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What We Can Learn from Bahá'í Elections
Today's guest blogger is Jeremy Lambshead, a Chicago resident who majored in religious studies at Carleton College. He has been an active participant with the Interfaith Youth Core since 2005 and is a boisterous fan of the organization and its staff. He is a writer, musician and member of the Bahá'í Faith.
Four years ago, fresh out of college, I was convinced that the best thing I could do for the world was grassroots political organizing during the '04 election season. Everyone doing this work was convinced that attacks and distortions were all intrinsic rules of the game -- a belief I adopted, not knowing of any real alternatives. But now, as a member of the Bahá'í Faith, I participate in the Bahá'í electoral process, which is not only free of smears and mudslinging, but also happens without electioneering, nominations or campaigns.
(To learn about Bahá'í elections, check out this excellent story recently aired on Chicago Public Radio.)
Having witnessed the Bahá'í democratic process in action, I now have a different notion of what might be possible in our democracy. In this general election season, with campaigns at every level of government, I have often found myself thinking of how we might bring spiritual principles to bear on the way in which electoral contests are conducted. Rather than being resigned to the mudslinging, as I was in 2004, I now find myself saddened and disappointed by it.
I wonder if the historical longevity of this practice (which dates back to our nation's earliest days as a democracy) has led us to believe that it is somehow intrinsic to our political system -- even though it is clearly not required for one to participate in elections, and there are many other contests in life that happen without it, such as sports for example. To run with this analogy (no pun intended), imagine if judges (read voters) took to heart the negative remarks exchanged between competitors, rather than judging solely based on performance. To the contrary, violations are often imposed for unsportsmanlike conduct. In similar fashion, voters could discourage negative attacks between the candidates, through opinion polls and on Election Day.
And they would have plenty of moral ground on which to stand, given that the United States is the most religious country in the West, and the most religiously diverse country in the world. For indeed, no better example of moral character can be found than in the sterling conduct of the great Educators Who founded the world's religions, and exemplified through Their deeds and guidance what it means to overlook the faults of others and have a "sin-covering eye." One example of this from my faith tradition is the following selection from the sacred writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith:
Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk. God hath forgiven what is past. Henceforward everyone should utter that which is meet and seemly, and should refrain from slander, abuse and whatever causeth sadness in men.
If such an understanding of the true purpose of speech were to be widely adopted, it would not only transform political campaigns, but would revolutionize the media and communications as well. Historically speaking, successful social movements have relied on a strong, positive vision for a new reality in America (the civil rights movement and the struggle for women's suffrage, for example), rather than simply defining themselves in contrast to the faults of their opponents. They "mentioned what is good" by speaking to the great potential of our society, not to its glaring weaknesses.
Another example that comes to mind is the interfaith movement, which produces the best results when it focuses on creating a new platform for engagement among people of faith, rather than contending with those who are unfriendly to its aims. Organizations like the Interfaith Youth Core have created a new social reality involving service projects and dialogues based on innovative methodologies, all of which are far more compelling to the world than debates with religious fanatics who offer no credibility to other belief systems. In like manner, we would much rather see an elegant synchronized dive, or a glorious slam-dunk, than any two opponents discrediting each other. If this devout and diverse nation can examine elections through the microscope of its shared values -- such as kindness, overlooking the faults of our enemies, and treating others the way we want to be treated -- a more dignified and courteous political landscape may not be as far off as we think.
The content of this blog reflects the views of its author and does not necessarily reflect the views of either Eboo Patel or the Interfaith Youth Core.
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Eboo Patel
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August 15, 2008; 1:57 PM ET
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Personal Religion
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Religion & Leadership
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Religion & Politics
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The Faith Divide
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Posted by: Jane Lambshead | August 22, 2008 12:46 PM
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A thoughtful, well-written and timely entry. Many thanks, Jeremy, for taking a closer and unconventional look at this subject.
Posted by: Ravi | August 21, 2008 6:33 PM
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"sacred writings"
If sacred writings were all it took to produce civility and democracy, the problems would have been resolved millenia ago. No, what it takes is evolved, advanced thinking of those who have the power. So far in human history the convergence of these qualities has been exclusively a matter of chance, with those who have the power short on the other characteristics. Those with the numbers have to become educated enough to realize they hold the forward thinking of the human race as well as the use of all power in their collective hands, and use that power wisely. Don't expect this to happen any time soon.
Posted by: L.Kurt Engelhart | August 19, 2008 5:53 PM
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Thank you for sharing these insights, Jeremy. In particular, the note about the power of speech was much appreciated. We are only barely coming to understand, as a world community, the immense power of human speech to impact the world.
"In the beginning was the Word...," right? Maybe the capacity for human speech to create a new reality -- a better civilization -- is a reflection of God's creative Word.
Posted by: Lev Rickards | August 18, 2008 10:25 PM
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Jeremy, your contribution to the blog is truly well thought out. To me it demonstrates the an effective use of elements of a well-trained mind and excellent powers of observation.
Agree with Shastri, that your insertion of seeming unrelated, but actually quite pertinent, matters to those of elections, such as sports contests and those that take place in a court of law, is very well-placed.
All too often we can shrug off complex situations and avoid them with such phrases as ,"That's human nature"!. Perhaps we living in the 21st century need to re-examine our understanding of what truly is the nature of the ever-more manifestly noble human being slowly emerging in this century - the human being whose use of the tongue Baha'u'llah is describing in the quotation you, Jeremy, have shared with us
David, I for one, appreciate your comments. Personally I could never censor them. My understanding of "critical thinking" is the clash of opinions which is extremely healthy, for only from that can the spark of truth be revealed in any matter. The balance comes in strictly blocking the way for such a clash to descend, even ever so slightly, into a conflict between or among persons involved in expressing themselves.
Finally, after nearly 50 years of exposure to Baha'i elections and to the spirit and form of Baha'i consultation, I can truly attest to their efficacy in promoting unified action.
Posted by: Jim | August 16, 2008 11:45 AM
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No censorship please. Sometimes when you accuse someone of being evil, they really are.
There is no substitute for an informed electorate capable of critical thinking.
Please help us remove the influence of the department of homeland education, propaganda division. Critical thinking left when they came in.
Mom used to say, "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me" She was a very soft spoken woman, who never swore. She knew that nearly always diminished what one said, in the eyes of their audience.
Posted by: David | August 16, 2008 2:22 AM
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Great post Jeremy, a nice way to weave together ideals of democracy and the Olympics from ancient Greece with the needs of a modern world civilization where it is imperative for all its peoples and religions to interrelate.
Posted by: Shastri | August 15, 2008 4:07 PM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
What a timely "word", Jeremy! While the mudslinging will probably continue this fall and beyond, the more people who read your blog and commit themselves to "good sportsmanship" in all aspects of their lives, the better.
But certainly, it's more complex than that.
As a Christian, I see the negative practices of campaigning as being about a lot more than just Words. All of society is made up of individuals who all need inner transformation. Daily I see the way my selfishness & other weaknesses do not contribute to my ideals for society, yet I also see God's grace transforming me, giving me more compassion and understanding. I see that real societal change, including election-time campaigning, needs a grassroots commitment to refrain from mudslinging, as well as drawing upon the resources of our faith for inspiration, teaching & the power to live transformed lives.