On faith: The truth of our elections

Dr. Chris Gilbert

guest columnist

“Reality comes from the clash of minds.” That was the answer Abdul-Baha, son of Baha’u’llah — the Founder of the Baha’i Faith — gave to a reporter asking how anyone could know what truth was.

The clash part of His comment sounds a lot like our current election process. But His intent was not to highlight conflict. It was to demonstrate that the only way we can know truth is when we put personality conflicts aside and share our different perceptions.

That is a useful and true clash of opinions.

The presidential election is perhaps one of the most widespread examples of a great clash of opinions. In peaceful fashion, we come together every four years in all our diversity and with all our diverse opinions to act in unity as electors to find a leader.

Whether your choice won or not, the process was about sharing our perceptions and our opinions through our votes.

But while the voting process may bring out our best nature, the campaigns and political processes surrounding elections can often bring out the worst.

Today’s politics are profoundly influenced by divisions and the clash of political personalities. This often overshadows our very real need to find the truth of their actions for us.

About politics specifically, the Baha’i Faith teaches, “It remains for individuals to so use their right to vote as to keep aloof from party politics, and always bear in mind that they are voting on the merits of the individual, rather than because he belongs to one party or another.”

In this way, we leave behind simple labels and look thoroughly at who are our choices. We avoid the fog of personal and political aspirations for the clarity of their true service and individual character. These are powerful tools for truth and trustworthiness.

So how are we supposed to elect together?

While exercising individual judgment and responsibility in voting their consciences, Baha’is see religion’s involvement in political processes as opposite to its true purpose — unity and truthfulness.

The Baha’i writings remind us to avoid political clashes in favor of the profound effects of unity and diversity.

Baha’u’llah wrote, “Politics are occupied with the material things of life. Religious teachers should not invade the realm of politics; they should concern themselves with the spiritual education of the people ... they should endeavor to awaken spiritual aspiration, and strive to enlarge the understanding and knowledge of humanity, to improve morals, and to increase the love for justice.”

So, what’s my opinion about who won? We all did, if we sought to make a choice based on the candidates’ actions and not just their words.

Whether any one of us favored another candidate or issue over someone else’s, the unity and healing that comes out of moving forward together in the truth we’ve chosen together is how we have found our reality.

Reach Dr. Chris Gilbert of Baha’i Faith at ckgilbert9@netscape.net, or visit www.bahai.org for more information.