Internet - Blogs

As you well appreciate, the extent to which such technology advances the work of the Faith depends, of course, on the manner in which it is used. As a medium for Bahá’ís to exchange views, it imposes on participants the same requirements of moderation, candour, and courtesy as would be the case in any other discussion. Likewise, those involved should avoid belittling the views of one another.

Essentially, the position of the House of Justice is that the Internet offers Bahá’ís a very valuable communication tool. As with all other forms of consultation; however, such exchanges are spiritually and intellectually helpful to a believer to the extent that they take place within the context of Bahá’í principle.

In general, at this stage in the development of the World Wide Web, the House of Justice feels that those friends desiring to establish personal homepages on the Internet as a means of promoting the Faith should not be discouraged from doing so. It is hoped that the friends will adopt etiquettes consistent with the principles of the Faith, including clearly indicating what materials constitute their own interpretations. While it is inevitable that some attempts will be found wanting, the House of Justice has not formulated guidelines or policies specifically addressed to Internet sites.

Most important of all, as with any exploration by Bahá’ís of the beliefs and practices of their Faith, electronic discussion will serve the interests of the Cause and its members only as it is conducted within the framework of the Bahá’í Teachings and the truths they enshrine.

The ease and relative impersonality of the electronic medium require in some ways an even higher level of self-discipline than is the case in situations where a spirit of unity is reinforced by the opportunity for direct personal contact and social interaction. In the pursuit of such a spirit of unity, Bahá’ís will, without doubt, wish to assist the consultative processes by sharing and discussing relevant Bahá’í texts. This will itself have the further effect of drawing attention back to the framework of Bahá’í belief.

The House of Justice will continue to encourage use of the greatly expanded opportunities for the discussion of Bahá’í concepts and ideals, which Internet communication so marvellously provides.

The opportunity which electronic communication technology provides for more speedy and thorough consultation among the friends is highly significant. Without doubt, it represents another manifestation of a development eagerly anticipated by the Guardian when he foresaw the creation of "a mechanism of world intercommunication ... embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity".

You have sought guidance on the matters which are causing you difficulties as a consequence of Internet postings which include excerpts from unpublished Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá translated by a non-Bahá’í. Believers should generally observe caution in placing reliance on such passages. Apart from questions of the accuracy of the translations, any extracts must be considered in the context of the Tablet in which they appear. A distorted representation of the Bahá’í Teachings can easily be conveyed, whether deliberately or inadvertently, by the selection of brief excerpts which are then used out of context.

Because the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh provides insight into all areas of human life, the

range of possible blog themes is vast—for example, sharing stories and experiences that

have spiritual significance; correlation of the Bahá’í teachings with contemporary social

challenges; presentation and exploration of the Creative Word; our spiritual purpose and

how one’s relationship with Bahá’u’lláh allows one to navigate the challenges of life;

basic beliefs of the Faith; community and family life; artistic expression and Bahá’í

identity; the pursuit of moral excellence; the relationship of the Faith with other religions;

the Bahá’í vision of the future; the model of the Bahá’í administrative order; defense of

the Faith; social action; experiences with core activities, youth year of service, or

pioneering, etc.

In some respects, individual blogging mirrors in the Internet space the “friends, family,

neighbors and co-workers” approach of the core activities now at the heart of Bahá’í

community expansion and development. It is a grassroots participatory undertaking.

Even if only a handful of friends and acquaintances read one's blog, that blog can serve as

an instrument to draw that particular “community of interest” to the Revelation and to

Bahá’í community activity. Thus, a thousand such small blogs might be just as effective

as a few highly visible blogs.

It is important to recognize the potential synergies between institutional sources of

information and the activities of individual bloggers. With a wide and active Bahá’í presence in the blogosphere, a larger universe of inquirers and seekers can be brought to

official Bahá’í sites through links and RSS feeds on blogs maintained by individual

believers. Links from individual blogs to bahai.org, news.bahai.org, reference.bahai.org,

and public sites of National Assemblies amplify and strengthen the overall Bahá’í

presence on the Internet. For this reason, institutional Web activity and individual

initiative are complementary in nature.

Unlike web sites, blogs can often be developed at no expense and with no design work required. But once the blog has been established, continuing work is required . . . If you cannot maintain a fairly regular commitment to the blog, it is perhaps better to look for other avenues of expression, such as posting a few pages of content on your community’s web site or teaming up with other individuals wishing to blog.