The Challenge to the Baha’i Parents
Dr. Jane Faily
Jane Faily starts by saying that as the “all human institutions are in disorder”; so too is Bahá’í marriage. We live in one of the most trying times in history.
Ms. Faily then explores the traditional roles of men and women in marriage and society. In the past there was stability and harmony in marriage; that order rested on the dominance of men and the compliance of women. That has disappeared. “We are in an awkward age.” The harmony has vanished. We need to recreate the institution of marriage based on Bahá’í teachings.
In its 1983 Ridvan message the Universal House of Justice wrote, “The observable acceleration, during the past decade, of the two processes described by our beloved Guardian, the disintegration of the old order and the progress and consolidation of the new World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, may well come to be regarded by future historians as one of the most remarkable features of this period” The human heart is the “repository of the covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.” Everything in Bahá’í family life is affected by the two-fold process given by Bahá’u’lláh.
Family Forum
Bob Harris opens the family forum by asking, "What is it that you as parents have done to help your children come closer to the Faith?" And he further asks the children present: "What is it in your family that is pretty good that has helped to get [you] to the point where you are?" Mr. Harris then invites parents and children to the microphone to share their insights and experiences. The responses are fascinating.
Youth in This Day : Challenge & Distinction
Bob Harris begins by telling the parents how much their children love them. He knows this because he has spent much time with them. He asks Jack Guillebeaux to read the recent message addressed to the youth sent by the Universal House of Justice. After the reading Bob urges parents to consult with their children about this message. He tells a story about his four year old daughter Abby and how she adorably mis-memorized a Bahá’í prayer. Bob then gives five items of advice to parents of youth.
Parents and the Baha’i Youth Movement
The House of Justice has sent two major messages to the youth in the past sixteen months. Mr. Schechter recommends that parents sit down with their youth and go over these messages and also read the Ridvan messages with them. Dr. Arbab is next and congratulates the parents of Bahá’í youth. He worked with the youth on a project that “Youth Can Move the World”. He consulted with the NSAs of the USA and of Canada about the issue of youth.
Bringing Up Your Children in the Cause
Dr. Zikrullah Khadem
Hand of the Cause of God
Hand Khadem praises the music. Tells stories of Bahá’u’lláh in Bagdad and how the Friends sometimes sang all night. The Hand chants part of a poem by the illustrious Nabil, author of the Dawn-Breakers. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was very fond of chanting, and when the beloved Shoghi Effendi was in England he taught the Friends there some Persian chants. Again, the Hand reprises one of these chants. Quotes Bahá’u’lláh on the high station of those who, in their youth, become enchanted with Bahá’u’lláh and His Cause.
Education & Rearing of Baha’i Children
Mr. Muhamad Ali Faizi spoke in Farsi interspersed with English translation. He reviewed the three stages of life: childhood, adulthood and old age. During our childhood we grow physically and mentally but lack maturity. As we get older we accumulate knowledge and experience but wear and tear on the body renders it old and tired after a while. The most active and fruitful time of service is in the younger years. It’s important to be guided by divine knowledge. He talked about Tahirih and her poem for Bahá'u'lláh, and the importance of spiritual education of Bahá’í children.
I Desire Distinction For You
Jack McCants begins by asking the Friends if they had “pondered” or “reflected” on the recent message from the Universal House of Justice. Why? Because the House had asked them in their message to do this. His point is that without the spiritual quality of “truthfulness” other spiritual qualities cannot be developed. Jack tells stories of his service on the NSA of the USA, and of his pioneering to Western Samoa to illustrate points related to the infallibility of the House of Justice. Mr.
Social & Economic Development
Bill Davis says the audience has been given the Message of the Universal House of Justice dated 20 October 1983. He advises them to find paragraph three. He explains that the message embraces “organic change”. He asks the audience to consider what might the difference be between Bahá’í development and secular social and economic development. And then further asks how social and economic development fits into Bahá’í Administration. Bahá’ís of the West should ask their Iranian brothers and sisters what it was like to live in a “real” Bahá’í community. They have a lot to offer us.