Daily Frameworks for 09 June 2025

Kamál, 06 Núr (Light), 182 B.E.

Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development

Quotes for Reflection:

For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power and material civilization; the other is spiritual power and divine civilization. With one wing only, flight is impossible. Two wings are essential. Therefore, no matter how much material civilization advances, it cannot attain to perfection except through the uplift of spiritual civilization. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

How can humanity uplift spiritual civilization and keep material civilization on the path to perfection?

Perplexity Pro Response ³

The metaphor from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—humanity as a bird needing two wings, material and spiritual civilization—points to a fundamental principle: progress requires both the advancement of technology, science, and material well-being, and the upliftment of spiritual values, virtues, and moral purpose. With only one wing, flight—true progress—is impossible [1] [6].

How Can Humanity Uplift Spiritual Civilization?

Centering on Moral and Spiritual Education

• Spiritual civilization is cultivated through the development of virtues such as justice, love, unity, trustworthiness, and service to others [2].
• Education systems should not only transmit knowledge and technical skills but also nurture character and moral discernment [2].
• Community-based programs, such as those found in Bahá’í communities, focus on nurturing these qualities in children, youth, and adults, fostering a sense of responsibility for the betterment of society [2].
  

Harmonizing Religion and Science

• Spiritual civilization is not about dogma or superstition, but about aligning spiritual principles with rational inquiry and scientific progress [1].
• Religion must be in conformity with science and reason to have a lasting and positive influence on society [1]. This harmony ensures that faith inspires ethical action and that science serves humanity’s higher purpose.
  

Fostering Unity and Justice

• The foundation of spiritual civilization is the oneness of humanity—seeing all people as part of a single human family [1].
• Justice is the “light of men” and the principle that enables unity and the well-being of all [1]. Social structures, laws, and institutions must be shaped by this principle, ensuring equity and the elimination of prejudice.
  

Service and Social Action

• Spiritual progress is not merely personal but is expressed through collective efforts to improve society—alleviating poverty, promoting education, and building inclusive communities [1].
• Every individual has a responsibility to serve others, and this service is both a path to personal fulfillment and a means to uplift civilization [2].
  

Keeping Material Civilization on the Path to Perfection

Integrating Material Progress with Spiritual Values

• Material achievements—technological advances, economic development, scientific discoveries—must be guided by spiritual principles to ensure they serve the common good [1].
• Without the “light” of spiritual civilization, material progress can be misused, leading to inequality, conflict, and the destruction of the environment [1].
  

Building Coherence Between the Two Dimensions

• The goal is not to diminish material civilization, but to ensure it is animated by spiritual purpose—like a lamp that is only useful when lit [1].
• This requires ongoing consultation and collaboration among individuals, communities, and institutions to align actions and policies with both material needs and spiritual aspirations [1].
  

Promoting Universal Participation and Education

• Access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for all are essential for both material and spiritual progress [1].
• Universal education, especially when it includes moral and spiritual dimensions, empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to society and to the advancement of civilization as a whole [1].
  

Key Principles for Advancing Both Wings

Principle	Application in Society
Oneness of Humanity	Eliminate prejudice, promote unity and justice in all institutions
Harmony of Science and Religion	Ensure scientific progress is ethically guided and spiritually motivated
Moral and Spiritual Education	Integrate character education into all levels of schooling
Service to Others	Encourage volunteerism, social action, and community development
Justice and Equity	Shape laws, policies, and economic systems to serve all people
Universal Participation	Involve all individuals in the processes of consultation and action

Conclusion

Humanity can uplift spiritual civilization and keep material civilization on the path to perfection by:

• Nurturing spiritual virtues and moral education alongside scientific and technical progress,
• Ensuring that religion and science work together to guide human advancement,
• Building unity and justice as the foundation of all social structures,
• Channeling material resources and achievements toward the betterment of all,
• And fostering a culture of service, learning, and universal participation.
  

Only when both wings—material and spiritual—are strong and coordinated will humanity achieve its highest potential and true happiness [1] [3].

Citations:

[1] Social Action-A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice August 2020 (PDF)

[2] Sharing the Baha’i Teachings – Uplifting Words

[3]Balancing Material and Spiritual Civilization – Michael Curtotti’s Author Website

[4] Inventing a World Civilization – BahaiTeachings.org

[5] Knowledge and Civilization: Implications for the Community and the Individual – Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’í Center of Washtenaw County

[6] Spiritual vs. Material Civilization – Bahá’ís of the United States

[7] The Bahá’í Faith at a Glance – Bahá’ís of the United States

[8] Bahá’í Teachings on War and Peace – Uplifting Words

[9] Advancement of material civilization – Vaniquotes

[10] The Bahá’í Principle of Civilization – BahaiWorks

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can I promote the integration of spiritual values into material progress?
• What steps can I take to foster collective maturity and social justice?
• How do I personally contribute to balancing material development with spiritual growth?
• In what ways can education serve as a bridge between civilization’s material and spiritual aspects?
• How might my actions help cultivate unity and justice in advancing civilization?

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/264702186. ↩
2. ’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, 12. https://www.bahai.org/r/202957535. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. “Uplifting Spiritual Civilization and Perfecting Material Civilization.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. June 8, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/for-man-two-wings-are-necessar-Cd.g_UcHRFeZ9uc_ZzgIKA. ↩