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THE CALL OF CIVILIZATION – BUILDING A NEW FUTURE

Bahai Civilization - Moojan Momen

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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

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Page 1: Bahai Civilization - Moojan Momen

THE CALL OF CIVILIZATION – BUILDING A NEW FUTURE

Page 2: Bahai Civilization - Moojan Momen

“All men have been created to carry forward anever-advancing civilization.”

(Bahá’u’lláh)

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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.

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BUILDING CIVILISATION

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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;

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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

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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3. PERSONAL PARTICIPATION IS FITTED INTO A SCHEDULE DOMINATED BY CONCERNS OF A VERY DIFFERENT NATURE

> commitment > new patterns of community life

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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

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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

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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

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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