Loyalty to government
From Bahaikipedia
When a great social crisis sweeps through a civilization, moral values become impaired. In the crisis of our own time, members of the Bahá'í Faith go on record as firmly upholding the principle of loyalty to government.
Bahá'u'lláh Himself set forth this cardinal principle:
| “ | In every country or government where any of this community reside, they must behave toward that government with faithfulness, trustfulness, and truthfulness. | ” |
Loyalty to government, in the Bahá'í view, is an essential spiritual ad social principle. We must obey and be the well-wishers of the government of the and... The essence of the Bahá'í spirit is that in order to establish a better social order and economic condition, there must be allegiance to the laws and principles of government.
This allegiance is part of the strong emphasis on integrity of character found in the Bahá'í teaching: Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Beautify your tongues, O people, with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty. Beware, O people, that ye deal not treacherously with any one. Be ye the trustees of God amongst His creatures, and the emblems of is generosity amidst His people.
Without integrity of character in its citizens and without loyalty to government, a nation will find itself torn asunder and unable to function as an organic society. Not only do the Bahá'í teachings obligate members to be loyal to their government - they also specifically forbid them from taking any part in subversive political and social movements.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- The Universal House of Justice [1993]. The Bahá'í World - An International Record Vol XVI 1973-1976 page 496. Haifa, Israel: World Centre Publications.
