Daily Frameworks for 30 November 2024

Jalál, 09 Qawl (Speech), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

Teach ye your children so that they may peruse the divine verses every morn and eve. God hath prescribed unto every father to educate his children, both boys and girls, in the sciences and in morals, and in crafts and professions. Thus have We instructed you in Our Most Holy Book, revealed by Us from Our all-hallowed Realm. Well is it with him who cleaveth fast to this with a power from Our own Self; he verily is a man related to this Station. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Therefore, the beloved of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful must train their children with life and heart and teach them in the school of virtue and perfection. They must not be lax in the matter; they must not be inefficient…
The first duty of the beloved of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful is this: They must strive by all possible means to educate both sexes, male and female; girls like boys; there is no difference whatsoever between them. The ignorance of both is blameworthy, and negligence in both cases is reprovable. “Are they who know and they who do not know equal?” (Koran) — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

O God! Educate these children. These children are the plants of Thine orchard, the flowers of Thy meadow, the roses of Thy garden. Let Thy rain fall upon them; let the Sun of Reality shine upon them with Thy love. Let Thy breeze refresh them in order that they may be trained, grow and develop, and appear in the utmost beauty. Thou art the Giver. Thou art the Compassionate. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of children, institute, whenever possible, Bahá’í educational institutions, organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their progress and development. — Shoghi Effendi ⁴

And now we wish to address a few words to parents, who bear the primary responsibility for the upbringing of their children. We appeal to them to give constant attention to the spiritual education of their children. Some parents appear to think that this is the exclusive responsibility of the community; others believe that in order to preserve the independence of children to investigate truth, the Faith should not be taught to them. Still others feel inadequate to take on such a task. None of this is correct. The beloved Master has said that “it is enjoined upon the father and mother, as a duty, to strive with all effort to train the daughter and the son,” adding that, “should they neglect this matter, they shall be held responsible and worthy of reproach in the presence of the stern Lord.” Independent of the level of their education, parents are in a critical position to shape the spiritual development of their children. They should not ever underestimate their capacity to mould their children’s moral character. For they exercise indispensable influence through the home environment they consciously create by their love of God, their striving to adhere to His laws, their spirit of service to His Cause, their lack of fanaticism, and their freedom from the corrosive effects of backbiting. Every parent who is a believer in the Blessed Beauty has the responsibility to conduct herself or himself in such a way as to elicit the spontaneous obedience to parents to which the Teachings attach so high a value. Of course, in addition to the efforts made at home, the parents should support Bahá’í children’s classes provided by the community. It must be borne in mind, too, that children live in a world that informs them of harsh realities through direct experience with the horrors already described or through the unavoidable outpourings of the mass media. Many of them are thereby forced to mature prematurely, and among these are those who look for standards and discipline by which to guide their lives. Against this gloomy backdrop of a decadent society, Bahá’í children should shine as the emblems of a better future. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

Question for Consideration

What is the nature of the education Bahá’í parents and community members must provide for all children and youth in their purview? ⁶

Gemini Response:

The Bahá’í approach to education is holistic, encompassing spiritual, intellectual, and moral development. It emphasizes the importance of educating both boys and girls, and it seeks to create well-rounded individuals capable of contributing to the betterment of society. Here are some principal aspects of the Bahá’í approach to education:

Spiritual Education

• Moral and Ethical Development: Bahá’í education emphasizes developing strong moral character and ethical values.
• Connection with the Divine: Children are encouraged to develop a deep connection with God through prayer, meditation, and study of sacred texts.
• Service to Humanity: Bahá’í education fosters a spirit of service to humanity, encouraging children to volunteer their time and talents to help others.
  

Intellectual Development

• Academic Excellence: Bahá’ís are encouraged to pursue excellence in their academic studies.
• Critical Thinking: Children are taught to think critically and to question assumptions.
• Global Citizenship: Bahá’í education promotes a global perspective and a commitment to world peace and justice.
  

Social and Emotional Development

• Interpersonal Skills: Children are taught the importance of developing strong interpersonal skills, such as communication, empathy, and cooperation.
• Self-Discipline: Bahá’í education emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and self-control.
• Resilience: Children are encouraged to develop resilience and overcome challenges.
  

To achieve these goals, Bahá’í communities around the world have established a variety of educational initiatives, including:

• Children’s Classes: These classes provide children with a spiritual education, teaching them about the Bahá’í teachings and values.
• Junior Youth Groups: These groups provide activities and programs for young adolescents, helping them to develop their spiritual, intellectual, and social skills.
• Young Adult Groups: These groups offer opportunities for young adults to connect with one another, discuss spiritual topics, and engage in service projects.
• Study Circles: Study circles allow adults to deepen their understanding of the Bahá’í teachings.
  

By prioritizing spiritual, intellectual, and social development, Bahá’ís seek to raise a generation of young people capable of building a just, peaceful, and prosperous world.

ChatGPT Response:

Bahá’í parents and community members are called to provide education for children and youth encompassing a holistic approach that integrates spiritual, moral, intellectual, and practical development. It is designed to prepare children to contribute to their well-being and the betterment of society. The teachings emphasize the responsibility of parents and the supportive role of the Bahá’í community in fostering this comprehensive education.

Spiritual Education

Purpose

To cultivate love for God, recognition of divine teachings, and a sense of purpose aligned with spiritual principles.

Key Practices

• Teach children to “peruse the divine verses every morn and eve,” fostering habits of prayer and meditation.
• Create an environment in the home that reflects faith, service to humanity, and adherence to Bahá’í laws.
• Support children’s spiritual education through Bahá’í children’s classes and community gatherings.
  

Moral Education

Purpose

To instill virtues such as truthfulness, kindness, justice, humility, and service.

Key Teachings

• Moral training is considered essential for the formation of character, with an emphasis on fostering habits that lead to ethical behavior.
• Parents and community members are encouraged to lead by example, demonstrating qualities such as integrity, patience, and respect for others.
  

Intellectual and Academic Development

Purpose

To empower children with knowledge, skills, and the capacity for independent investigation of truth.

Key Teachings

• Both girls and boys must receive equal education, as “the ignorance of both is blameworthy.”
• Sciences, arts, crafts, and professions must be taught alongside moral and spiritual principles to ensure well-rounded development.
• Focusing on critical thinking and understanding equips children to address the challenges of an evolving world.
  

Practical and Life Skills

Purpose

To prepare children to contribute meaningfully to society.

Key Teachings

• Encourage learning trades, professions, and practical skills to ensure self-sufficiency and the ability to serve humanity.
• Combine academic learning with opportunities for service and social action.
  

The Role of Parents

Primary Responsibility

Parents have the principal duty of educating their children by direct instruction and modeling virtues and values.

Home Environment

A nurturing home environment rooted in love for God, service, and adherence to spiritual principles is vital for moral and spiritual growth.

Challenges

Parents must respond to societal pressures and premature maturity caused by exposure to media and negative influences, helping children navigate these challenges with wisdom and strength.

The Role of the Community

Supportive Institutions

Bahá’í communities are encouraged to establish children’s classes, junior youth groups, and other educational initiatives to complement parental efforts.

Focus on Youth

Special attention is given to empowering youth as agents of social transformation, providing them with mentorship, opportunities for service, and moral guidance.

Integration of Spiritual and Material Education

Bahá’í teachings emphasize that spiritual and material education are complementary:

• Material education (science, technology, arts) equips individuals to advance civilization.
• Spiritual education ensures these capabilities are used ethically and for the betterment of humanity.
  

Conclusion

The education of children and youth in the Bahá’í Faith is a comprehensive process that seeks to nurture the whole individual—spiritually, morally, intellectually, and practically. It aims to empower young people to develop their inherent capacities, contribute to the advancement of civilization, and exemplify the principles of unity, justice, and service in their lives. This noble task is shared between parents, the community, and Bahá’í institutions, working together to create an environment where children and youth can thrive and shine as “emblems of a better future.”

Claude Response:

Based on the provided Bahá’í writings, the nature of education for children and youth involves several key dimensions:

Holistic Development

• Educate children in material and spiritual realms simultaneously
• Develop knowledge across sciences, morals, crafts, and professions
• Nurture intellectual, moral, and practical capacities
  

Universal Access and Equality

• Educate both boys and girls equally
• No differentiation based on gender
• Consider education a fundamental duty for all parents and community members
  

Spiritual Cultivation

• Foster love of God
• Develop moral character
• Teach spiritual principles and virtues
• Create a home environment that models spiritual principles
  

Community Responsibility

• Parents bear primary educational responsibility
• Community support through educational institutions and children’s classes
• Collaborative effort between family and community
  

Transformative Purpose

• Prepare children to be agents of positive social change
• Develop youth who can contribute to building a more just and unified society
• Create “emblems of a better future” against societal challenges
  

The ultimate goal is to raise spiritually mature children who are intellectually capable, morally upright, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to human advancement.

Perplexity Response:

Educating children and youth in the Bahá’í Faith is a comprehensive process encompassing spiritual and moral development and intellectual and practical skills. This education is a fundamental duty for parents and the community, aiming to nurture well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.

Key Aspects of Bahá’í Education

Spiritual and Moral Development

• Spiritual Qualities: The education emphasizes cultivating spiritual qualities such as love, forgiveness, truthfulness, generosity, and justice [1] [2].
• Religious Principles: Children are taught the principles of religion to guide their moral conduct without fostering fanaticism or bigotry [3].
• Prayer and Devotion: Regular engagement with prayer and memorizing divine verses are encouraged to develop a deep connection with God [1].
  

Intellectual and Practical Skills

• Comprehensive Learning: Children are encouraged to master various forms of learning, including arts and sciences, from an early age [3].
• Creative Expression: Activities such as stories, songs, art, cooperative games, and music are integrated into the educational process to enhance creativity and understanding [1].
  

Community Involvement

• Children’s Classes: Bahá’í communities organize children’s classes that focus on spiritual education and are open to all children with parental consent. These classes are often among the first initiatives in a community [2] [5].
• Junior Youth Programs: For those aged 12 and above, the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program helps participants take responsibility for their spiritual development and societal contributions [1].
  

Role of Parents and Community

• Primary Responsibility: Parents bear the primary responsibility for their children’s upbringing, supported by community efforts. They are encouraged to create a nurturing home environment that reflects Bahá’í values [5].
• Training Institutes: These institutes are crucial in training teachers for children’s classes, ensuring educators are well-prepared to impart spiritual teachings effectively [2].
  

Bahá’í education aims to develop spiritually aware, morally upright, intellectually capable, and socially responsible individuals. This holistic approach ensures that children grow into adults who can contribute meaningfully to an ever-advancing civilization.

Sources

[1] Children Spiritual Education Programs | Baha’i Children Classes

[2] Children’s Classes – Bahai.org

[3] Lights of Guidance/Education and Training of Children – Bahaiworks

[4] Baha’i Education for Children: Book 1

[5] Family Life and Children – Bahai.org

[6] Bahá’í Education for Children – [PDF]

[7] Children – The Baha’i Encyclopedia Project

[8] Seeking advice from parents – Reddit

1. Bahá’u’lláh Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed November 28, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/additional-tablets-extracts-from-tablets-revealed-bahaullah/023081818/1#540900318. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. 3 vols. Chicago: Bahá’í Publishing Center, 1919, 579-580. https://bahai-library.com/writings/abdulbaha/tab/3.html#579. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 194. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/14#745373589. ↩
4. Effendi, Shoghi. Baháʾí Administration: Selected Messages, 1922-1932. 7. Ed. 1928. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Pub. Trust, 1974, 38. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/bahai-administration/4#494672618. ↩
5. Universal House of Justice. “Riḍván 2000 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 28, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20000421_001/1#246716299. ↩
6. Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 100-101. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.