On Baha’is on Obama: Beyond politics
By george wesley dannells on Jul 30, 2008 in All categories
Answering the question, is Barak Obama a Baha’i? with “Nope” and just leaving it at that is too flip. Baha’is have written cogently about the impact that Obama’s campaign is having on Americans. He may not be Baha’i, but he sure stimulates a lot of discussion, much of it that can lead to a discussion of the Faith. Examples… -gw
Obama Stirs Multiracial Dialogue
A More Perfect Union Through Race Unity: Multiracial Possibilities
A More Perfect Union Through Race Unity: Cure the Cancer!
A More Perfect Union Through Race Unity
A Prayer to Rein in ‘Forces of Division’
Obama’s High Ground on Public Dialogue
Multiple Answers to the ‘Race Question’ from the Same Person
Obama’s ‘Trip’ Over and Around the Color Line
http://outofmymindblog.wordpress.com/
Those Last Few Pounds
Obama
http://angelfly72.blogspot.com/2008/01/obama.html
The Conservation or Elimination of Races?
On Jul 30, 2008, Leif said:
Lights of Guidance #1440
On Jul 31, 2008, S said:
“The Guardian wishes me to draw the attention of the friends through you that they should be very careful in their public utterances not to mention any political figures-either side with them of denounce them. This is the first fact to bear in mind. Otherwise they will involve the friends in political matters, which is infinitely dangerous for the Cause.”
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, January 12, 1933: Bahá’í News, No. 72, April 1933, p. 3)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 440)
“As regards the non-political character of the Faith,… The friends may vote, if they can do it without identifying themselves with one party or another. To enter the arena of party politics is surely detrimental to the best interests of the Faith and will harm the Cause. It remains for the individuals to so use their right to vote as to keep aloof from party politics, and always bear in mind that they are voting on the merits of the individual, rather than because he belongs to one party or another. The matter must be made perfectly clear to the individuals who will be left free to exercise their discretion and judgement.
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 441)
On Oct 4, 2008, Elaina said:
I am a Baha’i, and i have Obama posted as a friend on Myspace. Should i not have him on my page? In no way do i want to cause any disunity among friends within and outside of the Faith.
On Nov 4, 2008, Nick said:
Being a friend with someone is very different than siding with them or making an endorsement of them, even if it is on Facebook or Myspace. The key for Baha’is is not to make public their personal matters of voting which is a matter of conscience between them and their own hearts. To select the person which best fits the job description, has mature experience, a solid intellect, and a well-trained mind. Along with these characteristics, the election process should be spiritual just as in Baha’i Elections, regardless of its current form. Ultimately, the lesson to be learned here is that partisan politics is a politics of division, whereas Baha’is are building a body-politic of unity. Baha’is should make every effort to remain free of party affiliation, while still maintaining the right to vote. Armed with knowledge and understanding, it rests upon the individual to decide for themselves what is best in their view. May all the Divine Attributes guide you in your decisions!