Can I ask what "not getting involved in politics" means? Are you not permitted to vote? Not permitted to be part of a political party? Not permitted to run for office or be part of a political campaign?
I see this answer by Shoghi Effendi shows how a Baha'i is trying to change the world, from the grassroots up. I see that is treating the cause and not only the symptoms.
"...The cardinal principle which we must follow … is obedience to the government prevailing in any land in which we reside…. “We see therefore that we must do two things—Shun politics like the plague, and be obedient to the Government in power in the place where we reside… We must obey in all cases except where a spiritual principle is involved, such as denying our Faith. For these spiritual principles we must be willing to die. What we Bahá’ís must face is the fact that society is disintegrating so rapidly that moral issues which were clear a half century ago are now hopelessly confused and what is more, thoroughly mixed up with battling political interests. That is why the Bahá’ís must turn all their forces into the channel of building up the Bahá’í Cause and its Administration. They can neither change nor help the world in any other way at present. If they become involved in the issues the Governments of the world are struggling over, they will be lost. But if they build up the Bahá’í pattern they can offer it as a remedy when all else has failed.”
It is the Baha'i Administrative order, that I see, will become a role model of the future, there is the promise of the Lesser Peace, which I see may not be that far away.
Indicates how the Faith will have a direct influence in the future on the Lesser Peace
"The Lesser Peace itself will pass through stages: at the initial stage the governments will act entirely on their own without the conscious involvement of the Faith; later on, in God's good time, the Faith will have a direct influence on it in ways indicated by Shoghi Effendi in his 'The Goal of a New World Order'. In connection with the steps that will lead to this latter stage, the Universal House of Justice will certainly determine what has to be done, in accordance with the guidance in the Writings, such as the passage you quoted from 'Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh', page
89. In the meantime, the Bahá'ís will undoubtedly continue to do all in their power to promote the establishment of peace." (From a letter written
on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, January 31, 1985: Ibid., in
Lights of Guidance, no.
1430)
The passage quoted from Baha'u'llah from page 89 is this advice;
"...Whilst in the Prison of ‘Akká, We revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind and to the reconstruction of the world. The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men:
First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity.
Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world.
Third: It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.
Fourth: Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this purpose with the knowledge of the Trustees of the House of Justice.
Fifth: Special regard must be paid to agriculture. Although it hath been mentioned in the fifth place, unquestionably it precedeth the others. Agriculture is highly developed in foreign lands, however in Persia it hath so far been grievously neglected. It is hoped that His Majesty the
Sháh—may God assist him by His grace—will turn his attention to this vital and important matter.
Were men to strictly observe that which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed in the Crimson Book, they could then well afford to dispense with the regulations which prevail in the world...."
Regards Tony
