On Baha'is in the Blogosphere: A grassroots participatory undertaking

"State of the Blogosphere," uploaded on September 14, 2006 by Muli Koppel

Another remarkable paper that was distributed at the recent Baha'i Social and Economic Devlopment Conference in Orlando, Florida, in addition to Baha'i Participation on the Internet, already referenced in a previous post here, was entitled Blogging and the Bahá’í Faith: Suggestions and Possible Approaches. Here are three paragraphs from the section on "Blogging and the Five Year Plan." -gw

The remarkable growth of the “blogosphere”—an arena primarily for individual initiative—offers opportunities to explore Bahá’í teachings and Bahá’í community activity through a personal lens that has previously not been available. Because of its unique interactive aspects, blogging opens new avenues for sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh. The networking phenomenon associated with blogs allows for information to reach potentially large numbers of like-minded people.

In some respects, individual blogging mirrors in the Internet space the “friends, family, neighbors and co-workers” approach of the core activities now at the heart of Bahá’í community expansion and development. It is a grassroots participatory undertaking. Even if only a handful of friends and acquaintances read one's blog, that blog can serve as an instrument to draw that particular “community of interest” to the Revelation and to Bahá’í community activity. Thus, a thousand such small blogs might be just as effective as a few highly visible blogs.

Because the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh provides insight into all areas of human life, the range of possible blog themes is vast—for example, sharing stories and experiences that have spiritual significance; correlation of the Bahá’í teachings with contemporary social challenges; presentation and exploration of the Creative Word; our spiritual purpose and how one’s relationship with Bahá’u’lláh allows one to navigate the challenges of life; basic beliefs of the Faith; community and family life; artistic expression and Bahá’í identity; the pursuit of moral excellence; the relationship of the Faith with other religions; the Bahá’í vision of the future; the model of the Bahá’í administrative order; defense of the Faith; social action; experiences with core activities, youth year of service, or pioneering, etc.

"Blogosphere en la ACM," Uploaded on December 11, 2004 by fernand0 on flickr