From Phil Christensen
Century of Light Distance
Education Course
Unit 2 Written Assignment
Submitted by: Phil Christensen, 14 September 2003
Topic: Some thoughts about the relationship between
thematic questions nos. 1 (unprecedented profound changes that the world
underwent during the past century) and 2 (factors that led to the emergence of
the Bahá’í Faith from obscurity)
As elucidated in its Forward, Century of Light examines three main themes: profound changes in the world, the emergence of the Bahá’í Faith from obscurity, and the relationship between the two. Thematic questions numbers 1 and 2 in this course echo the first two of these themes, examined respectively in Chapters One and Two. Yet one striking aspect of this volume’s two initial chapters lies in how they also introduce the convergence between the same themes, as foreshadowed in the Forward. Each chapter sets a historical baseline, painting in broad strokes a brilliant overview of the situation facing the world and the Bahá’í community, respectively, at the beginning of the twentieth century. Chapter Two then goes on to link the two, explicitly and implicitly.
Chapter One begins by noting “the magnitude of the ruin that the human race has brought upon itself during the period of history under review” (paragraph 1.1) and quotes Shoghi Effendi’s powerful paragraph about “a tempest … sweeping the face of the earth” (1.3). Since that paragraph opens The Promised Day Is Come – the Guardians seminal examination of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation to the kings and rulers and the consequences of their failure to respond positively – Century of Light immediately reminds the reader that this ruin stems inexorably from humanity’s rejection of its Lord. The chapter then introduces two key areas of contrast: the false optimism in Europe and North America versus the true misery endured throughout the rest of the planet, and the social forces tending towards catastrophe versus the early signs of a new world order.
Chapter Two examines the situation of the Bahá’í Community, then almost exclusively found in the East, at this same historical juncture, linking it to the Master Himself. “On this landscape of false confidence and deep despair, of scientific enlightenment and spiritual gloom,” it begins, “there appeared, as the twentieth century opened, the luminous figure of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” (2.1) It continues by outlining how a “flood of Tablets from the Master” “revived and heartened” the Persian believers who had suffered “the devastating loss that followed the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh” (2.3). Much of the chapter focuses on a Tablet to believers in the village of Kishih, showing how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá summoned them “to raise their eyes above the level of local concerns and to see the implications of unity on a global scale” (2.4).
This beautiful story provides perhaps the broadest and most significant link between the two themes. The first chapter concentrates on a world based on disunity and inequality, where a small extended family of European rulers and partially restrained corporate freebooters in the West treated the “despoiled and scorned” masses of humanity “not as protagonists but essentially as objects…” (1.7). Yes, the beginning of the twentieth century demonstrated a planetary awareness, but only from the perspective of exploitation. What contrast this provides to the second chapter, which presents the Master’s work in Persia as an incomparable example of “the systematic application of the powers of a single Mind to the building of a distinctive and successful community that saw its ultimate sphere of work as the globe itself” (2.6).
The two chapters also contain specific examples of the relationship between world events and the growth of the Bahá’í community at the beginning of the last century. For example, Chapter One noted great improvements in communications, ranging from railroads and steamships to telegraph and telephone links (1.8). No longer was human intercourse limited by how far a person could walk or ride a horse. Chapter Two describes a seemingly more modest parallel in the development of the Bahá’í community: a “network of couriers, reaching across the land” that “provided the struggling Bahá’í community with the rudiments of the postal service that the rest of the country so conspicuously lacked.” (2.8) Yet in the clear historical context that Century of Light establishes we can see the true significance of this early Bahá’í communications system. It directly contributed to the emergence from obscurity of the Faith. Furthermore, because it was being used in service to the Covenant and for promoting a global vision in the remotest areas of a mouldering society, it carried the most important of messages for humanity.
Thus the first two chapters of this powerful book quickly demonstrate the “convergence of these two historical developments” (F1): profound global changes and an emerging Bahá’í community. As in so many other instances, God’s Minor Plan works quietly in the background preparing the ground for the eventual fruits of His Major Plan.
From
Sharma Gopaul
Exercise on Unit 2
I . the political and socio-economic condition and attitudes, including spiritual orientation prevailing in the western world and the rest on human family at the beginning on the Century.
A . Willingness to address on peace issues by statement, industrialist, scholars, media, and influential personalities. Distribution of wealth address by the Western Societies.
B. Technological and scientific and philosophical development. As a result
industries ( e.g metallurgy ) has risen, chemistry, textile industry in increase,
construction industries flourish, production of instruments and communication.
C. Exchange of Scientific knowledge by various means e.g Symposia,
Obscurity?
As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explain in the reorganisation of the World in the book “The Secret of Divine Civilisation”
- He explain the principle of Oneness
- Raise has the eyes of the Bahá’ís above local concern to see the unity in a global scale so that they share to others in the future
- Not only stimulate the started the process of expansion and consolidation and shape the life in a collective level
- Make collective life through consultative action
- Establish school
- The process of consolidation and expansion lead to the establishment of the Faith outside Persia like India, Burma, and even china
- Erection of the Temple
- Construction of the Shrine of the Báb
- As from 1908 Public Proclamation of the Cause in the Western World
That made the Faith rise from obscurity and is continuing to do so fast(meteoric rise ) up to now
From Alyssa Wong
1. What are the unprecedented profound changes
that the world underwent during the past century?
Suggestion: When responding to this question, you may wish to consider gradually gleaning from Century of Light:
a. the political and socio-economic conditions and attitudes, including spiritual orientation, prevailing in the Western World and the rest of the human family, at the beginning of the century,
Change: The world, the most influential country or area
changed from Europe to the United States.
Beginning of Century
conditions and attitudes:
Imperialism was under way,
‘westernizing’ the rest of the world.
Nations assumed that war
would be short and won by their side; they also assumed that their entangling
system of alliances would prevent large wars and settle area disputes quickly.
People believed that war
was unlikely (peace movement) as the ruling Monarchs, controlling countries and
colonies were all related and on good terms with each other.
Europe felt it was
continuing the ‘good times’ of the 19th century. But, people not
living in the western world did not have many of the European benefits from the
‘golden age of the 19th century’ (i.e. colonies, China, India,
Mexico, the Russian Serfs…). – The western powers had different agendas for
capitalizing on/exploiting their colonies, many of which were justified with
religious reasons, for material ends.
Great progress was made in
industry, unfortunately having bad consequences environmentally (i.e.
metallurgy, textiles, chemicals… ).
Western society had fewer
and fewer geographical boundaries with the use of the telephone, telegraph,
railway, and steam ship.
Scientific advances were
made, changing the way the world was viewed; it became more complex.
Constitutional governments
were growing in their influence and use, encouraged by the philosophical
culture that prized the rule of law, justice, etc. Advances had made in
furthering democracies.
Spiritually:
Superstition was rampant.
Stemming from unquestioned beliefs and causing ignorance as to human potentialities,
the physical universe, and attachment to theologies that had no real connection
to the reality of things.
The orthodoxy of secularism
meant that the spiritual nature of mankind and the authority of moral values
were called into doubt, even where superstition was cleared up.
Religious prejudices ran
deep and seemed to worsen as secularism in the upper levels of society grew
with religious obscurantism among the general population.
2. What were the factors that led to the
emergence of the Bahá’í Faith from obscurity?
Suggestion: As you go through the units of the course you may
wish to note down the unfolding events within and without the Cause that
resulted in the following:
At the
beginning of last century, the Bahá’í Faith was, for all practical purposes,
unknown in the international arena. By the end of a mere hundred years, in
addition to numerous worldwide achievements, the Cause played an astoundingly
high-profile role in the international gatherings called for at the end of the
millennium by the United Nations, particularly during the Millennium Summit.
What led to this meteoric rise?
‘Abdu’l-Bahá helped to create a
culture and society where the spiritual energies could be expressed in normal,
every day life. Bahá’í schools were established, due to the emphasis on
teaching (Tarbíyat).
Social-economic development projects were started with the help of
European and American Bahá’ís. Esperanto classes, were established, based on
the emphasis for a universal auxiliary language.
A moral transformation among the believers had taken place, this caused
the various changes (social, organizational, practical) – the Bahá’ís became
distinguished as people who could be trusted. Even in countries where the Faith
was oppressed.
Many Persian believers pioneered, inspired by the Master, to help
spread the Faith. Travel-teaching was also common among the Persian believers
(i.e. Bahá’í community in Turkestan).
Due to the advancement of the Bahá’í Cause in the Holy Land, largely
influenced by the Master, opportunities began to open in the West.
After the ‘Young Turk Revolution’, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was able to undertake
“the proclamation of the Cause of God in the great population centers of
the Western World”.
1910 the Master arrived in Egypt. He had to unexpectedly extend his
stay and the effect was the spread of the Faith on the African continent.
The first public proclamation of the Faith happened in Egypt. Cairo and
Alexandria were very cosmopolitan and liberal in atmosphere, which allowed for
the frank, searching discussions between the Master and prominent figures. This
helped dispel the myths and rumors about the Faith that had been spread from
Persia and Constantinople.
By the time ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left for the West, his fame had preceded him,
as Western diplomats and officials had been able to observe the successful
interactions that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had with leading Middle Eastern officials.
3. What indicates that during the last century
“a fundamental shift in consciousness was under way throughout the world” which
effectively is leading to a “crumbling”
of “barriers” standing in the way of
the oneness of humankind?
Suggestion: A response to this question calls for, among other matters, identifying in broad terms the following:
a. What are some of the distinguishing features of the oneness of humanity as expounded in the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh?
That all men are created
equal, no matter what race or creed.
That men and women are equal.
That all religions stem from the same God –
progressive revelation, so religious war/prejudice should not be.
That, one day, a universal auxiliary
language will be established.
b. To what extent was the mindset of humanity in agreement with these features at the beginning of last century?
The mindset of humanity
was in agreement with these features (see question) in that:
There was a peace movement;
people largely like the idea of peace and at first wanted to avoid all-out war.
Scientific exchange had
increased, helping scientific development across boarders.
Although not necessarily
with the best interests, European countries were claiming to be
helping/civilizing/democratizing their colonies.
The mindset of humanity
was in agreement with these features (see question) in that:
Colonies were treated very
poorly and racism was common, even between Europeans.
Europeans thought
themselves at the peak of civilization and, living in the decadency, moral
standards and spirituality were being questioned and abandoned.
Many leaders soon began to
embrace the idea of war, believing that it would be short and won by their
side.
5. What do you find to be spiritually
enriching in Century of Light?
Suggestion: This question is best left to the discretion of each student. However, while you respond, consider, among other matters, the acknowledgement that the Supreme Body made in Century of Light concerning the positive contribution of many individuals who are not Bahá’ís. How did this affect you?
Lots. First of all, the
fact that all the horrors of this century had a purpose and weren’t just
senseless sufferings. Second, the fact that non- Bahá’ís made a significant
contribution to the progress of humanity; to me this mean that it is the Will
of God that society progresses and that to Lesser Peace will soon be
established. It also shows how the Will of God can influence everything, even
people who are unaware of it.
From Belinda Forsee
Posting 1. Thematic question 1,a.
The arts and sciences can be a guide to the spiritual conditions and orientation of the so-called Western civilized world at the beginning of the 20th. Century. Very great changes were on the horizon and being expressed in art. Artists* and composers were experimenting with new ways of seeing and hearing the world.
Artists used colour and form to depict “reality” in new ways, such as Cubism, and scientists were developing new understanding of physical phenomena such as Relativity and later on Quantum mechanics. Just as science changed our understanding of the world, the products of science and technology have changed utterly the way we live in this world. The old social and economic structures were being rapidly altered or abandoned. Artists frequently showed these changes in seemingly chaotic renderings and schools such as Fauvism and Dadaism arose. These works were frequently shocking or unintelligible to the general public and it was possible for a composer’s work to cause a riot as happened with Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring in Paris in 1910.
In the arena of religion, many people were asking new questions and challenging the traditional authority of the various churches.
Interest in non-Christian religions grew and movements like theosophy flourished. The antagonism between science and traditional orthodoxies also flourished leaving the generality of people in a state of dimmed ignorance and often replaced spiritual truth with something bordering on superstition. One result was that spiritual leadership lost moral and ethical authority. As the century wore on churches were seen to support and even promote injustices like racial discrimination and Papal authority sold the conscience of German Catholics to the detestable idol of Fascism.
The good thing about all these conditions was that as old forms and institutions disintegrate, opportunity is created for new forms and ways of thinking to grow. In such a field as the 20th century, both wheat and tares grow. The newly awakened interest in non-Christian religions allowed some few souls to find a new source of enlightenment in the East in the Person of Abdul-Baha and the seeking, questioning spirit of the that new century gave Him a ready audience. It is truly amazing what a tiny beginning this was and what an immense outcome has grown from it.
end
*Perhaps our friend Eddie Hall can share more details about the artists of the early part of the 20th.century and their impact with us.