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9. Loyalty to Government
Baha'is recognize that governments are a means of keeping harmony and order in society. They must therefore obey and be the well-wishers of the government of the country where they live. ‘Abdu’l-Baha stresses that disloyalty to one’s rulers is disloyalty to God. Even ‘‘wishing evil to the government,’’ He says, is ‘‘a transgression of the Cause of God.’’*"
Baha’is must not become involved in politics. Their job is to build the Kingdom of God on earth, and they cannot do this if they are caught up in the affairs of political parties and move- ments. The Baha’i Faith is working to establish union and harmony while politics is based on division. Baha’is should not even discuss political matters as this may lead to disunity and ill feeling.
Since part of being a good citizen is taking one’s duties seriously, Baha’ is are permitted to vote if they can do so without having to register as members of political parties. Baha’ is must vote for the person or issue, not merely for a party.
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Baha’fs can serve their country by obeying the laws of the land and by sharing and living the teachings of the Faith. The sooner Baha’u’llah’s healing Message reaches the leaders and peoples of the world, the sooner unity, peace, and justice will be established. Baha’is know that the new Order brought by Baha’u’llah is the only system which can do this and that the old order will eventually collapse. Their task is not to tear down or repair the old system but rather to build the new Order of Baha’u’Ilah and offer it to the world when all else has failed.
