Discussing politics

Be very careful not to side with or denounce political figures in public utterances

"The Guardian wishes me to draw the attention of the friends through you that they should be very careful in their public utterance not to mention any political figures--either side with them or denounce them. This is the first thing to bear in mind. Otherwise they will involve the friends in political matters, which is infinitely dangerous for the Cause."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, January 12, 1933: Bahá'í News, No. 72, April 1933, p. 3, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1440)

Believers forbidden to interfere in political problems and even from discussing political affairs

"He [Bahá’u’lláh] hath forbidden them [the believers] to interfere at all with political problems. He hath even prohibited the believers from discussing political affairs."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 498; second portion also cited in Letter of the Universal House of Justice, July 7, 1976, in Political Non-Involvement and Obedience to Government, sec. 6.3)

To speak no word of politics or mention earth's kings and governments (except to speak well of them); instead to concern with life of the soul

"O handmaid of the Lord! Speak thou no word of politics; thy task concerneth the life of the soul, for this verily leadeth to man's joy in the world of God. Except to speak well of them, make thou no mention of the earth's kings, and the worldly governments thereof. Rather, confine thine utterance to spreading the blissful tidings of the Kingdom of God, and demonstrating the influence of the Word of God, and the holiness of the Cause of God. Tell thou of abiding joy and spiritual delights, and godlike qualities, and of how the Sun of Truth hath risen above the earth's horizons: tell of the blowing of the spirit of life into the body of the world."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 53, pp. 92-93)

Not to attack individuals, organizations, or governments or refer to political figures publicly in criticism or support

"It is not for a Bahá’í, in offering social commentary, to vilify specific individuals, organizations, or governments or to make attacks on them. Indeed, the Guardian specifically cautioned the friends against referring to political figures in their public remarks, whether in criticism or support."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, 27 April 2017, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_social_action )

See also

• Politics
• Political criticism
• Spiritual meetings#Need for strict focus during (including refraining from discussing politics)