Tag: Independent investigation of truth

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Tag: "Independent investigation of truth"

tag name Independent investigation of truth type: Miscellaneous; Principles, teachings; Science: natural, social, and applied

web link bahai-library.com/tags/Independent_investigation_of_truth
related tags – Concepts, Philosophical; – Concepts, Religious; – Concepts, Science; Independence; Truth
referring tags Assumptions; Context, Taking verses out of; Critical thinking; Imitation; Loom of Reality (website); Misinformation and disinformation; Prejudice, Elimination of; Search after truth; Social media
Inventory subject Independent investigation of truth; reality
notes

See also:
– 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í Sacred Writings, chapter 12, section "The Independent Investigation of Truth"
– Covenant Library Unified Index

selected quotations
(authoritative sources)
These quotations reflect common presentations of Bahá’í views; the materials below may show a wider range of interpretations and contexts:

"The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.

– Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic, no. 2 (BH00386)

"... Among these teachings was the independent investigation of reality so that the world of humanity may be saved from the darkness of imitation and attain to the truth; may tear off and cast away this ragged and outgrown garment of a thousand years ago and may put on the robe woven in the utmost purity and holiness in the loom of reality. As reality is one and cannot admit of multiplicity, therefore different opinions must ultimately become fused into one..."

– ` Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to The Hague (AB00016)

"... in order to make any progress in the search after truth we must relinquish superstition. If all seekers would follow this principle they would obtain a clear vision of the truth.
If five people meet together to seek for truth, they must begin by cutting themselves free from all their own special conditions and renouncing all preconceived ideas. In order to find truth we must give up our prejudices, our own small trivial notions; an open receptive mind is essential. If our chalice is full of self, there is no room in it for the water of life. The fact that we imagine ourselves to be right and everybody else wrong is the greatest of all obstacles in the path towards unity, and unity is necessary if we would reach truth, for truth is one...

– 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, talk 41: The First Principle – Search after Truth (ABU0282)

"The investigation of truth will assuredly remove all imitations. When blind imitations are eliminated, the oneness of humankind will be revealed, and it will become evident that true religion is the cause of fellowship and unity amongst the people, not the cause of estrangement and rapacity. Through the power of true religion, ignorant prejudices—such as blind religious prejudice, national prejudice, territorial prejudice, and political prejudice—will be dispelled. These idle fancies will disappear and the light of truth will be revealed. Science and religion will hold each other in close embrace."

– 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í Sacred Writings, chapter 12, 15.1; from a Tablet or talk, translated from the original language

"... difficulties often arise when phrases and sentences are taken out of context and viewed as isolated fragments... Society speaks more and more in slogans. We hope that the habits the friends are forming in study circles to work with full and complex thoughts and to achieve understanding will be extended to various spheres of activity.
Closely related to the habit of reducing an entire theme into one or two appealing phrases is the tendency to perceive dichotomies, where, in fact, there are none. It is essential that ideas forming part of a cohesive whole not be held in opposition to one another. In a letter written on his behalf, Shoghi Effendi warned: “We must take the teachings as a great, balanced whole, not seek out and oppose to each other two strong statements that have different meanings; somewhere in between, there are links uniting the two.” ..."

– Universal House of Justice, letter dated 28 December 2010, to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors

bahaidata.org Q3785 · Links to Bahá'í wikis (bahai9, bahaipedia, etc.)

references en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baháʼí_teachings#Independent_investigation_of_truth; bahaiquotes.com/subject/independent-investigation-of-truth; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Independent investigation of truth

"Independent investigation of truth" has been tagged in:

34 results from the Main Catalog
1 result from the Chronology

from the main catalog (34 results; collapse)

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2025-07. Bahá'í Sacred Writings. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, comp. . A comprehensive collection of selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Writings and utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, representing the range of the Bahá’í teachings. Writings.
2025-04-21. Fostering a Worldwide Movement of Youth. Bahá'í World. Youth empowerment through spiritual education, service, and community-building programs, cultivating agents of social transformation amid mounting global challenges. Articles.
2025-04-21. Global Community, A. Bahá'í World. The global Bahá’í community advances unity, social transformation, and spiritual principles through systematic learning, community-building, and inclusive, grassroots action worldwide; overview of 1996–2021. Articles.
2024-12. Translating the Bahá'í Writings into Languages Other Than English. Craig Alan Volker, Mary Goebel Noguchi. Challenges in translation, including questions about spelling, terminology, politeness strategies employed in the original work, and idiosyncrasies of English usage; case study of passage of Bahá'u'lláh as translated into Japanese and Tok Pisin. Articles.
2023-2026. BWNS Podcasts: Conversations and Insights from the Field. Bahá'í World News Service. Links to 46 interviews highlighting how Bahá’í individuals and communities worldwide apply spiritual principles to education, governance, equality, and social transformation, fostering unity and the betterment of society. Video and audio available. Audio.
2023-01-17. Crisis of Identity, The. Shahrzad Sabet. Exploring how the Bahá’í principle of the oneness of humanity can resolve the seemingly intractable tension between oneness and diversity. Articles.
2022-09. "And universal peace —"" in what Book is this written?": How and Why 'Abdu'l-Bahá Identified "New" and Distinctive Bahá'í Principles. Christopher Buck. Reflections on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's answer to the question "What has Bahá’u’lláh brought that we have not heard before?" Introductory.
2022. Thousand Years Must Elapse: Examining a Tablet by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Harry Liedtke. Commentary on a tablet by 'Abdu'l-Baha that addresses the present debasement of Persia and its future glory, and the Western world. Essays.
2022. Reis naar het Hart van de Qur'án: Het Heilige Boek van de islam voor hen die nadenken (door een niet-moslim). David Russell Garcia, Kees Poolman, trans. . Een overzicht van de Koran en zijn thema's: islam versus het christendom; wetten, geestelijke en sociale principes; heilige oorlog en vechten; redenen achter de reputatie van de islam als een oorlogsreligie; apocalypse. Books.
2020-04-10. Writings of the Báb, The: Notes from Talks given by Dr. Nader Saiedi. Nader Saiedi, Anonymous, comp. . Structured summarized notes from Dr. Saiedi’s 2019 talks on the Báb’s Writings, delivered at the Swedish and Norwegian Bahá'í summer school 2019, highlighting key theological concepts and themes. Includes some provisional translations quoted in the talks. Talks.
2019-09. Worldview and the Laws of the Bayán. Nader Saiedi. Explores the Persian Bayán's spiritual worldview and laws through four talks, offering insights into the Báb's Dispensation. Audio.
2019. Writings of the Báb: Lecture Series at the Norwegian Summer School. Nader Saiedi. On topics including the concept of God; Manifestations of God; Day of Resurrection, heaven and hell; the Imamate, the Hidden Imam; divine justice and free will; reason, independence; human rights, equality, women. Links to audio files, offsite. Audio.
2018. Reflections on the Principle of Unity/Oneness, Some. Hooshmand Badee. Reflections on the message of Bahá'u'lláh creating the oneness of humanity and a global society that is based on unity and love rather than factors such as economic and political gains. Articles.
2018. Bahá'u'lláh and Peace: A Series of Four Talks. Nader Saiedi. Talks at the Santa Monica Baha’i Center in California on four areas within the context of Baha'u'llah's Revelation that relate to peace, and how Baha'u'llah reconstructs the concepts of victory, mystical poetry, interpretation, and the temple. Audio.
2017-09-18. Verge of the New, The: A Series of Talks. Steven Phelps. Introducing a way of looking at the past and future of religion in the context of the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment. Includes compilation of Writings on spiritual dislocation, science, language, spiritual evolution, nature, and revelation. Presentations.
2016. Tablet on Understanding the Cause of Opposition to the Manifestations of God. Bahá'u'lláh, Keven Brown, trans. . Summary of some themes from the Kitab-i-Iqan, concluding with a long prayer inviting the reader to see with his/her "own eyes." Translations.
2016. Tablet to Ashraf. Bahá'u'lláh, Keven Brown, trans. . Guidance to three men who later became martyrs, news to share about Bahá'u'lláh, and comments on the nature of his revelation. Translations.
2014. Text and Context in the Bahá'í Heroic Age. Nader Saiedi. A series of 12 talks by Nader Saiedi exploring Bahá'í history, key writings, and the need for scholarly study, translation, and contextual analysis of Bahá'í texts. Audio.
2013. Next Stage, The. Douglas Martin. Bahá'í scholars find themselves at a stage in the Faith’s development where they must construct a discourse that is free of "haughty intellectualism." The Association for Bahá’í Studies can help promote the Bahá'í cause to institutions of higher learning. Articles.
2012-12. Transnational Bahá'í Print Culture: Community Formation and Religious Authority, 1890-1921. Farzin Vejdani. Explores how Baha’is used print culture (1890–1921) for community-building, scriptural canonization, and apologetics, emphasizing leadership, transnational networks, and cultural intermediaries. (Link to article, offsite.) Articles.
2010-12. Material and Spiritual Worlds. Peter J. Khan. Four talks on the Five-Year Plan given at the North Island Bahá'í Summer School, Hamilton, New Zealand, December 2010. Audio.
2005-11. Collected Essays. John Wiegley. Dozens of essays on numerous topics of Bahá'í thought and practice. Books.
2004. Unity and Progressive Revelation: Comparing Bahá'í Principles with the Basic Concepts of Teilhard de Chardin. Wolfgang A. Klebel. An attempt to correlate specific Bahá'í teachings with the corresponding concepts of Teilhard de Chardin, allowing us to compare the Faith with the 'progressive movements of today' and promote the study of the Bahá'í teachings more deeply. Articles.
2003-10. Voyage to the Heart of the Koran: The Holy Book of Islám for Thinking Minds (By a Non-Muslim). David Russell Garcia. A lengthy overview of the Qur'án and its themes for a Bahá'í audience; holy war and fighting; reasons behind Islám's reputation as a war-like religion; theology of Islám vs. Christianity; laws and admonitions; spiritual and social principles; apocalypse. Books.
2002-04. Community Development Using Spiritually Based Indicators in the South African Bahá'í Community. Farzin Aghdasi, Abbas Shaker. On creating measures to assess development progress through the perspective of five ethical and spiritual principles: unity in diversity equity and justice; equality of the sexes; trustworthiness and moral leadership; independent investigation of truth. Articles-unpublished.
2001. Asking Questions: The Independent Investigation of Truth. Edwin McCloughan. On understanding and applying this primary principle of the Faith. Articles.
1996. Bahá'u'lláh's Teachings on Spiritual Reality. Paul Lample, comp. The quest for spirituality, the spiritual life, material and spiritual reality, the progress of the soul and humanity’s spiritual education. Introductory.
1993. Kitab-i-Aqdas: Its Place in Bahá'í literature. Bahá'í World Centre Office of Public Information. Offers a broad introduction to the Aqdas and its themes. Essays.
1989/1990. Immortality and the Human Soul: Lecture Series. Hooper Dunbar. Audio.
1989-09. Searching Eye, The: The Independent Investigation of Truth. Gary L. Matthews. Concepts informing the personal search for truth: the role of faith, the trap of imitation, the role of justice, the impact on unity, the oneness of truth, and the scientific method. Essays.
1988. Protection of Diversity in the World Order of Baha'u'llah, The. Bahá'í World Centre Office of Public Information. Statement dated December 29, 1985, released by the Bahá'í International Community's Office of Public Information following the broadcast of a BBC program on the Bahá'í Faith in 1985. BIC.
1976. Dawn over Mount Hira and Other Essays. Marzieh Gail. A collection of essays on various topics of interest to Bahá'í studies and history. Most of these were first published in Star of the West and World Order between 1929 and 1971. Books.
1973 Summer. ‘Irfán, Gnosis, or Mystical Knowledge. Jalil Mahmoudi. Explores ‘Irfán (gnosis) as mystical knowledge, contrasting empirical and rational forms, emphasizing its transformative, experiential nature in humanity’s quest for God and spiritual meaning. Articles.
1931. Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Bahá'u'lláh, Shoghi Effendi, trans. . Major theological work by Baháʼu'lláh, written prior to his declaration of mission. Writings.

from the Chronology (1 result)

2021-02-11 — In a message to an individual the Universal House of Justice responded to the question as to what a Bahá'í is to do in face of the misinformation that is so common in the world today. They quoted Bahá'u'lláh:
In these days truthfulness and sincerity are sorely afflicted in the clutches of falsehood, and justice is tormented by the scourge of injustice.
as well as:
...thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour.

They encouraged us to rely on science and the independent investigation of truth but not to let differing opinions among the believers lead to division. [11 February 2021]

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tag name	Independent investigation of truth	type:	Miscellaneous; Principles, teachings; Science: natural, social, and applied
web link	bahai-library.com/tags/Independent_investigation_of_truth
related tags	– Concepts, Philosophical; – Concepts, Religious; – Concepts, Science; Independence; Truth
referring tags	Assumptions; Context, Taking verses out of; Critical thinking; Imitation; Loom of Reality (website); Misinformation and disinformation; Prejudice, Elimination of; Search after truth; Social media
Inventory subject	Independent investigation of truth; reality
notes	See also: – 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í Sacred Writings, chapter 12, section "The Independent Investigation of Truth" – Covenant Library Unified Index
selected quotations (authoritative sources)	These quotations reflect common presentations of Bahá’í views; the materials below may show a wider range of interpretations and contexts: "The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes. – Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic, no. 2 (BH00386) "... Among these teachings was the independent investigation of reality so that the world of humanity may be saved from the darkness of imitation and attain to the truth; may tear off and cast away this ragged and outgrown garment of a thousand years ago and may put on the robe woven in the utmost purity and holiness in the loom of reality. As reality is one and cannot admit of multiplicity, therefore different opinions must ultimately become fused into one..." – ` Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to The Hague (AB00016) "... in order to make any progress in the search after truth we must relinquish superstition. If all seekers would follow this principle they would obtain a clear vision of the truth. If five people meet together to seek for truth, they must begin by cutting themselves free from all their own special conditions and renouncing all preconceived ideas. In order to find truth we must give up our prejudices, our own small trivial notions; an open receptive mind is essential. If our chalice is full of self, there is no room in it for the water of life. The fact that we imagine ourselves to be right and everybody else wrong is the greatest of all obstacles in the path towards unity, and unity is necessary if we would reach truth, for truth is one... – 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, talk 41: The First Principle – Search after Truth (ABU0282) "The investigation of truth will assuredly remove all imitations. When blind imitations are eliminated, the oneness of humankind will be revealed, and it will become evident that true religion is the cause of fellowship and unity amongst the people, not the cause of estrangement and rapacity. Through the power of true religion, ignorant prejudices—such as blind religious prejudice, national prejudice, territorial prejudice, and political prejudice—will be dispelled. These idle fancies will disappear and the light of truth will be revealed. Science and religion will hold each other in close embrace." – 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í Sacred Writings, chapter 12, 15.1; from a Tablet or talk, translated from the original language "... difficulties often arise when phrases and sentences are taken out of context and viewed as isolated fragments... Society speaks more and more in slogans. We hope that the habits the friends are forming in study circles to work with full and complex thoughts and to achieve understanding will be extended to various spheres of activity. Closely related to the habit of reducing an entire theme into one or two appealing phrases is the tendency to perceive dichotomies, where, in fact, there are none. It is essential that ideas forming part of a cohesive whole not be held in opposition to one another. In a letter written on his behalf, Shoghi Effendi warned: “We must take the teachings as a great, balanced whole, not seek out and oppose to each other two strong statements that have different meanings; somewhere in between, there are links uniting the two.” ..." – Universal House of Justice, letter dated 28 December 2010, to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors
bahaidata.org	Q3785 · Links to Bahá'í wikis (bahai9, bahaipedia, etc.)
references	en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baháʼí_teachings#Independent_investigation_of_truth; bahaiquotes.com/subject/independent-investigation-of-truth; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Independent investigation of truth