Partisan politics
National Spiritual Assembly
nsa@bahai.org.uk
9 May 2017
13 Jamál 174 B.E.
All believers in the United Kingdom
Dearly loved friends,
The National Spiritual Assembly sends you its warmest love and greetings.
As talk of the forthcoming General Election dominates the press and media, it is possible that the friends may find themselves drawn into conversations in various situations, including on social media, where they may be expected—or feel impelled—to take a partisan stance, or express an opinion on the current state of affairs.
To assist you at this time, the National Assembly feels moved to share two passages from messages of the Universal House of Justice, including the recent Riḍván message, which, it is hoped, will be of assistance when such situations arise. Both messages can be found in full, online at http://universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/.
They will not affiliate themselves with political parties, become entangled in partisan issues, or participate in programmes tied to the divisive agendas of any group or faction. At the same time, Bahá’ís respect those who, out of a sincere desire to serve their countries, choose to pursue political aspirations or to engage in political activity. The approach adopted by the Bahá’í community of non-involvement in such activity is not intended as a statement expressing some fundamental objection to politics in its true sense; indeed, humanity organizes itself through its political affairs. Bahá’ís vote in civil elections, as long as they do not have to identify themselves with any party in order to do so.
(To the Bahá’ís of Iran, 2 March 2013)Always emphasizing the spiritual significance of the work of the Faith and the single-minded resolve with which the believers are to discharge their sacred duties, Shoghi Effendi warned too against having any share in political controversies, entanglements, and bickerings. “Let them rise above all particularism and partisanship,” he urged on another occasion, “above the vain disputes, the petty calculations, the transient passions that agitate the face, and engage the attention, of a changing world.” These are the inevitable foam and spray cast up as wave after wave convulses a turbulent and divided society. Too much is at stake to be occupied with distractions of this kind.
(To the Bahá’ís of the World, Riḍván 2017)
The National Spiritual Assembly has every confidence that the friends will be mindful of the high standard to which we are all called, and will appreciate the imperative not to be drawn into divisive and contentious debates which lie at the root of so much of the suffering that afflicts humanity. Rather, let us take every opportunity—with the forthcoming bicentenary of the birth of the Blessed Beauty firmly in our minds—to avail ourselves of every opportunity to elevate our conversations with spiritual themes, and take advantage of this moment in history which represents “the single greatest worldwide opportunity there has ever been for connecting hearts to Bahá’u’lláh.” (To the Bahá’ís of the World, Riḍván 2017)
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Patrick O’Mara,
Secretary