Jalál, 14 Jamál (Beauty), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
Unbridled nationalism, as distinguished from a sane and legitimate patriotism, must give way to a wider loyalty, to the love of humanity as a whole. Bahá’u’lláh’s statement is: “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” The concept of world citizenship is a direct result of the contraction of the world into a single neighborhood through scientific advances and of the indisputable interdependence of nations. Love of all the world’s peoples does not exclude love of one’s country. The advantage of the part in a world society is best served by promoting the advantage of the whole. Current international activities in various fields which nurture mutual affection and a sense of solidarity among peoples need greatly to be increased. — Universal House of Justice 1 2
Question for Consideration
Given Bahá’u’lláh’s statement: “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens,” what behaviors demonstrate how to “nurture mutual affection and a sense of solidarity among peoples?”
Perplexity Pro Response 3
Bahá’u’lláh’s statement, “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens,” calls for a transformation in how individuals, communities, and institutions relate to one another, moving beyond narrow nationalism to embrace the oneness of humanity. To nurture mutual affection and a sense of solidarity among peoples, the Bahá’í writings and guidance from the Universal House of Justice outline a range of attitudes and concrete behaviors:
Cultivating a Vision of Oneness and Justice
See humanity as a single body
Just as the health of every cell depends on the well-being of the whole body, the prosperity of individuals and nations is best served by seeking the welfare of all humanity [1].
Practice justice and impartiality
Regard the welfare of the community as one’s own and recognize that harm to any part of humanity affects all [1].
Fostering Unity in Diversity
Embrace diversity as a source of strength
Unity does not mean uniformity; the richness of human diversity finds its highest fulfillment in a united world [1].
Reject prejudice
Actively work to eliminate racial, religious, and national prejudices, recognizing that these are barriers to unity [1].
Promoting Cooperation and Reciprocity
Engage in collaborative efforts
Participate in activities that promote cooperation across communities, nations, and cultures, such as humanitarian projects, educational initiatives, and interfaith dialogue [1].
Build consensus through consultation
Use consultative processes that encourage diverse perspectives, foster detachment from personal views, and seek truth collectively [1].
Encouraging Service and Social Action
Serve all humanity
Undertake philanthropic and social action projects that benefit all, not just one’s own group or nation [1].
Empower communities
Focus on building the capacity of communities to make decisions about their own spiritual and material progress, ensuring that development efforts are participatory and locally driven [1].
Advancing Knowledge and Education
Promote universal education
Support the education of all, especially in ways that foster understanding, critical thinking, and the elimination of ignorance and prejudice [1].
Harmonize science and religion
Encourage the acquisition and application of knowledge that serves the welfare of humanity, ensuring that scientific progress is guided by spiritual and ethical principles [1].
Practicing Humility, Detachment, and Love
Approach others with humility and a posture of learning
Recognize that no group has a monopoly on truth and that all can contribute to the advancement of civilization [1].
Subordinate lesser loyalties
Place the interests of humanity above personal, regional, or national interests, while still loving and serving one’s own country [1].
Express genuine love and kindness
In interpersonal relationships and community life, foster an environment of encouragement, support, and mutual assistance [1].
Engaging in Community-Building Activities
Participate in community-building efforts
Join or initiate activities such as children’s classes, youth groups, study circles, and devotional gatherings that are open to all and nurture a spirit of unity and service [1].
Create inclusive spaces
Ensure that all, regardless of background, are welcomed and empowered to contribute to the life of the community [1].
Building Partnerships for the Common Good
Collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations
Work with others to promote unity, human welfare, and world solidarity, avoiding contention and imposition of beliefs [1].
Share and learn from experiences
Offer insights gained through Bahá’í experience to collaborators and be open to learning from others [1].
Summary Table: Key Behaviors
| Behavior | Description |
|---|---|
| Justice and Impartiality | Seek the welfare of all; act with fairness and equity |
| Unity in Diversity | Embrace and celebrate human diversity |
| Service to Humanity | Engage in service and social action benefiting all |
| Consultation | Use collective decision-making processes |
| Education and Knowledge | Promote universal education and the harmony of science and religion |
| Humility and Love | Approach others with humility, detachment, and genuine affection |
| Community Building | Foster inclusive, participatory, and spiritually uplifting community life |
| Collaboration | Partner with others for shared goals, avoiding contention or imposition |
Conclusion
Behaviors that nurture mutual affection and solidarity among peoples are those that consciously transcend self-interest and parochial loyalties, seeking the well-being of all humanity. These include practicing justice, embracing diversity, fostering cooperation, serving others, promoting education, acting with humility and love, building inclusive communities, and collaborating for the common good. Such actions, inspired by the principle of the oneness of humankind, lay the foundation for a peaceful and unified world [1].
Citations:
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can individuals promote a sense of global unity in their daily lives?
- What are some practical steps to foster mutual affection among different cultures?
- How can international organizations contribute to nurturing solidarity among nations?
- What role does education play in cultivating a sense of world citizenship?
- How can media and entertainment industries help in promoting global unity?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/social-action/2#596242623. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “October 1985 – To the Peoples of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed May 9, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19851001_001/1#197781824. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Behaviors That Nurture Mutual Affection and Solidarity Among Peoples.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 9, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/unbridled-nationalism-as-disti-rfXSwrb0R1KX5xOd.q9MPw. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 