed."..."...We must build up our Bahá'í system, and leave the faulty systems of the world to go their way. We cannot change them through becoming involved in them; on the contrary, they will destroy us."

(Compilations, Principles of Bahai Administration, p. 31)



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[Booko]

8 February 1949

He sees no objection to the Bahá'ís taking part in the movement for "World-Citizenship", as this is marking towards one of our most cherished goals - the unification of the human race under some form of International government. As long as this movement takes no political side of any nature and keeps quite clear of all forms of politics, the Bahá'ís may support it.

(Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance v II, p. 77)



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[beckysoup61]

So I'm curious, and if you could put this in simpler English for a very tired Becky, Baha'i's can protest as long as it is not started by them?

[Booko]

So I'm curious, and if you could put this in simpler English for a very tired Becky, Baha'i's can protest as long as it is not started by them?

No, the short version is we don't take place in any demonstrations, no matter who starts them, if they're on divisive issues or if there's any hint of a political nature to them.

As you see from the letter from 2003 (which I think is around post #3?) even though a big deal for us is world peace, we were not to take part in demonstrations against the invasion of Iraq, because those demonstrations were concerned with a particular political policy and not just with promoting peace generally.

We certainly can take part in demonstrations. For example, for the years ATL had a march on MLK day we were cosponsors of that march and took part, because it's consistent with our principle of elimination of racial prejudice but it wasn't about any particular political view.

By extension, I would not dream of taking part in a demonstration either for or against same sex marriage, on the grounds that a) it's a highly divisive issue and b) would be likely to be politicized.

So my thoughts on the story from Uganda is probably someone made a mistake there. Hopefully they went to the guidance and won't do that again.

But you see what that one event did -- it's not gotten some people to think that our religion has any use for abusing people by tossing them in jail or even murdering them because their gay. It's totally against our principles, but we're tarnished by association.

Well, you know as well as I do how that works. *sigh*

[beckysoup61]

Gotcha.

Is it hard for you not to participate in demonstrations?

[Booko]

Gotcha.

Is it hard for you not to participate in demonstrations?

Very.

It's also difficult that there are subjects I can't post on here. I'm pretty sure I go over the edge sometimes as it is.

In politics threads I try to limit my comments to general observations about how politics works here, but even if I were totally successful, which I'm sure I'm not, just being involved in the subjects themselves might make it appear as if I'm pushing a particular political view.

Often there are threads I find quite interesting but I'm relegated to just reading them.

[beckysoup61]

Very.

It's also difficult that there are subjects I can't post on here. I'm pretty sure I go over the edge sometimes as it is.

Really? I wouldn't see you as one to censor yourself. ;)


In politics threads I try to limit my comments to general observations about how politics works here, but even if I were totally successful, which I'm sure I'm not, just being involved in the subjects themselves might make it appear as if I'm pushing a particular political view.

Often there are threads I find quite interesting but I'm relegated to just reading them.

What would happen if a Baha'i was to participate in a protest or your Local Assembly (did I get the term right?) found out about your forum debates? Would that cause any trouble?

[Booko]

Really? I wouldn't see you as one to censor yourself. ;)

Generally not, but on some issues I do.

Actually I censor myself quite a bit in person. It's one thing on a forum where there's some expectation that if you post on one you can expect to hear some different view or get yourself a debate.

In real life it would often be wrongheaded to assume that and even rude to start a debate.

What would happen if a Baha'i was to participate in a protest or your Local Assembly (did I get the term right?) found out about your forum debates? Would that cause any trouble?

Oh there's not an online Baha'i posting police or anything. There are some general statements about online decorum that the institutions *hope* people actually deepen on and try to adhere to.

If I were really really embarassing the faith, probably someone might quietly suggest I read a few passages just like those I posted in the hope that I might reflect on them and maybe reconsider. Odds are my online Baha'i friends would get there before any institution said anything anyway. I'd consider that helpful.

Now, if I started a blog called "The Baha'i Faith in favor of political party X" or something that far out you can count on it I would hear about that. No one would be mean about it, but I'd be asked to study the relevant guidance and then to take it down and if I *repeatedly* refused, I would expect to have my administrative rights removed. That means I can't vote, can't go to the 19-day Feast or other Baha'i only events, and can't contribute to the funds. I wouldn't be totally cut off from all Baha'i life, but it's not a place I'd like to be in.

If I believed in the faith so little that I'd go that far, it would make more sense if I simply choose to leave it. People do. There's no effort to force anyone to stay and there shouldn't be.