A Code of Ethical Conduct

arthra · 09-20-2006, 12:37 PM

A compendium of ethical principles was identified by Shoghi Effendi as revealed by Baha'u'llah and elucidated by Him. Here they are for us to use:

"The salutary and fundamental truths advocated by the Báb, that had either been obscured, neglected or misrepresented, were moreover elucidated by Bahá’u’lláh, reaffirmed and instilled afresh into the corporate life of the community, and into the souls of the individuals who comprised it.

The dissociation of the Bábí Faith from every form of political activity and from all secret associations and factions;

the emphasis placed on the principle of non-violence;

the necessity of strict obedience to established authority;

the ban imposed on all forms of sedition, on back-biting, retaliation, and dispute;

the stress laid on godliness, kindliness, humility and piety, on honesty and truthfulness, chastity and fidelity, on justice, toleration, sociability, amity and concord,

on the acquisition of arts and sciences,

on self-sacrifice and detachment, on patience, steadfastness and resignation to the will of God—

all these constitute the salient features of a code of ethical conduct to which the books, treatises and epistles, revealed during those years, by the indefatigable pen of Bahá’u’lláh, unmistakably bear witness."

- Shoghi Effendi

- pp. 133-134 in "God Passes By"

shathaway · 09-21-2006, 09:43 AM

See also my posting in the "General Discussion" group with a thread titled "Free Speech - Rules and Consequences."

That posting may as well be titled: The Free Speech Wars. Here are a couple of excerpts.

Quote:

Where has the concept of politically correct free speech led us? Have the voices of morality been silenced? The legal protections of immoral speech are destroying the foundation of society. For speech to be free, any speech should be open to ridicule and debate.

Quote:

It is no wonder that wars exist when social moralities are ignored! The spiritual blindness that exists on both sides provides the fuel of hatred that is keeping alive our conflicts. It is up the people with voices of reason and understanding, taught by the Word of God, to assist in healing this institutionalized blindness. Only then will these wars come to an end.

If we as persons live according to the Baha'i prescribed codes of conduct, we will make a difference. Be assured that such activities and voices are deviating from the norm of current political will, and such a moral and righteous life may fuel the anger and ire of those who have been blinded by the laws of political correctness in order to support debased agendas. It makes no difference whether the political society is of the western secular or a radical theocratic state.

In His Service,
Steven J. Hathaway

shathaway · 10-29-2006, 07:54 PM

As you mention, the Babi and Baha'i adherents are to refrain from every form of political activity and all secret associations and factions.

But does this mean also that we should not have a voice of discussion and reason when political questions require ethical and moral answers? Can we not be advisors in a political process without aligning ourselves with the partisanship of politics?

I have also heard from Christians that the Baha'i Faith looks much like a political organization.

Sincerely,
Steven J. Hathaway

arthra · 10-30-2006, 08:15 AM

Hey Steven...

Thanks for your posts!

I think I'll quote you and then see if I can respond in some way:

"Can we not be advisors in a political process without aligning ourselves with the partisanship of politics?"

My comment:

I think so... That is as long as it's clearly non-partisan. I volunteered for the past three years on a City Human Relations Commission and worked on subcommittees on homeless issues so from my personal experience I thnk yes... Baha'is can serve on non-partisan committees. We even had some Town Hall meetings and I presented to the City Council..but none of it was partisan.

"I have also heard from Christians that the Baha'i Faith looks much like a political organization."

Comment:

I can sorta see where they may be coming from because we're oragnized a lot differently than most churches are..so to them we seem probably super organized. The other issue is that because we support a world parliament, some of them may think we're in league with the anti-christ.

Thanks for your perspectives!

- Art

09-20-2006, 12:37 PM	#1
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 733 From: California	A Code of Ethical Conduct A compendium of ethical principles was identified by Shoghi Effendi as revealed by Baha'u'llah and elucidated by Him. Here they are for us to use: "The salutary and fundamental truths advocated by the Báb, that had either been obscured, neglected or misrepresented, were moreover elucidated by Bahá’u’lláh, reaffirmed and instilled afresh into the corporate life of the community, and into the souls of the individuals who comprised it. The dissociation of the Bábí Faith from every form of political activity and from all secret associations and factions; the emphasis placed on the principle of non-violence; the necessity of strict obedience to established authority; the ban imposed on all forms of sedition, on back-biting, retaliation, and dispute; the stress laid on godliness, kindliness, humility and piety, on honesty and truthfulness, chastity and fidelity, on justice, toleration, sociability, amity and concord, on the acquisition of arts and sciences, on self-sacrifice and detachment, on patience, steadfastness and resignation to the will of God— all these constitute the salient features of a code of ethical conduct to which the books, treatises and epistles, revealed during those years, by the indefatigable pen of Bahá’u’lláh, unmistakably bear witness." - Shoghi Effendi - pp. 133-134 in "God Passes By" __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

10-29-2006, 07:54 PM	#3
shathaway Senior Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 133 From: Oregon, USA	As you mention, the Babi and Baha'i adherents are to refrain from every form of political activity and all secret associations and factions. But does this mean also that we should not have a voice of discussion and reason when political questions require ethical and moral answers? Can we not be advisors in a political process without aligning ourselves with the partisanship of politics? I have also heard from Christians that the Baha'i Faith looks much like a political organization. Sincerely, Steven J. Hathaway __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

10-30-2006, 08:15 AM	#4
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 733 From: California	Hey Steven... Thanks for your posts! I think I'll quote you and then see if I can respond in some way: "Can we not be advisors in a political process without aligning ourselves with the partisanship of politics?" My comment: I think so... That is as long as it's clearly non-partisan. I volunteered for the past three years on a City Human Relations Commission and worked on subcommittees on homeless issues so from my personal experience I thnk yes... Baha'is can serve on non-partisan committees. We even had some Town Hall meetings and I presented to the City Council..but none of it was partisan. "I have also heard from Christians that the Baha'i Faith looks much like a political organization." Comment: I can sorta see where they may be coming from because we're oragnized a lot differently than most churches are..so to them we seem probably super organized. The other issue is that because we support a world parliament, some of them may think we're in league with the anti-christ. Thanks for your perspectives! - Art __________________ Follow Baha'i Forums on Twitter and Facebook

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