On the Baha'i Faith and Political Clout: Reconciling Viewpoints

Video: Baha'i election process

Let me bring forward these two astute comments made to the previous "No political clout?" post. -gw

Anonymous said...
This view that Baha'is do not get involved in partisan politics is often times taken to mean that Baha'is are not involved in politics at all (thus the irrelevance label). Nothing could be further from the truth.

The world is inherently political. That is to say, anytime you get a group of people together, politics will inevitably be jockeying for a seat at the table.

Baha'is understand this as well as anyone.

The difference for them is that politics which devolves into a partisan shouting match is not only counter-productive but destructive to furthering the realization of their core belief: the unity of human kind.

Anonymous [2] said...
As Anon observed, the question of Baha'i involvement in public affairs is a bit more nuanced. The Baha'i International Community and National Assemblies frequently speak on issues of principle that in the words of the Universal House of Justice are "aimed at influencing the processes towards world peace, particularly through the community's involvement in the promotion of human rights, the status of women, global prosperity, and moral development." See statements.bahai.org for a wide ranging number of Baha'i perspectives and **policy** recommendations on different questions.

In another communication, the House of Justice explains that the "aim of Baha'is is to reconcile viewpoints, to heal divisions, and to bring about tolerance and mutual respect among men, and this aim is undermined if we allow ourselves [Baha'is] to swept along by the ephemeral passions of others. This does not mean that Baha'is cannot collaborate with any non-Baha'i movement; it does mean that good judgement is required to distinguish those activities and associations which are beneficial and constructive from those which are divisive."

http://bahaiviews.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-baha-faith-no-political-clout.html