Following is the text of a letter dated 25 September 2001 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a Spiritual Assembly:
Dear Baha'i Friends, The Universal House of Justice received your email message dated 30 July 2001 seeking clarification regarding children's classes which include non-Baha'i children. It is possible, of course, to create a programme for children which is inspired by the Baha'i teachings and conveys such topics as moral education, comparative religion, peace, concern for the environment, service to humanity, or world citizenship. Such programmes might also convey practical subjects such as literacy, academic tutoring, or vocational training. In its message dated 9 January 2001, however, the House of Justice refers specifically to Baha'i children's classes as also being open to non-Baha'i children. In the case of these classes, which are intended to address the complete spiritual education of Baha'is, it would not be possible to eliminate Baha'i religious teachings, and topics such as Baha'i history, Baha'i laws, and the Covenant would be an integral part of these classes. While Baha'i religious teachings are part of the programme of child education in Baha'i classes, the design of the programme, particularly the sequencing of content, may make it more attractive to non-Baha'is. For example, in the approach taken to child education in Ruhi Book Three, the emphasis is placed initially on character development, and only later are specific aspects related to the life of Baha'u'llah and the Bab introduced. So too can we see the same principle at work in the main sequence of books in which many non-Baha'i youth have participated. Book One addresses such broad topics as prayer and life and death (from a Baha'i perspective, of course). It is in Book Four that history is presented in detail. Thus a non-Baha'i can feel welcome to participate and is not overwhelmed by new, purely religious teachings. Then, if attracted by the principles and general spiritual teachings, the non-Baha'is would not hesitate to engage in the full programme; alternatively, they are free to withdraw or not participate in some segments. Of course, Baha'is would always be clear about the nature of the curriculum when describing it to their friends and acquaintances. In some areas, many of the non-Baha'i parents may be happy to have their children participate in a full programme of Baha'i child education; in others, however, a national community may find it advantageous to complement its Baha'i children's classes with a Baha'i-inspired programme for children because it results in attracting larger numbers. Clearly, one set of instructions about how to structure a programme, or an integrated combination of programmes, would not meet the needs of all communities. Your National Institute and/or Child Education Committee will need to consult on the specific conditions and interests in the general population and the Baha'i community, select the most promising alternative, and then modify and improve the approach over time based on your practical experience. With loving Baha'i greetings, Department of the Secretariat | | |Dear All, I remember reading comments from the World Centre about the |content of children's classes when non-Baha'is bring their |children. Can |anyone give me the references? I seem to have misfiled the |letter(s). Thank |you, Loni Bramson | | ---------- You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://list.jccc.net/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=bahai-st news://list.jccc.net/bahai-st http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist (public) http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] (public)
