The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition.

The principle we’d like to discuss in January is: "The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition".

How often do we think or do something in a particular way without even knowing why? People say, “We’ve always done it that way” or “This is what we’re comfortable with.”

When looking for truth or exploring new ideas, we need imagination. Sometimes we need to trust our intuition. Sometimes we need to go against the majority or peer group. This can be difficult or even painful.

During the first week of January (the 1st through 7th), please share your favorite quotes that talk about the independent search for truth. How do we find truth in our lives? How do we avoid being sidetracked by old ways of thinking? How do we escape superstition and rote tradition?

Truth can be found in humor or in the small events of life. But sometimes truth is heavy and makes us weep. Let us be unfettered by superstition and tradition. Be creative with your posts and comments!

Week 1 - Favorite Quotes

Jan 1 - 7

"The first principle Bahá'u'lláh urged was the independent investigation of truth. "Each individual," he said, "is following the faith of his ancestors who themselves are lost in the maze of tradition. Reality is steeped in dogmas and doctrines. If each investigate for himself, he will find that Reality is one; does not admit of multiplicity; is not divisible. All will find the same foundation and all will be at peace."

(Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 276)

Religion has the right to express its opinion in the service of the people, but God in creation has set us free: it is not possible to interfere spiritually in the life of a person. — Pope Francis

"There is no greater misfortune in the world than the loss of reason." Mikhail Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita

"He must so cleanse his heart that no remnant of either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth." - Bahá'u'lláh

"The first is the independent investigation of truth; for blind imitation of the past will stunt the mind. But once every soul inquireth into truth, society will be freed from the darkness of continually repeating the past." (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 248)

"We’ve always done it this way!”

— Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, interview in Information Week, March 9, 1987

I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.

- Muhammad Ali

"Revealed truth, personally discovered truth, is the supreme delight of the human soul; it is the joint creation of the material mind and the indwelling spirit."

Jesus, The Urantia Book, (132:3.4)

Week 2 - photo/picture/drawing

Jan 8 - 14

"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."

--Baha'u'llah