’Idál, 07 Kamál (Perfection), 182 B.E.
Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual Assemblies that are engaged in teaching the Cause of God in Eastern lands have been clearly laid down in the holy Texts.
These bid them to work towards the improvement of morals and the spread of learning; to strive to eradicate ignorance and unenlightenment, eliminate prejudice, and reinforce the foundation of true faith in people’s hearts and minds; to seek to develop self-reliance and avoidance of blind imitation; to aim to enhance the efficient management of their affairs, and observe purity and refinement in all circumstances; to show their commitment to truthfulness and honesty, and their ability to conduct themselves with frankness, courage and resolution.
They similarly enjoin them to lend their support to agricultural and industrial development, to consolidate the foundations of mutual assistance and co-operation, to promote the emancipation and advancement of women and support the compulsory education of both sexes, to encourage application of the principles of consultation among all classes, and to adhere in all dealings to a standard of scrupulous integrity. — Shoghi Effendi 1
Question for Consideration
What are examples of responsibilities laid down in the holy Texts for those engaged in teaching the Cause of God?
Perplexity Pro Response 2
Examples of responsibilities laid down in the holy Texts for those engaged in teaching the Cause of God include:
- Working towards the improvement of morals and the spread of learning.
- Striving to eradicate ignorance and unenlightenment, as well as eliminating prejudice.
- Reinforcing the foundation of true faith in people’s hearts and minds.
- Developing self-reliance and encouraging the avoidance of blind imitation.
- Enhancing the efficient management of community affairs, and observing purity and refinement in all circumstances.
- Demonstrating truthfulness, honesty, frankness, courage, and resolution in conduct.
- Supporting agricultural and industrial development.
- Consolidating mutual assistance and cooperation.
- Promoting the emancipation and advancement of women.
- Supporting the compulsory education of both sexes.
- Encouraging the application of the principles of consultation among all classes.
- Adhering to a standard of scrupulous integrity in all dealings.
Additionally, other related responsibilities emphasized in the Bahá’í Writings include fostering independent investigation of reality, harmonizing science and religion, advocating for universal education, aiding the poor and needy, building capacity for service and social action, and ensuring all community efforts are founded on spiritual as well as material advancement. The improvement of both social structures and personal character is viewed as integral to the effective teaching and application of Bahá’í principles in the world [1].
Citations
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How do these responsibilities promote the advancement of women?
- What role does consultation play in these duties?
- How is self-reliance encouraged among members teaching the Cause?
- What actions support agricultural and industrial development?
- How are honesty and courage expected to be demonstrated in service?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/514080661. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. Examples of Responsibilities Laid Down in the Holy Texts for Those Engaged in Teaching the Cause of God.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. August 5, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-responsibilities-of-the-me-rRIcwO_dTUiXQbQmbnaA8w. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 