Vices by country/race

Americas

United States

Materialism

• Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 19-20, 29
• Citadel of Faith, pp. 124-127, 149, 154

Short-lived enthusiasms and frenetic superficialities

Sound, systematic planning and execution in striking contrast to short-lived enthusiasms and frenetic superficialities of present-day American life

"Armed with the strength of action and the cooperation of the individual believers composing it, the community as a whole should endeavor to establish greater stability in the patterns of its development, locally and nationally, through sound, systematic planning and execution of its work and this in striking contrast to the short-lived enthusiasms and frenetic superficialities so characteristic of present-day American life. A Baha'i community which is consistent in its fundamental life-giving, life sustaining activities will at its heart be serene and confident; it will resonate with spiritual dynamism, will exert irresistible influence, will set a new course in social evolution, enabling it to win the respect and eventually the allegiance of admirers and critics alike. These profound possibilities reside in the will of the individual to take initiative, to act in accordance with the guidance offered by Baha'i institutions, and to maintain such action regardless of the myriad distractions posed by the disintegration of a society adrift in a sea of materialism. May you with renewed determination and a rededication to spiritual values, seize your chance, while there is yet time, to convey the Message of Baha'u'llah thoughtfully, patiently and attractively to your fellow-citizens, whether they be dwellers in the cities or rural areas, whether they be high or low, lettered or unlettered, rich or poor."

(Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated Ridvan, 1984, to a National Spiritual Assembly; in Developing Distinctive Bahá'í Communities)

See also

• Praise of character by country and race

To-dos for this page

• Add more quotes, e.g., on Persia, etc.; and for America add political corruption, racism (especially of the time), etc.