Non-involvement in politics

The principle of non-involvement in politics within the Bahá’í Faith is a vital aspect of the Bahá’í approach to the spiritual regeneration of the world. It involves the establishment of a Baha'i view of political thought and action that does not include the historic materialist view of politics as war or combat. The ultimate goal of the Baha'i Faith is world unity and global peace which cannot be attained using political activities that divide the world into friends or enemies. In a world religion with so much diversity care is taken in deeds and actions so that well-meaning activities in one nation or region do not result in undermining others.

Engaging in partisan politics contradicts the fundamental ethos of the Faith. Being affiliated with any political party inherently involves rejecting certain or all principles of peace and unity as proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh. To avoid undermining the principal goals of the Faith—the unity of humanity, individual Bahá’ís are called on to avoid discussing partisan politics, participating in political organizations, and aligning themselves with any particular political party. Political parties and organizations are inherently competitive and divisive as they hold differing ideologies and promote differing public policies. Criteria for voting in civil elections are based on the merits of the individual candidates—not the individual's affiliation with a political party.

Major documents and compilations

Bahá’u’lláh wrote, "To none is given the right to act in any manner that would run counter to the considered views of them who are in authority. Forbear ye from concerning yourselves with the affairs of this world and all that pertaineth unto it, or from meddling with the activities of those who are its outward leaders."

During the political upheaval of the Persian Constitutional Revolution (1905 - 1911), sometime in February 1907, ‘Abdu'l-Baha instructed Baha'is to withdraw from involvement in political activities. Because the adherents to the Baha'i Faith strictly adhered to this guidance, Baha'is and the Cause itself were safeguarded, according to Ali Murad Davudi.

Shoghi Effendi, who served as the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith—the Head of the Bahá’í community from 1921 until 1957, called for non-participation in any activity that might be directly or indirectly interpreted as "interfering in the particular affairs of any government". In a 21 December 1948 letter, he called on Baha'is to "avoid politics like the plague" and obey the laws of the government of any land in which they reside.

In The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, Shoghi Effendi provided clear guidelines on how to walk the middle path between two extreme responses regarding participation in civic activities—complete withdrawal and "throw[ing] oneself into the maelstrom of political struggles". Shoghi Effendi, writing in the first half of the twentierh century when the number of individual Baha'is and localities was very small, cautioned that as the Faith grew to include many races and nations, it would be dependent on the "good-will and support" of world governments in order to preserve its unity, to safeguard its interests, and to ensure the "steady and peaceful development of its institutions." He called on Baha'is to refrain from associating with political activities, policies, schemes, and partisan programs. Should controversies arise, they should "assign no blame, take no side", [and] "further no design". As they work towards fostering and guarding a world-wide Fellowship, they should not identify themselves with any "system prejudicial to the best interests" of that goal, but rather shape their lives and conduct themselves so that no charges can be brought against them.

In a 8 December 1967 response to an individual believer, the House of Justice wrote that when there is confusion in world affairs, "an unwise act or statement by a Bahá’í in one country could result in a grave setback for the Faith there or elsewhere—and even loss of the lives of fellow-believers". And while it was a legitimate to respond to injustice by helping others, the ultimate goal of the Bahá’í Faith is the "spiritual awakening and regeneration of mankind".

In 1979, Peter Khan's compilation on political non-involvement and obedience to government was published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia. The compilation was reprinted in 2003 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

While adherents of Baha'i Faith uphold the principles of noninvolvment in political activities and loyalty to government, they are also responsible, helpful, and productive citizens "committed to serving humanity for the love of God". In response to a letter abot relations between the eNational Spiritual Assembly and the Government of Guyana, the House of Justice clarified that while Baha'is must avoid any political or diplomatic positions, there are government posts that are purely administrative that individual Baha'is can accept, as they are not "affected by the changes and chances" of politics.

Ulrich Gollmer devoted a chapter of the 1995 book he co-authored with Udo Schaefer and Nicola Towfigh to "Bahá’í political thought" in which he described how the terms "politics" and "political" are used differently in discourse on secular contemporary politics then in Bahá’í scripture. The chapter, which is in a book, Making the Crooked Straight, responding to an anti-Bahá’í polemic, traces how historically, politics has been viewed as a form of war or combat. He cites ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who said that, the "modern politics founded on peace" will "raise the standard of victory", while the "ancient politics whose foundation is war [will] be discarded."

During "tense and emotionally charged times" when "turmoil and unrest" "rapidly accelerat[ing]" in 2003, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States sent a letter reminding Bahá’ís of the extreme importance of the "vital and sensitive subject" of non-involvement in political matters, calling on the community to "adhere closely to our principles of strict avoidance of political involvement and controversial matters."

Bahá’í approach to social change

Individually and collectively, Bahá’ís are actively engaged in the life of society, without engaging in political activities.

In a 2017 letter to an individual Bahá’í, the Universal House of Justice reiterated that the Bahá’í approach or strategy for social change involves being active in the life of society which includes using all lawful means to influence and contribute to public policies, while avoiding involvement and association with partisan politics. This includes uncovering root causes of social issues that have been revealed in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Citing Shoghi Effendi, the letter stated that Bahá’í students, for example, could attend peaceful rallies in support of vital issues with constructive goals that resonate with Bahá’í teachings, such as the "advancement of women, the promotion of social justice, the protection of the environment, the elimination of all forms of discrimination, and the safeguarding of human rights".

Bahá’í and Bahá’í-inspired institutions and individual Bahá’ís are active in public discourse on topics such as welfare of children, protection of minorities, the status of women, the environment, and online hate speech.. This includes the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) with offices in Geneva and New York, which has accredited status with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Since 2012, BIC's regional office headquartered in Brussels, supports the work of the European Union (EU), the Council of Europe (EC). At the national level, many Bahá’í communities are active through an Office of Public Affairs nurturing relationships and engaging in discussions on social issues such as citizenship and diversity, online hate, reconciliation, religion in public life, gender quality, the role of youth in society, and our relationship with the environment.

See also

• Politics
• Social action and discourse

References

Bibliography

• Helen Bassett Hornby, ed. (1983). Lights of Guidance: A Bahá’í Reference File by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and Universal House of Justice (1 ed.). New Delhi: Baháí Publishing Trust. p. 547. OCLC 16689163.
• The Universal House of Justice. The Bahá’í World - An International Record Vol XIV 1963-1968 pages 531-539. Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England: Broadwater Press Limited.
• Peter Khan, ed. (1979), Political Non-Involvement and Obedience to Government: Compilation by Peter Khan, NSA of Australia
• Peter Khan, ed. (12 January 2003), Political Non-Involvement and Obedience to Government: Compilation by Peter Khan, retrieved 15 November 2023