38: "You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and no doubt
you..."
You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and no doubt you
give advice on the basis of what you have learned from study and
experience--a whole fabric of concepts about the human mind, its growth,
development and proper functioning, which you have learned and evolved
without reference to the teachings of Baha'u'llah. Now, as a Baha'i, you
know that what Baha'u'llah teaches about the purpose of human life, the
nature of the human being and the proper conduct of human lives, is
divinely revealed and therefore true. However, it will inevitably take
time for you not only to study the Baha'i teachings so that you clearly
understand them, but also to work out how they modify your professional
concepts. This is, of course, not an unusual predicament for a scientist.
How often in the course of research is a factor discovered which requires
a revolution in thinking over a wide field of human endeavour. You must be
guided in each case by your own professional knowledge and judgement as
illuminated by your growing knowledge of the Baha'i teachings; undoubtedly
you will find that your own understanding of the human problems dealt with
in your work will change and develop and you will see new and improved
ways of helping the people who come to you. Psychology is still a very
young and inexact science, and as the years go by Baha'i psychologists,
who know from the teachings of Baha'u'llah the true pattern of human life,
will be able to make great strides in the development of this science, and
will help profoundly in the alleviation of human suffering.
(6 February 1973, published in "Messages from the Universal House of
Justice, 1968-1973" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1976), pp.
111-112) [38]
39: "As the Baha'i community grows it will acquire experts in numerous
fields..."
As the Baha'i community grows it will acquire experts in numerous
fields--both by Baha'is becoming experts and by experts becoming Baha'is.
As these experts bring their knowledge and skill to the service of the
community and, even more, as they transform their various disciplines by
bringing to bear upon them the light of the Divine Teachings, problem
after problem now disrupting society will be answered....
Paralleling this process, Baha'i institutional life will also be
developing, and as it does so the Assemblies will draw increasingly upon
scientific and expert knowledge--whether of Baha'is or of non-Baha'is--to
assist in solving the problems of their communities.
In time great Baha'i institutions of learning, great international and
national projects for the betterment of human life will be inaugurated and
flourish.
(21 August 1977 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual believer) [39]
40: "Indeed, let them [the Baha'i youth] welcome with confidence the
challenges..."
Indeed, let them [the Baha'i youth] welcome with confidence the challenges
awaiting them. Imbued with this excellence and a corresponding humility,
with tenacity and a loving servitude, today's youth must move towards the
front ranks of the professions, trades, arts and crafts which are
necessary to the further progress of humankind--this to ensure that the
spirit of the Cause will cast its illumination on all these important
areas of human endeavour. Moreover, while aiming at mastering the unifying
concepts and swiftly advancing technologies of this era of communications,
they can, indeed they must, also guarantee the transmittal to the future
of those skills which will preserve the marvelous, indispensable
achievements of the past. The transformation which is to occur in the
functioning of society will certainly depend to a great extent on the
effectiveness of the preparations the youth make for the world they will
inherit.
(8 May 1985 from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'i Youth of the
World) [40]
41: "The House of Justice recognizes that the questions you raise,
concerning..."
The House of Justice recognizes that the questions you raise, concerning
the offer of newly enrolled professionals to share their views with the
Baha'i community, are of vital and timely importance, especially as the
Faith emerges from obscurity and increasing numbers of professionals from
all walks of life are attracted to its Teachings. The process of
integrating these experts into Baha'i communities as well-grounded
believers and tapping their potential as promoters and supporters of the
Cause will require patient and loving guidance by Baha'i institutions. A
great challenge will be to avoid undue disruption of this process of
integration by abandoning such persons to the insensitive attitudes still
present in communities not yet broadly diverse or accustomed to dealing
with all ranks of society.
Scholars and professionals are well accustomed to encountering new facts
in the course of their research which require them to adjust previous
thinking on various aspects of their discipline. In the case of their
deepening in the Teachings of the Faith it naturally takes time for them
to study and absorb so many new concepts. They must be assisted to
acquire, as quickly as possible, profound knowledge of the Teachings.
Gradually this knowledge will shed new light on their previous views. At
the same time, Baha'i communities will need to develop greater tolerance
toward ideas that may not coincide with their current understanding, and
remain open to new insights....
Newly enrolled professionals and other experts provide a great resource
for the development of Baha'i scholarship. It is hoped that, as they
attain a deeper grasp of the Teachings and their significance, they will
be able to assist Baha'i communities in correlating the beliefs of the
Faith with the current thoughts and problems of the world. In some
instances Baha'is of a particular profession have come together in special
conferences or organized themselves into an association for this purpose.
This also allows them to support one another as Baha'is and to take
advantage of their professional status to promote the interests of the
Faith. Current examples of professional associations of this type are the
Baha'i Justice Society and the Baha'i Medical Association, both in the
United States. Special encouragement should therefore be given to
believers of unusual capacity to consecrate their abilities to the service
of the Cause through the unique contribution they can make to this rapidly
developing field of Baha'i endeavour.
(18 April 1989 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National
Spiritual Assembly) [41]