Daily Frameworks for 24 July 2024

’Idál, 13 Kalimát (Words), 181 B.E.

Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth

Quotes for Reflection:

AS to the difference between that material civilization now prevailing, and the divine civilization which will be one of the benefits to derive from the House of Justice, it is this: material civilization, through the power of punitive and retaliatory laws, restraineth the people from criminal acts; and notwithstanding this, while laws to retaliate against and punish a man are continually proliferating, as ye can see, no laws exist to reward him. In all the cities of Europe and America, vast buildings have been erected to serve as jails for the criminals.
Divine civilization, however, so traineth every member of society that no one, with the exception of a negligible few, will undertake to commit a crime. There is thus a great difference between the prevention of crime through measures that are violent and retaliatory, and so training the people, and enlightening them, and spiritualizing them, that without any fear of punishment or vengeance to come, they will shun all criminal acts. They will, indeed, look upon the very commission of a crime as a great disgrace and in itself the harshest of punishments. They will become enamored of human perfections, and will consecrate their lives to whatever will bring light to the world and will further those qualities which are acceptable at the Holy Threshold of God.
See then how wide is the difference between material civilization and divine. With force and punishments, material civilization seeketh to restrain the people from mischief, from inflicting harm on society and committing crimes. But in a divine civilization, the individual is so conditioned that with no fear of punishment, he shunneth the perpetration of crimes, seeth the crime itself as the severest of torments, and with alacrity and joy, setteth himself to acquiring the virtues of humankind, to furthering human progress, and to spreading light across the world. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

The body politic is engaged day and night in devising penal laws and in providing for ways and means of punishment. It builds prisons, acquires chains and fetters, and ordains places of exile and banishment, of torment and hardship, seeking thereby to reform the criminal, whereas in reality this only brings about the degradation of morals and the subversion of character. The body politic should instead strive night and day, bending every effort to ensure that souls are properly educated, that they progress day by day, that they advance in science and learning, that they acquire praiseworthy virtues and laudable manners, and that they forsake violent behaviour, so that crimes might never occur. At the present time the contrary prevails: The body politic is ever seeking to strengthen penal laws and securing means of punishment, instruments of death and chastisement, and places of imprisonment and exile, and then waiting for crimes to be committed. This has a most detrimental effect. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Question for Consideration

What insights do the quotes above give us about how governments should modernize prisons in order to rehabilitate criminals? ³

Gemini Response:

The quotes from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offer a strong critique of punishment-focused criminal justice systems and propose a rehabilitation-based approach:

Shifting Focus

• Punishment vs. Prevention: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá contrasts “material civilization” that relies on “punitive and retaliatory laws” with “divine civilization” that focuses on preventing crime through education and moral development. This suggests a shift from punishment to rehabilitation.
• Focus on Virtue: He emphasizes that a “divine civilization” trains people to value virtue and see crime as a “great disgrace.” This suggests rehabilitation should focus on instilling positive values and character development.
  

Education and Upliftment

• Enlightenment and Spiritualization: He advocates for training, enlightening, and spiritualizing individuals to make them intrinsically opposed to crime. This suggests that education and moral development are crucial for rehabilitation.
• Human Progress and Light: He emphasizes that a reformed person becomes “enamored of human perfections” and seeks to contribute positively to society. This suggests rehabilitation should empower individuals to become productive members of society.
  

Critique of Punishment

• Degradation and Subversion: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá criticizes punishment systems for causing “degradation of morals” and “subversion of character.” This implies that harsh punishments can be counterproductive to reform.
• Strengthening Penal Laws vs. Education: He criticizes focusing on strengthening “penal laws” and “instruments of punishment” while neglecting education. This suggests that resources should be shifted towards rehabilitation programs.
  

Overall

The message is clear: modernizing prisons should go beyond punishment and focus on rehabilitation through education, moral development, and skills training. By fostering positive values and empowering individuals, prisons can help transform criminals into productive members of society and reduce crime rates.

ChatGPT Response:

The quotes from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá provide profound insights into how governments should approach the modernization of prisons and the rehabilitation of criminals. Here are the key takeaways:

Shift Focus from Punishment to Education and Rehabilitation

• Transformative Education: This approach emphasizes education and spiritual training to prevent crimes. The goal is to cultivate virtues, knowledge, and good manners in individuals, making committing a crime inherently repulsive. This transformative approach focuses on character-building rather than merely punishing wrongful acts.
• Holistic Development: Encourage personal growth in science, learning, and moral virtues. By fostering an environment where individuals continually advance and acquire praiseworthy attributes, the likelihood of criminal behavior decreases significantly.
  

Create an Enlightened Society

• Preventive Measures: Society should invest in preventive strategies rather than relying on punitive measures. This includes creating educational programs, community support systems, and personal and professional development opportunities that steer people away from criminal behavior.
• Intrinsic Motivation: Develop a societal mindset where committing a crime is considered a disgrace and self-punishing. This intrinsic motivation is more powerful and enduring than the fear of external punishment.
  

Humanizing the Penal System

• Humanizing Criminal Justice: Refrain from degrading or dehumanizing individuals through harsh penalties, imprisonment, and exile. Instead, focus on rehabilitation and reintegration, treating individuals with dignity and respect, which can foster genuine repentance and reform.
• Supportive Environment: Create prison environments that encourage positive behavior and self-improvement. This can include educational programs, vocational training, counseling, and spiritual development opportunities.
  

Long-Term Vision for Societal Change

• Reformative Justice System: Shift from a justice system that waits for crimes to occur, followed by punishment, to one that proactively nurtures and reforms individuals before they can turn to crime. This long-term vision aims to reduce crime rates by addressing root causes and fostering a culture of virtue and excellence.
• Community Involvement: Engage communities in the rehabilitation process. Community support can play a crucial role in reintegrating former offenders and providing them with the necessary resources and support to lead productive lives.
  

Practical Implications for Modern Prisons

• Educational Programs: Implement comprehensive educational and vocational training programs within prisons.
• Counseling and Mental Health Support: Provide access to psychological counseling and mental health services to address underlying issues that may lead to criminal behavior.
• Positive Reinforcement: Use systems that reward positive behavior and personal progress rather than focusing solely on punishment.
• Post-Release Support: Develop robust post-release programs that assist with employment, housing, and reintegration into society.
  

By adopting these principles, governments can modernize prisons in a way that not only rehabilitates criminals but also transforms society into a more enlightened and virtuous community.

Claude Response:

These quotes from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá provide a profound critique of punitive justice systems and offer an alternative vision focused on prevention, education, and spiritual transformation. Here are some critical insights for modernizing prisons and rehabilitating criminals based on these teachings:

• Shift focus from punishment to education: The quotes emphasize the importance of educating and enlightening people rather than merely punishing them. This suggests prisons should prioritize educational programs, skill development, and moral education.
• Emphasize spiritual and moral development: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advocates for “spiritualizing” individuals and helping them become “enamored of human perfections.” This implies that rehabilitation programs should include components that address spiritual and moral growth, not just practical skills.
• Create a positive environment: Instead of harsh conditions meant to punish, prisons should strive to create an environment that fosters personal growth and the development of “praiseworthy virtues and laudable manners.”
• Focus on crime prevention: The quotes suggest that society should invest more in preventing crime through education and spiritual development rather than building more prisons and creating harsher punishments.
• Cultivate intrinsic motivation: The goal should be to help individuals reach a state where they “shun all criminal acts” not out of fear of punishment but because they see crime as “a great disgrace” and contrary to their values.
• Promote social responsibility: Rehabilitation programs should inspire individuals to “consecrate their lives to whatever will bring light to the world” and contribute positively to society.
• Address root causes: The quotes imply that crime is often the result of a lack of education, spiritual emptiness, or moral confusion. Rehabilitation efforts should, therefore, focus on addressing these root causes.
• Redefine success: Success in rehabilitation should be measured not just by reduced recidivism but by the degree to which former criminals become positive contributors to society and “further human progress.”
• Holistic approach: A comprehensive rehabilitation process should address an individual’s unique intellectual, moral, spiritual, and practical needs.
• Long-term perspective: The quotes suggest that true reform requires patience and consistent effort, implying that rehabilitation programs should be designed with a long-term perspective rather than quick fixes.
  

These insights point towards a transformative approach to criminal justice that goes beyond the current paradigm of punishment and isolation. They suggest that prisons if they must exist, should function more like centers for intensive personal development and education rather than places of punishment and degradation.

Pi Response:

The quotes provided by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offer insights into how governments should rethink their approach to criminal justice, shifting the focus from punishment to rehabilitation and education. Here are some key themes that can guide the modernization of prisons:

• Emphasizing moral education and personal transformation: Rather than relying solely on punitive measures, prisons should prioritize education, spiritual growth, and the cultivation of virtues. Inmates should be encouraged to develop empathy, compassion, and responsibility, which can help them become constructive members of society upon release.
• Fostering a sense of social responsibility: Prisons should create an environment that inspires inmates to recognize the impact of their actions on society and to take an active role in contributing to the betterment of their communities. This can be achieved through community service initiatives and opportunities for inmates to engage in meaningful work.
• Redefining the concept of punishment: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suggests that the shame and guilt associated with committing a crime can be a singular, powerful form of punishment. By fostering a culture of self-reflection and personal growth, prisons can encourage inmates to recognize the gravity of their actions and take responsibility for their choices.
• Rethinking prison infrastructure: Instead of building more prisons and strengthening penal laws, governments should invest in education and crime prevention measures. This can include improving access to quality education, addressing socio-economic inequalities, and promoting community-based initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and purpose among individuals.
  

In summary, these quotes provide insights into how governments can modernize prisons by focusing on rehabilitation, education, and personal transformation. By creating a supportive environment that fosters the development of moral character and social responsibility, prisons can help inmates reintegrate into society and contribute to the greater good.

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 132-133. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/6#676877097. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed July 23, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/12#571660016. ↩
3. Ruhi Institute. Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth. 2.1.21.PE July 2022. Vol. Book 5. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, 27, 29. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#JY1.