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Flora Teckie A Baháí Perspective
Child-rearing is not only a source of great joy and reward, it is also our privilege and a sacred obligation.
Children are our most precious treasure, “for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future. They bear the seeds of the character of future society which is largely shaped by what the adults constituting the community do or fail to do with respect to children”, says the Universal House of Justice, the governing council of the Bahá’í international community.
The realisation of such promise and guarantee will depend on paying close attention to empowering our children through integrated and balanced education and guidance.
It will also depend on our home environment, on how we treat them, the quality of the attention we show them, and how adults generally behave towards children.
The need for a caring and supportive home environment, for the full and harmonious development of the child’s personality, cannot be over-emphasized. The Baháí Writings state that: ” . . . it is in early childhood that a firm foundation must be laid. While the branch is green and tender it can easily be made straight”,
A balanced education — that includes both spiritual and intellectual education — will be essential for our children to develop to their full potential and for them to be equipped to contribute socially and spiritually to the advancement of our communities.
Looking at the current situation, however, we find that often spiritual and moral development of children is being neglected.
Importance of providing both intellectual and spiritual education Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith states: “Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being, and are conducive to its exaltation.
Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone . . . In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him.”
Academic education, while very important, has to be balanced with spiritual education.
It is important that education, whether at home or at school, assist our children in their moral empowerment, as well as their intellectual development.
A balanced education — combining intellectual and spiritual education — is the most effective way to shape the values, attitudes, behaviours, and skills of our children.
“Bahá’u’lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental factors of a true civilisation. This education, however, to be adequate and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take into consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man but also his spiritual and ethical aspects.”
The Baháí Writings state that “The source of all learning is the knowledge of God, exalted be His Glory” and “schools must first train the children in the principles of religion . . . but this in such a measure that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and bigotry”.
It is important to guide our children in a way that their behaviour contribute to a joyful yet disciplined atmosphere at home and at school.
Spiritual education eliminates the need for drastic discipline that uses frequent scolding and harsh punishment.
Infusing in our children the love of God and guiding them spiritually will help to instil in them good behaviour.
Spiritual education and guidance play an important role in facilitating a spirit of co-operation and harmony, as well as that of service to others.
Cultivating tolerance, love and a belief in the oneness of humanity
Children should be taught about oneness of humanity, the need to consider the whole human race as members of one family, and to be just towards all. Such guidance and training will enable our children to become instruments in building a peaceful and prosperous world.
According to the Bahá’í Writings: “Children must be so raised as to regard every soul, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or any other affiliation, as a fellow human being and to hold dear the words [of Bahá’u’lláh] that capture the spirit of the age: “The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.”
It is important to cultivate in our children tolerance, love, brotherhood, compassion, understanding, sacrifice, humility, and an active commitment to justice.
We also need to cultivate in them the capacity to participate in their own development and to be collaborators in the development of their communities.
It is vital that children are taught to investigate for themselves all matters, instead of just imitating adults.
Combining science and religion, belief and reason will help free our children from fanaticism and superstitions.
Placing emphasis on learning to think, rather than following adults out of fear, to reflect and reason, rather than to imitate, will motivate them to apply the moral and spiritual laws with understanding and conviction.
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