Roadmap for a Moral Society – SAQ #170 Sin and Atonement

Session 170: Sin & Atonement, the Abolition of Clergy, and the Baha’i Administrative Order

In Session 170 of “Roadmap for a Divine Society,” the group continues a discussion on sin and atonement and frames it within Baha’i teachings about building an ever-advancing civilization. After opening prayers, the session reviews historical examples of clergy meddling in politics and conflicts in the 19th and 20th centuries (including Mexico, Spain, Ireland, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, and others), plus episodes of church property destruction, arguing these illustrate consequences of violating the divine principle abolishing priestly authority. The speakers outline the Baha’i rejection of professional clergy, sacraments, confession, and original sin, emphasizing individual responsibility and independent investigation of truth. They describe the elected administrative order (local and national spiritual assemblies and the Universal House of Justice) and the advisory role of counselors and auxiliary board members. The group defines sin as disobedience to God’s commandments and discusses human “animal” traits versus spiritual education, alongside debate on propaganda, colonialism, racism, and modern conflicts.

00:00 Welcome and Session 170
01:22 Opening Prayer
02:50 Clergy and Conflict History
15:50 Church Property Backlash
20:10 Consequences of Clerical Power
24:00 Baha’i Abolishes Clergy
27:02 Administrative Order Explained
32:58 Personal Experiences and Q&A
34:50 Defining Sin in Baha’i View
38:28 Material Nature and Spiritual Education
44:55 War and Clergy
47:12 Greed Redirected
49:44 Sanctity of Life
52:31 Colonialism and Racism
56:54 Signs of Progress
58:11 Baha’i Social Teachings
01:04:37 Animal Nature and Sin
01:10:01 Ethics Versus Profit
01:13:42 Religion Weaponized Today
01:22:20 Iran and Future Hope
01:24:48 Closing Prayer