In its recent message, the Universal House of Justice describes those who are engaged in the community building process and the path of service drawn out by the Ruhi Institute, which builds capacity at the individual, community and institutional level:
"They are loyal citizens who eschew partisanship and the contest for worldly power.Instead, they are focused on transcending differences, harmonizing perspectives, and promotingthe use of consultation for making decisions. They emphasize qualities and attitudes—such astrustworthiness, cooperation, and forbearance—that are building blocks of a stable social order.They champion rationality and science as essential for human progress. They advocatetolerance and understanding, and with the inherent oneness of humanity uppermost in theirminds, they view everyone as a potential partner to collaborate with, and they strive to fosterfellow feeling even among groups who may traditionally have been hostile to one another.They are conscious of how the forces of materialism are at work around them, and their eyesare wide open to the many injustices that persist in the world, yet they are equally clear sightedabout the creative power of unity and humanity’s capacity for altruism. They see the power thattrue religion possesses to transform hearts and overcome distrust, and so, with confidence inwhat the future holds, they labour to cultivate the conditions in which progress can occur. Theyshare their beliefs liberally with others, remaining respectful of the freedom of conscience ofevery soul, and they never impose their own standards on anyone. And while they would notpretend to have discovered all the answers, they are clear about what they have learned andwhat they still need to learn. Their efforts advance to the alternating rhythm of action andreflection; setbacks leave them unfazed. In places where growing numbers are helping to buildcommunities of this character, the power of the Cause to transform people’s social existence, aswell as their inner lives, is becoming increasingly visible."
I think kindness and tolerance require deep thought at the local, regional, national and international levels, deeper than we have ever conceived before.
Kam
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