Ideas for Working with Abused and Marginalized People

"Is it only a dream that there'll be no more turning away?"

Earth from Apollo
NASA photo of Earth
taken from Apollo

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On the Turning Away


Ideas for a Vision

Now is the time to cheer and refresh the down-cast through the invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 7

The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 259

Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship . . . This goal excelleth every other goal, and this aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 288

We shall always be with you; if We inhale the perfume of your fellowship, Our heart will assuredly rejoice, for naught else can satisfy Us.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 315

. . . the affections and loving kindness of the servants of the One True God must be bountifully and universally extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and limitations are in no wise permitted.
- The Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 13

The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.
- Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 87

Thus when that unifying force, the penetrating influence of the Word of God, taketh effect, the difference of customs, manners, habits, ideas, opinions and dispositions embellisheth the world of humanity.
- Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 291

To the orphans be ye kind fathers, and to the unfortunate a refuge and shelter. To the poor be a treasure of wealth, and to the sick a remedy and healing. Be a helper of every oppressed one, the protector of every destitute one, be ye ever mindful to serve any soul of mankind. Attach no importance to self-seeking, rejection, arrogance, oppression and enmity. Heed them not. Deal in the contrary way. Be kind in truth, not only in appearance and outwardly. Every soul of the friends of God must concentrate his mind on this, that he may manifest the mercy of God and the bounty of the Forgiving One. He must do good to every soul whom he encounters, and render benefit to him, becoming the cause of improving the morals and correcting the thoughts so that the light of guidance may shine forth and the bounty of His Holiness the Merciful One may encompass. Love is light in whatsoever house it may shine and enmity is darkness in whatsoever abode it dwell.
- Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 217

May the assembled believers now but a tiny nucleus of the Bahá'í Commonwealth of the future so exemplify that spirit of universal love and fellowship as to evoke in the minds of their associates the vision of that future City of God which the almighty arm of Bahá'u'lláh can alone establish.
- Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Administration, p. 131

Let us also bear in mind that the keynote of the Cause of God is not dictatorial authority but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation. Nothing short of the spirit of a true Bahá'í can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice, of freedom and submission, of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of self-surrender, of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the one hand, and fellowship, candor, and courage on the other.
- (Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Administration, p. 63

The Administrative Order now embraces a community of wider diversity than ever before.
- The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 147, 1990

The real secret of universal participation lies in the Master's oft expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit.
- The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. 43

First, it is necessary for all to realize that the primary means by which victories are won is the degree to which individual initiative is exercised.
- International Teaching Centre, 1989 Jul 05, Encouraging the Formation of Teaching Groups

Strive to create an atmosphere of wholehearted acceptance of all members to unify the diversity of the community.
- National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, Five Year Plan 2001-2006

Increase awareness of issues facing the larger community and champion racial unity, gender equality, and social justice.
- National Spiritual Assembly of the Baahá'ís of the United States, Five Year Plan 2001-2006

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This is an individual initiative, not sponsored by any Baha'i institution or agency.

Created October 2003 by Jim Habegger.
Last updated August 2004.
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