Baha’i Perspectives

nooshin February 10th, 2009

Watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama, I was struck by how multi-racial his family is, and I am sure I was not the only one who was.  African American, English, Indonesian, Irish, and Kenyan…it’s a very global bunch.

My own family does pretty well in the global stakes too. We have Singaporian, Ukranian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Japanese, American (white and black), as well as a good dose of Iranian.  And all this in just one generation.  When my parents were growing up in Iran, I doubt that they could have imagined that in their lifetime our extended family would start to look like the United Nations.

But it was probably inevitable, given that as Baha’is, almost the first thing that we are taught as children is that the “Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”.

Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, explained the fundamental importance of the unity of the human race:

O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity.

The most glorious fruit of the tree of knowledge is this exalted word: Of one tree are all ye the fruit, and of one bough the leaves. Let not man glory in this that he loveth his country, let him rather glory in this that he loveth his kind.

Tags: family, oneness

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negin November 8th, 2008

The rainy late-October weather wasn’t doing much for my morning fatigue, so as I opened the Metro while sitting on the bus going to work, I was hoping to find some sunny news. Between lengthy articles speculating on the American elections and the devastating effects of the financial crisis, my eyes were caught by a column with the title “Give up marriages – bring in coexistence-contracts”.

The column was written by a Swedish journalist and TV producer and the point he was making was that the Swedish laws on marriage are outdated. Marriage – or coexistence – is an issue that only concerns the two (or however many) that are involved, and society should neither interfere nor try to regulate it.

As it was written in Swedish I unfortunately can’t share it with you, but I’m sure you have heard or read similar ideas, as they are not unusual in contemporary society.

There is much that can be said and discussed on this topic, not least from a Baha’i perspective. The thought that the article left me with for the rest of the day, which is what I wanted to scribble a few lines about, is whether this issue exclusively is the business of the individuals involved, or if there is more to it? And how does the significance of building healthy families and nurturing children fit into the discussion?

That marriage and family are interconnected goes without saying. For most people, getting married is a step to building a family and all statistics point towards that a strong marriage increases the chances of having a stable family. There are of course exceptions to this tendency and not everyone can be judged alike, but by and large it holds true.

…in the Baha’i Faith marriage, and family life, in particular, are both not only commendable, but constitute a social function of highest and indeed vital importance, as through them alone the human race is perpetuated.

The family is the very first social context that children are exposed to. That is where they learn love, respect, generosity, justice and other traits that characterize a civilized conduct. The family is also our most intimate circle, where thoughts and feelings are shared and where we feel secure and comfortable to be ourselves. There is thus no doubt that everything that happens in a family affects its members to a high degree; their conduct, health and general well being. Particularly the well being of children is at stake, and a justified question is: who is responsible for protecting their rights?

In the Baha’i teachings the family is regarded as the bedrock of the structure of human society, and its affairs can thus not be separated from the affairs of society as a whole. In striving to create unified and constructive communities, which is the purpose of the Baha’i Faith, the unity in its bedrock is naturally of great importance.

Baha’u'llah came to bring unity to the world, and a fundamental unity is that of the family.

Note ye how easily, where unity existeth in a given family, the affairs of that family are conducted; what progress the members of that family make, how they prosper in the world. Their concerns are in order, they enjoy comfort and tranquillity… Such a family but addeth to its stature and its lasting honour, as day succeedeth day…

- Abdu’l-Baha

Having this view on family, as a foundation stone in society and the setting where a future generation is reared, I’m inclined to disagree with the above-mentioned author. However, historically that does not mean that family structures have always been that “fortress for well being” that they potentially could be, and it is necessary for society to take on its responsibility in this aspect too. Apart from only upholding laws and regulations, society perhaps also needs to care for the education of children and youth in principles necessary for building stable and healthy families, such as respect, equality and justice.

Even though I didn’t find my sunny news, the article brought about something even more valuable, which is reflection and thought on this theme.

The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men.

- Baha’u'llah

Tags: family, marriage

• Society
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