Posted by Misagh (137.122.14.20) on October 08, 2003 at 13:51:26:

In Reply to: Pioneering vs Scholarship posted by Omid Townsend on October 08, 2003 at 11:50:14:

If I understand correctly, you believe that more people should arise to further the goals of the 5 Year Plan, including short and long term pioneering. I agree with you wholeheartedly!

As for whether or not the accumulation of education and titles gets in the way of this: well, perhaps it does. But so does laziness. So does our inability to understand the great significance of movement from place to place in the name of the Faith. There are innumerable barriers, as you yourself have remarked. I think one thing to keep in mind is that if one is unable to personally undertake such a pioneering trip, to deputize another in one's place is acceptable and effective according to Baha'u'llah (do a search in Tablets of Baha'u'llah, keywords "in his stead").

For me personally, I am pursuing one of the above mentioned titles. In the long run, with the above mentioned title, I feel I will be further qualified to go abroad and not only teach and serve the immediate needs of the Faith, but also to serve humanity in my profession. Also, while I'm still here where I live, I choose to serve the Faith in other capacities; in my sector, in my cluster, in my university, etc. And, again, I can deputize others by contributing to the International Fund.

Also, I don't think I need to emphasize the great importance that education has been given in our Faith. To generate competant and spiritually informed professionals in every sphere of human endeavour is a goal that Baha'u'llah has given to humanity in His Writings, I believe. Even when I am learning/doing scholarship (both Baha'i and non-Baha'i) I am also serving the Faith and the world. Each person that sits in a classroom or place of work with the attitude that "I am sitting here learning/working to one day serve others" is already performing work as worship and service.

The way I see it, scholarship and the goals of the 5 Year Plan are not mutually exclusive. They work hand-in-hand. There are many avenues of service and contribution to the various funds to those unable to do pioneering personally.

- Misagh

this topic is closed - post at bahai-library.com/forum