Since my interest in spaceships and science fiction led me to investigate the Baha'i Faith, I find myself intrigued by the idea of using science fiction symbols to help convey Baha'i perspectives on Humanity's current situation and where we might be headed. One science fiction symbol that seems particularly apt for this endeavor is the space ark. A space ark is a giant space vessel that travels to other star systems at sublight speeds. Because the stars are so far apart, it can take many human generations to transit from one to another. Thus the space ark becomes a long-term community of its own; a community sent out to perform a particular mission. This intentional society must face many challenges while it traverses great expanses of time and space. The Baha'i worldwide community is a similar deliberate social group also attempting to achieve certain objectives as it overcomes internal and external difficulties. The viewpoints expressed below reflect only my own understanding as a Baha'i and should not be taken as an official Baha'i statement of any kind.

The multi-generational space ark of science fiction has a number of distinct features. It is a large vessel, perhaps kilometers long. It is a self-contained habitat meant to travel for decades or even centuries before reaching its goal. In order to remain viable, the space ark must have a diversity of life, including a wide genetic variety of people. Those living aboard the space ark must remember their mission and keep focused on their long-term goal or they may forget why they are traveling in the first place. Many forms of entertainment and self expression would be necessary aboard to help ward off societal stagnation. The space ark may need to collect energy from space via technologies currently unknown to us in order to keep functioning.

How are the features of the Baha'i community similar to those of a space ark? Like the space ark, the Baha'i community is meant to operate on a large scale. Baha'is have a structure of democratic self-governance that they believe all of humanity can benefit from. Baha'is present their worldwide community as a model to study while a world culture strives to be born. Baha'is believe that tremendous social and spiritual advances will be witnessed by Humanity as a whole when Baha'i concepts are put into practice by increasing numbers of people.

As with a space ark, the Baha'i community is self-contained. It does not seek monetary assistance from the world at large. The Baha'i Faith proclaims itself as a brand new revelation / restatement of divine truths combined with social teachings particularly suited for the modern age of global culture and interdependence. The Baha'i Faith began in 1844 AD and its community has spread around the world alongside the developments of modernity.

The space ark is on a long-term mission; so is the Baha'i community. The Writings of the Baha'i Faith inform the Baha'is that it will take centuries of striving by the Baha'i community before its full influence on world society is felt. The Baha'is are reminded that it will be difficult work, and that occasional setbacks should be expected as Humanity struggles to achieve spiritual maturity.

The space ark must have diversity in order to thrive. It is the same with the Baha'i community as it attempts to embrace a larger portion of Humanity. As the Baha'i community grows in size and influence, it will need to resist the temptation of becoming smug or self-satisfied that it has all the answers. It will be absolutely vital that the Baha'i community maintain positive interactions, even with those who disagree with much of its vision of an united Humankind. Really listening to and taking seriously minority viewpoints within the Baha'i community will be an increasing challenge as its influence on the world at large becomes more apparent.

Those aboard the space ark must remember that their onboard society is not an end in itself but rather a stage in a process as the ark moves onto its goal. The Baha'i community likewise needs to keep in mind that it is not an end in itself but rather one tool among many that our Creator is using to assist Humanity in its transition from the collective spiritual adolescence of the present to the widespread spiritual maturity of the future. A focus on being of service to all people no matter what their beliefs can help the Baha'i community see itself in proper perspective.

The community on the space ark needs entertainment to balance its strong expressions of determination to reach its goal. In a similar way, the Baha'i community needs to exhibit joy in its activities including ever-increasing use of the musical, visual, and performance arts as well as any wholesome form of personal expression individual Baha'is may utilize in order to express their Baha'i and cultural identities.

The space ark may utilize technologies far in advance of what Humankind is presently capable or even aware of. This aspect of the space ark analogy translates to the Baha'i community needing to remember that the source of its confidence in a positive future for Humanity is its continued connection to God's will for the human race. As with other world religions, the Baha'i Faith sees this connection as primarily mystical in character; a connection maintained by humble prayer, devoted meditation, soulful reflection, and acts of pure-hearted service to others. As with the rest of Humanity, the Baha'i community has only a limited understanding of the wonderful future it is helping bring about. We should all keep in mind that only God knows the actual form our future will take and the full details of the various stages Humanity must traverse in order to arrive there with its unity in diversity intact. As a Baha'i, I see keeping hope alive in such a glorious future for the human race as one the key tasks the Baha'i community is performing in this present age of moral confusion and rapid change. Remaining humble about our beliefs while striving to exhibit a positive influence on those around us can attract them to that vision of the future we are so fervently working towards.

Finally, I believe that all people of good will, no matter what their beliefs, can and should remain confident about our collective future. We can take heart that no matter what seemingly insurmountable barriers are in our way as we strive as a sentient species to reach our glorious spiritual destiny, God will be there to help us overcome each and every one. As a religious person, I perceive God beckoning all of us forward to fully embrace those tremendous spiritual and social changes implied in the divine teachings found in the heart of every world religion; teachings that can summon the glorious reality of spiritual maturity for all Humankind.