Contributing to the Discourses of Society

Irving Speakers Series on Social Discourse

Presented by Stephen A. Fuqua29 August 2014

Merriam Webster Dictionary Online - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourse

Discourse

1 archaic : the capacity of orderly thought or procedure : rationality 2 : verbal interchange of ideas; especially : conversation 3 a : formal and orderly and usually extended expression of thought on a subject b : connected speech or writing c : a linguistic unit (as a conversation or a story) larger than a sentence 4 obsolete : social familiarity 5 : a mode of organizing knowledge, ideas, or experience that is rooted in language and its concrete contexts (as history or institutions) <critical discourse>

Ridván Message to the Bahá'ís of the World, 2010

Universal House of Justice

Effective social action serves to enrich participation in the discourses of society, just as the insights gained from engaging in certain discourses can help to clarify the concepts that shape social action. … involvement in public discourse can range from an act as simple as introducing Baha'i ideas into everyday conversation to more formal activities such as the preparation of articles and attendance at gatherings, dedicated to themes of social concern - climate change and the environment, governance and human rights, to mention a few. It entails, as well, meaningful interactions with civic groups and local organizations in villages and neighbourhoods.

Social Action

• Devotional programs, children’s classes, junior youth groups, study circles that develop relationships and skills at the grassroots.

Social Action

• Devotional programs, children’s classes, junior youth groups, study circles that develop relationships and skills at the grassroots.

• Social and economic development projects.

Social Action

• Devotional programs, children’s classes, junior youth groups, study circles that develop relationships and skills at the grassroots.

• Social and economic development projects.• Professional and avocational engagement in

community programs of action and education.

Ridván Message to the Bahá'ís of the World, 2010

Universal House of Justice

Effective social action serves to enrich participation in the discourses of society, just as the insights gained from engaging in certain discourses can help to clarify the concepts that shape social action. … involvement in public discourse can range from an act as simple as introducing Baha'i ideas into everyday conversation to more formal activities such as the preparation of articles and attendance at gatherings, dedicated to themes of social concern - climate change and the environment, governance and human rights, to mention a few. It entails, as well, meaningful interactions with civic groups and local organizations in villages and neighbourhoods.

Discourses of Society

• Where do these discourses take place?• And when do they occur?

Discourses of Society

• Media• Government• Academics• Education• Online• At work• At home

Ridván Message to the Bahá'ís of the World, 2010

Universal House of Justice

Effective social action serves to enrich participation in the discourses of society, just as the insights gained from engaging in certain discourses can help to clarify the concepts that shape social action. … involvement in public discourse can range from an act as simple as introducing Baha'i ideas into everyday conversation to more formal activities such as the preparation of articles and attendance at gatherings, dedicated to themes of social concern - climate change and the environment, governance and human rights, to mention a few. It entails, as well, meaningful interactions with civic groups and local organizations in villages and neighbourhoods.

Bahá’í Ideas

• What are some “Bahá’í ideas” that might shape our social discourse and action?

Bahá’í Ideas

• Equality – race, gender– Unity in diversity

• Essential nobility of the human spirit– Dignity and respect

• Elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty

• Education and vocational opportunity• Sustainable living• Consultative, inclusive decision-making

“Bahá’í Ideas”

• Equality – race, gender– Unity in diversity

• Essential nobility of the human spirit– Dignity and respect

• Elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty

• Education and vocational opportunity• Sustainable living• Consultative, inclusive decision-making

Principles based on spiritual reality

Ridván Message to the Bahá'ís of the World, 2010

Universal House of Justice

Effective social action serves to enrich participation in the discourses of society, just as the insights gained from engaging in certain discourses can help to clarify the concepts that shape social action. … involvement in public discourse can range from an act as simple as introducing Baha'i ideas into everyday conversation to more formal activities such as the preparation of articles and attendance at gatherings, dedicated to themes of social concern - climate change and the environment, governance and human rights, to mention a few. It entails, as well, meaningful interactions with civic groups and local organizations in villages and neighbourhoods.

Themes of Social Concern

• Climate Change• Governance• Human Rights• And …. ?

Ridván Message to the Bahá'ís of the World, 2010

Universal House of Justice

Effective social action serves to enrich participation in the discourses of society, just as the insights gained from engaging in certain discourses can help to clarify the concepts that shape social action. … involvement in public discourse can range from an act as simple as introducing Baha'i ideas into everyday conversation to more formal activities such as the preparation of articles and attendance at gatherings, dedicated to themes of social concern - climate change and the environment, governance and human rights, to mention a few. It entails, as well, meaningful interactions with civic groups and local organizations in villages and neighbourhoods.

Meaningful Interactions

• Partnerships• Town halls and related fora• Bringing stakeholders together• Civic groups…. Any local examples?• All types of governance – Such as?

Meaningful Interactions

• Partnerships• Town halls and related fora• Bringing stakeholders together• Civic groups…. Grand Prairie Unity Coalition (in

TX), Interfaith Power & Light (across US)• All types of governance - HOA, water planning

boards, city, school board, housing authority

Universal House of Justice

The overall direction of the process of learning that the Bahá’í community is pursuing is guided by a series of global plans, the provisions of which are established by the Universal House of Justice. Capacity building is the watchword of these plans: they aim at enabling the protagonists of collective effort to strengthen the spiritual foundations of villages and neighbourhoods, to address certain of their social and economic needs, and to contribute to the discourses prevalent in society, all while maintaining the necessary coherence in methods and approaches.

Letter to the Bahá'ís of Iran, 2 March 2013

Process of Learning

• Inspect and Adapt• Cycles of activity• Open to new ideas and approaches• Without unduly throwing out the old

Universal House of Justice

The overall direction of the process of learning that the Bahá’í community is pursuing is guided by a series of global plans, the provisions of which are established by the Universal House of Justice. Capacity building is the watchword of these plans: they aim at enabling the protagonists of collective effort to strengthen the spiritual foundations of villages and neighbourhoods, to address certain of their social and economic needs, and to contribute to the discourses prevalent in society, all while maintaining the necessary coherence in methods and approaches.

Letter to the Bahá'ís of Iran, 2 March 2013

Global Plans

• Bahá’ís of the world engaged on the same path of learning and development

• Same types of activities• Twofold goal– Individual transformation– Societal transformation

Universal House of Justice

The overall direction of the process of learning that the Bahá’í community is pursuing is guided by a series of global plans, the provisions of which are established by the Universal House of Justice. Capacity building is the watchword of these plans: they aim at enabling the protagonists of collective effort to strengthen the spiritual foundations of villages and neighbourhoods, to address certain of their social and economic needs, and to contribute to the discourses prevalent in society, all while maintaining the necessary coherence in methods and approaches.

Letter to the Bahá'ís of Iran, 2 March 2013

Protagonists

Individuals

Com

mun

ityInstitutions

Universal House of Justice

The overall direction of the process of learning that the Bahá’í community is pursuing is guided by a series of global plans, the provisions of which are established by the Universal House of Justice. Capacity building is the watchword of these plans: they aim at enabling the protagonists of collective effort to strengthen the spiritual foundations of villages and neighbourhoods, to address certain of their social and economic needs, and to contribute to the discourses prevalent in society, all while maintaining the necessary coherence in methods and approaches.

Letter to the Bahá'ís of Iran, 2 March 2013

Coherence

• Integrative• All aspects working together…– Mutually reinforcing…– Amplifying

• Unity in diversity• Avoiding distractions

Also in that letter…

• “principle of the oneness of humankind … calls for a complete reconceptualization of the relationships that sustain society.”– Humanity and nature– Family life, treatment of women and children– Individuals and government institutions– Markets and labor

Letter to the Bahá'ís of Iran, 2 March 2013

Collaboration

• “… Bahá’ís do not believe the transformation thus envisioned will come about exclusively through their own efforts.”

• “Nor are they trying to create a movement that would seek to impose on society their vision of the future."

Letter to the Bahá'ís of Iran, 2 March 2013

Discussion

• Examples of social discourse in your lives in the past week?– In the news– At work– At home / friends / family– Other social spaces

• Constructive and destructive discourse

On the Web

• First letter: – http://universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/ridvan-m

essages/20100421_001• Second– http://

universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/involvement-life-society/20130302_001

• Related:– http://universalhouseofjustice.bahai.org/involvem

ent-life-society/