Community Support

The Bahá’í framework for action includes the Local and National Spiritual Assemblies and the Universal House of Justice. It is clear from the Bahá’í Writings that initiative rests largely with the Local Spiritual Assembly within each locality to make decisions – social, economic, environmental, etc., – for the benefit of humanity. The Universal House of Justice has the written authority to legislate anything not specifically laid down by Bahá’u’lláh, and crucially has the right to alter legislation which the passage of time renders obsolete or unworkable. [Study of the “Constitution of the Universal House of Justice” (Bahá’í World Centre, Haifa, 1972) will elucidate its other functions and prerogatives.] The National Spiritual Assemblies have an intermediary role between the two other bodies. This administrative system allows for action on a local, regional or global level, and uses clear principles of consultation to allow it to function.