At the outset, it is important to distinguish between partisan political activity and the discourse and action intended to bring about constructive social change. While the former is proscribed, the latter is enjoined; indeed, a central purpose of the Bahá’í community is social transformation. In society at large, often in an attempt to resolve a social problem, a political change is engendered without a concurrent effort to transform people’s understanding of the applicable underlying principles. In some instances, this can give rise to counter political action by others to eventually undo that change. However, Bahá’ís recognize that the root causes of the many ills afflicting society in this age of transition are spiritual and moral, and it is this understanding that shapes their approach to working for social transformation. Thus, the believers are engaged in initiatives across the globe which seek to bring about meaningful and enduring change on both a social and individual level—change that is guided by a shared understanding of the exigencies of this period in human history and the means for addressing them. Of course, individual Bahá’ís are, in principle, free to participate in those efforts and activities, such as peaceful rallies, that uphold constructive aims in order to support a specific movement intended to effect some immediate social change. However, should such activities gradually become diverted from their original purpose and assume a partisan character or degenerate into violence, they must of course be avoided. As part of their participation in these efforts, Bahá’ís also endeavor to share insights from the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh with others in order to elevate the conversation surrounding the search for solutions. You may wish to turn to your National Spiritual Assembly with a view to learning about the range of activities under way in your country.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 26 February 2021 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; (US Baha’i National Administrative website)
