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Religion and government have complementary functions in
society. However, when religious bodies try to exert political influence, the
results can easily be divisive, negating the basic aim of religion, which is to
promote unity. For this reason, the Bahá'í community avoids involvement in
partisan politics.
The policy which Bahá'u'lláh enjoined on his followers is
this: "In every country where any of this people reside, they must behave
towards the government of that country with loyalty, honesty and
truthfulness."
The influence of religion in society should be at the level
of spiritual principle. The voice of religion is strong and inspiring when it
encourages people to do good and to avoid actions that harm themselves and
others. On this theme, Bahá'u'lláh wrote: "Religion is verily the chief
instrument for the establishment of order in the world and of tranquillity
amongst its peoples."
Through its influence on the conscience of citizens and
public officials, religion, if true to its purpose, can play a key part in
creating a well-governed society. It discourages corruption, violence, theft
and all forms of lawlessness. It encourages a sense of community, promotes a
healthy way of life, and honours values of hard work, thrift and charity that
lead to general prosperity.
But when a religious body becomes involved in one side or
the other of a partisan political debate, it runs a high risk of compromising
the purity of its principles. The religion tends to become identified with a
particular class, or with one ethnic group above others, or with the programme
of the party in power or the opposition, or with some political philosophy,
whether left, right or centrist.
The vision of religion needs to be greater than any of these
artificial divisions that separate people into different camps.
Nevertheless, the view that religion should not interfere in
politics raises the question of how religious bodies can effectively draw
attention to social problems like poverty or racism. The Bahá'í approach is to
suggest solutions to these problems in a positive, non-partisan manner.
This approach follows 'Abdu'l-Báhá's statement: "Every
universal cause is divine and every particular one is temporal." And as
Bahá'u'lláh expressed the same idea: "Glory not in love for your country,
but in love for all mankind."
The reader may have noticed that many of the articles on
this website comment on social issues, including poverty, racism, world peace,
and the like. However, in line with the Bahá'í approach, these articles do not
criticise the policy of any existing government or political party, nor do they
advocate the interests of any single nation or religion. Instead, they propose
solutions that will benefit everyone.
By framing its commentary on social issues in terms of
spiritual principles, the Bahá'í community aims to stimulate creative thinking
about these subjects, and hopes that people will apply the ideas to their own
circumstances. For example, business people who wish to implement Bahá'í
princples about trustworthiness may decide to alter their pricing policies or
employment practices. Government leaders who hear about Bahá'í ideas on world
peace might decide to initiate new forms of cooperation with other countries.
Bahá'ís themselves have the opportunity to put the
principles of their religion into practice in their jobs and professions.
Bahá'ís do not run for political office, but many Bahá'ís choose fields of work
where they can help improve social conditions, such as public health,
administrative posts in government departments, school teaching, agriculture,
and many others. Indeed, in whatever job they do, Bahá'ís endeavour to perform
their work in a spirit of service that results in the wellbeing of others.
The watchword of the Bahá'í Faith is unity, so Bahá'ís will
do whatever they can to increase unity and reduce discord. Bahá'u'lláh wrote:
The purpose of religion as
revealed from the heaven of God's holy Will is to establish unity and concord
amongst the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and
strife... Religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts,
offereth the cup of prosperity, imparteth eternal life, and showereth
imperishable benefits upon mankind.
Quotations in context
Click on the links below to search for quotations from
this page, in the Bahá'í reference library.
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