On Guidelines for Internet Communications: Spiritual Principles

Data-Warehouses.net

My blog profile has carried since the beginning a wonderful quote regarding what the "electronic medium" requires in terms of self-discipline for those using it. There are Baha'i principles for the Baha'i to follow when using the Internet that have been spelled out in the compilation "Guidelines for Internet Communication" that are worthy of study. Here are several excerpts from the Baha'i Writings that touch upon these spiritual principles together with brief commentary that compose the first section of the compilation. -gw

1. “O SON OF DUST! Verily I say unto thee: Of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say, O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.”— Bahá’u’lláh (Persian Hidden Words, #5)

Communication requires that one or both sides are in some way learning and benefiting from an exchange. Much of what takes place under the guise of communication is actually a series of pronouncements or unilateral statements.

2. “Beware lest ye harm any soul, or make any heart to sorrow; lest ye wound any man with your words, be he known to you or a stranger, be he friend or foe.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 73)

The on-line medium is considered a “cool” communication system because it does not have the warmth of face-to-face communications. One needs to be even more careful in choosing one’s words on-line than one would be in person because the warmth of human contact is not being conveyed. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s admonitions refer to everyone, not just to people one likes or agrees with. Similarly, one needs to assume the best intentions on the part of others.

3. “Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it.” —Cited by Bahá’u’lláh (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, LXXXIX)

The Internet has many forms of communication involving many cultures. Be aware of the culture, rules and mores of the environment before “speaking.” Humor, irony, and allusions rarely translate well over the Internet and especially often fail to convey the intended meaning when the communication involves different cultures.

--Guidelines for Internet Communication, distributed by the U.S. Baha'i National Center

Photo: Bahá’í devotional meeting in Nepal, 2002. Photographer: Ryan Lash. Baha'i Media Bank