Contents of this post:
* Harrowing consequequences of unchecked sectarian hatreds
* Responsibility of religious leaders
* Need and hope for fundamental change
* Responsibility of Baha'is
* Need for deep understanding
* Responsibility to seek insights in the writings of Baha'u'llah
* Purpose of "One Common Faith"
* How to respond to this call
* How to promote responses from other Baha'is
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* Harrowing consequequences of unchecked sectarian hatreds
"At Ridvn 2002, we addressed an open letter to the worlds religious leaders.
Our action arose out of awareness that the disease of sectarian hatreds, if not
decisively checked, threatens harrowing consequences that will leave few areas
of the world unaffected."
* Responsibility of religious leaders
"Above all, we expressed our conviction that the time has come when religious
leadership must face honestly and without further evasion the implications of
the truth that God is one and that, beyond all diversity of cultural expression
and human interpretation, religion is likewise one. . . . recognition of this
reality must operate at the heart of religious discourse, and it was with this
in mind that we felt that our letter should be explicit in articulating it."
* Need and hope for fundamental change
"Discussions have turned readily to the need for fundamental change in the way
the believing masses of humankind relate to one another . . . We feel hopeful
that our initiative may serve as a catalyst opening the way to new
understanding of religions purpose."
* Responsibility of Baha'is
"However rapidly or slowly this change occurs, the concern of Bahs must be with
their own responsibility in the matter."
* Need for deep understanding
"If they are to respond to the need, Bahs must draw on a deep understanding of
the process by which humanitys spiritual life evolves."
* Responsibility to seek insights in the writings of Baha'u'llah
"Bahullhs writings provide insights that can help to elevate discussion of
religious issues above sectarian and transient considerations. The
responsibility to avail oneself of this spiritual resource is inseparable from
the gift of faith itself."
* Purpose of "One Common Faith"
Reflection on the challenge has prompted us to commission the commentary that
follows.
----
* What can each Baha'i do to respond to this call from the Universal House of
Justice, and to promote responses from other Baha'is?
I went through it, paragraph by paragraph, looking for ways to put into
practice what the House of Justice is saying. I returned again and again to
each paragraph that I had trouble following or endorsing, seeking a better
understanding, until I found a way to endorse it. Here are some treasures I
came up with:
1. I found some wonderful new ideas for my service and development projects in
my neighborhood.
2. I found a wonderful new way to look at what's happening in the world and
what to do about it.
3. I found wonderful new ways to sympathize with both camps, about what the US
government has been doing.
4. I found a wonderful new way to look at some Baha'i social problems, and what
to do about them.
5. I found a wonderful new way to look at the growth plans the House of Justice
is promoting.
----
* Examples of responses to this call
I would like to see a response to this call growing and spreading among
Baha'is. Here are some examples of what that might mean:
1. Learning to participate wholeheartedly in the development of core activities
and clusters.
2. Learning to include non-members in our community activities.
3. Learning to participate in community service and development in the larger
community.
4. Learning to treat people of other religions as equal partners in learning to
serve God's Kingdom.
5. Learning to see how all that responds to each person's deepest concerns
about what's happening in the world.
----
* Strategies for promoting responses
For now, the only strategy I've found is:
1. Deepen and strengthen my friendships with other Baha'is.
2. Make the responses above, and any others I think of, a part of my life, and
continually talk to everyone about that part of my life.
Jim
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