Baha’i Perspective of Judicial Administration Baha’i Justice Society
The first nearly seven minutes are taken up with prayer and the introduction of Mr. Davis. Bill Davis lays out a roadmap for his talk. He reviews the major issues that face courts, both in the states and in the federal system as well. He also addresses those Bahá’í principles that guide his work in the court system. He explains what judicial administration refers to as it relates to the courts. The California court system alone handles 20,000,000 cases a year. They have the largest judicial system in the U.S., even larger than the federal system. There are 1,800 judges and commissioners.
In Search of Justice
The first 16 minutes are comprised of three prayers and the introduction of the speaker. Ms. Conrad explains that she was the first woman in the Los Angles court system to be given a pregnancy leave. [That was in 1970.] She was recently in the Soviet Union and discovered that pregnant women there get one years leave with full pay; and if they wish they can have an additional six months at half pay. Her talk is, in part, based on a book titled: “Women, the Courts and Equality” edited by Laura L. Crites and Winifred L. Hepperle [1987].
The Values in Todays Business Environment
Farhang Javid speaks of the need to replace the old world concept of business with the Bahá'í concept of a global economy, with a universal currency, the elimination of all forms of poverty and equal opportunities for all. Education of our children and consultation are required for this to happen. God has provided us with the attributes of trustworthiness, wisdom and honesty to bring forth this change. Bahá'u'lláh tells us that becoming involved in a craft, trade or profession is an act of worship. We must view the world with new eyes, new ears, new hearts and new minds.
Peaceful Conflict Resolution: Exciting Development
Dr. Dorothy Nelson
Honorable Judge
Dorothy Nelson is a federal judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. “Peaceful Conflict Resolution, an Exciting Development" is the title of her talk. Speaks first of the world’s worst industrial accident in Bopal, India and how the people of the world are hungering for “a peaceful non-adversarial way, if you will, to resolve conflict.” In India it takes 20 years to get to court in a civil lawsuit. She goes on to discuss consultation and its importance in resolving issues private and public.
Reflections of a Baha’i Judge
Dr. James Nelson
Honorable Judge
Judge Nelson speaks of the moral dilemma of spiritual difficulties that exist in a world that is materially plentiful. The teachings of the Bahá’í Faith present principles that are world-embracing and will inevitably bring about peace and unity. He points out that we are born with "default switches" that are animal in nature and we must strive to "switch" to spiritual reactions rather than material ones. He discusses the two standards that exist for every endeavor.
Armed Conflict, Human Rights & United Nations
To introduce the speaker (a non- Bahá’í) a story was told of “the lawyer and the tailor”. Professor Newman has been very active in the field of Human Rights. He mentioned that someone left a copy the National Bahá’í Review for 1985-86 in his hotel bedroom. That is the issue with President Reagan receiving a copy of “The Promise of World Peace”. He said that issue was a wonderful introduction of what he is going to talk about. He explained that he is an “activist” in the field of Human Rights and will be testifying before a congressional committee on that issue. Dr.
Justice in Race Relations: A Perspective
Dr. Ellis speaks first of the injustices towards the Native Americans; especially the “misguided congressional paternalism” which deprived many tribes of self-determination. She then turns to the Civil Rights struggle of American blacks. Ellis explains what “Juneteenth Day” means and how it came to be. “It is not the justice of the law” that will change the situation for American blacks, “it is the justice of the person, the justice of the heart.”