The last two hundred years have seen a profound change in the governance of human affairs with the ascendancy of democracy, human rights and freedom. These are important ideals that can easily be taken for granted. In many parts of the world the majority of people don’t have a voice or the opportunity to elect those who would represent them. It can be dangerous to speak out against injustice.
In this thread I wish to examine the extent to which each of our faiths promotes the ideals of democracy within our communities. In other words are democratic ideals important enough to model in our faith communities? Are there aspects of our faith communities where democratic institutions may exemplify more noble principles compared to secular institutions?
Democracy is of fundamental importance in my religion, the Baha’i Faith. Every year we attend gatherings to elect Local and National Assemblys. These institutions are invested with the authority to govern our communities alongside the responsibility to consult with our communities and consider the thoughts of individual members.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the early twentieth century taught:
Do not yield to the overwhelming power of tyranny and despotism. Serve the cause of democracy and freedom. Continue your journey to the end. The bright day is coming. The nucleus of the new race is forming. The harbinger of the new ideals of international justice is appearing.
How about your faith? How important is democracy and why?
In this thread I wish to examine the extent to which each of our faiths promotes the ideals of democracy within our communities. In other words are democratic ideals important enough to model in our faith communities? Are there aspects of our faith communities where democratic institutions may exemplify more noble principles compared to secular institutions?
Democracy is of fundamental importance in my religion, the Baha’i Faith. Every year we attend gatherings to elect Local and National Assemblys. These institutions are invested with the authority to govern our communities alongside the responsibility to consult with our communities and consider the thoughts of individual members.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the early twentieth century taught:
Do not yield to the overwhelming power of tyranny and despotism. Serve the cause of democracy and freedom. Continue your journey to the end. The bright day is coming. The nucleus of the new race is forming. The harbinger of the new ideals of international justice is appearing.
How about your faith? How important is democracy and why?