2. THEMATIC QUESTIONS
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,
b.
the events
that caused these conditions and attitudes to change throughout the century,
c.
the status
of these conditions by the end of the century,
d.
new
conditions, not existing before, that impacted the world at the end of the
century.
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?
3.
What
indicates that during the last century “a fundamental shift in consciousness
was under way throughout the world”[1]
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?
b.
To what
extent was the mindset of humanity in agreement with these features at the
beginning of last century?
c.
What events
led to the “shift in consciousness” throughout the world towards some of the
features you determined in question (a) above?
d.
What are
some other features related to world unity towards which the world is not yet
converging?
4.
How
did the Bahá’í Cause demonstrate on a global scale its unifying power?
Suggestion: Taking into consideration the
background of the manifold historical divisive traditions and belief systems
separating people before they embrace the Faith, and keeping in mind the
importance of maintaining the beauty of the diversity in the human family, what
are some of the unique features distinguishing the unity of Bahá’í communities worldwide.
In
addition to what is in Century of Light you may add other information you can
substantiate.
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?
6.
In
what way are you going to respond to the opportunity[2]
now before you?
Suggestion: Response to this question calls for a
reflection on following:
·
“Only as
humanity comes to understand the implications of what occurred during this
period of history will it be able to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”
·
“The
value of the contribution we as Bahá’ís can make to the process demands that we
ourselves grasp the significance of the historic transformation wrought by the
twentieth century.”
·
“What
makes this insight possible for us is the light shed by the rising Sun of
Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the influence it has come to exercise in human
affairs. It is this opportunity that the following pages address.”
7. What are the challenges facing humanity
at the outset of the 21st century and what are you expected to do
about them?
Suggestion: Respond to this question after studying
the last unit of the course. Before responding reread the second page of Century of Light.
8. As a result of studying Century of Light, in what way do you think that your sharing with others the
revelation of Bahá'u'lláh will differ from the way you share it now?
Suggestion: In formulating your answer, you may
wish to consider the following scenario:
You
were a Bahá’í living about one hundred years ago and someone said, “I read one
of the Tablets written by your Master and I think it has such wonderful ideas.
But it really sounds utopian, quite out of touch with world reality. You don’t
really think any of the Bahá’í teachings will take hold, do you?”
·
What would
you have replied?
·
If you were
asked this same question fifty years ago, what would you have replied?
If
you are asked this question now, how will you reply? Do you think you now have a
factual track record to share with your friend, wisely of course, the “challenging
implications of the revelation brought by Bahá'u'lláh”?