Fidál, 19 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur), 182 B.E.
Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
Religion is verily the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world and of tranquillity amongst its peoples…. The greater the decline of religion, the more grievous the waywardness of the ungodly. This cannot but lead in the end to chaos and confusion. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration
From a Bahá’í perspective, what is the role of religion “for the establishment of order in the world and of tranquillity amongst its peoples and what are the consequences of religion’s decline?”
Perplexity Pro Response 2
From a Bahá’í perspective, religion is seen as the primary force for establishing order in the world and ensuring tranquillity among its peoples. Bahá’u’lláh explicitly states, “Religion is verily the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world and of tranquillity amongst its peoples…” [1]. This view is rooted in the belief that religion provides the spiritual and moral foundation necessary for justice, unity, and the advancement of civilization.
Religion as a Source of Social Order and Progress
Transformation of Character and Society
The Bahá’í writings emphasize that the purpose of religion is to effect a transformation in both the inner life of individuals and the outer conditions of society. Bahá’u’lláh writes that His teachings are “conducive to the glory, the advancement and education of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth” and are “the sovereign remedy for every disease, could they but comprehend and perceive it” [1].
Justice and Unity
Justice is described as the “light of men” and the essential foundation for order and tranquillity. Bahá’u’lláh asserts, “The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it” [1]. Religion, therefore, is seen as the source of justice, which in turn fosters unity and harmony among people.
Oneness of Humanity
The principle of the oneness of humanity is the “pivot” of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. Religion is not just for individual betterment but is meant to “unite and weld together all that dwell on earth,” promoting a global consciousness and collective action for the common good [1].
Integration of Material and Spiritual Civilization
The Bahá’í Faith teaches that material progress alone cannot bring about true happiness or social order. ‘Abdul-Bahá explains, “Material civilization is like a lamp-glass. Divine civilization is the lamp itself and the glass without the light is dark. Material civilization is like the body. No matter how infinitely graceful, elegant and beautiful it may be, it is dead. Divine civilization is like the spirit, and the body gets its life from the spirit, otherwise it becomes a corpse” [1]. Thus, religion is the animating force that gives life and purpose to material achievements.
Consequences of Religion’s Decline
The Bahá’í teachings warn that the decline of religion leads to “chaos and confusion” [1]. The loss of religion’s guiding influence has several consequences:
Moral Disintegration and Social Disorder
As the influence of religion wanes, “the waywardness of the ungodly” increases, resulting in the breakdown of social norms and the rise of injustice, oppression, and conflict [1]. Shoghi Effendi describes this as a “process of disintegration” where “the impotence of leaders at all levels to mend the fractures appearing in the structure of society” becomes apparent, and “the dismantling of social norms that have long held in check unseemly passions” accelerates [1].
Loss of Purpose and Identity
The decline of religion leads to a crisis of identity, as people and groups struggle to define themselves and their purpose, often resulting in competing ideologies and power struggles. This “splintering into divergent interest groups has weakened the cohesion of society itself” [1].
Materialism and Spiritual Malaise
Without the spiritual guidance of religion, material achievements can contribute to both good and evil, lacking the moral compass needed to direct them toward the well-being of all. ‘Abdul-Bahá warns that “until material achievements, physical accomplishments and human virtues are reinforced by spiritual perfections, luminous qualities and characteristics of mercy, no fruit or result shall issue therefrom, nor will the happiness of the world of humanity, which is the ultimate aim, be attained” [1].
Potential for Renewal
Despite the chaos that accompanies the decline of religion, the Bahá’í Faith views this period as a necessary stage in humanity’s collective maturation. The “darkest hour” is seen as preceding the “dawn of the Golden Age,” when a new world order based on the principles of Bahá’u’lláh will emerge [1].
Summary Table
| Role of Religion (Bahá’í Perspective) | Consequences of Religion’s Decline |
|---|---|
| Establishes order and tranquillity | Chaos and confusion |
| Source of justice and unity | Moral disintegration, social disorder |
| Fosters the oneness of humanity | Loss of shared purpose and identity |
| Integrates material and spiritual civilization | Materialism, spiritual malaise |
| Guides social and economic development | Stagnation, exploitation, and injustice |
Conclusion
In summary, the Bahá’í Faith teaches that religion is essential for the establishment of order, justice, and unity in the world. Its decline leads to chaos, confusion, and the breakdown of social cohesion. However, the Bahá’í writings also hold that this period of turmoil paves the way for the emergence of a new, unified world civilization guided by spiritual principles [1].
Citations:
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How does Bahá’u’lláh describe religion’s role in creating global peace and order?
- What are the dangers Bahá’u’lláh warns about if religion declines in society?
- In what ways does Bahá’u’lláh link spiritual principles to social development and stability?
- Why does Bahá’u’lláh emphasize the importance of religion for societal tranquility?
- What consequences does Bahá’u’lláh foresee if humanity neglects spiritual foundations?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/845489382. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “The Role of Religion in Establishing Order and Tranquillity.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. June 2, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/religion-is-verily-the-chief-i-8hPLMOrJTZCBzGkdbUp74Q. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 