I’m trying to clarify for myself where I agree and disagree with Baha’is in Internet discussions, and I’m hoping for Baha’is who see these posts to help me with this. One agreement I see between us is about the value and importance of the message of Bahá’u’lláh. Another is about practicing virtues.
One disagreement I see between us is about the kind of unity that Baha’u’llah is aiming for, and how it can happen. It looks to me like what unity means to Baha’is in Internet discussions is that Baha’is should never disagree with each other in public about Baha’i teachings, and that everything we say, including insults and personal attacks, should be wrapped in politeness, diplomacy and kind words. Unity for Baha’is in Internet discussions does not seem to me to include consulting with each other to resolve conflicts of interest between us or to find ways to combine our interests and capacities with some common goals and plans. Unity for Baha’is in Internet discussions does not seem to me to include trying to understand what the House of Justice is promoting for Baha’is to do, to get ideas from that about what to do in Internet discussions. Unity for Baha’is in Internet discussions does not seem to me to include thoughtfulness and consideration for how their behavior affects other people’s enjoyment of the forums, or any concern for how much it repels people from Bahá’u’lláh and the Baha’i Faith, as long as they wrap everything they say in politeness, diplomacy and kind words.
If any Baha’i thinks that I’m misunderstanding or misrepresenting your views, I hope you will tell me.