This page contains brief discussions on a continually expanding array of topics. The discussion articles are meant to stimulate conversation rather than to offer an exhaustive treatment of subject matter. Call it an introduction and an invitation to engage. If you are interested in discussing any of these topics, please contact us.
Upcoming discussion articles:
Importance of Family Life, True Prosperity, Extremes of Poverty and Wealth,
Partisan Politics, Elections,
Individual Rights and Responsibilities, Liberty and Freedom,
Faith & Reason & Science, Truth & Trustworthiness,
Consultation: safe means for dialog and revealing truth, Spiritual but not religious?
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States has called racism "America's most challenging issue". It remains so. This subject is well addressed beginning with the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, then in the writings, talks and actions of 'Abdu'l-Bahá particularly during his lengthy visit to America in 1912, and from his successors. At the heart of dialog is Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of the oneness of humanity, such as:
"Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created."
and
"Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."
Race is a real, though contrived, social construct with a horrific history. Humans have created "race" to justify the subjugation and enslavement of people for the enrichment of a few. But the scientific reality is clear. The average genetic difference between humans is 0.4%. There is no scientific basis for race or any form of discrimination. Any population given access to education and opportunity rises and thrives. Nor is there any scriptural basis for spiritual superiority of one people over another from any legitimate scriptures.
The Universal House of Justice, in a letter addressed to the Peoples of the World in October 1985, wrote concisely:
"Racism, one of the most baneful and persistent evils, is a major barrier to peace. Its practice perpetrates too outrageous a violation of the dignity of human beings to be countenanced under any pretext. Racism retards the unfoldment of the boundless potentialities of its victims, corrupts its perpetrators, and blights human progress. Recognition of the oneness of mankind, implemented by appropriate legal measures, must be universally upheld if this problem is to be overcome."
In our local Bahá’í community we strive to put all these great ideals into action. Activities of the community are fully inclusive. Children classes and Junior Youth groups mindfully serve a diversity of participants, purposely reaching out to increase the diversity. We sponsor a "Race Amity Day" event each year (known also as Race Unity Day) on the second Sunday of June. Amity means friendship. Even though this is a single day of the year, we encourage the lessons and learning to extend through the entire year. We encourage the forging of lasting friendships, consciously turning any sense of THEM into a sense of US. We aren't perfect. We have to overcome the same subconscious biases as anyone raised in the milieu of our nation even once we succeed in conquering the conscious biases. But we strive to translate Bahá'u'lláh's teachings into reality and keep learning how to improve.
Race Unity further exploration:
The Vision of Race Unity: America's most challenging issue is a statement by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Forging a path to racial justice is a message from the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States from 2020 not long after the killings of George Floyd and others.
Advancing a discourse on race unity in America is an article from the Bahá’í World News Service.
Bahá’í International Community Statement on combatting racism is one of many statements from B.I.C.
Race Unity in America: An Oral History is about the Bahá’í community and the struggle for race unity in the US from 1912 to now.
National Center for Race Amity is an organization created to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural friendship. Their website has numerous inspiring resources.
These are some additional resources to advance the cause of friendship, understanding and collaboration:
Partners in Racial Justice has a mission of "engaging in creative ways and means of bringing all people together in the pursuit of racial justice, healing, and unity."
Illumined By Oneness is an excellent resource to stimulate conversations. It was an outcome of years of conversations and reflections from multifaith dialog.
Copper to Gold provides a guide for personal transformation and exploration of attitudes and behaviors associated with anti-black racism which also helps combat any form of racism.
I write this on March 8, 2026, International Women's Day. I gave some thought this morning: if I had to list the most consequential women in world history, who would I choose? Difficult. For much of history, women have been invisible. Some were conquerors, just like men, and I have less regard for those, though history elevates them. Every mother is consequential. Given all kinds of limitations and the western/colonial bias of history, this is my thoughtful attempt at a list of 20 consequential women with a little help from some AI queries, unordered:
Marie Curie, Elizabeth I, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Cleopatra VII, Emmeline Pankhurst, Florence Nightingale, Ada Lovelace, Catherine the Great, Mother Theresa, Mary Wollstonecraft, Joan of Arc, Queen Victoria, Táhirih, Bahíyyih Khánum, Wangari Maathai, Malala Yousafzi, Mary Magdalene, Martha Root, White Buffalo Calf Woman. Each are amazing in their own way.
The Universal House of Justice, chief institution of the Bahá'í Faith wrote:
"The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace. The denial of such equality perpetrates an injustice against one half of the world’s population and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. There are no grounds, moral, practical, or biological, upon which such denial can be justified. Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge." the Promise of World Peace
A Brief view of Women’s Empowerment in the Bahá’í Teachings
One of the most transformative principles in the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith is the equality of women and men. More than a social ideal, it is a spiritual truth essential for the progress of humanity. Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed a vision of a world built upon justice, unity, and the recognition of the dignity of every human being. In this vision, the advancement of women is not optional. It is necessary for the well-being of the entire world.
‘Abdu’l‑Bahá beautifully explained:
“The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly.”
For centuries, most societies limited the opportunities of women. The Bahá’í teachings changes the course of humanity by affirming that women possess the same spiritual capacities as men and must have full access to education, participation in society, and opportunities to serve humanity.
Education is especially emphasized. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that when resources are limited, priority should even be given to educating girls, because educated mothers nurture the next generation and uplift entire communities. Of course he also says that society must educate all...he was making an important point.
Empowerment in the Bahá’í context is deeper than social advancement alone. It calls for the full participation of women in building a peaceful and unified world. Women bring qualities of compassion, insight, resilience, and wisdom that are essential for the healing of humanity. True progress will not come through competition between men and women, but through cooperation, mutual respect, and unity. 'Abdu'l-Bahá reminds us:
“Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible.”
The empowerment of women, therefore, is not only about justice for women—it is about the future of humanity itself.
Realizing this equality begins in the family. We must teach it to our children. We must show it in the interactions between the parents where no one subjugates the other and matters are solved through amicable discussion. In the early years of a child's life, they should see the respectful relationship between woman and man. This is a good start.
Another good start is the example of the Bahá'í community institutions. Composition of the institutions is inspiring. For example, in the United States, Local Spiritual Assemblies on average comprise more women than men. Regional Bahá'í Council makeup of the thirteen councils in the United States is 57 women and 48 men as of today which is 54% female. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States comprises 5 women and 4 men, today, 56% female. In contrast, United States Senate comprises 26 women and 74 men, only 26% female. United States House of Representatives momentarily has 124 women, 311 men, 4 non-voting women, hence only 29% female. There is a stark contrast between the the American Bahá'ís and the United States in which the American Bahá'ís live, showing the transformative power of the Faith.
Gender Equality further exploration:
Two Wings of A Bird - A Statement by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States
One of many excellent statements by the Bahá'í International Community
Article on bahaiteachings.org on equality of women