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On Becoming Good
One day I was having a conversation with someone, and they asked a question. The question, which was a very insightful one – and genuinely asked – went something like this. “I am a good person. I earn a living. I look after my family. I don’t do bad things. Isn’t that good? What more do I need to do?” I didn’t know the answer. Of course the short answer is yes – these are good – but I knew there was something missing. As sometimes happens, the answer came to me later. It was in writings of Abdu’l Baha. Abdu’l Baha frames the question in the context of spiritual…
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On the Origin and Nature of Evil
Bahá’u’lláh’s writings emphasize the “better angels” of human nature: our potential for good. This call to rise to the positive potential inherent in us, coupled with avoidance of judgementalism, has shaped a culture of encouragement and mutual support that frames Baha’i community life. Nonetheless, Bahá’u’lláh also discusses the nature of evil. He calls us to a new understanding of what evil is and how it finds expression in the world. Ancient concepts of “demons” and “satan” are explained as symbols of the fallibility of human nature. This reconceptualization demolishes notions of mythic evil beings beyond human control. At the same time, it underlines our individual and collective responsibility to overcome evil in the world. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh’s…
