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Power point slide of Dr.Moojan Momen presentation in New Zealand - December 2009 (Auckland). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKl8YEjVZVg http://www.ustream.tv/channel/two-baha-i-presentations
Citation preview
THE CALL OF CIVILIZATION – BUILDING A NEW FUTURE
“All men have been created to carry forward anever-advancing civilization.”
(Bahá’u’lláh)
CIVILIZATION
civilize v. Also -ise. [(O)Fr. f. L civilis, f. civis citizen: see -il, -
ile.] citizen /"sItIz(@)n/ n. & a. [AN citesein, -zein alt. (prob. after deinzein
denizen n. & a.) of OFr. citeain (mod. citoyen) f. Proto-Romance, f. L civitas city.]
1 v.t. Bring out of barbarism; bring to conformity with the standards of
behaviour and the tastes of a highly developed society;
refine and educate. e17. 2 v.t. Subject to civil authority.
BUILDING CIVILISATION
RELIGION AND THE ADVANCE OF CIVILISATION - CASE OF ISLAM
Before Islam: tribal feuding would go on for generations; if one did not belong to a tribe, one was of no
consequence and could be killed with impunity; the only law that existed was what each tribe
could impose; they are reported to have thought nothing of
burying baby daughters alive;
RELIGION AND THE ADVANCE OF CIVILISATION - CASE OF ISLAM
With the rise of Islam:
a new civilisation tolerance of religious minorities; with respect to the rights and position given to
women and slaves; and with respect to openness to truth and a
desire to seek out knowledge > scientific advances in astronomy, chemistry,
medicine
RELIGION AND THE ADVANCE OF CIVILISATION
Cyclical nature of History Civilisations rise and fall Religion gives the impetus for the rise of
civilisation But after a time, civilisation decays What causes the rise and decay? Religion > morality, unity, openness Decay caused by loss of these – people use
religion to gain power - corruption, sects and divisions, narrow-mindedness and rigidity
EVER-ADVANCING CIVILIZATION
All men have been created to carry forward an
ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of
man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are
forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings, p. 215)
MATERIAL CIVILIZATION SPIRITUAL CIVILIZATION
No matter how far the material world advances, it cannot establish the happiness of mankind. Only when material and spiritual civilization are linked and coordinated will happiness be assured . . . for in material civilization good and evil advance together and maintain the same pace . . . Therefore, the material and the divine civilizations must progress together until the highest aspirations and desires of humanity shall become realized.
( `Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 109)
WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR PRESENT CIVILISATION?
Lack of spirituality and morality Lack of unity Hierarchical nature of society Women do not have an equal
position or opportunity Minorities and poorer classes do
not have an equal position Competitiveness > anxiety,
pollution, corruption
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Pushed religion aside in the 19th Century 20th Century: series of ideologies to replace
religion: Nationalism > World War I Racism > World War II Communism > Cold War
Now left with: religious fundamentalism free-market capitalism
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
“Material civilization is like the body and spiritual civilization is like the soul. Body without soul cannot live.” (`Abdu’l-Baha)
HOW DO BAHA’IS PROPOSE TO BUILD A NEW CIVILISATION?
Global vision Global unity > global institutions But not global totalitarianism Local and National autonomy Spiritual and moral basis for society Empowerment of the individual
WHAT DO WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM?
“ . . . the mode of religious activity that characterizes the general society--in which the believer is a member of a congregation, leadership comes from an individual or individuals presumed to be qualified for the purpose, and personal participation is fitted into a schedule dominated by concerns of a very different nature." (Letter of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual, dated 22 August 2002)
1. THE BELIEVER IS A MEMBER OF A CONGREGATION
Empowering the individual - Ruhi programme > taking responsibility for the community
Core activities:- devotional meetings- children's classes - study circles, - junior youth
Active community Universal participation
2. LEADERSHIP COMES FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS PRESUMED TO BE QUALIFIED FOR THE PURPOSE,
Breaking down patterns of hierarchy Oppression, injustice Women, ethnic minorities, religious
minorities Dignity, justice
3. PERSONAL PARTICIPATION IS FITTED INTO A SCHEDULE DOMINATED BY CONCERNS OF A VERY DIFFERENT NATURE
> commitment > new patterns of community life
NEW PATTERNS OF COMMUNITY LIFE
Cluster Meeting: Consultation on plan of action Create a Plan of Action Carry out Plan Meet to reflect upon the results Consultation on new plan
Feed in guidance from NSA, ITC and House of Justice
Feed in prayers and guidance from Baha’i scriptures
A scientific way of proceeding
Cluster Meeting: Consultation on
plan of action Create a Plan of
Action Carry out Plan of
Action Meet to reflect
upon the results Consultation on
new plan
Scientific Method: Consider facts and
create a hypothesis Devise experiment
to test hypothesis Carry out
experiment Assess the results
of the experiment Create a new
hypothesis
Scientific manner of proceeding
Used now for Expansion Once enough people Can be used for tackling social problems Can also be used for Social and Economic
Development
Enter and engage in public discourse
Features of a Baha’i Civilization
Decentralization No individuals in power Breaking down of power hierarchies Empowerment of disadvantaged groups Universal participation Prevent alienation Harness the power of consultation Spiritual society
> Build the civilization of the future