This page contains brief discussions on a continually expanding array of topics. The discussion articles are meant to stimulate conversation rather than to offer an exhaustive treatment of subject matter. Call it an introduction and an invitation to engage. If you are interested in discussing any of these topics, please contact us.
Upcoming discussion articles:
Importance of Family Life, True Prosperity, Extremes of Poverty and Wealth,
Partisan Politics, Individual Rights and Responsibilities, Liberty and Freedom,
Faith & Reason & Science, Truth & Trustworthiness,
Consultation: safe means for dialog and revealing truth, Spiritual but not religious?
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States has called racism "America's most challenging issue". It remains so. This subject is well addressed beginning with the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, then in the writings, talks and actions of 'Abdu'l-Bahá particularly during his lengthy visit to America in 1912, and from his successors. At the heart of dialog is Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of the oneness of humanity, such as:
"Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created."
and
"Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."
Race is a real, though contrived, social construct with a horrific history. Humans have created "race" to justify the subjugation and enslavement of people for the enrichment of a few. But the scientific reality is clear. The average genetic difference between humans is 0.4%. There is no scientific basis for race or any form of discrimination. Any population given access to education and opportunity rises and thrives. Nor is there any scriptural basis for spiritual superiority of one people over another from any legitimate scriptures.
The Universal House of Justice, in a letter addressed to the Peoples of the World in October 1985, wrote concisely:
"Racism, one of the most baneful and persistent evils, is a major barrier to peace. Its practice perpetrates too outrageous a violation of the dignity of human beings to be countenanced under any pretext. Racism retards the unfoldment of the boundless potentialities of its victims, corrupts its perpetrators, and blights human progress. Recognition of the oneness of mankind, implemented by appropriate legal measures, must be universally upheld if this problem is to be overcome."
In our local Bahá’í community we strive to put all these great ideals into action. Activities of the community are fully inclusive. Children classes and Junior Youth groups mindfully serve a diversity of participants, purposely reaching out to increase the diversity. We sponsor a "Race Amity Day" event each year (known also as Race Unity Day) on the second Sunday of June. Amity means friendship. Even though this is a single day of the year, we encourage the lessons and learning to extend through the entire year. We encourage the forging of lasting friendships, consciously turning any sense of THEM into a sense of US. We aren't perfect. We have to overcome the same subconscious biases as anyone raised in the milieu of our nation even once we succeed in conquering the conscious biases. But we strive to translate Bahá'u'lláh's teachings into reality and keep learning how to improve.
Race Unity further exploration:
The Vision of Race Unity: America's most challenging issue is a statement by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Forging a path to racial justice is a message from the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States from 2020 not long after the killings of George Floyd and others.
Advancing a discourse on race unity in America is an article from the Bahá’í World News Service.
Bahá’í International Community Statement on combatting racism is one of many statements from B.I.C.
Race Unity in America: An Oral History is about the Bahá’í community and the struggle for race unity in the US from 1912 to now.
National Center for Race Amity is an organization created to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural friendship. Their website has numerous inspiring resources.
These are some additional resources to advance the cause of friendship, understanding and collaboration:
Partners in Racial Justice has a mission of "engaging in creative ways and means of bringing all people together in the pursuit of racial justice, healing, and unity."
Illumined By Oneness is an excellent resource to stimulate conversations. It was an outcome of years of conversations and reflections from multifaith dialog.
Copper to Gold provides a guide for personal transformation and exploration of attitudes and behaviors associated with anti-black racism which also helps combat any form of racism.
I write this on March 8, 2026, International Women's Day. I gave some thought this morning: if I had to list the most consequential women in world history, who would I choose? Difficult. For much of history, women have been invisible. Some were conquerors, just like men, and I have less regard for those, though history elevates them. Every mother is consequential. Given all kinds of limitations and the western/colonial bias of history, this is my thoughtful attempt at a list of 20 consequential women with a little help from some AI queries, unordered:
Marie Curie, Elizabeth I, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Cleopatra VII, Emmeline Pankhurst, Florence Nightingale, Ada Lovelace, Catherine the Great, Mother Theresa, Mary Wollstonecraft, Joan of Arc, Queen Victoria, Táhirih, Bahíyyih Khánum, Wangari Maathai, Malala Yousafzi, Mary Magdalene, Martha Root, White Buffalo Calf Woman. Each are amazing in their own way.
The Universal House of Justice, chief institution of the Bahá'í Faith wrote:
"The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace. The denial of such equality perpetrates an injustice against one half of the world’s population and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. There are no grounds, moral, practical, or biological, upon which such denial can be justified. Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge." the Promise of World Peace
A Brief view of Women’s Empowerment in the Bahá’í Teachings
One of the most transformative principles in the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith is the equality of women and men. More than a social ideal, it is a spiritual truth essential for the progress of humanity. Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed a vision of a world built upon justice, unity, and the recognition of the dignity of every human being. In this vision, the advancement of women is not optional. It is necessary for the well-being of the entire world.
‘Abdu’l‑Bahá beautifully explained:
“The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly.”
For centuries, most societies limited the opportunities of women. The Bahá’í teachings changes the course of humanity by affirming that women possess the same spiritual capacities as men and must have full access to education, participation in society, and opportunities to serve humanity.
Education is especially emphasized. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that when resources are limited, priority should even be given to educating girls, because educated mothers nurture the next generation and uplift entire communities. Of course he also says that society must educate all...he was making an important point.
Empowerment in the Bahá’í context is deeper than social advancement alone. It calls for the full participation of women in building a peaceful and unified world. Women bring qualities of compassion, insight, resilience, and wisdom that are essential for the healing of humanity. True progress will not come through competition between men and women, but through cooperation, mutual respect, and unity. 'Abdu'l-Bahá reminds us:
“Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible.”
The empowerment of women, therefore, is not only about justice for women—it is about the future of humanity itself.
Realizing this equality begins in the family. We must teach it to our children. We must show it in the interactions between the parents where no one subjugates the other and matters are solved through amicable discussion. In the early years of a child's life, they should see the respectful relationship between woman and man. This is a good start.
Another good start is the example of the Bahá'í community institutions. Composition of the institutions is inspiring. For example, in the United States, Local Spiritual Assemblies on average comprise more women than men. Regional Bahá'í Council makeup of the thirteen councils in the United States is 57 women and 48 men as of today which is 54% female. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States comprises 5 women and 4 men, today, 56% female. In contrast, United States Senate comprises 26 women and 74 men, only 26% female. United States House of Representatives momentarily has 124 women, 311 men, 4 non-voting women, hence only 29% female. There is a stark contrast between the the American Bahá'ís and the United States in which the American Bahá'ís live, showing the transformative power of the Faith.
Gender Equality further exploration:
Two Wings of A Bird - A Statement by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States
One of many excellent statements by the Bahá'í International Community
Article on bahaiteachings.org on equality of women
I write this on May 9, 2026, having recently returned from an extraordinary experience: serving as a delegate to the US Bahá'í National Convention. One hundred and seventy-one delegates from every part of mainland USA (Hawaii and Alaska have their own separate National Conventions) gather together, consult on matters of importance for the nation, and elect the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly. It is extraordinary in so many ways that you have to experience it to grasp it, and then pinch yourself so you know you aren't dreaming of some utopian future. It is here, now, and somehow keeps improving and evolving.
Membership on Bahá'í administrative institutions is a position of service, not a seat of power and control. Those elected are not responsible to those who elected them but are keenly aware that they answer to God. Their entire orientation is to aid the community and promote spiritual principles. The attitude is humble service, deep respect for the institution and for whom they serve. Shoghi Effendi explained:
"The duties of those whom the friends have freely and conscientiously elected as their representatives are no less vital and binding than the obligations of those who have chosen them. Their function is not to dictate, but to consult, and consult not only among themselves, but as much as possible with the friends whom they represent …. They should never be led to suppose that they are the central ornaments of the body of the Cause, intrinsically superior to others in capacity or merit, and sole promoters of its teachings and principles. They should approach their task with extreme humility, and endeavor, by their open-mindedness, their high sense of justice and duty, their candor, their modesty, their entire devotion to the welfare and interests of the friends, the Cause, and humanity, to win, not only the confidence and the genuine support and respect of those whom they serve, but also their esteem and real affection. They must, at all times, avoid the spirit of exclusiveness, the atmosphere of secrecy, free themselves from a domineering attitude, and banish all forms of prejudice and passion from their deliberations." – Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, p. 64.
"Let us also bear in mind that the keynote of the Cause of God is not dictatorial authority but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation. Nothing short of the spirit of a true Baha’i can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice, of freedom and submission, of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of self-surrender, of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the one hand, and fellowship, candor, and courage on the other." – Ibid., pp. 63-64.
Elections of Bahá'í administrative institutions occur by secret ballot in an atmosphere of prayer and reverence. Self-promotion, open discussion of possible members, canvassing, nominations, and campaigning of any kind are strictly forbidden. Each believer is completely free, after prayerful and private reflection, to vote for whomever he or she pleases, without interference. There is no notion of incumbency or tenure, meaning that serving members enjoy no special consideration in the voting process. Shoghi Effendi, referring to the election of a National Spiritual Assembly, elucidates some of the qualifications for membership that believers should keep in mind as they cast their ballots:
"They should consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience." – Ibid., p. 88.
The Spiritual Assemblies are divine institutions, ordained by Bahá'u'lláh to ensure the betterment of the world. According to Shoghi Effendi:
"They must endeavor to promote amity and concord amongst the friends, efface every lingering trace of distrust, coolness and estrangement from every heart, and secure in its stead an active and whole-hearted cooperation for the service of the Cause. They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand to the poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow, irrespective of color, caste and creed. They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of children, institute, whenever possible, Baha’i educational institutions, organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their progress and development …. They must undertake the arrangement of the regular meetings of the friends, the feasts and the anniversaries, as well as the special gatherings designed to serve and promote the social, intellectual and spiritual interests of their fellow-men …. These rank among the most outstanding obligations of the members of every Spiritual Assembly." – Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, pp. 38, 39.
Two weeks ago, I cast my ballot containing nine votes for the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly, having considered my rather long "short list" of people possessing the admirable qualities, and considering the gender and life experience balances and the skills shown in that short list, and selected the combination of nine that mindfulness and prayer led me to choose. When my name was called in alphabetical order, I humbly and consious of it being a sacred task, lovingly inserted the envelope containing my ballot into a clear plexiglass ballot box. What perfect symbolism. Completely transparent process. One hundred and seventy others did likewise, and the result is the membership for the year. A group of six randomly selected delegates acted as Tellers, tallying all the votes in a private secure location. Having served on such a team in the past I can say that this too is a deeply moving and spiritual process, carried out in a prayerful attitude of love and service. After triple checking, a result is shared. What a result! Five women, four men. Three Black. One Indigenous. One Asian. Two Persian descent. Such diversity is only possible from an illumined and guided electorate free of prejudice in this environment with no collusion. What a hopeful example for the world! In 12 months this will be done again. Maybe I will be one of these electors again, maybe not. If I am, I will joyfully participate. If not, I will be filled with joy for another who will experience the amazing role. The electors too are chosen each year by secret ballot in their electoral area (electoral unit). In this way, everyone has had a part in the overall election. And all done without intrigue, campaigns, nominations, promises, wasted money, or voter disenfranchisement. On the contrary. The elections are a unifying experience of love and fellowship which strengthens community, builds greater unity of thought and unity of purpose. There is nothing else like it on our planet.
I have only described the election itself. Even more impressive is the quality of consultation, i.e. deep sharing of ideas, conversation, between the delegates and the National Spiritual Assembly which will aid the latter in their deliberations for the coming year. The contrast between this consultation with the operation of any body such as US Senate or House, or various world Parliaments, is so vast that it seems like a different world. The consultation is so loving, so mutually supportive, so insightful. so very much to the heart of issues. Friends, it just can't be described. There will be more discussion on consultation in a future article.
Here comes another shock. This election happens in almost every nation on earth, every year. Over 180 National Spiritual Assemblies. And not only National Spiritual Assemblies but a similar, though scaled down, process occurs for well over 100,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies. EVERYWHERE! Even more shocking. An election is conducted once every five years in even grander fashion. The Universal House of Justice membership of nine is elected by the nine members of every National Spiritual Assembly of the world. International observers are invited for the privilege of witnessing this event and are impressed beyond words that every nation of the world can come together in such a spirit of unity, love and friendship in this unforgettable experience. This has been done every five years since 1963 - 13 times, and will happen again in 2028. Bahá'í elections serve as a model for the world to notice and emulate.
We desire flourishing communities. In this there are profound implications for the family. Within the family, the individual is born, nurtured, and begins to learn to live with others. "The family unit is the basic building block of community, and beyond, of the entire social order."
The forms and roles of family have changed across history. Some patterns such as rigid gender roles or narrow kinship allegiances are not suited to the present needs of the world. Our challenge is to examine current practices, weigh them in light of the latest guidance from God, weed out undesirable tendencies and establish new patterns of family life suited to the needs of the new age of human maturity.
A “new conception of family” begins with a “new conception of marriage.” Bahá'í marriage is a mutual commitment of two parties that is spiritual and physical, aimed at mutual support, aiding the partners’ spiritual growth, and fulfillment of their twofold moral purpose (personal development and contribution to civilization). A fortress for personal and social well-being is arises from the integration of love, equality, intimacy, fidelity, sexual relations, childbearing and childrearing. Marriage transcends the dichotomies arising from permissive and regressive societal tendencies that either fragment or distort essential aspects of marriage and family life, aided by adherence to the Teachings, the guidance from God.
A new pattern of Bahá'í married life can be seen by examining the principle of the equality of women and men. As it is applied, the relationship between wife and husband is strengthened and thrives. Girls and boys are raised with a new understanding of this principle and its expression. It extends through future generations and contributes to a new reality worldwide. Healthy behavior is learned in the family. This extends to relationships outside the home, and ultimately, treatment of the gender as equals permeates into the workplace, the national, and international stages.
Sound relationships bind members of a Bahá'í family. Each member receives the rights due and fulfils the responsibilities owed. Equality, justice and reciprocity is learned and experienced. "In the supportive environment of the family, parents offer attentive guidance to their children to learn to live a meaningful and purposeful life of devotion, virtue, and service." Qualities, attitudes, habits and capabilities are lovingly nurtured. "From an early age children learn to turn to God and to love Him, to pray and recite the Word of God daily, to see themselves as noble souls striving to develop spiritual qualities, to prefer others before themselves, and to express these qualities in caring and cooperative relationships. As they progress, they learn to become accustomed to hardship, to practice self-discipline and accountability, to become forgetful of self, and to acquire knowledge of the arts and sciences. And as they increasingly step into the world on their own, they learn to develop an attitude of service, to diffuse and apply the divine teachings, to resolve differences and participate in consultation, to remain steadfast in the Covenant, to work for the betterment of the world, and to direct themselves to those things that lead to everlasting honour." Parents prepare their children for maturity, ready to assume responsibility for the next generation through ever changing obligations, even to extend assistance as the parents age.
The nuclear family relationships embed into ever-wider circles, to the extended family which lends extra support, to fellow Bahá'ís and friends, to the close social network forged in a vibrant community. The sense of oneness, love, care, trust and solidarity initially cultivated in the family is woven into the fabric of community relationships.
Attention to financial affairs is shared in consultation between the wife and husband, and with children as appropriate. Together, material concerns are balanced with many other features of family life including how money is earned, spent, saved, provides for education, supports the Funds of the Faith and community well-being. The family provides a space to learn and practice generosity, responsibility, the difference between needs and wants, and balance.
Much more can be said. In essence, the concept of a coherent life of service is first cultivated in the family through the example of the parents, through education, through involvement of the children, and through accompaniment in the path of service. Bahá’í family life prepares members to engage society through principles like oneness of humanity, freedom from prejudice, investigation of truth, harmony of science and religion, and consultative decision-making. It is also a key defense against disintegrative social forces that harm children and families.
The home is a vital social space for hospitality, spiritual quickening, and community-building activity, enabling families to help extend the reach of grassroots transformation. Strong families play a vital role in the release of the society building power of the Faith in ever greater measures.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá is reported to have said: "My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light; whosoever enters here must become illumined.” May it be so for us all.
The preceding was largely a summary of a recent letter from the Universal House of Justice on family life addressed to the bahais of the world. You are encouraged to read the whole letter for a much richer treatment of this subject.