Bahai Civilization - Moojan Momen

Bahai Civilization - Moojan Momen

• 1.
  THE CALL OFCIVILIZATION – BUILDING A NEW FUTURE
• 2.
  “ All menhave been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.” (Bahá’u’lláh)
• 3.
  CIVILIZATION civilize v. Also -ise. [(O)Fr. f. L civilis, f. civis citizen: see -il, -ile.] citizen /"sItIz(@)n/ n. & a. [AN citesein, -zein alt. (prob. after deinzein denizen n. & a.) of OFr. citeain (mod. citoyen) f. Proto-Romance, f. L civitas city.] 1 v.t. Bring out of barbarism; bring to conformity with the standards of behaviour and the tastes of a highly developed society; refine and educate. e17 . 2 v.t. Subject to civil authority.
• 4.
  BUILDING CIVILISATION
• 5.
  RELIGION AND THEADVANCE OF CIVILISATION - CASE OF ISLAM Before Islam: tribal feuding would go on for generations; if one did not belong to a tribe, one was of no consequence and could be killed with impunity; the only law that existed was what each tribe could impose; they are reported to have thought nothing of burying baby daughters alive;
• 6.
  RELIGION AND THEADVANCE OF CIVILISATION - CASE OF ISLAM With the rise of Islam: a new civilisation tolerance of religious minorities; with respect to the rights and position given to women and slaves; and with respect to openness to truth and a desire to seek out knowledge > scientific advances in astronomy, chemistry, medicine
• 7.
  RELIGION AND THEADVANCE OF CIVILISATION Cyclical nature of History Civilisations rise and fall Religion gives the impetus for the rise of civilisation But after a time, civilisation decays What causes the rise and decay? Religion > morality, unity, openness Decay caused by loss of these – people use religion to gain power - corruption, sects and divisions, narrow-mindedness and rigidity
• 8.
  EVER-ADVANCING CIVILIZATION Allmen have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, p. 215 )
• 9.
  MATERIAL CIVILIZATION SPIRITUAL CIVILIZATION No matter how far the material world advances, it cannot establish the happiness of mankind. Only when material and spiritual civilization are linked and coordinated will happiness be assured . . . for in material civilization good and evil advance together and maintain the same pace . . . Therefore, the material and the divine civilizations must progress together until the highest aspirations and desires of humanity shall become realized. ( `Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 109)
• 10.
  WHAT IS WRONGWITH OUR PRESENT CIVILISATION? Lack of spirituality and morality Lack of unity Hierarchical nature of society Women do not have an equal position or opportunity Minorities and poorer classes do not have an equal position Competitiveness > anxiety, pollution, corruption
• 11.
  HOW DID WEGET HERE? Pushed religion aside in the 19 th Century 20 th Century: series of ideologies to replace religion: Nationalism > World War I Racism > World War II Communism > Cold War Now left with: religious fundamentalism free-market capitalism
• 12.
  WHERE DO WEGO FROM HERE? “ Material civilization is like the body and spiritual civilization is like the soul. Body without soul cannot live.” (`Abdu’l-Baha)
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  HOW DO BAHA’ISPROPOSE TO BUILD A NEW CIVILISATION? Global vision Global unity > global institutions But not global totalitarianism Local and National autonomy Spiritual and moral basis for society Empowerment of the individual
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  WHAT DO WENEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM? “ . . . the mode of religious activity that characterizes the general society--in which the believer is a member of a congregation, leadership comes from an individual or individuals presumed to be qualified for the purpose, and personal participation is fitted into a schedule dominated by concerns of a very different nature." (Letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual, dated 22 August 2002)
• 15.
  1. THE BELIEVERIS A MEMBER OF A CONGREGATION Empowering the individual - Ruhi programme > taking responsibility for the community Core activities: devotional meetings children's classes study circles, junior youth Active community Universal participation
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  2. LEADERSHIP COMESFROM AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS PRESUMED TO BE QUALIFIED FOR THE PURPOSE, Breaking down patterns of hierarchy Oppression, injustice Women, ethnic minorities, religious minorities Dignity, justice
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  3. PERSONAL PARTICIPATIONIS FITTED INTO A SCHEDULE DOMINATED BY CONCERNS OF A VERY DIFFERENT NATURE > commitment > new patterns of community life
• 18.
  NEW PATTERNS OFCOMMUNITY LIFE Cluster Meeting: Consultation on plan of action Create a Plan of Action Carry out Plan Meet to reflect upon the results Consultation on new plan Feed in guidance from NSA, ITC and House of Justice Feed in prayers and guidance from Baha’i scriptures
• 19.
  A scientific wayof proceeding Cluster Meeting: Consultation on plan of action Create a Plan of Action Carry out Plan of Action Meet to reflect upon the results Consultation on new plan Scientific Method: Consider facts and create a hypothesis Devise experiment to test hypothesis Carry out experiment Assess the results of the experiment Create a new hypothesis
• 20.
  Scientific manner ofproceeding Used now for Expansion Once enough people Can be used for tackling social problems Can also be used for Social and Economic Development Enter and engage in public discourse
• 21.
  Features of aBaha’i Civilization Decentralization No individuals in power Breaking down of power hierarchies Empowerment of disadvantaged groups Universal participation Prevent alienation Harness the power of consultation Spiritual society > Build the civilization of the future