Istijlál, 08 Kamál (Perfection), 182 B.E.
Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
There are, at the present time, many villages in India, the Philippines, Africa, Latin America, etc., where the Bahá’ís form a majority or even the entire population of the village. One of the goals of the Five Year Plan, as you will recall, is to develop the characteristics of Bahá’í community life, and it is, above all, to such villages that the goal is directed. The Local Spiritual Assemblies of such villages must gradually widen the scope of their activities, not only to develop every aspect of the spiritual life of the believers within their jurisdiction, but also, through Bahá’í consultation, and through such Bahá’í principles as harmony between science and religion, the importance of education, and work as a form of worship, to promote the standards of agriculture and other skills in the life of the people. For this they will need the assistance of Bahá’í experts from other lands. This is a major undertaking, and is being started gradually wherever and whenever possible. — Universal House of Justice 1
Question for Consideration
How can Local Spiritual Assemblies “gradually widen the scope of their activities, not only to develop every aspect of the spiritual life of the believers within their jurisdiction,” but also “promote the standards of agriculture and other skills in the life of the people”?
Perplexity Pro Response 2
Local Spiritual Assemblies (LSAs) can gradually widen the scope of their activities to both develop every aspect of the spiritual life of the believers and promote agricultural and vocational skills by following a set of interconnected, evolving approaches drawn from Bahá’í guidance and practical experience. [1]
Fostering a Vibrant Spiritual and Community Life
Strengthen Core Activities
Prioritize activities such as devotional gatherings, children’s classes, junior youth empowerment, study circles, and home visits. These contribute to spiritual education, moral development, and unity in the community.
Collective Worship and Service
Link worship with acts of service, helping members internalize that spiritual progress is inseparable from practical deeds benefiting the wider community.
Consultation and Participation
Use Bahá’í consultation to involve all segments of the community—men, women, youth, and children—in decision-making and reflection on community needs and progress.
Gradual Capacity Building
Begin with modest, feasible actions. As capacity grows through institute training and experience, tackle more complex endeavors.
Promoting Education, Skills, and Social Progress
Education as a Central Concern
Emphasize literacy, training, and the importance of access to knowledge for all. Support schools, tutorials, adult literacy, and moral education that are rooted in both spiritual and material development.
Skill Development and Vocational Training
Through consultation, identify pressing economic and vocational needs (such as agricultural improvement, health, hygiene, and artisan skills), then facilitate training programs, workshops, or collaborative projects.
Harmonizing Science and Religion
Teach the community to approach material progress—like improved farming methods—with both scientific rigor and spiritual principles, ensuring any technology or practice is consistent with Bahá’í values and local needs.
Grassroots Social Action
Organic Growth of Social Action
Efforts to improve village life—health, water sanitation, agriculture, etc.—should arise from within the community, often out of conversations and needs identified during core activities or through Nineteen Day Feast consultation.
Collaboration with Experts
As LSAs grow in capacity, they can invite Bahá’í experts from other areas or countries to support new initiatives, while still ensuring ownership remains local.
Sustainability and Ownership
Projects are most effective and long-lasting when they are led, owned, and maintained by the local community, using local resources and responding to local priorities.
Safeguarding Community Integrity
Avoid Overreach and Dependency
Begin with attainable projects and avoid ambitions that outstrip community resources, or that foster dependency on outside aid.
Balance Material and Spiritual Development
Recognize that material achievements must be continually reinforced by spiritual education and virtues—work is considered a form of worship, and advancing material well-being is inseparable from fostering unity, justice, and spiritual health.
Examples of LSA-Led Initiatives
- Supporting or initiating village schools for children’s education.
- Promoting adult literacy, especially among women to empower their participation.
- Organizing agricultural training or demonstration plots to improve yields.
- Convening regular health and hygiene workshops addressing local needs.
- Encouraging daily group devotions and service, fostering a climate of cooperation and moral conduct.
- Engaging youth in community service projects—clean-ups, tree planting, etc.—that build both capacity and commitment to societal well-being.
Integration with Community Building
As community life becomes more vibrant and the training institute’s effects deepen, individuals become capable of identifying and addressing wider social and economic challenges. Social action becomes a natural extension of the spirit of collective worship and learning, guided by consultation and inclusive participation.
In summary, LSAs promote both spiritual and material progress by:
- Strengthening the spiritual life through education and worship,
- Building capacity for service through grass-roots participation,
- Organically initiating social action relevant to local needs,
- Harmonizing scientific advancement with spiritual values,
- Ensuring the community takes ownership and responsibility for its ongoing development. [1]
This approach ensures that transformation is holistic, resilient, and deeply rooted in the realities and aspirations of the community itself.
Citations
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- What principles guide the development of spiritual life in Bahá’í communities?
- How can Bahá’í consultation improve agriculture and skills in villages?
- What role do Bahá’í experts from other lands play in local development?
- How does harmony between science and religion support community growth?
- What educational initiatives help raise living standards in these villages?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/586607148. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Widening the Scope of Local Spiritual Assembly Activities.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. August 6, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/there-are-at-the-present-time-NvX2n4QqTgGtUZDzjnvr6g. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 