Pioneering

Violet · 07-14-2012, 10:59 PM

How is pioneering different than proselytizing?

BruceDLimber · 07-15-2012, 06:36 AM

Pioneering refers specifically to moving to a new location--whether in the same country ("homefront") or elsewhere.

Teaching the Baha'i Faith simply involves telling other interested parties about the Faith and answering any questions they may have. What they do or don't do with this information is strictly up to them, and there's no pressure or compulsion whatever to become a Baha'i.

Proselytization, in contrast, is telling someone else what he or she should believe, and is thus extremely different from teaching. Further, proselytization is strictly forbidden to Baha'is!

Peace, :-)

Bruce

arthra · 07-15-2012, 07:31 AM

No Proselytizing

It is true that Bahá'u'lláh lays on every Bahá'í the duty to teach His Faith. At the same time, however, we are forbidden to proselytize, so it is important for all the believers to understand the difference between teaching and proselytizing. It is a significant difference and, in some countries where teaching a religion is permitted, but proselytizing is forbidden, the distinction is made in the law of the land.

Proselytizing implies bringing undue pressure to bear upon someone to change his Faith. It is also usually understood to imply the making of threats or the offering of material benefits as an inducement to conversion.

In some countries mission schools or hospitals, for all the good they do, are regarded with suspicion and even aversion by the local authorities because they are considered to be material inducements to conversion and hence instruments of proselytization.

Bahá'u'lláh, in The Hidden Words, says: "O Son of Dust! The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a seeker, and the lover who crieth not out from the depths of his heart until he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved . . . ," and on page 55 of The Advent of Divine Justice, a letter which is primarily directed towards exhorting the friends to fulfill their responsibilities in teaching the Faith, Shoghi Effendi writes: "Care, however, should, at all times, be exercised, lest in their eagerness to further the international interests of the Faith they frustrate their purpose, and turn away, through any act that might be misconstrued as an attempt to proselytize and bring undue pressure upon them, those whom they wish to win over to their Cause." Some Bahá'ís sometimes overstep the proper bounds, but this does not alter the clear principle.

The responsibility of the Bahá'ís to teach the Faith is very great. The contraction of the world and the onward rush of events require us to seize every chance open to us to touch the hearts and minds

(Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)

Rani · 07-15-2012, 06:48 PM

I would suggest that proselytizing is not only using undue pressure, but is also 'teaching' a person if they have made it clear that they have no interest in hearing about the Faith.
We are enjoined to use tact and prudence and wisdom with teaching.. There is a time to speak and sometimes a time to remain silent while striving to teach with our actions.
Hope you don't mind me highlighting the last sentence which I felt was pertinent.

'Arise thou to serve the Cause of thy Lord; then give the people the joyful tidings concerning this resplendent Light whose revelation hath been announced by God through His Prophets and Messengers. Admonish everyone moreover to observe prudence as ordained by Him, and in the Name of God advise them, saying: It behoveth every one in this Day of God to dedicate himself to the teaching of the Cause with utmost prudence and steadfastness. Should he discover a pure soil, let him sow the seed of the Word of God, otherwise it would be preferable to observe silence.'

(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 242)

BruceDLimber · 07-16-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rani

I would suggest that proselytizing is not only using undue pressure, but is also 'teaching' a person if they have made it clear that they have no interest in hearing about the Faith.

So?

That's what we both just said!

Peace,

Bruce

Rani · 07-17-2012, 01:14 AM

What I meant to say, was that from my point of view, someone could rattle on about the Faith (or any subject), without doing it in a forceful or pressuring way, but it may still be unwelcome.
..
Was just adding my interpretation of what proselytizing is. Imo it is a bit of a broader term than the use of pressure. mo.

07-14-2012, 10:59 PM	#1
Violet Junior Member Joined: Dec 2011 From: Canada Posts: 18	Pioneering How is pioneering different than proselytizing?

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07-15-2012, 06:36 AM	#2
BruceDLimber Senior Member Joined: Mar 2010 From: Rockville, MD, USA Posts: 1,122	Pioneering refers specifically to moving to a new location--whether in the same country ("homefront") or elsewhere. Teaching the Baha'i Faith simply involves telling other interested parties about the Faith and answering any questions they may have. What they do or don't do with this information is strictly up to them, and there's no pressure or compulsion whatever to become a Baha'i. Proselytization, in contrast, is telling someone else what he or she should believe, and is thus extremely different from teaching. Further, proselytization is strictly forbidden to Baha'is! Peace, :-) Bruce

07-15-2012, 07:31 AM	#3
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 From: California Posts: 3,960	No Proselytizing It is true that Bahá'u'lláh lays on every Bahá'í the duty to teach His Faith. At the same time, however, we are forbidden to proselytize, so it is important for all the believers to understand the difference between teaching and proselytizing. It is a significant difference and, in some countries where teaching a religion is permitted, but proselytizing is forbidden, the distinction is made in the law of the land. Proselytizing implies bringing undue pressure to bear upon someone to change his Faith. It is also usually understood to imply the making of threats or the offering of material benefits as an inducement to conversion. In some countries mission schools or hospitals, for all the good they do, are regarded with suspicion and even aversion by the local authorities because they are considered to be material inducements to conversion and hence instruments of proselytization. Bahá'u'lláh, in The Hidden Words, says: "O Son of Dust! The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a seeker, and the lover who crieth not out from the depths of his heart until he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved . . . ," and on page 55 of The Advent of Divine Justice, a letter which is primarily directed towards exhorting the friends to fulfill their responsibilities in teaching the Faith, Shoghi Effendi writes: "Care, however, should, at all times, be exercised, lest in their eagerness to further the international interests of the Faith they frustrate their purpose, and turn away, through any act that might be misconstrued as an attempt to proselytize and bring undue pressure upon them, those whom they wish to win over to their Cause." Some Bahá'ís sometimes overstep the proper bounds, but this does not alter the clear principle. The responsibility of the Bahá'ís to teach the Faith is very great. The contraction of the world and the onward rush of events require us to seize every chance open to us to touch the hearts and minds (Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)

07-15-2012, 06:48 PM	#4
Rani Senior Member Joined: May 2011 From: Australia Posts: 444	I would suggest that proselytizing is not only using undue pressure, but is also 'teaching' a person if they have made it clear that they have no interest in hearing about the Faith. We are enjoined to use tact and prudence and wisdom with teaching.. There is a time to speak and sometimes a time to remain silent while striving to teach with our actions. Hope you don't mind me highlighting the last sentence which I felt was pertinent. 'Arise thou to serve the Cause of thy Lord; then give the people the joyful tidings concerning this resplendent Light whose revelation hath been announced by God through His Prophets and Messengers. Admonish everyone moreover to observe prudence as ordained by Him, and in the Name of God advise them, saying: It behoveth every one in this Day of God to dedicate himself to the teaching of the Cause with utmost prudence and steadfastness. Should he discover a pure soil, let him sow the seed of the Word of God, otherwise it would be preferable to observe silence.' (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 242)

07-17-2012, 01:14 AM	#6
Rani Senior Member Joined: May 2011 From: Australia Posts: 444	What I meant to say, was that from my point of view, someone could rattle on about the Faith (or any subject), without doing it in a forceful or pressuring way, but it may still be unwelcome. .. Was just adding my interpretation of what proselytizing is. Imo it is a bit of a broader term than the use of pressure. mo.