flameburns623:
I don’t believe they are ‘vague’ about moral issues at all. They oppose gay marriage, for example, and do not consume alcohol. I believe they encourage their members to live a holy life which includes study, prayer, and fasting. I think they oppose war and the death penalty, at least in the vast majority of cases. I do NOT know what their stands are on abortion or certain other hot-button public issues. Perhaps our Baha’i friends will pop back in to cover this subject more thoroughly.
Thank you, flame, you are quite correct, we (the Bahá’ís) are not vague about moral issues at all. I offer the following as a primer on Bahá’ís and morality
In a Book written for the American Bahá’ís in 1938 by the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith explains in brief the importance of morality in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. To explain who Shoghi Effendi (The Guardian) was and the history of the Faith necessary for understanding of his unique roll would prove overwhelming in the form of a post – for that information I encourage those interested to follow the links mentioned in other posts.
That being said, with regard to Bahá’ís and morality, I offer:
“. . . a holiness and chastity that are diametrically opposed to the moral laxity and licentiousness which defile the character of a not inconsiderable proportion of its citizens; an interracial fellowship completely purged from the curse of racial prejudice which stigmatizes the vast majority of its people – these are the weapons which the American believers can and must wield in their double crusade, first to regenerate the inward life of their own community, and next to assail the long-standing evils that have entrenched themselves in the life of their nation.”
(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 41)
“These requirements (of morality for Baha’is) are none other than a high sense of moral rectitude in their social and administrative activities, absolute chastity in their individual lives, and complete freedom from prejudice in their dealings with peoples of a different race, class, creed, or color.”
(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 21)
A rectitude of conduct, an abiding sense of undeviating justice, . . . a chaste, pure, and holy life, unsullied and unclouded by the indecencies, the vices, the false standards, which an inherently deficient moral code tolerates, perpetuates, and fosters; a fraternity freed from that cancerous growth of racial prejudice, which is eating into the vitals of an already debilitated society – these are the ideals which the American believers must . . . individually and through concerted action, strive to promote, in both their private and public lives . . .
(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 22)
This rectitude of conduct, with its implications of justice, equity, truthfulness, honesty, fair-mindedness, reliability, and trustworthiness, must distinguish every phase of the life of the Bahá’í community. “The companions of God,” Bahá’u’lláh Himself has declared, “are, in this day, the lump that must leaven the peoples of the world. They must show forth such trustworthiness, such truthfulness and perseverance, such deeds and character that all mankind may profit by their example.”
“Beautify your tongues, O people,” He further admonishes them, “with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty. Beware, O people, that ye deal not treacherously with anyone. Be ye the trustees of God amongst His creatures, and the emblems of His generosity amidst His people.”
“Let your eye be chaste,” is yet another counsel, “your hand faithful, your tongue truthful, and your heart enlightened.”
“Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue.”
“Let truthfulness and courtesy be your adorning,” is still another admonition; “suffer not yourselves to be deprived of the robe of forbearance and justice, that the sweet savors of holiness may be wafted from your hearts upon all created things. Say: Beware, O people of Baha, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words differ from their deeds. Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror forth His commandments. Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct…”
(Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 22)
I hope this information helps you to better understand the high moral standards of the Bahá’í Faith.
kernk
. Not suggesting that I like this–I don’t even know if the kids won their cases–but I do think the tendency has been to recognize that children don’t just gain their civil liberties at the stroke of midnight when they turn 18 but gradually acquire those rights throughout their teenage years.
sheesh take a chill pill lady.
