"If ever it could be said that a religion belonged to the youth, then surely the Bahá'í Faith today is that religion. The whole world is suffering, it is sunk in misery, crushed beneath its heavy problems. The task of healing its ills and building up its future devolves mainly upon the youth. So their task is very great and their responsibility very grave."
- From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 8 May 1942 to the Bahá'í Youth of Peoria , Illinois , U.S.A.
Youth is a time of great change. It is a time of potential, growth creativity, new ideas and boundless energy.
History has proven youth to be capable of affecting great social change. The history of the Bahá'í Faith is also filled with examples of heroes and heroines who were youth, from the time of its inception in 1844 to the present day. Today, in a time where youth are viewed with suspicion and play a secondary role in society, Bahá'í youth shoulder great responsibilities in the work of their Faith and community. The Bahá'í Community looks with confidence to its youth for leadership and dynamism.
Bahá'í youth try to be socially and spiritually aware of what is happening in the world. They believe that world peace is not only possible but inevitable. Through love, unity, deepening in the Bahá'í Faith and service to humanity, Bahá'í youth are making efforts to change the world.
They run study circles, devotional gatherings, children's classes, community services and socio-economic developments projects. They direct performance groups promoting positive principles. They are elected and appointed members of Bahá'í administrative institutions. They are active members of the wider community making a positive contribution to interfaith dialogue, reconciliation, spiritual empowerment and a united community.
Bahá'í youth are animated by the belief that "the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens"1, and believe "that one is indeed a man who today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race.2"
They are normal members of the community with a renewed vision of hope for humanity. They are affected by the same peer pressure, problems and social maladies that affect all youth - but feel confident in their unity and purpose. They strive to live up to a higher spiritual and personal standard and to "carry forward an ever advancing civilization.3"
"The present condition of the world-its economic instability, social dissensions, political dissatisfaction and international distrust-should awaken the youth from their slumber and make them enquire what the future is going to bring. It is surely they who will suffer most if some calamity sweep over the world. They should therefore open their eyes to the existing conditions, study the evil forces that are at play and then with a concerted effort arise and bring about the necessary reforms-reforms that shall contain within their scope the spiritual as well as social and political phases of human life.4"
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
From the writings of Shoghi Effendi
" If ever it could be said that a religion belonged to the youth, then surely the Bahá'í Faith today is that religion... "
Where the youth are at...
Want to get in touch with Baha'i youth in your area but don't know where to start? Contact nyc@bahai.org.au.
