Avoiding partisanship...

[arthra]

This time of year are elections in the United States and I think it would be good to be reminded of the Baha'i principle to avoid all forms of partisanship that can easily enter in conversations or discussions...


"'Let them refrain from associating themselves, whether by word or by deed, with the political pursuits of their prospective nations, with the politics of their governments and the schemes and programs of parties and factions.


In such controversies they should assign no blame, take no side, further no design, and identify themselves with no system prejudicial to the best interests of that world-wide-Fellowship which it is their aim to guard and foster.


Let them beware lest they allow themselves to become the tools of unscrupulous politicians, or to be entrapped by the treacherous devices of the plotters and the perfidious among their countrymen.


Let them so shape their lives and regulate their conduct that no charge secrecy, of fraud, of bribery or of intimidation may, however ill-founded, be brought against them.


Let them rise above all particularism and partisanship, above the vain disputes, the petty calculations, transient passions that agitate the face, and engage the intention, of a challenging world..."


(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 448)

 

[17th Angel]

The Americans have their election soon? Oh for the love of god I hope they don't pick that Osama guy again.

 

[arthra]

Uuuuh yeah.. Well this round the U.S. elections are more for Governors, Senate and Congress.. and of course we're inundated with ads and all kinds of political goings on.. so we try to avoid getting into that stuff and still be civil to one another...

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

Good advice. I recently read an article that pointed out how those with the least technical skill are the most confident in their self-perceived expertise, while those with real expertise are far less overtly confident. There was a popular song in the seventies whose title was "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word", but I think that "I don't know" is the hardest thing to say. There is insidious cultural pressure to form an opinion about political and economic issues of which one really knows very little in terms of reliable facts. This sets one up to regurgitate talking points mindlessly, and place votes based on emotions and cultural bias. There is seemingly no place for nuance in the tightly choreographed media narrative. It is better to cultivate intellectual humility and an ability to listen than rush headlong into issues one doesn't truly understand. That said, it is unfortunate that we find ourselves in the unpalatable position of voting against politicians and issues instead of having something real and satisfying to vote For.

Chris