Question:
What does your faith say about atheists?
Answer: First, I should
correct your assumption that I am a “religious leader.” Unlike the
other world religions, the Bahá’í Faith has been organized by its
Prophet-Founder, Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), to function without clerics.
In this religion, no individuals exist who are specially trained to
serve the religion exclusively, who lead services, perform rituals or
preside at events, etc. (Very few rituals actually exist in the Bahá’í
Faith).
The Bahá’í Faith is consequently not a congregational religion in which
one individual — usually a man stands in front of the believers and
guides, directs or inspires while the congregation listens passively
and goes home. While individual initiative is a must, in terms of
policy and decision-making, leadership lies in the hands of
democratically elected 9 member local and national councils, named
“spiritual assemblies.” At the world level, the community is governed
by an elected body of nine members, the Universal House of Justice.
A second appointed branch of the Bahá’í Faith also exists to complement
the elected assemblies. This branch consists of individuals who
inspire, educate and encourage the community. They are not considered
to be religious leaders, but rather, they are appreciated and respected
as hardworking, inspiring and respected volunteer servants. Under the
guidance of these institutions, the whole community of believers
exercises collective leadership by executing “core activities”:
children’s and junior youth classes, adult study circles and devotional
gatherings.
But to answer your question: Bahá’u’lláh regarded “the unique
distinction and capacity” of the human being as having the ability to
know and to love God. This capacity, he said, “must needs be regarded
as the generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole
of creation”(Gleanings, p. 64). Atheists or agnostics are not excluded
from this process. My personal belief is that atheists cannot entirely
fulfil their knowing and loving capacities without recognizing the
Divine Source of all love and knowledge. Hopefully, atheists have also
chosen a committed path of knowing and loving. Since I have no direct
access to the spiritual state of soul of any atheist, I will not
venture to hazard a judgment. -
Jack
McLean
