An Appeal for Education

Below is an appeal from Rainn Wilson (from The Office) regarding the attack on the Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). Please watch the video and share it with everyone.


Rainn Wilson BIHE Video Appeal from Education Under Fire on Vimeo.

No one deserves to be denied an education. Students denied an education in Iran deserve their human rights to be recognized. The Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education is now illegal in Iran. The one hope Bahá'í students had to gain a higher education has now been taken away. Society's quintessential rights are under attack. An attack upon human rights somewhere will always be an attack on human rights everywhere.

Everyone has the right to an education.

We cannot remain silent

People are standing up for human rights. Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and President (of East Timor) José Ramos-Horta, have written an open letter about these abuses addressed to the International Academic Community. Everyone can participate. To take action, please click on this: TAKE ACTION


President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta Defends the BIHE and the Baha’is in Iran from Education Under Fire on Vimeo.

A Warning From The Past

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

- Martin Niemöller


Other groups of people are now being targeted by the Iranian government. From political opposition to oppressing people who simply practice other religions, innocent people are now becoming victims of government sponsored persecution. If the Bahá'ís are never guaranteed their rights, the people of Iran will never be guaranteed their rights. It is clearly seen today in documented events as shown in the following websites:

Iranian Pastor Who Refuses to Reject Religion Faces Persecution

CNN: Iranian students barred for beliefs, say Campaigners

Standing for Education


Around the world, people are standing up in support of education. From the East and West, people are speaking out. Everyone can have a role.

UN Secretary General "deeply troubled" by developments in Iran

Letter of Endorsement From Amnesty International

Article from Amnesty International - New film on persecution of Bahá'ís to be released just as Iran slaps harsh sentences on Bahá'í educators

Iran Press Watch

An attack on education somewhere is an attack on education everywhere.
We cannot remain silent.

Take Action

A Changing Perspective on Well-Being

The world that exists today is not the same as it was centuries ago. Humanity has developed drastically over the past two centuries, and the effects of such a recent development can be felt around the world. Humanity is at a crossroads.

Since the beginning of recorded history, the whole of humanity has always been at the mercy of nature. The great civilizations of the past rose and fell like the ocean's tides. The current global civilization that is emerging from only two centuries of innovation and consolidation still has more to accomplish. The same unsustainable practices of the kingdoms and empires of the past is in practice now. There is one vital thread our civilization is clinging on to that distinguishes the present from the past.

The ability to effectively change the face of the planet is within the grasp of every human being. For example, the individual is in power to decide what to purchase from the supermarket. The global economic structure is currently founded on consumer demand. If there's a need, there is someone who will have to address it. As always, there is a need for everyone to live a healthy life that is necessary for well-being - "a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous"(1). Whole economies can be geared towards the production of a product to meet the need of the individual. One individual's choice to purchase one product can revolutionize the economy of another country. Mountains are flattened in order to extract resources, like coal, to meet the large demand worldwide. The consumer's choice to avoid a product will send the message to a company that such a product is not welcome. No longer does an elite class rule over the masses with an iron fist. The change of view of the masses is important if the global civilization under-development is to truly be everlasting. The fate of future generations depends upon it.

The fate of the world is in the people's hands.

The change in the current perspective on well-being is what future generations depend upon. For one, the current economy is a dynamic economy - always changing to meet the needs of the consumer. Also, in an effort to be "economical," companies limit the lifespan of their products in order to sell more. In addition, the resources available are used as if they are unlimited. Instead of aiming toward the creation of the best possible product, companies aim to create a product better than the others. Although the competition between companies has lowered the prices of the consumer, the companies must not forget their true purpose. The Well-Being of the global community should be the purpose of every individual entity - person or organization.


"Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self. The Evil One is he that hindereth the rise and obstructeth the spiritual progress of the children of men..."(2)


If such a vision is embraced by all, the ability to have an everlasting civilization will be within the grasp of humanity. Equity and justice towards all is a necessity. The planet needs it.

When the people realize how a global vision leads to their own well-being, the world will be further revolutionized. Not only will there be an even larger explosion of ideas, the prosperity of all will be achieved. Companies that rely on an outdated economic model powered by stinginess and fear, anticipating a shortage of new ideas, will wonder why such a fear of a shortage of any ideas had been so prevalent. The impediment of progress is caused by the very fear of it occurring. Sacrifice has been and will always be the reason for the advancement of the world. The fear of making sacrifices must be eliminated if people truly don't want their fears becoming a reality. Regardless, sacrifices must be made in a proactive or reactive society. The question of when and what to sacrifice remains. The dilemma of the world based on fear is a reality for many. From the beginning of recorded history, fear has been used to control others. Instead of the promotion of education and understanding, fear is promoted to spur people into action. Fear is the dictator's best friend.

From time immemorial, humanity has progressed continuously despite the many obstacles that it has faced. People are tired of the abuse that the malicious and corrupt have perpetrated. As of late, the will of the people has overcome the fear of repression. As a result of sacrifice of themselves for the well-being of others, the people have rejected the practices of their ancestors and have become the cause of the development of the entire human race. The development of the human race will require something different in every age. At the heart of humanity's development is the sacrifice of the people. "Until a being setteth his foot in the plane of sacrifice, he is bereft of every favour and grace"(3).

From a prison in 'Akká in the late 19th Century, a call was sounded to the rulers and peoples of the world:

"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem Us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment…. That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled—what harm is there in this?… Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the ‘Most Great Peace’ shall come…. Yet do We see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind…. These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family…. Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind…."(4)

The concept of world citizenship could never be fathomed by the masses in its entirety. The energies released in the realization of such a concept of world citizenship and its prerequisites have caused an irreversible change that must occur as a result. The advent of the maturation of the human race is apparent, and such a process is still taking place across the globe. The shock waves can be felt in every nation on earth, and no one is sheltered from such a phenomenon. The peoples of the world are realizing that "the earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens"(5).

The planet is in need of responsible actions on the part of humanity, as a whole. With humanity's greater understanding of reality, such a realization should amount to a greater amount of productivity, progress, and happiness. With an increase in the potential destruction humans can cause, the potential production of the human race must also be just as large. Instead of a narrow-minded view of progress that is essentially harmful, people must expand their horizons and understand the full impact of their actions. Please consider the term sustainability. The effects of the actions of individuals are sustained - "maintained at length without interruption or weakening"(6). What one person commits on one side of the world affects everyone permanently.

"Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements."(7)

In conclusion, the perspective on well-being based on self-improvement is essentially the same as world-betterment. Self-improvement can be defined as "the act of improving yourself"(8). The perspective of many must be changed from a limited self-centered view with negative effects on the surroundings to a altruistic view with the understanding of the inter-connectedness of the peoples of the world. Self-advancement undeniably relies upon the advancement of others. Companies are composed of people, and companies depend upon people. It is the duty of every individual to demand world-betterment in order for anyone to act.

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."(9)

- Bahá'u'lláh

Citations

1. (Princeton University's WordNet Search - 3.0)
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=well-being
2. (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, XLIII, p. 94)
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/gwb-43.html
3. (Selections From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, XXVI, p.76)
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAB/sab-37.html
4. (Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh, Introduction)
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/PB/pb-1.html
5. (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, CXVII, p.250)
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/gwb-117.html
6. (Princeton University's WordNet Search - 3.0)
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=sustained
7. (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, CVI, p.213)

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/gwb-106.html

8. (Princeton University's WordNet Search - 3.0)

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=self-improvement

9. (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, CXXXII, p.288)
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/gwb-132.html

The Fate Of The World

     This post is about The Next Movement that will change the world. People around the world must realize the only way to create change is through action. The world is in the hands of people who are building the future everyday. We are the people who can change the world.


     Only a century and a half has passed since the following words were uttered that would change the world: 


"THE world’s equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind’s ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System—the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed" (1). 


     Everyone must find out what is revolutionizing the life of mankind. The source of the change that is revolutionizing the world must be found. The people of the world must realize that the earth is the home of the human race as a whole. It is the duty of every individual to arise and search for the cure for the planet's ills. The guardians of the earth are not the governments. The people are the ones who will choose what path to take: To Let The World Burn or To Save The World. 


     The video that is presented in the article is a wake-up call for everyone. We are the Next Movement. It is the Revolution Of The Intellect.



Citations

1. Source Website - http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/PB/pb-63.html 

The Difference Between Animals and Humans

In today’s current society there are numerous separate kingdoms, genera, and species in the world. However a basic generalization of all these organisms are the mineral, vegetable, animal, and human kingdoms in this world. Although these kingdoms may have some similarities, there is a major difference between the human kingdom and the rest of the kingdoms in the world of nature. The difference between mankind and the other life forms in nature is free will, which is made apparent through the existence of the human spirit.

Free will is given to all humans through their ability to make a choice and decide on their fate whether they use it for good or bad. However, “Nature is subjected to an absolute organization, to determined laws, to a complete order and a finished design, from which it will never depart.” (1) While humans in and of themselves have the power to “resist and oppose nature because he discovers the constitution of things…” (1) Since saying that since humankind is not subject to this set design, humans may do what they please.

Nature itself has no intelligence nor will for it cannot make any decisions because it has no soul. For example, “the nature of fire is to burn” (1) and “the nature of water is fluidity; it flows without will or intelligence.” However, man has free will hence leading to numerous inventions, which are due to the discovery of the constitution of nature. For instance, the discovery of the basic principles of physics have allowed us to currently create vast and incredible things, and the discovery of viruses and bacteria have allowed us to invent vaccines and cures for certain diseases.

Therefore, mankind must consider this single idea: if humans have been created with free will and souls, should man not act more proper than common animals. Unfortunately, as our knowledge of the constitution of nature grows so does our free will, thereby allowing humans to commit more wrongs than rights. As it is written in The Hidden Words:

“O SON OF SPIRIT! Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which wast created.”(2)

May the peoples of the world grow and develop to enable humanity to become a noble being; and use their free will to not simply profit themselves like simple animals, but to profit the entirety of creation.


References
1) (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, pgs. 3-4)
2) (Baha'u'llah, The Hidden Words from Arabic, number: 22)

The Ruhi Books

The members of A Bahá'í Point have now made it possible for people around the world to access, view, download, and share the Ruhi Books online. The A Bahá'í Point Group has also offered to help facilitate Ruhi Book Study Circles. 


Please Click on the page in this blog that is designated for the Ruhi Books. You will be able to access the Ruhi Books from there. Also, clicking on the picture of Ruhi Book 1 at the bottom of this post would suffice.


What Are Study Circles?

The term study circle has become common terminology in the Bahá'í Faith to describe a specific type of gathering for the study of the Bahá'í teachings, with an emphasis on "promoting the well-being of humanity."^[1]

Study circles are a form of distance learning designed to systematically bring education about spiritual concepts to the grassroots level. Because they are intended to be sustainable and reproducible on a large scale, study circles shy away from formally taught classes, opting instead for participatory methods. They are usually led by a tutor whose role is not to act as an expert but rather to facilitate the rhythm and pace of the study circle. In this way, attendees of study circles are expected to become active participants in their own learning process.

Another foundational principle of study circles is a heavy emphasis on the Bahá'í writings as a means of finding unity of vision and action by focusing on the essentials of Bahá'í belief.

At the present time, the most common curriculum used in study circles is one that was originally developed at the Ruhi Institute in Colombia but is now used in Bahá'í communities all over the world. Because of its origin, most Bahá'ís refer to this curriculum as the Ruhi sequence or Ruhi materials. Additional courses used by study circles vary from country to country and include the "Fundamental Verities" and "Core Curriculum" materials developed in the United States, among others.

Notes

1. ^ The introduction to 'Reflections on the Life of the Spirit' states that the Institute's purpose is "to use the courses as means of serving the Cause and promoting the well-being of humanity." (p. 1)

References

• Ruhi Foundation (reprinted 2003), written at Colombia, Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service, Ruhi Institute, West Palm Beach, Florida: Palabra Publications, ISBN 1890101079

Author's note: The description above was copied from Wikipedia.

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Bahá'í Outline of Education

In today’s current society education is most often mistaken with instruction. The purpose of instruction is to transfer knowledge from one person to another, much like children and their teachers at school. When one is properly educated this individual will truly understand himself and the world around him. The lesson being taught to the child will also have a profound effect on the child, and make him or her more useful to mankind. The Bahai view upon the purpose of education is that every individual should be considered as a treasure house in which God has deposited jewels that should be manifested through the process of education, thereby benefiting mankind.

Unfortunately, numerous universities do not delve within a child’s mind and attempt to discover the potential within. The most frequent thing done is that if a child cannot learn the material it is presented then he or she will be left behind. The children who eventually are left behind become neglected and therefore left in a wilderness of ignorance. Numerous types of these children will eventually participate in unscrupulous actions and other various wrongdoings due to their lack of true education.

However, each child has a true potential to be manifested through proper education. For example, there was once a king of India who had four sons and wished for his sons to have private tutoring in subjects such as philosophy, mythology, and other subjects for that time period. The teacher had given them a sentence to memorize and write one hundred times for the first lesson and the sentence was “Don’t ever grow impatient, no matter the circumstances, and keep smiling.” After the first lesson one of the four boys reported to the teacher that he had not yet learned the phrase, but the teacher did not wait and continued to teach the other students.

After some months had passed, the king and some ministers had attended class with the four boys. The teacher first explained and said that, “These three boys have advanced very much. They have memorized so many books and homework, but alas, your majesty, this one has not yet learned the first sentence I have given him.” The kind and one of his ministers had rebuked him for his ignorance and lack of success. However, the child had kept on smiling and patiently listening while they yelled at him. His teacher had then discovered that this child was the one who had truly learned and had said, “Your majesty, he is the one who has learned. The others only have memorized.” Thereby, exemplifying the importance of proper education and not instruction in today’s society.

Although the path to true education may not be a viable option currently. The difference between instruction and education must be known for humanity to truly prosper. The children of this century each have numerous qualities waiting to be manifested, but only through the proper education process and not pure memorization. Hopefully, the world will recognize each child’s potential and properly educate each child so that they may be beneficial to the prosperity of humanity.