Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited.
Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday a topic is printed inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s subject is on women. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
‘Abdu’l-Baha, one of the central figures of the Baha’i faith, stated “There must be an equality of rights between men and women…. For the world of humanity possesses two wings: man and woman. If one wing remains incapable and defective, it will restrict the power of the other, and full flight will be impossible.”
The equality of women empowers both genders. It is important, therefore, that men take an active role in preventing violence against women and the injustices that rob them of their birthright to have equal opportunities to develop their potential and to participate in decision-making in their communities.
The role of motherhood in the shaping of the next generation is fully recognized. However, what is not so widely accepted is that universal peace cannot be achieved until women gain full participation not only in the affairs of the home and community, but also in the affairs of the world.
Though equal, women have special qualities and characteristics that make them especially opposed to war. In general, mothers oppose war or any activity that puts their children in harm’s way. ‘Abdu’l-Baha, during his visit to America in 1912, proclaimed the virtues of women and urged the Baha’is to “…strive to show in the human world that women are most capable and efficient, that their hearts are more tender and susceptible than the hearts of men, that they are more philanthropic and responsive toward the needy and suffering, that they are inflexibly opposed to war and are lovers of peace. Strive that the ideal of international peace may become realized through the efforts of womankind, for man is more inclined to war than woman, and a real evidence of woman’s superiority will be her service and efficiency in the establishment of universal peace.”
He further explained, “…peace may be realized for the simple reason that womankind in general will never favor warfare. Women will not be willing to allow those whom they have so tenderly cared for to go to the battlefield. When they shall have a vote, they will oppose any cause of warfare.”
Topic for next week:
• Will you speak to us on humanity?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
• Deadline each week is Tuesday, by 5 p.m.